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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: JL Kutcher
Email: jkutcher@msmc.com
Age: 44
Occupation: professional
NumberOfCruises: 10
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Radisson-PaulGauguin
SailingDate: 9/19/98
Itinerary: French Polynesia
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 85
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService:
TenderService: 98
GoodForSeniors: 85
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess: 75
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 75
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 98
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 98
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 05 Oct 1998
Time: 14:28:51
Remote Name: 206.4.239.9
Remote User:
Comments
As a Radisson Seven Seas repeat cruiser, the ship meets all the expectations. Radisson
does it all very upscale and guests are treasted royally.
We did the upgrade on Air New Zealand and it was truly not necessary. The service, food,
etc. were all excellent, but the people in coach were just
as happy as we were, for alot less money. The jet was not full going or coming home, so
they probably had more room to stretch out than we did.
Radisson did a fine job from meeting us to LAX to meeting us in Tahiti and transporting us
to the hotel and ship. The check-in for the ship at the
hotel was well done and appreciated by all.
The ship does roll, even in seas that seem calm. If one tends toward seasickness, bring
medication!
The islands are very rural and are probably what the Caribbean looked like 75 years ago.
There is little to no shopping available, few phones, and
few taxis. The watersports are great. The diving and snorkeling are in pristine water and
the staff are very safe and knowlegeable. There is really
no need to even bring your snorkel and fins. Everything is available and top rate. I
believe they even had wetsuits available. Kayaking, windsurfing
and waterskiing were all done from the marina platform.
This is spectacular. The sip carries severa l Zodiacs, and they use them for diving and
other watersports. If one does not care for waater sports, there is little to see or do.
Each island is beautiful, and not touristy. The tours available
are expensive and all the islands look the same to the non-watersports person. One
highlight was a lecture on dolphins and whales by Dr. Michael
Poole. He runs a research station on Moorea. The private island, or motu, is very nice,
but there are no facilities on it and no lounges. Snorkeling
there is good and safe. This is a nice trip, but a really long way to go for watersports.
I would always consider this ship again and hope that one
day it is in the Caribbean.
Name: mary wagher
Email: mary@dkbfpny.com
Age: 28
Occupation: Accountant
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Radisson-PaulGauguin
SailingDate: 10/17/98
Itinerary: french polynesia
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 93
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 93
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService:
TenderService: 93
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 99
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 93
EntertShowLounge: 93
OverallPortsofCall: 99
BeautySalon: 99
EntertainmentPoolside: 96
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 96
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Nov 1998
Time: 09:42:32
Remote Name: 208.213.90.42
Remote User:
Comments
The Paul Gauguin ship is a beautiful and luxurious ship. One of the main reasons we chose
this
cruise is for the exotic ports of call & for the limited capacity of 320 passengers.
Our room was
on Deck 7, therefore we were had a balcony. Nothing can beat breakfast room service on the
balcony overlooking these islands!!! If you can splurge, go for the balcony or veranda.
The
service and the food were EXCELLENT on this ship!!! The Carita spa was an incredible
experience
- recommendations include the anti-stress massage & a facial. The hairstylist did an
incredible job
on my hair too. As for the entertainment, all of the polynesian shows were worth seeing.
You have to see these island to appreciate their full beauty. They are all unique &
unspoiled. We
enjoyed all of the excursions that we booked from the ship. The Jeep safari tours of Bora
Bora
and Moorea were very informative. We had a private narrated tour of each island and
learned a
great deal about their history and culture - even if the ride was a little bumpy. Most of
the other
activites were water-related such as snorkeling & diving.
This is a cruise for rest & relaxation. Bring lots of sunblock and good film for your
camera. We had
a wonderful trip.
Name: Gary M. Gansle
Email: ggansle@wsgr.com
Age: 32
Occupation: lawyer
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Radisson-PaulGauguin
SailingDate: mid-august
Itinerary: Tahiti
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 100
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService: 99
CruiseStaff: 98
CabinAmenities: 99
FoodLidoDeck: 97
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 97
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService: 98
ShoreExcValue: 94
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 98
TenderService: 99
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 93
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 93
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 93
CruiseActivities: 99
Casino: 96
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 97
DiscoNightclubs: 93
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 94
SpaceRatio: 99
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 08 Dec 1998
Time: 14:58:38
Remote Name: 161.82.18.83
Remote User:
Comments
This cruise was phenomenal. The views of the Tahitian mountains springing from the
beautiful blue-green water were a daily
inspiration. I felt pampered without feeling intruded upon and there were so many
wonderful aspects of the cruise, I have trouble
knowing where to start. There was not a single member of the staff that performed less
than adequately and most went way out
of their way to assure our good time. Our cabin stewardess was exceptional! Besides
cleaning the room impeccably twice a day,
she made sure our champagne bucket was iced down at all times in case we chose that moment
to pop the cork and celebrate
the trip. The cruise director and social hostess were also extremely personable and
charming. They also surprised us all with
their singing talent which was of a higher caliber than I anticipated on a cruise ship.
Our only complaint was that this wonderful
cruise ended too soon. We could have stayed aboard the M/S Paul Gauguin for at least
another week or more.
Name: Karen Stanek
Email: stanek@infonline.net
Age: 39
Occupation: house wife
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Radisson-PaulGauguin
SailingDate: 10-3-98
Itinerary: Tahiti-South Pacific
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 100
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 100
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff: 100
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 65
LoungeService: 100
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 100
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon: 100
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 75
AirSeaProgram: 80
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 100
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 22 Dec 1998
Time: 10:24:49
Remote Name: 207.41.2.88
Remote User:
Comments
Radisson Seven Seas m/s Paul Gauguin
Tahiti and the Society Islands, October 3rd-10th 1998 Karen and Mark Stanek
stanek@infonline.net
After a 13 hour flight, not including layovers, we arrived in Papeete at 1:00am. We
arrived at the Maeva Sofitel by 2:00am. After
talking to several passengers, who had arrived early for a pre-cruise package, It appears
that ANZ was the airline of choice.
Many pre-cruise people complained of rude service and cramped older planes on AOM and
France Air, which are used for arrivals
other that Saturdays. After a much needed nights sleep, we skipped the excursion and just
layed around the pool and rested.
Transfers to the ship began at 3:00. The ship its self still had a new smell to it. There
is No glamour or glitz onboard other that
the casinos twinkling lights around the doorway. Nothing but Paul Gauguin paintings and
pencil sketches on the walls, tropical
flowers and plants everywhere. The standard suites were of ample space, with lots of dark
wood. The marble bathrooms were
huge in cruise ship terms with plenty of storage space and a full size tub and shower.
There is a comp bar setup that included a
bottle of scotch, vodka and gin. The little fridge was stocked each day with mixers and
sodas. All soft drinks and juices were
also gratis aboard ship. The weather the entire week was the same, HOT, I would say above
90 with a daily brief downpour, This
usually occured when on a shore excursion. The passenger make-up comprised of 50 %
american, 25% french and about 25%
other various nationalities. The age mix was younger than other RSSC ships. There were
quite a few newlyweds and several
singles. Dress was really casual. The women wore sleeveless dresses and pants suits, while
the men wore short sleeved shirts
and dress pants. Ties were an uncommen sight. Although it was suggested that men needn't
wear a jacket, my husband brought
one and really could of used two. One for the Captains greeting and one for the Seven Seas
Society dinner, which was held for
past RSSC passengers. Even at these two dressier evenings, few people wore a tie. Dress
code for the daytime was bathing
suits and cover-ups. Bathing suits were every where during the day except for lunch at Le
Etoile. Public Areas: The casino
was on the small side with two black jack tables and one roulette table. There were
numerous slots, these were not in operation
as of yet, due to some French law. They hope to have this regulation changed in the near
future.
There were two dining rooms. Le Etoile was the main one with La Veranda alternating, by
reservation only, one french menu and
one italian menu every other night. I was surprised that the menus stayed the same for the
entire week. We opted for the
french night and we found it interesting. In this restaurant, you don't choose from the
menu, it is just served course by course.
For most of our breakfasts and lunches we choose to eat outdoors at the Grill, witch is
enclosed on several sides by glass
panels to shield from wind. Only once did we eat in, during a very windy downpour. Room
service was prompt with a varied
menu.
Service in the dining room was good. I must say service on other parts of the ship was
more relaxed than other RSSC ships.
We had no problem with the reception desk or the excursion desk, but we had heard several
comments that some passengers
had been treated rudely by the french staff. The cruise director was British and the
social hostess was American, and the both
did a really good job. Entertainment on board consisted of a comic/ magician and shows by
Les Gauguins who were native
"hostesses" who sang traditional Tahitian songs every where on board.
Ports of call included Huahine, which we declined shore excursions in favor of vegging by
the pool to fully recover from the
flight. The next was Raietea which we chose a jeep excursion, only slightly entertaining.
Then came Bora Bora which was my
favorite island. We did a jeep excursion here that is not to be missed. A really exciting
tour through the jungle that was really
hair raising at times. The scenery and moutain top views were spectacular. This excursion
is not for the fragile, you really had
to hold on and brace yourself during much of the ride. Since there are no seat belts, I
lifted off my seat on more than one
occasion. The second day in Bora Bora we chose a snorkling excursion that included a swim
with Manta Rays that was really a
hoot. These giants creatures would wrap their bodys around you while the guide is warning
you to stay away from their tails. In
the afternoon, we went to the private motu which is just an small island surrounded by a
coral reef. . There was a outdoor bar
setup, with a champagne table in the water. Ample lounge chairs, and water sport equipment
provided. This was a very relaxing
afternoon. My husband's favorite island was next, Moorea, which was the prettiest of all
of the islands. Although we signed up
for our shore excursions the moment we went aboard, (which I highly suggest) the excursion
we choose on day one, the dolphin
expedition, was already booked. So we rented a scooter and toured the island. The final
day on Moorea we jet skied. We
stopped at on Motu that was just littered with the most beautiful shells. Everyone,
including the tour guides spent the next hour
bent over picking shells. Although we did not scuba dive, the diving it's self was
understood to be terrific, it was the
prequalifications that we heard had been a bit unusual.. If you answered "yes"
to any question....Have you ever had surgery,
do you get seasick, are you on any medication, etc., you had to have your doctor in the
states fax a medical release. Your
other option was to visit a Dr. on the island. Many people complained that this condition
was not revealed earlier. Leaving
Moorea, we had a 12 mile voyage back to Tahiti which for some reason took about 5 hrs.
Some people claimed that the Captain
drove around aimlessly after nearing an island to make it appear that we were travelling
further distances. One port, Rangiroa,
was eliminated from the itinerary and replaced with Huahine. This was due to really rough
seas around Rangiroa. For the most
part, our cruise was smooth sailing. After arriving in Tahiti about 9:00pm, during dinner,
the drapes were opened to reveal the
lights of Papeete. It really was beautiful. Disembarkation was a bit rough. Those not
participating in a post-cruise package
disembarked at 4:20am!!! I really recommend a post cruise package in Bora Bora or Moorea.
This was a really relaxing cruise that made stops at some of the most beautiful islands I
have ever seen. One thing we would of
done different would be to include a weeks stay in New Zealand since we were only 6 hours
away. I think in hind sight we would
absolutley tried to find time for a post-cruise package. I would recommend this cruise and
ship to any one who is interested in
this itinerary.
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