JetSetter Deal for Paul Gauguin French Polynesia Cruise in September

Paul Gauguin Cruises—specializing in French Polynesian itineraries—is one of the best values in luxury cruising today and JetSetter.com is sweetening the pot by offering discounted fares for a limited time.

The current deal features a seven-night itinerary calling upon Tahiti, Raiatea, Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Bora Bora, and Moorea. This is the same fantastic Paul Gauguin cruise I experienced in May 2010.

JetSetter.com Rates
Category F Porthole Stateroom for 1 Guest = $3,150
Category F Porthole Stateroom for 2 Guests = $4,200
Category C Balcony Stateroom for 2 Guests = $5,470
Category A Veranda Suite for 2 Guests = $8,995

Rates include all food and beverages (non-alcoholic and select wines and spirits.) Category A also includes butler service.

Getting to Papeete, Tahiti
Of course even if you get a good deal on the cruise, you'll need to find a good deal on the airfare. Economy fares on Air Tahiti Nui and Air France are running approximately $1,200–$1,400 per person in economy for flights at the end of September. There is also some frequent flyer award tickets available on Air Tahiti Nui.

Air Tahiti Nui Frequent Flyer Award Availability from LAX to PPT
September 22: Flight TN1 = 4 economy award tickets
September 23: Flight TN 7 = 1 first class award ticket
September 24: Flight TN 1 = 1 business class & 4 economy; TN7 = 2 business class & 4 economy

Note: There is also availability on September 25 but I don't recommend flying in on the same day the cruise ship embarks.

Air Tahiti Nui Frequent Flyer Award Availability from PPT to LAX
October 2: Flight TN102 = 1 economy award ticket
October 4: Flight TN2 = 1 economy award ticket

The timing of this deal won't be right for everyone, but if you've been waiting for a good rate on a seven-night Society Island cruise, this is it. Book at JetSetter.com by Friday, August 21, 2010.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Bora Bora © Leonard Hospidor

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

I admit that I've got a few obsessions in life... two of which are rock concerts and cruise vacations. In my younger days I worked for Musician magazine and spent more time at concerts than in the office. These days I'm more selective about the shows I see, but still love being in the middle of the crush as a band plays to fans who know every word of every song on the set list.

On the cruise front, I love trying new ships and have a checklist that keeps track of which ships and ports of call I still need to visit. It's little wonder then that I was daydreaming earlier today and came up with a wish list of rock concert that would be amazing if they were staged aboard luxury cruise ships.

My Wish List: Top 10 Rock Concerts on Luxury Cruise Ships

1. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers aboard Paul Gauguin Cruises' m/s Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia
   
   
2. U2 aboard the Yachts of Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn in the Norwegian Fjords
   
   
3. Jackson Browne aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit in the Mediterranean
   
   
4. Martin Sexton aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Explorer in Hawaii
   
   
5. Daniel Lanois aboard Windstar Cruises' Wind Star in Costa Rica
   
   
6. Brian Setzer Orchestra aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth for a transatlantic crossing
   
   
7. John Mayer aboard Oceania Cruises' Marina in the Caribbean
   
   
8. Jimmy Buffett aboard SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream II in the Caribbean
   
   
9. James Taylor aboard Regent Seven Seas' Voyager in New Zealand and Australia
   
   
10. Nora Jones aboard Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony in New England and Canada

Note: THIS IS JUST A DREAM LIST; these concerts (sadly) will never happen. It's just something fun to think about. Which bands would be on your cruise wish list?

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com