I love cruises. They are the ideal self-contained vacations; everything you need is right there. You’ve got a variety of restaurants from which to choose, all the activities you could want to keep you entertained, plus swimming, lounging, sunning and relaxing. What more is there?
I have been on several cruises in the past, but I have to admit, this was my favorite. Sailing on a Regent’s Paul Gauguin ship is unlike any other. I love the quaintness of the ship’s size, and I felt as though the staff and crew on board really cared about my well-being and wanted me to enjoy my week aboard. To say I had a wonderful time is an understatement.
Prior to boarding the Regent, I stayed at the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti in Papeete. Great hotel: I loved the open lobby and how the buildings were spread out, but not so much that I felt I was walking miles from one end to the other. The fitness center had excellent equipment and the facility offered a great view of the ocean. The hotel restaurants provided an array of menu choices, all of which were delicious … fresh fruits and juices were my favorites and I highly recommend trying them. I loved sitting on the outdoor patio to eat breakfast in the morning; it was quite invigorating. And for lunch, I usually ate a unique spread of salads, any of which were scrumptious.
After two days in Papeete, I boarded the ship and truly felt like a queen. It was so relaxing to sit out on my own balcony in the evening and watch the sun set each day. I enjoyed getting to know the staff and I even had lunch with the Captain and the Staff Captain twice. All in all, this cruise was a cool experience.
