Paul Gauguin Cruises: Voyages To The Soul Of The South Seas
The intimate, luxury ship was created to explore the irresistible islands of French Polynesia.
Scattered like emeralds across the turquoise waters of the South Pacific, the islands and atolls of French Polynesia are unmatched in their allure. Here await sun-kissed beaches, lush rain forests, and barrier reefs teeming with Technicolor sea life, as well as intriguing cultures immortalized by novelist James Michener, songwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein, and artist Paul Gauguin.
The m/s Paul Gauguin takes its name from the French painter who spent the last years of his life in Tahiti. The intimate 332-guest vessel was specifically designed to cruise the South Pacific and sails these storied isles year-round, navigating shallow waters as nimbly as a yacht.
The ship's informal ambience reflects the relaxed nature of the region, an immersion in the culture adds a uniquely South Pacific touch to life on board. Best of all, The Gauguin offers an all-inclusive experience with airfare from Los Angeles, gratuities, 24-hour room service, bottled water, soft drinks, and select wines and spirits all included in the cruise fare.
All suites and staterooms feature ocean views, and nearly 70 percent have private balconies. Guests who book category B suites or higher receive in-suite bar service, an iPod® music system, and the service of a butler who can unpack your bags, make appointments for you at the spa, or arrange a private car or lunch reservation in port.
A crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5 ensures the highest level of personal attention. The maitre d' will remember your favorite table, and your stateroom stewardess will fill your fruit basket with the ripe fruits you prefer.
The exclusive treatment continues ashore with two private retreat for our guests. Enjoy a day on the cruise line's private isle, Motu Mahana, complete with snorkeling, full bar service, and a barbecue with Polynesian entertainment. The ship also features a retractable watersports marina from which you can kayak or paddleboard. Or set out in the Zodiac® for an optional diving excursion; The Gauguin is the only luxury ship in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification onboard.
World-renowned Parisian Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato creates signature dishes and menus to be featured aboard ship. The three dining venues range from elegant traditional to casual al fresco, and all offer open seating.
The Gauguin is more than a cruise ship sailing from one island to another—it's also a hub of South Pacific culture, education, and entertainment. The ship's enrichment program features presentations by renowned lecturers and local experts on topics such as archaeology, science, and art. Through a partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), The Gauguin will host the Wildlife Discovery Series, a program of lectures on select sailings by ecologists, naturalists, and marine biologists who will enlighten guests about marine science and wildlife conservation in the South Pacific and beyond. During the summer and holiday season, Stewards of Nature, a WCS experiential family program, is offered and invites guests discover and value nature through hands-on, interactive learning for children ages 7-17, as well as family members. But the heartbeat of The Gauguin lies in the talented Les Gauguines and Les Gauguine —onboard ambassadors and cultural tours de force. Versatile and energetic, these multi-faceted entertainers not only dance, sing and play musical instruments, but are also greeters, crafts facilitators, storytellers, and dance and language instructors. Under their friendly guidance, you can learn to make shell jewelry, weave flowers into heis or palm fronds into baskets, tie a pareo, perform a hip-swaying Tahitian dance, or even master a few words of the Tahitian language.
Itineraries include 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands. Voyages start at just $3,995.