Just got back from the PAUL GAUGUIN. This was my first experience cruising so I really do not have any ships to compare it to - however my travel companion has been on NCL, Holland America and several Silversea so she had differing opinions than I did. PRE CRUISE and FLIGHTS: We flew out of Toronto, Canada. Radisson booked the flights for us a day earlier on Air Canada with an overnight at the Hilton LAX with Air Tahiti Nui on Saturday.

Air Canada check in agent could not find our reservation with 30 mins of searching. I personally had enough and just asked him if he tried to enter our ticket number?? He said he didn't think of that..duh?? Finally after 40 mins we finally got checked in to LAX. He also asked ME if Canadians need a Visa to go to French Polynesia?!?!?! Aren't they supposed to know that?

AC flight uneventful, arrived LAX. Waited 40 mins for the hotel shuttle - supposed to be every 15 mins or so? Arrived at Hotel, long line to check in - when get to the desk they cannot find our hotel reservation! I was starting to get worried about the rest of the trip at this point. After several managers got involved they just gave us a room and said not to worry about it. I asked for the RSSC rep but the check in staff said she decided to leave early that night. LAX Hilton is a dump and the baby could do with a reno, but serviceable for 1 night. You can hear the jets take off inside the room. Read more