 |
 |
|
Name: Stephen Chan
Email: shlchan@yahoo.com
Age: 49
Occupation: Art Gallery/Home Decor Owner
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Radisson-PaulGaugin
SailingDate: 6/16/98
Itinerary: Tahiti, French Polynesian Islands
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 92
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 94
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 92
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 92
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 92
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 92
TenderService: 98
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 92
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities: 90
ShipCleanliness: 93Ss
EmbarkDisembark: 92
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 Jul 1998
Time: 15:43:18
Remote Name: 147.217.74.73
Remote User:
Comments
Sail date: 16 May 1998
In general, two quite different opinions will be expressed on this cruise. Those who enjoy
watersports and serene surroundings will love it and those who
enjoy sightseeing and shopping don’t much care for it. The French Polynesian islands
are, in many ways, about thirty years behind time.
It is not a family cruise as there is no program catered to youngsters. We didn’t
have any kid on board.
Some people complained that the entertainment were not big productions. Well, think about
it for a minute, it is a small ship. The stage is small and the Le
Grand Salon is just big enough to hold everyone in one place. If big named stars and big
stage shows are what you’re looking for, then you should go to
Las Vegas or Broadway instead. Besides, it may be dangerous with high-kick dancing when
the ship is ‘rolling and pitching’.
As Radisson uses Air New Zealand charters, there is no need to upgrade to Business Class.
Spend the money on a 3-night Pre-cruise package instead.
The Tahiti Beachcomber Parkroyal is a much better and nicer hotel than the Tahiti Sofitel
Maeva Beach.
The biggest complaint I had was that the cruise allowed smoking in the dining room and, in
particular, the reception area. The reception area was a small
place and was always crowded with people booking excursions and asking for information.
One might have to be there for quite some time to take care
of all the businesses. Then, the reception area became a stinky and suffocating place.
Very discomforting indeed.
The French and Italian nights were gimmicky. The food in L’Etoile was just as good if
not better. Overall, the quality of food was very good but not
excellent.
Minor irritants included: the elevators broke down quite often; the cocktails provided at
the complimentary cocktail parties were quite watered down even
for call drinks. Well, couldn’t complain too much as it was gratis.
With everything considered, albeit expensive, it was the best cruise we had had,
especially with the less-crowded and intimate atmosphere. At the end
and even now, we wish the cruise were a few days longer.
For those who can wait, in 1999, Renaissance Cruises will have a brand new ship (R3) for
about 900 passengers in Tahiti for a 10-day cruise. The
advertised prices seem to be of better value. We only wonder how Tahiti is going to
accommodate the large number of invading tourists with the existing
facilities.
For any questions regarding to the cruise, escorted tour packages, fine art prints and
interior decoration, feel free to write to shlchan@yahoo.com.
Want to book your cruise at a great rate?
Click here.
Questions or comments? Mail to webmaster@cruiseopinion.com.
Copyright ©1996-2001 CruiseOpinion.com. Last modified: March 22, 2000.