radisson-pgdc032898

Name: Dale Cooney
Email: dcooney@planeteer.com
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired - Business Owner
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Radisson-PaulGaugin
SailingDate: March 28, 1998
Itinerary: Tahiti/Rangiroa/Riatea/Bora Bora/Moorea
FoodDiningRoom: 88
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 88
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 79
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Apr 1998
Time: 17:44:40
Remote Name: 204.50.43.37
Remote User:

Comments

Whoever said, ‘getting there is half the fun’, never traveled half way around the world to board a cruise ship. Or if he/she did it was probably in
Business Class whereas my wife and I traveled in Coach. Rather than spend $975.00 US to upgrade our air package to Business Class, we elected
to spend the equivalent amount of money on the three day pre-cruise package at the Tahiti Beachcomber Park Royale. This gave us a chance to
rest up and get acclimatized to the Tahitian weather as well as see Tahiti at our leisure. The Beachcomber has wonderful Polynesian ambiance and if
it had an air conditioned dining room they could rename it ‘Paradise’.

Like ourselves, you have probably never heard of the French Charter Airline, AOM. They fly the venerable DC-10’s to the many French Overseas
Territories. With our flight originating in Paris, it was no surprise that it arrived 2 ½ hours late in Los Angeles. This meant we left at 1:30 A.M. instead
of 11:05 P.M. and by the time we arrived in Papeete we had been in transit for 18 hours. One thing I must say about AOM, their in-flight meals were
the best we have ever had. But Coach Class is not the place to be. Seating is snug and leg room is limited. On the other hand, the Air New Zealand
flight from Papeete to LA was a new 767 and their Coach Class is very comfortable with generous leg room, foot rests and head rests that can be
adjusted for lateral support. Our flight departed on time and arrived in Los Angeles ½ hour early. On the negative side, they served the worst
in-flight meal we have ever had. As to flight delays, passengers who arrived in Papeete on Saturday via the Air France 747 were 3 ½ hours late so
the scheduled airline did not prove any more reliable than the charter. We were disappointed in the fact that Radisson did not have a representative
at LAX to assist with ongoing travel and layover arrangement as advertised in their brochure. .

Immigration and Customs clearance in Papeete was a time consuming exercise punctuated by mounting frustration and aggravated by heat
prostration. They simply lack sufficient facilities and efficient procedures to process the number of passengers coming off wide bodied aircraft with
any degree of proficiency. There were only four Immigration Officers on duty and as a result it took 40 minutes to clear passengers from our flight.

The M/S Paul Gauguin provides a wonderful itinerary for anyone interested in scuba diving & snorkeling, tropical flora & fauna, history & culture of
the Polynesian People, scenic photography, black pearls, or just pampered relaxation. It is not recommended for those who want Las Vegas style
entertainment or all night parties. And unfortunately I would not recommend it for anyone who is prone to motion sickness. Unlike most ocean going
cruise ships, the M/S Paul Gauguin is a relatively short vessel with a flat bottom and a shallow draught. She was designed to get through the coral
reefs and into the island lagoons, however she does pitches and rolls on the high seas to the extent that some passengers were very uncomfortable
and anyone navigating the passageways had to do so very carefully. We saw some great Foster Brookes imitations.

The 03/28/98 sailing had a passenger compliment of 295 representing a broad spectrum of ages hailing from the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia,
Germany and France. This mixture of people from a wide variety of social and cultural backgrounds made for interesting conversation and
comaraderie.

All public areas are spacious and tastefully appointed. Cabin furnishings and appointment are luxurious with ample storage space and bright
halogen lighting. The queen size beds are firm and the down filled pillows are soft, perhaps too soft. The complimentary mini-bar was well stocked
and was promptly refilled when necessary.

Food quality was generally good and the variety of menu and buffet items was such that there was usually something of interest for everyone. In
keeping with the tradition of French Cuisine, a la carte menu items were small portions artistically presented. Repeat orders were available for those
who follow the ‘All You Can Eat’ tradition. Those with the will power to pass on dessert were rewarded with an empty plate colorfully decorated with
the eatable inscription, ‘Nothing’, The M/S Paul Gauguin tradition of the bottomless glass of complimentary wine was rampant. These vintage
offerings from France, California and Australia were served at lunch and dinner and were of excellent quality. Each night a fixed menu was served in
‘La Veranda’, the alternate dining room to L’Etoile. It was French Cuisine one night and Haute Italian the next. Due to limited seating, reservations
were required and they booked up quickly. We were only able to get reservations for the French Soiree and quite frankly I wished we had not been
so ‘lucky’. Pepto Bismal was definitely the digestif of choice.

Exceptional scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities abound throughout the Polynesian lagoons. The M/S Paul Gauguin is equipped with
state-of-the-art scuba diving facilities and has excellent diving programs tailored to all levels of proficiency. For the serious diver, an open water
certification program is offered. The instructors are first rate and of course diver safety is their primary concern. For those who wish to view the near
shore coral outcroppings and their resident tropical fish, mask, snorkel, fins and a buoyancy vest are available free of charge from the onboard
Marina.

Evening entertainment in The Grand Salon included a Comedian/Impressionist/Singer, who just happened to be the Cruise Director, and a Magician,
however the programs were lackluster and did not start until 10:15 P.M. As a result they were sparsely attended. The exception was the Friday
evening program of Traditional Polynesian Song and Dance featuring an award winning group of Tahitian entertainers. In the immortal words of Elvis,
there was ‘A Whole Lotta Shakin Going On’. The house musical group, ‘Siglo’ is exceptionally talented and featured the golden oldies, while the
lounge singer, ‘Janet’ just about burned the house down with her torch songs. Unfortunately these fine musicians were primarily playing to empty
rooms. Disco music was available after 11:30 P.M. but by that time we were either at the Blackjack table or in bed bemoaning our losses and trying
to develop a different strategy for getting even. Les Gauguines are a group of 6 Polynesian beauties, part of the Cruise Staff, who act as hostesses
at the various receptions and perform Polynesian dances and songs in the Grand Salon, L’Etoile and around the pool deck. They are charming and
gracious individuals who are excellent goodwill ambassadors for The Islands.

The Casino had a setback when the Tahitian government ruled they could not operate the slot machines and also decreed the Casino had to operate
as a private club which in turn required each patron pay a membership fee of $10.00 US The $10.00 fee was subsequently returned in the form of a
$10.00 betting voucher however there was nothing they could do about the slots and this disappointed many of the one armed bandit set. That left
only 3 Blackjack tables and 1 Roulette table for the serious gamblers but that was OK since they were usually busy until the wee small hours. During
the course of the cruise, Casino personnel conducted lessons in both Blackjack and Roulette and held a Blackjack and Roulette tournament.

La Boutique was geared primarily for the sale of luxury items such as Black Pearls and French Perfume along with a limited selection of casual
clothing and the omnipresent ship’s souvenirs. Sales staff were very courteous which one would expect for big ticket items. While they professed to
be Duty Free, we compared their prices with stores the same people operated on shore and there did not seem to be any difference.

Personally we felt the shore excursions were overpriced and for this reason we only booked four. It was certainly true of the $43.00 US Emerald
Lagoon Tour which we did take. It was not as good as the Radisson’s private Motu in Bora Bora which is free to all passengers. The Wave Runner
Trip around Bora Bora for $150.00 US, two sharing, was as much fun as you can have on the water and Stephan our guide was Mr.
Personality/Congeniality. Half way around the Island he took us to the most perfect white sand beach you will find anywhere in the world. The Circle
Bus Tour around Moorea was well worth the $25.00 US primarily due to the knowledge and humor of our guide William and the fact that it was the
only air conditioned bus tour on the whole 7 day itinerary. Be sure you ask for William’s bus if you take this tour. My wife took the Dolphin Excursion
in Moorea but it proved to be one of the two times since the itinerary began that dolphins were not sighted, much to the disappointment of those who
paid their $50.00 US for the privilege of getting wetted down with sea water and tossed hither and thither in the waves. I was very disappointed with
the sign-up procedure for shore excursions. It was first come, first serve and the most popular excursions were the ones with very limited availability.
The Excursion Desk was accepting reservations from the moment embarkation commenced and the most popular excursions were filled before many
passengers even came onboard.

Papeete is the only locale where the ship ties up to the docks. At all other locations the ship anchors a short distance off shore in the lagoons and
passengers go ashore by tender. Fortunately the tenders are fast and comfortable with an enclosed cabin and an upper sun deck. They run every
half hour and they are never crowded. The smaller tender to the private Motu is another story. It is like a LST landing craft with the bow of the vessel
coming down to discharge passengers onto the beach a la marines. Going to the Motu you ride with the waves. No Problem. However coming back
you are going against the waves and half the lagoon flows through the tender. Be advised, on the return trip, take the seats up top beside the
helmsman.

Service aboard ship was generally very good except for personnel at the Reception Desk who, for the most part were uninformed and abrupt. Our
Cabin Maid was new to the business and some mornings she missed replacing the depleted toiletries item. She also had a very erratic schedule for
making up the room. Bar, Deck, Casino and Shore Excursion Personnel were very attentive, helpful and polite. I particularly want to single out the
Shore Excursion Director, Bernard Richenbach for a special vote of thanks. Bernard not only has a full time job arranging all the shore activities, but
he also gave very informative lectures, fire side chats really, on life in The Islands from the prospective of a European who now lives in Tahiti and
married into a Polynesian family.

A word of caution, Radisson will not advance money on your credit card and does not provide money exchange services. I find this deplorable and
discourteous. Moreover when asked, the Reception Staff could not offer any suggestions as to how additional currency could be obtained.

The Cruise Staff for the most part did a great job, however they sponsored a Bridge Tournament and a Backgammon Tournament but had no idea
how to organize or run them. Fortunately there was a couple amongst the Bridge players who own and operate a Bridge Studio in Maui. They took it
upon themselves to organize that event, but the backgammon players were not as fortunate.

The Maitre D’ in L’Etoile was most gracious and accommodating. The dining rooms feature open seating and each evening you invariably get a
different waiter. I much prefer having an assigned table and a waiter who gets to know my needs and is attentive to them. While the waiters tried
hard, I frequently found I had to look around for someone to refill my coffee cup, remove soiled dishes or take a follow-up order.

Two precautions. One, take plenty of sun block, SPF 30 preferably. Two, take along a pair of beach shoes because the beaches are made up of
coarse sand and broken pieces of coral and if you get cut you run the risk of a nasty infection. One passenger did just that and was on strong
antibiotics for the balance of the cruise.

All told it was a wonderful experience and we enjoyed it very much however there are still some kinks to iron out. As for value, we have been on
other cruises which were just as good for a lesser price albeit on ships with a larger passenger compliment and certainly there are advantages to
sailing on a smaller ship. But if you want to cruise Polynesia, Radisson is the only game in town, so enjoy, we did.

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