A wonderful scuba diving trip with 5 star service and facilities.
Embarkation
2 out of 5
Did not separate those with valid covid-19 pcr test from those who did it. We had our test, within the time frame, and waited over 4 hours to get called up only to be told we should have come up earlier. Given a number and told to wait until we were called, despite repeatedly trying to let them know we had our valid test. When we finally got called up, woman thanked us, but then said we should have been allowed to board hours ago. Frustrating.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food was very good! Plenty of options, and focus on fresh fish and seafood, presented in French and Polynesian style. Main restaurant vegetarian options and pasta were mediocre at best. Veranda restaurant never failed to please, with classic French dishes with a Polynesian flair. Bar service (especially at the Pool Bar) was friendly, superb, and professional. Made it our regular afternoon meeting place, and were treated as regulars after the first day.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
This was a cruise for the itinerary, and so we did little on board. The MOST AMAZING part were les Gauguins, the group of French Polynesian ambassadors. They delighted with spontaneous musical performances with dance, and a spectacular Polynesian show. They also hosted many talks and arts-and-craft activities that focused on the history and culture of the region.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
The highlight for me was the Polynesian show by Les Gauguins, which featured songs and dances from different areas in and around all of Polynesia. The magician was fair, with all card and paper tricks, nothing too fun or flashy. The crew show was fun and a good opportunity to see an entertaining variety show. I loved the traditional Philippine songs and dances and the impressive and comprehensive (!) solo vocal performance by the restaurant director (he has an amazing voice, and sang parts of over 20 different broadway songs)! There was a fun drag dance number, and a few VERY good dance numbers. A surprise and delight to see some of the hotel and crew perform.
Children's Programs
No children allowed on ship
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Could not ask for better service! It didn't hurt that this was the second cruise since reopening, and also that there were more crew than passengers! All the staff were expertly trained, polite, warm, and friendly. So many of them have worked for PG (Paul Gauguin) for many years. As a male couple (one of two on this cruise), we were treated just like anyone else, and even given some extra attention, as several times, we were told that in Polynesian culture, it is an esteemed identity, and is honored and appreciated (I knew this, having grown up nearby in Papua New Guinea). We were treated with kindness and the most fine service we could ask for.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship is perfect for this itinerary, and the design was superb. We were down the hall from the marina, which opens up from the back of the ship. They are/have a full scuba dive center right there! On two-tank dive days, we took a break in our room, got a bite to eat upstairs, and walked back to the marina. The divemasters were also amazing and knew many secret spots. The ship is quite small, but the pool was lovely, and it was easy to get from one place to another. It is the class of a 5 star hotel, and was kept looking that way. Extra sanitizing happened constantly.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Small, but well planned. We had a very large picture window, which was fine for us, as we spend so much time on the pool deck, the marina, and at the lovely La Palette bar area at the rear of the ship. Bathroom was well-appointed and renovated with a full bathtub. No shower door or curtain, but the piece of glass only went part of the way and when showering, water always splashed out quite a bit. Beds were comfortable with different pillow options available upon request. Linens and towels were very high quality, although the bathrobes were the cheapest quality and were way too small.
Ship tip
Get ready to see some beautiful places, and be sure to interact and get to know crew and fellow passengers. Also, this is FRENCH Polynesia, so expect many French citizens and speakers. Our cruise was about half American half French passengers. I loved practicing my French and people were patient and kind. If you want to go scuba diving in French Polynesia, do NOT hesitate to do this. Forget the famed "over water bungalows" and go on the Paul Gauguin instead.
Our favorite island! Beautiful, less developed, friendly residents, and we had a wonderful beach/snorkel/Polynesian picnic experience. Our best drift snorkel was there. Island was beautiful.
Overrated. SO many mega resorts, all the luxury ones, and so it was hard to find a public beach. Resort properties all over the place. A bit too focused on the instagram-happy, bougie, honeymooners who want to brag. Not for us. Diving off the coast was very good though.
DO NOT MISS RANGIROA! The most amazing water, and we saw and interacted with a large pod of wild dolphins! They came up to us, and several were used to people, wanting us to scratch them, rub their backs. It was a breathtaking experience 35 feet under water. Beautiful island with less development, but again, friendly residents, much to see and do.
We spent a day in Moorea before our cruise, and were there overnight for the last two days of the cruise. It was our favorite island in the Society Islands. Very good roads, many snorkeling spots right off the beach. We hired a small motor boat the last day to go snorkel and swim with stingrays and sharks (just the two of us). They are used to people, as they used to be fed, so they came right up to us, and I got to touch stingrays and a black tip reef shark came and nuzzled me (expecting food). A delightful experience.
Better than embarkation. Had to vacate our cabins by 8 am (ugh!) but could wait and have a leisurely breakfast in the restaurants and then wait in the lounge until our turn to leave came about.
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