Hi All,

I am looking for some help/advice. I have posted on the wedding/honeymoon board and thought I would try here as well. My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon, we are getting married July 18, 2008. We are thinking of a cruise on the Paul Gauguin. This trip leaves July 26th and is a 7 day cruise. I think this cruise looks fabulous, but I wish it was a lttle longer. Has anyone gone on the 7 day cruise? Did it seem short? Is 7 days enough time to be in Tahiti. We thought about spending a few days in Tahiti before the cruise, but do not think we can swing it. I would really appreciate any and all thoughts.

Thanks you so much,
Marie

It is one of the most fantastic honeymoons you could ever have!! You didn't mention where you'd be originating from, the West Coast? I believe if you fly from the East Coast, Regent puts you up at the LAX Hilton for the night (at least this is what they did a couple of years ago). If there's anyway you can do a pre-cruise for a couple of nights that would be wonderful! It is a long way to fly for just 7 nights BUT it sure is wonderful. The service, food, water sports are outstanding. You're definitely looking at a great ship and cruise line. You'll be so spoiled but you deserve it.

I did a 7 day cruise back in 1986 in Tahiti. It was lovely. Bora Bora is sooo gorgeous. I did the bike around the entire island, I think it is 26 miles. bring your camera...I wanted to take a picture every 20 ft.
I thought it was enough time to do Tahiti. We also did 3 day extension in Papeete at the start of the cruise but frankly, for me, it was unmemorable. I also did an outrigger canoe outing in Huahine...also gorgeous but I had my camera stolen off the "deserted" beach on this motu so be careful.

This is my dream cruise but the long flight is reason we have not yet planned it. Personally, I think 7 days is too short unless you can add a few days on land.

Can you do a back to back cruise to make it 2 weeks instead of just one?

It is the perfect cruise for a honeymoon. I certainly agree that it is too far to go from the East Coast for just 7 days. We did a B2B the first time we went because everything I read suggested that the experience on the ship was better than any on land (especially with regard to food and service). Furthermore, you're not really cruising very much except during the night (on the 7-day itinerary). Each day you are at a different island to investigate. The second time we went we did a 3-day pre-cruise at the Radisson on Tahiti and then a 10-day cruise. The pre-cruise through Regent was very reasonable. Opinions obviously differ with regard to staying on land. Many love OWBs, though they are pretty costly. Whatever you decide, find an agent who does a lot of business with Regent and go from there. Note that Regent has a special on all-inconclusive air right now (including the July 26th date) that expires on March 31st.

Just to clarify, the "all inclusive" air special is really all inclusive from LA with an add-on from other gateways--at most $600 from the US East Coast.

Thank you all for your advice/insight. It is very helpful to hear other opinions and experiences. As far as airfare, I was able to use frequent flyer miles to go from LA to Tahiti, roundtrip. Unfortunately the only airfare available was the day before the cruise and returning the day of the cruise. What we were thinking of doing was flying West and spending 4/5 days in the San Diego/La Jolla area. This way the flight to Tahiti would be just under 8 hours. This seemed like it would be more reasonable as far as cost and also allow us to do the cruise. Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be warmly appreciated!!

Many thanks,
Marie

Make sure you book before April 1st because I think that's when the fuel charge per person kicks in. Yes, book with a Regent specialist, not just a TA who does all cruise lines. If you continue checking on the f.f. miles availability, something may open up so you can go to the islands for a few days. That's happened to us when originally nothing was available. I personally would stay in Moorea or Bora Bora if you do a pre-cruise for a few days. Papeete is not too nice. Otherwise, staying in So. Cal probably helps break the trip up. Happy Honeymooning.

Ree878,
We've done the PG cruise in 2006 for 7 days. I think it was just right. If you can at all, spend some time before or after the cruise on Moorea or BB (if you don't have a lot of time, Moorea will be perfect). Despite what a lot of people say, I think Papeete is worth seing. Mingle downtown and visit the market for souvenirs. Going so far, and for most people, a trip of a lifetime, I would spend more time in FP then in California (sorry!). However, even if you manage only a week on the PG, it will still be fabulous! Enjoy it all!

Hi again,

First of all, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

Second, I have more inquiries. It looks like we may be able to extend our honeymoon by two days. The ship docks August 2nd and I have been able to get a flight leaving at 10:00 pm on Monday. Since we are leaving out of pappeete, would it be better/wiser to spend those extra days on the island of Tahitit? I know everyone says not to stay there and that Moorea and Bora Bora are MUCH nicer. But I didn't know if it would be worth it to go to another island for so short a time. Also, while we want to have a fabulour trip, we do not have unlimited funds. Would it be less expensive to stay on Tahiti. Again, any and all thoughts/comments/ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Marie

Take a look at the post-cruise options that Regent has:
http://www.rssc.com/voyage/details.j...&page=prgs
In most places, I would not advise this, but we have found them to be very reasonable in French Polynesia. They have a couple of 2-night post-cruise options for Tahiti. Since that's all the time you have, I would probably not go to another island, especially if you want to keep costs down.

Marie,
For the 2 extra days you have, spend them on Moorea. The other islands are too far (you'd have to fly) for the short time you have. Moorea is only a short distance from Tahiti on the ferry (about 40 minutes). You can disembark the ship and literally walk to the ferry! The island is striking and you will want to go! If you can, spend a few hours in Papeete before your departure (the market). There are many nice and not so expensive small hotels. We stayed at the Sheraton Lagoon Moorea on a OWB before our cruise and don't regret it! It is Heaven!!

Thank you all once again. We have decided to fly to San Diego and spend 4 nights, then we will fly to Papeete and go on the cruise. After the cruise we are going to take a ferry to Moorea and spend 3 nights in the Moorea Intercontinental. We are going to be staying in an OWB. I am extremely excited that we will have additional time in Moorea and that we will be staying in an OWB!!!!

Does oneone have any experience with the Moorea Intercontinental? What about staying in an OWB. While I am really excited about the OWB, they look loke they are awfully close together. Has anyone who has stayed in one found this to be a problem. Again, as always,I would greatly appreciate any and all thoughts/suggestions/experiences.

Thanks again,
Marie

Dear Marie,

Are you all set with your trip?
I juts sugned up to this Forum..
The PAUL GAUGUIN cruise is just fabulous.
We went last year and going back next month for our Anniversary.
If you have decided on the 7 nights cruise, and if you can I suggest a few nights afterwards to either Moorea or Bora Bora-

Otherwise the 7 nigths will give you a great sense of French Polynesia.
Any questions, feel free to ask. It is our favorite place