The Paul Gauguin Cruises is an award-winning luxury medium cruise company that operates the 19,200 ton luxury cruise liner The Gauguin, around the beautiful islands of the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

 

The Gauguin, being purpose-built to be smaller and shallower than the huge cruise liners, can get you closer to, and moor at, many of the smaller islands, lagoons and bays, giving you a closer interaction with the local communities and their culture, and the most beautiful scenery all around you.  Itineraries include Tahiti and the Society Islands (Bora Bora (private motu for guests), Ta'haa, (private island for guests), Huahine, Moorea), the Tuamotus (Fakarava, Rangiroa), the Marquesas (Fatu Hiva, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Nuku Hiva), the Cook Islands (Rarotonga, Aitutaki), Tonga, Fiji (Viti Levu, Beqa Island, Vanua levu) Vanuatu, and Indonesia (Bali,Lembok).  See Below for Itineraries.

 

With a maximum capacity of 332 guests, the crew ratio is 1 crew to 1.5 guests, service is attentive and professional, and many of the friendly crew are from some of the islands you may be visiting.

 

The ship is modern and spacious, and every cabin has an ocean view, with almost 70% of those cabins also having a private balcony. There are 7 categories of staterooms on board; Porthole Staterooms, Window Staterooms, Balcony Staterooms, Verandah Staterooms, Verandah Suites, the Grand Suites and the Owners Suites.  All the Staterooms and Suites offer similar amenities to each other, with mainly their location making the difference.  They all offer  a queen bed (some can be split into 2 singles), ensuite bathroom with bath/shower (a few cabins have a shower cubicle only), complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, cotton bathrobes and slippers, a sitting area (some staterooms have a sofa bed), wardrobes and dressing table, flat-screen TV with DVD/CD player, small fridge stocked with a selection of complimentary beverages, in-room safe, telephone and air conditioning.

 

Almost everything is included in your cruise price on the Gauguin (except premium brand spirits/wines) and dining is one of the biggest pleasures.  There are 3 diverse restaurants on board, as well as 24 hr Room Service.  Le Veranda restaurant serves a frequently changing breakfast and lunch buffet, plus a la carte options.  In the evening it transforms into an elegant, gourmet dining room (smart dress), with a fine dining French bistro menu.  L'Etoile is the main dining room (smart casual dress) and serves a French/Polynesian-inspired menu, paired with complimentary international wines.  Le Grill is open all day and serves a varied breakfast buffet, casual grill menu and salads for lunch, afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, desserts and pastries, and an evening menu of Polynesian specialities (casual dress).  24 Hour Room Service is also available, and includes menu options from L'Etoile during restaurant hours.  Special meals and dietary requirements can be catered for on request.  Most beverages are complimentary, including select wines and spirits (except premium wines and spirits), beer, water, soft drinks, juices and tea and coffee.

 

Entertainment on board is varied and includes Tahitian entertainers, 'to bring the spirit of Polynesia alive' with song, dance, storytelling and local crafting.  Le Grand Salon has live music and shows, and during the day, you can play a game of table tennis or catch an interesting talk by visiting experts on a variety of topics.  La Pallette Lounge is an open air bar and lounge on the prow of the ship, great for morning coffee and snacks, or a nightcap under the stars.  The Pool Bar is a great spot for a cold cocktail whilst swimming or sunning on the Pool Deck, and the Le Casino and Piano Bar, open every night (except when port restrictions don't allow) will add a bit of excitement to your evening.

 

There is a well-equipped fitness centre, and for the really dedicated, there is a sunrise Polynesian-style zumba class.  For the more leisurely fitness fans, you can do a 1 mile walk or jog around decks 8 and 9.  The Deep Nature Spa offers a range of body, beauty and pampering therapies, and you can even enjoy a massage on their private island when moored nearby.  At the stern of the ship is an impressive watersports platform, where you can step aboard a windsurfer, paddleboard or kayak, and explore the surrounding turquoise waters, plus several Zodiaks/RIB's to shuttle you ashore. Snorkelling equipment can be checked out either daily, or for the duration if you want to snorkel everywhere you stop.  Water access is easy from the platform, and if you want to learn to dive, there is an on-board PADI team to show you the delight of the underwater world.  And if you're really lucky, you might be on a cruise with Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the famous Jacques Cousteau, as a special guest expert.

 

Most shore excursions are optional, and as such, are charged separately.  There are an extensive range of day and half day tours you can book, from lagoon cruises, guided walks and treks, and off-road adventures, to canoe excursions, waverunner and catajet trips and underwater helmet walks.   The excursions vary to each itinerary, so please contact us for more information regarding the sailing of your choice.

 

Below is a selection of itineraries (subject to change without notice) around the South Pacific.

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