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Name: ann carroll
Email: donaldcarroll@worldnet.att.net
Age: 56
Occupation: Office manager
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Radisson-Paulgauguin
SailingDate: March 28, 1998
Itinerary: French Polynesia
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 100
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 70
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 80
MedicalFacilities: 100
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 17 Apr 1998
Time: 21:23:52
Remote Name: 12.68.176.89
Remote User:
Comments
Apparently we were on the same cruise as Dale Cooney and his comments are to the point.
Agree with him on the Reception Desk. One piece of our
luggage was damaged after customs inspection and arrival on the boat. We learned there was
a problem with luggage handling and only got a smile and
'we know' when we mentioned it to the Reception Desk. With regards to the Air New Zealand
flights, we could not find fault with the coach seats or the food
served, both compared favorably to Business Class in the States. However there was no
Radisson representative at the LAX as promised in a letter
attached to our tickets. We were transferred to Sofitel Maerva Beach Hotel, our room was
very nice as well as the breakfast and the brunch where we
were processed for the boat, a very smooth procedure. Our cabin on the 600 deck had a
large picture window which unfortunately one had to stand to
look out of. If it had been 12" lower, one could have enjoyed sitting on the sofa and
look out at the view. The cabin and bathroom with a full bath was
outstanding and there was plenty of closet space, and a bowl of fresh fruit was refilled
daily until Thursday. Soda and bottled water was provided at no
charge. The boat did tend to roll while in the open seas but think this week had been the
worst they had had so far, so may be this is not a regular
occurence. There were a few families on board but basically this is not a family cruise as
no special events for children and it is a small boat. On other
cruises, we have enjoyed walking around the Promenade Deck for fitness. This boat has no
Promenade Deck but there is a daily walk at 8.30am around
the Grill and LaPalette area on the 8th level, however we had quite a lot of rain at the
beginning and the deck was very slippy by La Grille and someone did
take a nasty fall. The Fitness Room was very limited with basic equipment and there was no
aerobic studio or space available for it on board. The food was
very good and breakfast in La Veranda was great with a choice of fresh fruits - pineapple
was out of this world. Seating was open seating and we would
have preferred a set table for dinner with open seating for breakfast and lunch. We went
to both the French and Italian dinners, a salad would have been
nice at the French night and a better recipe is needed for the tiramusi on the Italian
night. After dinner instead of regular coffee, capucinno was also
available which was greatly enjoyed. Afternoon tea in La Palette was very good and the
pianist, Janet, was excellent. She also played during the Cocktail
hour and again later in the evening. Entertainment was lacking compared to other cruise
lines but we knew this when we booked on the Paul Gauguin. The
Cruise Director was also a singer and had a show one evening and an illusionist had two
shows. However these shows were poorly attended but I think it
was because they did not start until 10.15pm. We unfortunately did not see the Polynesian
Review on the last afternoon which I understand was very
good. Siglo, the band, was very good but as ballroom dancers the rhythm was one fits all.
Shore excursions were limited but we went on the jeep
excursions and the one at Bora Bora was excellent. My husband who enjoys snorkelling was a
little disappointed. We were told by Reservations at
Radisson that snorkeling could be done directly from the boat; it could not. However,
snorkeling at Rangiora both from the beach and the glass bottom
boat was great as well as the Lagoonarium and the private motu at Bora Bora. There was no
snorkelling at Riatea and Moorea. Tender service was very
good using the lifeboats. Embarkation and Disembarkation were handled very well. It seems
as if travelling to this area of the world, one does not travel in
normal hours. We arrived at Papeete at 3 am and then transferred to hotel. On the last
morning breakfast was served at 3.30am and we were boarding a
bus at 4.30am for the airport where our luggage was waiting and which we had to claim to
check in. The airport is very hot and muggy but Radisson's part
was handled very well. We found that there were plenty of areas to sit and read a book or
just enjoy the scenery and it was hard to imagine that there
were 300 other people on board as the boat seemed very quiet and at times empty. We
thoroughly enjoyed the cruise.
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