Not up to expectations

Paul Gauguin Cruise Review to South Pacific

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 142

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5
Paul Gauguin

11 Night Cook Islands & Society Islands (Papeete Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 30, 2015

Ship: Paul Gauguin

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 739

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

For years I had thought of the Paul Gauguin as "top tier" and had longed for the opportunity to sail on her. That opportunity came this year when they offered a tremendous promotion. Given that we got a very good rate, the cruise was acceptable but it would have been disappointing had we paid full fare. The crew was great the first 9 (of 11) days but something must have happened because many definitely had attitudes (that once bordered on surly) the last two days. The ship is immaculately clean and well maintained but food (particularly dinner) did not measure up to luxury ship standards. Entertainment was okay but not compelling. The lack of any female servers in the restaurants and lounges was noted by several guests. For some reason, although we were in mild to medium seas, the ship seemed to have more motion than we have experienced on other ships of similar size in heavier seas. And a final complaint for any ship (PG included) that employs a photographer for revenue purposes: they are intrusive and the constant flashes going off all over the restaurant does little for the ambiance of a romantic meal.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Breakfast and lunch were fairly good; dinner not so much

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
We really didn't participate in very many

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Says it all - it was ok

Children's Programs

na

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
The staff were all great the first nine days but we experienced some bad attitudes the last 2 days. Our cabin stewardess, Herlin, and Mark Lucky from the wait staff were both tops!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Cleanliness and maintenance were top notch

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Bed was fine, lots of storage, pillows only so-so; would have preferred a shower instead of tub/shower.

Ship tip

Unless they improve, don't pay full price

Ports of call

Huahine, French Polynesia

5 out of 5

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

5 out of 5
Very interesting tour guide who left the corporate world in New Zealand and brought his family to live on his mother's home island

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

5 out of 5

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

5 out of 5

Taha'A, Society Islands

3 out of 5
Not into water activities but lunch was good!

Moorea, French Polynesia

5 out of 5
Dolphin expedition was informative and fun

Papeete, Tahiti

3 out of 5
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5 Comments

cruisellama    5 years ago

2017go    7 years ago

mickeyd    8 years ago

Does it matter what sex the staff are?

glomarrone    9 years ago

Thanks for posting your first review here.  I enjoyed reading it.

glomarrone    9 years ago

I, too, have always considered this cruise line to be top of the line.  I never cruised it because of high prices.  They do offer great itineraries.  Perhaps there was a serious reason for the crew's demeanor to change so dramatically.  Too bad that the passengers had to suffer through it.  I hope that your next cruise is a happier one for you.