Gauguin to skip Cook’s Bay

Readers should know that Regent (formerly Radisson) Seven Seas Cruises is no longer planning to dock the Paul Gauguin regularly at Cook’s Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia.

We spend three weeks each spring on Cook’s Bay on Moorea and always frequent the Gauguin docking area, visiting with passengers and vendors and enjoying the Gauguin’s visit. On our trip in March-April ’06, we noticed the ship’s absence from Cook’s Bay. We were told that the ship, when stopping on Moorea, now plans to anchor in Opunohu Bay at Papetoai.

From a passenger’s point of view, this is a most unfortunate decision. The Papetoai site gives us the impression of a hot, dusty and swampy backwater, with the lovely church its only redeeming feature. There’s no shopping, banking, restaurants or other facilities or attractions within walking distance.

The decision to dock the Gauguin there rather than in lovely Cook’s Bay is a real puzzle. The Cook’s Bay docking facility is very well developed, clean, neat and welcoming, with a lovely vendor area and modern rest room facilities. The restaurants, shops, banks, markets and medical facilities of Maharepa and Pao Pao are within easy walking distance.

KENNETH F. PALMER
San Luis Obispo, CA

ITN sent a copy of the above letter to Regent Seven Seas Cruises and received a call and an e-mail from Aaron Jones, Cruise Account Executive (Regent Seven Seas Cruises, 11340 Blondo St., Omaha, NE 68164). ITN spoke further with RSSC’s Aaron Jones on Aug. 10 and was told that the “Gauguin,” when visiting Moorea, is currently docking at Cook’s Bay until construction of the pier at Opunohu Bay is completed, which should occur “shortly.” Once that happens, the “Gauguin” will dock at Opunohu Bay except when another big ship is anchored there.

According to Jones, Opunohu Bay generally has better weather conditions for docking; at Cook’s Bay, the ship has to leave “if the wind picks up.” The ship also can maneuver better in Opunohu Bay. Passengers have been pleased with the villagers’ welcome and farmers’ market at Opunohu as well.