French Polynesia, Tahiti and South Pacific january december PAUL GAUGUIN SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Transcription

1 SEVEN SEAS CRUISES French Polynesia, Tahiti and South Pacific 2007 january december PAUL GAUGUIN

2 WELCOME ABOARD The captain, officers, staff and crew look forward to welcoming you as our special guest onboard Paul Gauguin. To assist your exploration of each port of call, we have prepared this comprehensive information book with carefully planned excursions that reveal the essence of each destination. Our knowledgeable Travel Concierge Staff onboard can assist you in selecting tours best suited to your personal interest and abilities, or for the independently minded, assist in booking private tours. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PRE-REQUESTING YOUR TOURS 4-5 Tour Symbols 6-7 Concierge à la Carte 8-11 Commonly Asked Questions Itineraries Society Islands Shore Excursions 20 Introduction Bora Bora Huahine Moorea Raiatea Taha a [Motu Mahana] Marquesas and Tuamotus Islands Shore Excursions 64Introduction Fatu Hiva [Omoa] Hiva Oa [Autona] Nuku Hiva [Taiohae] Nuku Alofa Rangiroa Ua Huka [Vaipaee] Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Australs Shore Excursions 82 Introduction Aitutaki Lautoka Rarotonga Savusavu Yasawa Tubuai Diving Certification Courses Frequently Asked Questions Watersports Marina Terms and Conditions 112 Pre- and Post-Cruise Tour and Transfer Opportunities How to pre-request your tours prior to boarding the ship: ONLINE: Tours may be pre-requested online up to 120 days prior to your sailing date (but not before). Visit our website at for instructions and tour descriptions. USING A FAX: Alternately you will receive a booking form together with this shore excursion booklet and cruise documents. Complete the form and fax it to the number indicated at the top of the form. In using the online Shore Excursion Request, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt listing your requested excursions and this is the recommended method. The fax system is unable to generate an acknowledgement of receipt. Please bring your faxed copy or copy with you to the ship. Please note that neither automated system can respond to questions. Requests will be processed in the order received. Many tours are limited; but every effort will be made to accommodate your request. Actual confirmation and ticket distribution will take place onboard. Please do not submit requests both online and via fax. SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

4 TOUR SYMBOLS To assist in your tour selection, please note the symbol indicated beside each tour description. These symbols represent the following: SEATED SYMBOL Although primarily sightseeing tours, these excursions do include walking for short distances over relatively level terrain. They also may include getting into/out of a helicopter or boats. WALKING SYMBOL Tours include walking at sites, or periods of sitting or standing. WATER SYMBOL HIKING SYMBOL Tours with difficult or extensive walking and/or steps. Also tours of long duration which can become tiring. ADVENTURE SYMBOL For the adventurous these are our most active tours, including biking, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, river rafting, scuba, snorkeling, or tours which require you to be physically fit to be able to enjoy. Beach, snorkel and water-related tours. Wear your swimsuit under a cover-up, protect yourself from the sun and bring a towel from the ship. The sun can be strong, we recommend that you wear sunglasses, suntan lotion, a hat and long sleeve T-shirts if you are sensitive to the sun. Wear reef shoes or other closed-in shoes to protect yourself from coral and other sharp material in the water. We recommend bringing only waterproof cameras or disposable cameras as you may get wet even during the boat portion of the tour. SPECIAL EVENT SYMBOL Special event included for all guests with our compliments. CONCIERGE CHOICE SYMBOL This tour will provide guests with the exclusive opportunity to experience and explore areas considered to be more specialized or unique to this port of call. In some cases, the tour may be a light adventure and therefore more active. Please read the description carefully and make your request early to avoid disappointment. DIVING SYMBOL For certified divers and Discovery Scuba. Discovery Scuba is for those who have never tried scuba diving before. On some occasions, the dives are operated by outside PADI Dive Centers approved by RSSC. 4 5

5 CONCIERGE À LA CARTE The Regent Travel Concierge SM Tailor-Made Programs Ashore The Travel Concierge is available to assist any guest with a fully deposited booking. While the shore excursions in this booklet represent the very best tours available, some of our guests may prefer a completely unique, private experience ashore. Call The Regent Travel Concierge! For minor requests such as for a private car and guide, there s no need to call The Travel Concierge. Our staff on board can arrange everything for you. As these are exclusive events, strict cancellation penalties apply and will be advised on confirmation of your program. For the discriminating guest seeking the ultimate way to experience their voyage, The Travel Concierge is adding an entirely new dimension to exclusive, personalized cruise travel. When calling please have your booking number available. The service charge is $100 per port, plus the cost of the arrangements. Call 888-TOUR-321 ( ) OR Ask for The Regent Travel Concierge Desk. For general cruise related questions, please call reservations at

6 COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS Which tours should I take? There is a wide range of tours to suit varied interests. You should carefully review the tour descriptions to determine which tours are of most interest to you and meet your own desired level of activity. During your cruise there will be a port talk given by the Travel Concierge Manager, and replayed on the television in your suite. These presentations cover the most up-to-date information on our ports and tours. The Ia Orana daily program will advise you of all port talks and Travel Concierge Desk hours. May I take more than one tour in a single port of call? Yes. If you desire to take multiple tours in a single day, indicate your choices on the booking form. The Travel Concierge Staff will allocate best departure times to allow for participation and will provide a minimum of 30 minutes between scheduled return time to next tour departure time. You should indicate your preference of order of tours. Many tours have limited capacity or have several departure times throughout the day. please note: There might not be time enough to go back to the ship in between tours, therefore missing regular lunch hours. Also keep in mind that tour duration does not take into consideration the tender operation. Depending on the tours, two tours a day may make you feel rushed. Should I tip the tour guide? While all gratuities are included onboard, gratuities for services rendered ashore on an organized tour are a personal matter and left to your discretion. Are there age restrictions on tours? Unless stated in the note section of the tours, there is no minimum age for children accompanied by a parent or guardian. Unaccompanied children must be at least 18 years of age. Children s prices are available on certain tours. Will I miss the ship if I go on tours? One very important feature of taking an excursion organized by RSSC is that we closely monitor the departures and returns of all of our tours. Therefore, you can be assured that you will not miss the ship. Please keep in mind that when you make your own arrangements in port, or leave an organized tour, we will no longer be aware of your whereabouts; so be sure to schedule ample time to return to the ship before it sails. Will I miss meals if I go on tours? When the ship is in port, meal times are adjusted to best accommodate the departure and return times of the excursions. Certain tour departures may conflict with scheduled meal times. However, room service is available. 8 How will I know if a tour is sold out? Reservations are booked in the order received. If your chosen tour is not available, your name will be added to a waitlist, and you will receive a notice along with your tour tickets. You should contact the Travel Concierge Desk immediately if you do not receive your tickets, or cannot make the departure time booked. Due to transportation limitations or other ships in port many tours have limited space available. The Travel Concierge Staff can assist you with alternative tour selections should your first choice not be available. How do I pay for my tours? Tours will be billed to your shipboard account. Advance payment is neither required nor accepted. Can I cancel a tour I have purchased? Tickets for tours you wish to cancel should be returned to the Travel Concierge Desk prior to the closing deadline. The closing deadline is listed on the booking form published on board. Tours and private arrangements are subject to a full cancellation charge if canceled after the closing deadline. Unused tour tickets are non-refundable. Will tours be cancelled if the weather is bad? All tours are subject to cancellation dependent upon weather conditions. The local tour operators closely monitor the weather and excursions are subject to cancellation if conditions do not meet all safety standards. Full refunds will be given in the event of the tour operator canceling a departure due to weather. Do tours operate in wet weather? In as much as we all prefer to tour in the finest of weather, wet weather may be experienced in French Polynesia. Tours do operate in wet weather, and tickets are non-refundable if voluntarily returned by guests or for non-participation. A full refund of tour tickets is only given if the tour operator deems it necessary to cancel a tour due to conditions not meeting all safety standards. Do other factors affect tour operation? RSSC reserves the right to withdraw any tour; to limit the participation in any tour; or to make alterations in the operation of any tour which they may deem advisable for the safety or convenience of 9

7 guests. For more information on the terms and conditions of the tour program, please refer to the Terms and Conditions section at the back of this book. Is snorkeling equipment included on snorkeling tours? No. You should collect your complimentary snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, snorkeling vest, full foot fins, snorkeling bag) from Paul Gauguin s marina prior the tour or you are welcome to bring your own. Operators may have a limited number of masks and snorkels available, but generally do not provide fins. Is diving equipment included on scuba diving tours? Yes, all necessary equipment is provided: tanks, mask, snorkel, full foot fins, wet suit (shorty), BCD, regulator, pressure gauge, dive computer, weights. Can I snorkel without going on a tour? Yes, complimentary snorkeling is available from our private beaches. The Ia Orana daily program will advise you of the beach tender schedule. Remember to collect your complimentary snorkeling gear from Paul Gauguin s marina prior to going to the beach. If I have never snorkeled, can I participate in a snorkeling tour? You should carefully review the tour descriptions as some of the snorkeling trips are suitable to guests with less experience while others are for proficient swimmers who are comfortable in deep water. If unsure of your snorkeling skills, please discuss with the Travel Concierge Staff on board. Seat assignment on helicopter tours: Please note that seating assignment is made as per weight and balance, which is determined by the ground operator. Helicopters are not air-conditioned

8 SOCIETY ISLANDS SOCIETY ISLANDS AND TUAMOTUS bora bora bora bora rangiroa raiatea Society Islands raiatea huahine Tuamotus FEBRUARY 10, 17, 24; MARCH 17, 24; APRIL 28; MAY 5, 12; JUNE 16, 23; JULY 21, 28; AUGUST 4; SEPTEMBER 15, 22, 29; OCTOBER 6; DECEMBER 22, 29, Days 7 Nights Papeete to Papeete 1 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 10pm 2 Sun Raiatea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 11am 6pm 3 Mon Taha a (Motu Mahana), SOCIETY ISLANDS 9am 5pm 4Tue Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS (OVERNIGHT) 9am 5 Wed Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS 6pm 6 Thu Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS (OVERNIGHT) 9am 7 Fri Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 5pm Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 7:30pm (OVERNIGHT) 8 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark am JANUARY 7 *, 31; APRIL 11; JULY 11; AUGUST 22; OCTOBER 24, DECEMBER 12, Days 10 Nights Papeete to Papeete 1 Wed Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Embark pm 2 Thu Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 2:30am ** Huahine, SOCIETY ISLANDS Noon 6pm 3 Fri Raiatea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 6pm 4Sat Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS (OVERNIGHT) Noon 5 Sun Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS Noon 6 Mon Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS (OVERNIGHT) 8am 7 Tue Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS 6pm 8 Wed Taha a (Motu Mahana), SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 6pm 9 Thu Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS (OVERNIGHT) 9am 10 Fri Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 5pm Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 7:30pm (OVERNIGHT) 11 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark am ** 1:30 am during U.S. daylight savings time. * The January 7 sailing begins on Sunday and ends on Wednesday

9 MARQUESAS, TUAMOTUS AND SOCIETY ISLANDS MARQUESAS, TUAMOTUS AND SOCIETY ISLANDS bora bora Society Islands nuku hiva ua huka Marquesas hiva oa fatu hiva rangiroa Tuamotus bora bora nuku hiva Society Islands Tuamotu Archipelago Marquesas hiva oa Tuamotus rangiroa JANUARY 17, 2007 * MARCH 3, Days 14 Nights Papeete to Papeete MARCH 31; JUNE 30; AUGUST 11; OCTOBER 13; DECEMBER 1, Days 11 Nights Papeete to Papeete 1 Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 10pm 2 Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS (OVERNIGHT) 1pm 3 Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS 5pm 4Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS (OVERNIGHT) Noon 5 Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS Noon 6 Cruise the 7 Omoa, Fatu Hiva, MARQUESAS ISLANDS 8am 6pm 8 Atuona, Hiva Oa, MARQUESAS ISLANDS 8am 6pm 9 Vaipaee, Ua Huka, MARQUESAS ISLANDS 8am 6pm 10 Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, MARQUESAS ISLANDS 8am 6pm Cruise the 13 Taha a (Motu Mahana), SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 5pm 14Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 5pm Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS (OVERNIGHT) 7:30pm 15 Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark am * Departs January 17, 2007 at 2:30am 1 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 10pm 2 Sun Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS (OVERNIGHT) 12:30pm 3 Mon Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS Noon 4Tue Cruise the 5 Wed Atuona, Hiva Oa, MARQUESAS ISLANDS 8am 6pm 6 Thu Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, MARQUESAS ISLANDS 8am 6pm 7 Fri Cruise the 8 Sat Cruise the Tuamotu Archipelago 9 Sun Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 11pm 10 Mon Taha a (Motu Mahana), SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 4:30pm 11 Tue Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 5pm Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 7:30pm (OVERNIGHT) 12 Wed Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark am 14 15

10 FIJI, TONGA, COOK ISLANDS AND SOCIETY ISLANDS FIJI, TONGA, COOK ISLANDS AND SOCIETY ISLANDS yasawa vanua levu lautoka nuku alofa bora bora aitutaki rarotonga yasawa vanua levu lautoka nuku alofa bora bora aitutaki rarotonga International Dateline South International Dateline South MAY 19; NOVEMBER 3, 2007 JUNE 3; NOVEMBER 18, Days 14 Nights Papeete to Lautoka 15 Days 14 Nights Lautoka to Papeete 1 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 10pm 2 Sun Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 6pm 3 Mon Taha a (Motu Mahana), SOCIETY ISLANDS 9am 6pm 4Tue Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 6pm 1 Sun Lautoka, FIJI (OVERNIGHT) Embark pm 2 Mon Lautoka, FIJI 10pm 3 Tue Yasawa, FIJI 8am 6pm 4Wed Savusavu, Vanua Levu, FIJI 8am 6pm 5 Wed Cruise the 6 Thu Aitutaki, COOK ISLANDS 8am 6pm 7 Fri Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS 8am 6pm 5 Thu Cruise the 6 Fri Nuku alofa, TONGA 8am 6pm 7 Sat Cross International Date Line 8 Sat Cruise the 9 Mon Cross International Date Line 10 Tue Nuku alofa, TONGA 8am 6pm 8 Sat Cruise the 9 Sun Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS 8am 6pm 10 Mon Aitutaki, COOK ISLANDS 8am 6pm 11 Wed Cruise the 12 Thu Savusavu, Vanua Levu, FIJI 8am 6pm 13 Fri Yasawa, FIJI 8am 6pm 14Sat Lautoka, FIJI (OVERNIGHT) 7:30am 15 Sun Lautoka, FIJI Disembark am 11 Tue Cruise the 12 Wed Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 6pm 13 Thu Taha a (Motu Mahana), SOCIETY ISLANDS 9am 6pm 14Fri Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 9am 5pm Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 7:30pm (OVERNIGHT) 15 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark am 16 17

11 SOCIETY ISLANDS, COOK ISLANDS, AUSTRALS AND TUAMOTUS aitutaki bora bora Cook Islands Society Islands huahine rangiroa Tuamotus rarotonga Australs tubuai SEPTEMBER 1, Days 14 Nights Papeete to Papeete DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART Sep 1 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Embark pm Sep 2 Sun Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 1:30am Huahine, SOCIETY ISLANDS Noon 6pm Sep 3 Mon Cruise the Sep 4Tue Aitutaki, COOK ISLANDS 8am 6pm Sep 5 Wed Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS 7am 5pm Sep 6 Thu Cruise the Sep 7 Fri Tubuai, AUSTRALS 11am 7pm Sep 8 Sat Cruise the Sep 9 Sun Taha a (Motu Mahana), SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 6pm Sep 10 Mon Bora Bora, SOCIETY ISLANDS 8am 5pm Sep 11 Tue Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS (OVERNIGHT) 1pm Sep 12 Wed Rangiroa, TUAMOTUS 4pm Sep 13 Thu Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS (OVERNIGHT) 9am Sep 14Fri Moorea, SOCIETY ISLANDS 5pm Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS 7:30pm (OVERNIGHT) Sep 15 Sat Papeete, Tahiti, SOCIETY ISLANDS Disembark am 18 19