The ultimate guide to Paul Gauguin Cruises, the French Polynesia cruise specialist

2 days ago 3

Is a trip to the South Pacific on your bucket list? A voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises might be the answer.

The tiny cruise brand, which only operates one ship, is the longtime leader in sailings to the best-known islands of the South Pacific — places like Bora Bora, Moorea, Fiji and the Marquesas.

To say that Paul Gauguin is a South Pacific specialist is an understatement. Since the line's debut in 1997, cruises to South Pacific islands are essentially all the company and its one vessel, the 330-passenger Paul Gauguin, have done (for just a brief period in the 2010s, the line offered sailings in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, too, with a second small ship).

On a Paul Gauguin cruise, you can visit a diverse array of at least five of the most famous and beautiful South Pacific islands — and, sometimes, many more — in a single, easy-to-arrange, all-inclusive trip. That's something that's almost impossible to do any other way.

Based in Tahiti, The Gauguin, as the company likes to call its one ship, is particularly known for sailings around French Polynesia's Society Islands, which include Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea.

Many visitors to these iconic French Polynesian destinations will book a stay at a land resort with overwater bungalows. There are quite a few overwater bungalow resorts in the Society Islands, and they are big draws for vacationers. But staying at these properties only allows access to a slice of what French Polynesia has to offer.

A French Polynesia voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises provides a much broader look.

3 things TPG loves about Paul Gauguin Cruises

Its unusually wide array of South Pacific itineraries
Its local Tahitian hosts, known as Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines
Its all-inclusive fares

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Dual-language announcements

Destinations and itineraries

For a line with just one ship, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a wide range of itineraries.

The cruise line's single vessel only operates in one region, the South Pacific, yet it features a sailing schedule that includes nearly a dozen different routes.

The voyages that Paul Gauguin offers range in length from seven to 16 nights and touch a diverse array of tropical destinations, from the iconic South Pacific island getaways of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora (as noted above, all part of the Society Islands) to the far-flung islands of the Marquesas chain and the Tuamotus.

The cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin at Bora Bora

Occasionally, the Tahiti-based Gauguin will sail farther across the Pacific to Australia, Indonesia or even Singapore. Voyages to the Cook Islands and, at times, Fiji are also on the ship's schedule.

Indeed, no other cruise ship or line offers as diverse an array of South Pacific cruise itineraries — and it's been that way for years. While it's a relatively small brand, Paul Gauguin Cruises has long been the leader in South Pacific cruising.

Who sails with Paul Gauguin Cruises?

Paul Gauguin draws travelers from all over the world, but the biggest segments of its customers are from the U.S. and Canada. It also sees a significant number of customers from France and other French-speaking countries. This is perhaps not surprising given the line's one ship spends most of its time in a French territory (French Polynesia) and is owned by Ponant, the only major France-based cruise line operating ocean cruises.

You'll often find that the passenger mix on The Gauguin skews more to Americans on weeklong sailings, as these relatively short itineraries appeal to working Americans who can't take too many days off. Longer sailings often draw more French passengers than Americans. But the bottom line is you'll probably find both English speakers and French speakers on your sailing.

To cater to this sort of mix, all onboard announcements are made in both English and French, something that can drag out these announcements considerably. The good news is that the line tries to keep such onboard announcements to a minimum.

No matter from where they come, Paul Gauguin Cruises passengers generally are well heeled — these aren't inexpensive trips. Age-wise, you'll find a broad mix of customers. You'll find a lot of passengers in the 55-plus range, including a fair number of retirees, but also some younger travelers, including honeymooners.

In general, you'll find a lot of couples on The Gauguin and some solo travelers. You'll also find the occasional multigenerational group — a retired couple traveling with their working-age adult children, for instance.

On select sailings during holiday periods, the line also draws families with younger kids with special kids programs (more on this below).

Cabins and suites

What are the cabins like on the one ship operated by luxury line Paul Gauguin Cruises? In a word, comfortable.

Unveiled in 1997, The Gauguin is on the older side when it comes to upscale cruise vessels sailing the globe. As a result, its cabins lack some of the trappings of the latest luxury ships, from USB ports by the beds to marble-lined walk-in showers in bathrooms. But a major refurbishment in recent years has left these cabins and suites looking bright and airy, with a comfortable and up-to-date feel.

Among vessels sailing year-round in the South Pacific, moreover, there is, quite simply, nothing as elegant.

In general, The Gauguin's cabins are relatively spacious, with rooms starting at 200 square feet in size and topping out at 588 square feet in size. In contrast to what you'll find on many cruise ships, they also all have windows of some sort looking out over the ocean. The Gauguin does not have windowless inside cabins.

The majority of cabins and suites on The Gauguin also come with balconies, which isn't always the case with cruise ships operating regularly in the South Pacific. And there are several large suites, too.

Most Paul Gauguin Cruises cabins come with balconies

In short, The Gauguin is a good choice if you're looking for a ship to explore the South Pacific in relative style. As mentioned above, it's an older vessel, and it does show its age in places. But regular refurbishments have kept it feeling relatively up-to-date, and like a classy older hotel, it has a charm that you don't always get with newer vessels.

Restaurants and dining

As is typical for small ships, Paul Gauguin has just a handful of eateries — three, to be exact.

The ship's main dining room, L'Etoile, is the most elegant of the three, with upscale multicourse meals of French and European cuisines served on fine china and linens every evening. It's here that you'll have most of your dinners.

L'Etoile isn't open for breakfast or lunch, but the ship's two other eateries, La Veranda and Le Grill, are.

La Veranda offers a casual buffet breakfast and lunch every day, with the lunch offerings changing daily based on a theme (one day, Greek cuisine is the focus; the next day, Pacific Rim cuisine). In the evening, the venue transforms into a high-end, reservation-only French restaurant with full table service, a degustation menu and elevated French wines.

La Veranda is also where you'll find the ship's afternoon tea service.

The ship's third restaurant, Le Grill, is, as the name suggests, a grill eatery located outdoors by the ship's pool. Like La Veranda, it offers a buffet breakfast and lunch every day, with a similar menu (for lunches, it offers the same themed meals as La Veranda).

Like La Veranda, Le Grill also transforms in the evening into a full-service, reservations-required sit-down restaurant (in this case, one serving Polynesian specialties that often include fresh fish from the islands the ship visits).

Among other food options, there's also a small continental breakfast (think: pastries, fruit and yogurt) laid out each day for early and late risers in the La Palette bar space at the back of the ship.

Additionally, room service is available around the clock on Paul Gauguin. The menu includes an always available array of appetizers, soups, sandwiches and burgers, as well as more elegant fare such as beef tenderloin and salmon. You can also order dishes from L'Etoile, the ship's main restaurant, during its operating hours. Unlike on some cruise ships, none of this comes with an extra charge.

Entertainment and activities

Unlike the big ships operated by mass-market cruise lines, The Gauguin doesn't serve up a nonstop stream of entertainment and activities during the day to keep you busy. That's not what this ship is about.

On the line's sailings around French Polynesia's Society Islands, in particular, where almost every day brings a stop at a new tropical paradise, most passengers are off the ship exploring during the day, and it's relatively quiet on board.

That mostly leaves the evenings for entertainment, which on The Gauguin often means a performance of traditional Polynesian songs by Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines — local Tahitians who live aboard the ship as hosts and entertainers to bring the spirit of Polynesia to life.

You'll also find performances by the ship's band or a magician on some nights in the ship's main theater, plus live music in several lounges.

Theaters, lounges and shows

The Gauguin has a single venue, Le Grand Salon, that serves as the main entertainment space on board. Set up like a cabaret theater with semicircular rows of swivel chairs facing a stage and a bar at the back, it's home to musical performances on most nights.

In many cases, these performances are led by Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines, the local Tahitian hosts mentioned above. They often feature traditional Polynesian dance and song.

A performance of traditional Polynesia song and dance on the ship Paul Gauguin.

The presence of Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines is a key differentiator for Paul Gauguin Cruises as compared to other cruise brands that offer sailings in the South Pacific, and their presence is felt everywhere on board the ship. During the day, you'll often find them teaching local handicrafts such as shell arts and lei-making during hands-on demonstrations. They host traditional dance classes and ukulele lessons, as well as more typical cruise ship activities such as trivia.

For passengers, Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines provide an opportunity to interact directly on a daily basis with the people who live in the islands the ships visit, in addition to meeting people on shore.

In addition to Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines, the ship sails with a house band that plays in several venues, including Le Grand Salon and La Palette — an indoor lounge at the back of the ship on the same deck as the ship's pool. The band also sometimes plays outdoors around the pool.

There's also a piano player on board who plays regularly in the evenings in the Piano Bar, which is just outside of Le Grand Salon. The latter venue is a main gathering point for predinner cocktails and is often busy both before and after dinnertime.

The pool deck and other venues

The Gauguin has a single rectangular pool at the middle of its top deck, flanked by lounge chairs on each of its sides and with the adjacent Le Grill poolside eatery just behind it.

Other public spaces in the interior of the ship include a small but elegant spa with treatment rooms for massages, reflexology, body wraps and facials, and an adjacent fitness center that is small but offers high-end TechnoGym equipment. There's also a small boutique.

Like a luxury yacht, the vessel also has its very own fold-down marina at its back, where you'll find paddleboards and kayaks for watery playtime (and, if that's not enough watery fun, you can sign on for the ship's onboard PADI-certified scuba program for an extra charge).

The marina platform at the back of Paul Gauguin

One of the wonderful little touches of a cruise on The Gauguin is that the ship offers passengers the use of snorkeling gear for free. Passengers can sign out masks, snorkels and flippers at the marina for no extra charge at the start of sailings and keep them for daily use until the voyage is over.

A private isle

In addition to onboard activities, the list of things that passengers on every Paul Gauguin sailing have the opportunity to do includes a day of lounging at the line's very own private islet (or motu, as they're called in the South Pacific).

Called Motu Mahana, this private islet is located just off the French Polynesian island of Tahaa, which is close to Bora Bora and appears on every Paul Gauguin itinerary (usually as a day stop just before the ship visits Bora Bora). It's home to a coconut tree-lined beach and warm shallow waters for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines perform at Motu Mahana.

On the Motu Mahana day of each cruise, pretty much everyone heads off the ship, which anchors nearby, for a full day of beach fun that includes a beach barbecue, volleyball games, traditional music and dancing by Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, and such hands-on activities as demonstrations on how to tie a pareo or open a coconut.

Children's program

The Gauguin generally doesn't draw many children, but children are welcome, with a few age-related caveats. Children under the age of 1 are not allowed on The Gauguin, and the number of children between the ages of 1 and 3 allowed on any given sailing can be restricted.

Additionally, babysitting services are not available, and the ship is not equipped to provide prenatal, postnatal or pediatric services.

There is no formal children's program on the vessel most of the year, either. That said, on select summer and holiday voyages, children ages 6 to 15 have access to a dedicated program of hands-on learning with a local twist — everything from naturalist-led island excursions to crafts, games and science activities — as part of the line's complimentary Moana Explorer Program. It's offered in partnership with South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation Te Mana O Te Moana.

What to know before you go

Required documents

Paul Gauguin operates international itineraries where a passport is required. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of the voyage's end. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Gratuities

Unlike many cruise lines, Paul Gauguin does not add a service charge or gratuity charge to final bills. Staff gratuities are included in the fare.

Wi-Fi

Paul Gauguin offers free Wi-Fi service to passengers on its ship — something that typically only higher-end lines do.

That said, it's a relatively slow Wi-Fi service that doesn't work for high-bandwidth functions such as movie streaming (you won't be able to watch Netflix shows on your phone, for instance) or downloading or playing podcasts. Be sure to download any movies, shows or podcasts that you'll want available on board before you arrive at the ship.

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike many lines, Paul Gauguin allows you to bring your own wine, Champagne, beer and liquor on board at embarkation with no limits. The line also doesn't charge a corkage fee.

Smoking policy

Smoking or vaping is only allowed in designated outdoor areas on Paul Gauguin that include the forward outdoor areas on Deck 5 (starboard and port sides), the outdoor area of the La Palette lounge on Deck 8 and the starboard side of the Bar Du Soleil area on Deck 9. Smoking or vaping is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. Pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere on board.

Laundry

Unlike some ships, The Gauguin does not have self-service launderettes. The ship offers extra-charge laundry and pressing services for slightly higher prices than you might find at home (as of July 2025, it was $6.75 to launder a blouse and $7.50 for trousers). What the line calls eco-friendly dry cleaning is also available at slightly higher prices.

Electrical outlets

The ship has both standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets and European-style, 200-volt outlets in rooms. Just be warned that, as is typical for older ships, The Gauguin's cabins have relatively few of these outlets. In some cabins, this might mean just one U.S.-style outlet and a single European-style outlet per cabin located at a desk area. If you envision plugging in more than one device at a time, you should bring a European-style outlet converter so that you can take advantage of both outlets at once.

Currency

The currency used on the ship is the U.S. dollar.

Note that you often can exchange dollars for small denominations of the local currency in the places the ship visits at its reception desk. Two exceptions are when the ship is sailing in Fiji and Vanuatu. During visits to these countries, the reception desk will not be able to exchange dollars for the local currencies (the Fijian dollar and Vanuatu vatu).

Drinking age

You must be 21 or older to consume alcohol on the ship.

Dress code

Paul Gauguin sailings are relatively informal, with no gala evenings that require formalwear.

During the day, you should dress on board like you would at any nice beach resort. Shorts and short-sleeved shirts are totally fine.

In the evenings, the dress code is a somewhat elevated "country club casual" (i.e., elegant resortwear). For women, that means a skirt or slacks with a blouse or sweater; for men, slacks and collared shirts are the norm. No ties are required at any time, nor are jackets, although a handful of men wear jackets to the once-a-cruise Captain's Welcome Reception.

One thing you might want to bring, if you have it, is a flowery or colorful shirt or dress to wear on the once-a-cruise Polynesian Night that the line organizes on board. If you're like me and don't have something that adheres to the theme, don't worry. You'll still fit in. But it can be fun to play along with an evening that includes dress up with (no-extra-charge) flower-and-leaf crowns made by local crafters who come on board and temporary Polynesian tattoos applied by Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines.

Note that the evening dress code specifically forbids jeans, T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops in all venues except at Le Grill, the casual decktop eatery.

Paul Gauguin Cruises loyalty program

Paul Gauguin Cruises may only operate one small ship, but it has a loyalty program worthy of a much bigger cruise brand.

The Paul Gauguin Society, as it's called, has multiple status tiers that come with such valuable perks as significant discounts on cruises, onboard spending credits and free onboard laundry service.

What's more, the Paul Gauguin Society loyalty program is one where you start getting access to some of the best perks right after your first cruise — something that isn't always the case with cruise line loyalty programs.

Plus, the Paul Gauguin Society loyalty program has one of the most fun tier-level naming structures in the cruise business. Seriously, who can turn down the opportunity to officially be titled an "admiral" or a "commodore" when cruising?

Earning Paul Gauguin points

The Paul Gauguin Society points-earning system — if you can even call it that — is about as straightforward as can be. Every time you sail with the line, no matter how long the voyage, you will get credit for one sailing. Your status level in the program will depend entirely on your total number of sailings and nothing else. Unlike at some lines, your status level will not be influenced by how many total days you sail or the type of cabins you book.

That said, there is a not-so-obvious way to accumulate more credits for sailings than you might think possible, given that Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship in one region of the world. Hidden in the fine print of the Paul Gauguin Society program rules is the pronouncement that you can get credit for any sailings you take with the much bigger expedition cruise line Ponant. The two lines are related, as Ponant has owned Paul Gauguin Cruises since 2019.

Given that Ponant operates 13 ships around the world, the partnership provides a lot more potential sailings that will contribute to your Paul Gauguin Society status.

As for those perks, you'll find that even at the introductory Major level of the program, which you earn after you confirm your second cruise, there are some solid offerings, including a 5% discount on any future cruise you book. That's a great perk, as it amounts to real money in your pocket.

The next tier of the program, the Admiral rung after you confirm your fourth cruise, brings an even bigger discount of 7.5% when you book a future cruise, as well as a cabin category upgrade when you sail, should a cabin for such an upgrade be available.

Both tiers, as well as higher levels, also come with shipboard credits that increase as you rise through the echelons, along with other benefits that are valuable.

How much does a Paul Gauguin cruise cost?

Paul Gauguin Cruises sailings aren't cheap. Seven-night "Tahiti & The Society Islands" sailings that take in such iconic French Polynesian islands as Moorea and Bora Bora start at $4,220 per person. That works out to roughly $1,200 per day for a couple sharing a room.

Some of the line's longer, more off-the-beaten-path sailings, such as its 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands trips, can cost significantly more on an absolute basis, although on a per-day basis, the pricing is similar.

A promenade deck on Paul Gauguin features shuffleboard courts.

The starting prices above are for entry-level cabins on sailings during the offseason. As is typically for cruises everywhere, pricing is higher for bigger cabins and for sailings during peak season periods such as around the winter holidays.

Still, as is typical for cruise lines at the high end, Paul Gauguin includes a lot in its base price. In addition to a room on board and all meals, the fares include most drinks on board, shipboard Wi-Fi and gratuities.

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to pgcruises.com and book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise, there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us. We always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. An agent can also help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure that Paul Gauguin is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all the line's itineraries in detail and, preferably, has sailed on or at least inspected the line's vessel, too, to understand the various cabin types and onboard amenities.

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spending when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), which earns 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), which earns 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel (and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining).

Bottom line

Paul Gauguin Cruises is a longtime leader in South Pacific cruises and a top choice if you want to see more of the region than just one or two islands. On a voyage on the line's one ship, the 330-passenger Paul Gauguin, you'll visit at least five (if not more) of the world's most beautiful tropical islands, including such iconic destinations as Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea and Huahine.

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