That's the core appeal of a Paul Gauguin cruise. Rather than choosing one Society Islands resort and staying put, you visit several islands from a single small ship. Many travelers struggle to decide between a Bora Bora overwater bungalow and a Moorea mountain view. A cruise sidesteps that decision entirely.
Paul Gauguin Cruises positions itself as an intimate alternative to both mega-ship cruising and single-resort holidays. It's built specifically for these waters, with a cultural program woven into daily life onboard.
This guide covers the onboard experience, the islands you'll see, who this trip suits best, and how to plan one without guesswork.
Key Takeaways
- One small ship covers Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and more without repacking.
- Best suited for honeymooners, milestone couples, affluent 55+ travelers, divers and first-time Tahiti visitors.
- Confirm current fares, inclusions, cabin categories and cancellation terms before booking any sailing.
- Pair with a resort stay pre- or post-cruise if an overwater bungalow is on your must-do list.
What Makes Paul Gauguin Cruises Special?
An Intimate Ship Built for Lagoon Waters
The m/s Paul Gauguin carries roughly 330 guests. This is small by cruise industry standards, and the ship's shallow draft lets it get into places larger vessels simply can't reach.
That size changes the onboard rhythm: fewer crowds at the buffet, shorter tender lines, and a crew that often learns your name by day two. Next to a 3,000-passenger ship, the contrast is obvious.
One Ship, Six Islands, Zero Logistics
A typical seven-night Society Islands sailing covers Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a and Bora Bora — often with an overnight, two-day stay in Bora Bora. Doing this same route independently would mean booking inter-island flights or ferries, plus new hotel check-ins every two or three days.
The cruise format removes that friction:
- No repacking between islands
- No coordinating separate inter-island flights
- No researching multiple hotels across six destinations
- Excursions and transfers bundled into the itinerary
Genuine Polynesian Culture Onboard
This isn't a generic tropical cruise with a Hawaiian shirt night bolted on. Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines, the ship's Polynesian cultural ambassadors, host onboard experiences such as:
- Pareo-tying demonstrations
- Coconut-opening lessons
- Traditional dance performances on deck
Guitar and ukulele music often carries across the pool deck in the evenings. That local texture is something large international cruise lines rarely match.
Motu Mahana: A Private Islet Experience
On select sailings, the ship anchors near Motu Mahana, a private islet off Taha'a used exclusively by Paul Gauguin guests. Expect swimming, kayaking, a beachside barbecue, and cocktails served from a floating bar, with Polynesian hosts running cultural demonstrations onshore. Because this stop isn't guaranteed on every departure, confirm it's included before you book if it's a priority.
Cruise vs. Resort: The Real Trade-Off
| Factor | Paul Gauguin Cruise | Single Resort Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Island variety | Multiple islands, one ship | One island, one property |
| Logistics | Built-in transfers and excursions | You arrange everything |
| Overwater bungalow time | Limited or none | Full stay in one |
| Pace | Structured, moves every few days | Slower, more flexible |
| Privacy | Shared ship amenities | More private resort grounds |
Neither is automatically better. Choose the cruise for multi-island breadth, or a resort stay when you want depth in one place.
Who Actually Runs the Ship
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the m/s Paul Gauguin and joined PONANT EXPLORATIONS in 2019. Company materials describe the operator and brand relationship clearly, though they don't name a separate registered legal owner of the vessel. For travelers, the practical point is simple: Paul Gauguin Cruises runs day-to-day operations.
What Is the Onboard Experience Like?
Life aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin feels closer to a small luxury yacht than a mainstream cruise ship. Ocean-view staterooms, French-Polynesian dining, and easy water access shape most days at sea and at anchor.
Cabins and Accommodation Categories
Every stateroom is ocean-view, and roughly 70% include a private balcony. Categories run from compact window and porthole rooms around 200 square feet up to veranda suites and grand suites.
When comparing categories, weigh:
- Balcony access: private sunrise views over the lagoon
- Deck location: higher decks mean less motion, but more stairs or elevator waits
- Proximity to public spaces: quieter near the stern, livelier near the pool deck
- Bathroom configuration: layout and finish change clearly from entry-level rooms to suites
Dining and Inclusions
Three venues anchor the dining program:
- L'Etoile: main dining room for dinner with French-Polynesian fusion menus
- La Veranda: open-air breakfast and lunch, plus reservation-only dinner
- Le Grill: casual daytime dining that becomes a reservation-based Polynesian specialty restaurant at night
Menus lean on fish and tropical produce from the islands on your itinerary. Each venue also serves meat and vegetarian options beside the catch of the day.
Standard fares generally include:
- All shipboard meals
- Selected wine, beer, spirits, and nonalcoholic drinks
- Onboard gratuities
- Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Snorkeling gear for the full cruise
- Complimentary kayaking and paddleboarding, conditions permitting
Scuba diving is not included. Book and pay for dives separately onboard, and confirm current fare terms for your sailing—promotions can change the package.
Activities, Atmosphere, and Diving
Evenings feature Polynesian dance, live music, and cultural demonstrations. By day, the marina platform (when deployed, weather permitting) gives direct access for swimming and watersports without a tender.
The mood stays intimate and relaxed: cultural shows, open decks, and time on the water rather than thrills built into the ship.
An onboard PADI program offers guided dives and Discover Scuba sessions for beginners. Recent published pricing has run about $120 for a single-tank dive and $99 for a Discover Scuba pool session; confirm rates for your dates.
Divers should plan for these common requirements:
- Medical certificate issued within the past year
- Refresher dive if you have not dived in more than 12 months
- Experience threshold on some Tuamotu dives, such as 10 dives in the previous year
Which Tahiti and French Polynesia Itineraries and Islands Can You Experience?
Starting Point: Papeete
Papeete, Tahiti, is the usual embarkation port. Nonstop flights run roughly 8 hours from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle via carriers including Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, Delta, and United. Given the long-haul nature of the trip, arriving a day early gives you a buffer against flight delays and jet lag before boarding.
The Classic Society Islands Route
A representative seven-night itinerary covers:
- Tahiti: embarkation point with markets, waterfall hikes, and ancient cultural sites
- Moorea: dramatic peaks and lagoon tours
- Huahine: quieter and culture-rich, with archaeological sites
- Raiatea: considered the spiritual heart of Polynesia
- Taha'a: vanilla plantations and the Motu Mahana stop
- Bora Bora: typically an overnight, two-day call
Not every sailing follows this exact sequence, so check each departure's island order before you book.
What You'll Actually Do Ashore
Across these islands, excursions commonly include:
- Lagoon snorkeling among coral gardens, sharks, and rays
- Hiking to viewpoints overlooking turquoise water
- Pearl farm and vanilla plantation visits
- Village walks and local market browsing
- Kayaking through calm lagoon channels
Longer Voyages: Tuamotus and Marquesas
Beyond the standard seven-night route, Paul Gauguin's published schedules include longer sailings (some running 10 to 14 nights) that reach the Tuamotu Islands and Marquesas. These itineraries suit divers and travelers chasing remote, less-touristed destinations rather than iconic postcard scenery.
Matching Itinerary to Interest
- Bora Bora and Moorea → iconic scenery, romance, honeymoon photos
- Raiatea and Huahine → culture, nature, fewer crowds
- Tuamotus → serious diving, remote atolls, adventurous travelers
Rather than picking based purely on the number of islands listed, evaluate port time, tendering requirements, and excursion intensity. A stop with only three hours ashore feels very different from an overnight call.
Is a Paul Gauguin Cruise Right for You?
Who This Trip Suits Best
- Honeymooners and milestone couples wanting romance without complex logistics
- Affluent 55+ travelers who prefer a slower, more curated pace over resort-hopping
- First-time Tahiti visitors overwhelmed by choosing a single island
- Divers interested in the onboard PADI program and Tuamotu access
- Culture-focused travelers who want genuine Polynesian performances, not a poolside luau
Who Might Prefer a Resort Instead
A single-resort stay may suit you better if you want:
- One overwater bungalow for the entire trip
- Extensive independent exploration at your own pace
- A lower overall trip cost
- A wider range of dining and entertainment options
Paul Gauguin vs. Windstar: A Quick Comparison
| Factor | Paul Gauguin Cruises | Windstar Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks & Wi-Fi | Typically included in standard fare | Often an add-on package, sometimes discounted via promotion |
| Ship style | 330-guest, all-ocean-view ship | Sailing yacht or all-suite yacht, varies by vessel |
| Diving | Onboard PADI program, separately priced | Destination-based dive excursions |
| Itinerary range | Society Islands through Marquesas, 7–14+ nights | Society Islands focus, typically 7-night routes |
Both lines market themselves as small-ship luxury. The details that matter most (drink packages, cabin balcony types, current promotions) shift often enough that you should verify them against the exact sailing you're considering.
The Real Value Question
A higher cruise fare often reflects what's bundled in: meals, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and transfers between islands. Before deciding a cruise costs more than a resort, total up the resort's flights, inter-island transport, meals, excursions, gratuities and drinks separately. The comparison looks different once every line item is on the table.
Magical Tahiti Vacations can help you run that comparison. As a fee-free Tahiti specialist, an advisor will walk through your priorities (island variety versus overwater bungalow time, budget versus luxury inclusions) and help you choose a cruise, resort or combined itinerary that fits.
How to Plan a Paul Gauguin Cruise
Planning Sequence
- Select your cruise dates based on season — June through September is peak, November through March is lowest-rate, and April–May plus October are shoulder seasons
- Research flights to Papeete, including ~8-hour nonstops from major U.S. gateways
- Book an early arrival in Tahiti, a day before embarkation, as a buffer for flight delays
- Choose your cabin category based on balcony priority and budget
- Arrange travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage for this remote region
- Confirm passport validity — the U.S. State Department requires six months of validity beyond your travel dates for French Polynesia, and a standard passport (not a 12-page emergency passport) for visa-free entry
- Plan transfers and excursions in advance where reservations are required
- Decide on post-cruise arrangements, such as an extra resort stay
Combining Cruise and Resort Stays
Add a pre- or post-cruise resort stay in Bora Bora or Moorea if an overwater bungalow is a must. A common setup is one or two hotel nights on arrival, the seven-night cruise, then a few resort days at the end.
That mix covers both the ship itinerary and bungalow time without repeating the same experience twice.
What to Pack
- Resort-casual clothing for daytime wear
- Swimwear (pack two or three sets)
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes for hikes and village visits
- A light rain layer for sudden tropical showers
- Motion-sickness remedies if you're prone to seasickness
- One elegant outfit for the captain's reception or any themed evening
Dress Code Reality Check
Onboard attire runs "Country Club Casual" — elegant resort wear, no ties required. A jacket is optional even for the captain's reception. That said, dress expectations and cancellation policies can vary by sailing and booking terms, so confirm the latest guidance directly with your cruise line or advisor before departure.
Why Work With a Specialist
Cabin choice, resort extensions, transfers, and passport timing are where most Paul Gauguin trips get overcomplicated. Michael Rockwell, founder of Magical Tahiti Vacations, is a Paul Gauguin Cruises Pearls Partner and Level 3 Certified Tahiti Specialist through Tahiti Tourism. He has planned 300+ Tahiti vacations, including his own 25th anniversary sailing.
He can help you match cabin category, sailing date, and any Bora Bora or Moorea stay to your budget—without a planning fee. Call 844-390-3900 to map the sequence before you book.
Cruise fares, discounts, and offers change by sailing and cabin category. Confirm current pricing directly before you lock anything in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Gauguin cruises?
Paul Gauguin Cruises combines a small, intimate ship with French Polynesia-focused itineraries, genuine Polynesian cultural programming, and the private Motu Mahana islet experience. You visit multiple islands like Bora Bora and Moorea without changing hotels.
Are Paul Gauguin Cruises luxury?
Yes. All-ocean-view cabins, French and Polynesian dining, attentive service, and bundled inclusions place it in the luxury category. Match those specifics against what you value most before you book.
What is the dress code for the Paul Gauguin cruise?
Evening attire is generally "Country Club Casual" or elegant resort wear, with no tie required even for the captain's reception. Dress guidance can vary by sailing, so confirm current expectations before you pack.
Who owns the Paul Gauguin cruise ship?
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the m/s Paul Gauguin and has been part of PONANT EXPLORATIONS since 2019.
What is included on a Paul Gauguin cruise?
Standard inclusions typically cover meals, selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, onboard gratuities, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling gear. Scuba diving and some shore excursions are usually priced separately, so confirm exclusions before booking.
Which islands does Paul Gauguin Cruises visit?
Core Society Islands stops include Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, and Bora Bora. Longer seasonal itineraries extend to the Tuamotu Islands and Marquesas, depending on the specific sailing.
