Paul Gauguin Cruises Blog Posts

More About Paul Gauguin Cruises

Experience the extension of the informal, relaxing environment of the islands, coupled with five-star service, comfort, and luxury.

Nearly 70% of suites and staterooms have private balconies, and all feature an ocean view, temperature control, queen-size bed (a limited number can have twin-bed configuration), bathroom with full-size bathtub and shower, bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer, TV, CD/DVD player, personal safe, refrigerator stocked with soft drinks and beer, and more. There is one wheelchair-accessible stateroom, and select staterooms can accommodate three guests.

For further details please contact your travel consultant.

During every meal onboard The Gauguin, with every sumptuous bite you sample, and each time the attentive staff fills your glass, you’ll begin to realize that dining on the high seas with Paul Gauguin Cruises is truly something special. Embark upon a five-star culinary adventure, designed just for you by some of the world’s most talented and award-winning chefs, including Jean-Pierre Vigato, Chef Propriétaire at Paris’ Michelin-starred Restaurant Apicius. What’s more, every one of the onboard dining options is included in your cruise fare. Bon appétit!

La Veranda
Dine al fresco or enjoy wraparound ocean views from the dining room of La Veranda, where you get an ever-changing selection of buffet breakfast and lunch items and a la carte options, many of which are inspired by the destinations you visit. In the evening, La Veranda is transformed to a reservation-only dining venue serving Jean-Pierre Vigato’s gourmet cuisine.

When you travel onboard The Gauguin, you won’t spend your days at sea simply biding your time until you arrive at your next destination. On The Gauguin, every day (and night!) brings new and exciting opportunities for entertainment and enrichment.

Les Gauguins & Les Gauguines
On every voyage of The Gauguin, you’re accompanied by Paul Gauguin Cruises' own troupe of Tahitian hosts and entertainers that bring the spirit of Polynesia to life. Enjoy a retelling of ancestral legends through dance, delight in traditional songs onboard and on their private motu, and learn local handicrafts during hands-on demonstrations. Couples celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary can even attend a Polynesian blessing ceremony.

Le Grand Salon
When the sun goes down at sea, Le Grand Salon comes alive with spectacular performances. Every night brings something different, whether it’s Les Gauguins & Les Gauguines performing ote’a—a complex line dance accompanied by drums—live piano music, Broadway show tunes, or foot-tapping rock music. Return to the main lounge during the day for a game of table tennis or lecture from a roster of anthropologists, archeologists, and marine biologists, as well as visiting experts on other popular topics.

La Palette
This versatile lounge offers morning snacks, serves as the backdrop for special events, hosts Polynesian activities led by Les Gauguines, and is the perfect place to grab a nightcap and dance under the stars to live music.

Le Casino and Piano Bar
Try your luck in Le Casino, which features slot machines, blackjack, and roulette, and is open every evening, except where prohibited by port regulations. You are also invited to grab a drink at the Piano Bar and enjoy nightly piano entertainment.

Pool and Pool Bar
Soak in the South Pacific sunshine with a day spent lounging by the outdoor pool. Cool off in the refreshing water, grab a cocktail from the adjacent Pool Bar, or take in the scenery from a comfortable lounge chair.

Local Entertainment
In addition to Les Gauguins & Les Gauguines, on every voyage local performers are invited onboard to entertain you. Don’t miss an evening spent with local group Mamas and Papas, whose dynamic performance of Polynesian dance and singing is a perennial guest favorite.

Crew Show
The crew members onboard The Gauguin are certainly experts at providing first-class service to guests, but they also boast many other talents. Every voyage offers something different, but you’re always guaranteed a night of amazing entertainment, much of which showcases the unique cultures of the crew members’ home countries.

La Boutique
Just steps from your stateroom, find the perfect memento of your South Pacific cruise, like genuine Tahitian black pearl jewelry exclusively designed for Paul Gauguin Cruises, Tahitian vanilla, local arts and handicrafts, souvenir apparel, and more. It’s also the perfect place to pick up any necessary sundries or toiletries, like swimwear, beach attire, sunscreen, and batteries.

Photo Shop
Ensure that your vacation memories last a lifetime with services from Paul Gauguin Cruises’ Photo Shop. A dedicated photographer accompanies you throughout your cruise, giving you the opportunity to take home professional photos of significant events, like embarkation, the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Tahitian Night. Family portraits and casual photo-ops are also available. The Photo Shop is also stocked with everything you need to take your own photos, including single-use cameras, digital cameras, photo accessories, and media cards.

Guest Hosts
Paul Gauguin Cruises welcomes special guest hosts representing a wide variety of special interests aboard upcoming sailings of The Paul Gauguin. Whether you're interested in art, wine, cuisine, Polynesian life and culture, or the wonders of the deep, an expert in the field join designated cruises to offer insights, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and more. Perhaps you can have dinner with one of these special experts, view a demonstration of their craft, enjoy a wine tasting, and more. Contact your travel consultant for details!

Float effortlessly over rainbow-colored coral reefs and come nose to nose with parrotfish, clownfish, giant clams, and sea turtles. Dive deeper to swim alongside colorful sea anemones, eagle rays, sharks, and octopi. Polynesia’s translucent, shimmering aqua lagoons are begging to be explored. And there’s no better place to do so than from The Gauguin's onboard watersports marina, where you can embark on an optional SCUBA adventure.

Even if you have never SCUBA dived before, as a guest aboard the The Paul Gauguin, you can witness spectacular marine life up close and swim among beautiful, rainbow-colored coral reefs within a matter of hours.The Gauguin’s SCUBA diving excursions are designed for all levels of experience, and is the only luxury ship in the French Polynesian islands to offer PADI certification onboard for novice divers, as well as refresher courses.

Ask your travel consultant for further details.

The waters of French Polynesia and the South Pacific offer a world of wonders with translucent lagoons, rainbow-colored coral reefs, and a myriad of tropical fish. A highlight of the Paul Gauguin Cruises’ experience is watersports and many opportunities to explore these seas.

Watersports Marina
The specially designed watersports platform turns the ship into your headquarters for all kinds of adventures on the water. It’s as easy as descending to sea level and hopping aboard a windsurfer or paddleboard or launching a kayak.

Watersports equipment is also available when The Paul Gauguin calls upon their private beaches. Plus, if you plan on snorkeling in multiple ports, you’re welcome to check out snorkeling gear from the marina for the duration of your cruise.

The watersports marina is available in select ports and subject to weather conditions and local restrictions. Swimming from the watersports marina is prohibited.

Fun in the Sun
You’ll also have plenty of time to enjoy the South Pacific sunshine on the pool deck. Take a refreshing dip in the water or perhaps grab a beverage from the Pool Bar, a good book, and a deck chair, and settle in for a leisurely afternoon.

SCUBA Diving Excursions
If you’ve always wanted to try SCUBA diving, your cruise on The Gauguin is the perfect opportunity. The onboard marina offers diving excursions for all experience levels, and Paul Gauguin Cruises is the only luxury line in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification classes for novices. Learn more about our SCUBA program by inquiring with your travel consultant.

Paul Gauguin Cruises' excursions offer the most exciting tours and dramatic scenery in the South Pacific. The opportunity to experience each destination in the most authentic, in-depth meaningful way is the very essence of luxury cruising with Paul Gauguin Cruises. To that end, there is a variety of unique opportunities for you to explore the local environment. Enjoy the white-sand beaches with swaying palms, hike the spectacular mountain peaks, snorkel in the multi-hued lagoons and so much more.

Please note that not all shore excursions are available on all sailings. Shore excursions are not available for pre-booking until 60 days prior to sailing. Please contact your Travel Consultant for details.

Leisurely days at sea offer the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a little “me time,” whether that’s an indulgent treatment at the award-winning onboard spa, or a workout in the fitness center.

Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm
With its unrivaled approach to beauty and rejuvenation, the spa onboard The Gauguin combines the art of gentle pampering with services that are uniquely tailored to the needs and wishes of each individual.

The spa offers an extensive range of services, enveloped in an atmosphere that is both tranquil and luxurious. Shipboard treatments include skin care therapies, skin exfoliation, massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, body wraps, facials, beauty treatments, nail services, and hair styling. You can also enjoy relaxing overwater massages during the day you’ll spend on Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises' private South Pacific paradise.

Ask your travel consultant about the Spa Menu!

Fitness Center
The convenient fitness center is outfitted with the latest fitness equipment, including Lifecycles, treadmills, stair climbers, and weight machines. Other onboard fitness opportunities include a morning mile-long walk around decks 8 and 9 and a sunrise Polynesian-inspired Zumba class, both hosted by Les Gauguines.