All in all, this was a fantastic sailing! All clients sailing with me (14) that I spoke with said it was a cruise of a lifetime and they would highly recommend to their friends, and I agree.
Weather: Despite it being rainy season, our weather was very good. We had one afternoon of heavy rain which cancelled the later excursions in Bora Bora, but other than that, it rained every day, but not enough to be a bother. In fact, the overcast skies kept us cool. When the sun was fully out, it was very hot and humid. It should be noted, however, that the sailing prior to ours had rain every single day with many excursions cancelled. When sailing during this season it is a risk, but it worked out very well for us as the price was extremely reasonable.
Ship: It is definitely an older ship and showing some wear (rust around joints, old tv cabinet in rooms, etc.) but extremely comfortable, clean and bright. Air conditioning worked well (although one of my client's room never cooled down, so they were upgraded). Unfortunately, however, the stabilizers broke during the previous sailing. We were told that they would try to fix them while in Bora Bora, but the parts did not arrive on time, and the seas were rough due to an earlier storm, and the ship movement was very rough. Some clients complained that they almost fell out of bed during the night. I've sailed the Drake Passage, and this was worse, to be honest. However, the alternative would have been to cancel the sailing, so most people took meds and didn't complain. The captain did change the departure schedule one night so that we wouldn't be rocking during dinner. Communication regarding this matter was open and honest.
Crew/Staff: Absolutely the best I've experienced among all luxury lines I've sailed. They were friendly, funny, kind, and extremely competent. Nothing seemed to be a bother - but rather a pleasure. Food: Outstanding! Fresh, creative, focusing on local and French cuisine. The variety was impressive.
Excursions: They were perfectly organized, and high quality. I tried to book a private excursion outside of Paul Gauguin but couldn't, because all the best tour operators had already been booked by Paul Gauguin. They use the best of the best and it is very apparent when seeing other excursions used by the hotels or other lines. Private Island on Taha'a: Fantastic! Beautiful, clean, ample chairs for everyone, great BBQ, great drinks and activities without being overwhelming. Plenty of relaxation and activity base on what you were looking for. We had a wedding in the afternoon that everyone was invited to, and it was beautifully conducted by the captain and cruise director. Excursions can be booked ahead of time by calling in which is recommended as many were sold out quickly, especially the EBikes - which were absolutely a must-do! Cancellation policies are adhered to - one of my clients had to cancel an excursion due to illness and they mandated that she visit the doctor before being granted a refund.
Entertainment: Excellent variety for a smaller ship. The shows were late, however, with most beginning after 9pm. A highlight was beautiful fresh flower leis and crowns being handmade in front of us for everyone to have on Polynesian night. They were beautiful!
Photographer: Excellent - we were surprised how many photos were taken of us without even knowing! There was also a videographer on board who made a video of the cruise that was for sale at the end of the sailing for $85.
Shopping: The boutique was nice with a good selection of quality black pearls and clothing. Unfortunately, their supply of sundries could be better. There was plenty of sunscreen, but items like contact lense solution were not available.
Passenger Attire: Most dressed in comfortable sundresses and tropical prints. Slacks are mandatory for evenings. Do bring something extra tropical for Polynesian night.
Additional: The snorkeling equipment was complimentary and very good quality. Be sure to get yours on the first day as the available hours for the rest of the week are limited. Don't forget that you can kayak and paddle board off the back of the ship for free in good weather.
Finally, my group of 14 travelers, who are used to luxury lines, all raved about this experience. They all agreed that they would rather spend 7 nights on this ship, experiencing a variety of islands, rather than staying on land. The value is incredible! Most of our group arrived three nights early and stayed at a resort (La Taha'a), which is highly recommended so that you arrive on time to the ship, well rested and ready for a trip of a lifetime. I organized these arrangements, and day rooms for those who were flying out after disembarkation through a DS (Tahiti Legends), rather than using Paul Gauguin's offerings which were pricey.
Scorecard:
Staff |
|
Dining |
|
Entertainment |
|
Activities |
|
Cabins/Staterooms |
|
Itinerary/Ports |
|
Value |
|