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Paul Gauguin

Designed specifically to glide in luxury through the shallow seas of the South Pacific, The Gauguin is a small-ship cruiser’s dream. She delivers travellers to intimate ports inaccessible to larger cruise ships, all the while providing a travel experience that is nothing short of luxurious. Once on board, guests enjoy newly-decorated spacious suites and staterooms (nearly 70% with private balconies), an onboard watersports marina, three dining venues, an extensive spa, and five-star service. Life on The Gauguin also reflects the beauty and rich cultural heritage of the islands she calls upon, with a warm, friendly feel, informal setting, and even a beloved troupe of Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines—local Tahitians who serve as onboard hosts and hostesses, entertainers, and storytellers.

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Accomodation Types

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 more. There are two wheelchair-accessible staterooms, and select staterooms can accommodate three guests.

Amenities

• Queen-size, king-size bed, or two single beds; some staterooms also have a sofa bed
• Minibar, telephone and safe
• 110 V/220 V electrical sockets
• Flat-screen TV and videos on demand
• Individual airconditioning
• Marble bathroom with bathtub (except seven staterooms with shower only)
• Algotherm toiletries and hairdryer
• 24-hour service
• Butler service for the Owner's Suites, the GS Grand Suites, A and B Veranda Suites and Staterooms
• Free Wi-Fi access*

*Depending on the navigation areas, the Wi-Fi may not be accessible for reasons beyond our control.

Owner's Suite

Grand Suite

Veranda Suite (A)

Veranda Stateroom (B)

Balcony Staterooms

Window Stateroom (E)

Porthole Stateroom (F)

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Deck Plans

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 more. There are two wheelchair-accessible staterooms, and select staterooms can accommodate three guests.

Amenities

• Queen-size, king-size bed, or two single beds; some staterooms also have a sofa bed
• Minibar, telephone and safe
• 110 V/220 V electrical sockets
• Flat-screen TV and videos on demand
• Individual airconditioning
• Marble bathroom with bathtub (except seven staterooms with shower only)
• Algotherm toiletries and hairdryer
• 24-hour service
• Butler service for the Owner's Suites, the GS Grand Suites, A and B Veranda Suites and Staterooms
• Free Wi-Fi access*

*Depending on the navigation areas, the Wi-Fi may not be accessible for reasons beyond our control.

Deck 9

Deck 8

Deck 7

Deck 6

Deck 5

Deck 4

Deck 3

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Dining

During every meal onboard The Gauguin, with every sumptuous bit you sample, and each time our attentive staff fill 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. What’s more, every one of our onboard dining options is included in your cruise fare. Bon appétit!

L'Etoile

La Veranda

Le Grill

Wine Program

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Entertainment

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

Paul Gauguin Cruises offers live entertainment each evening. Every night brings something different, whether it’s Les Gauguins & Les Gauguines performing Tahitian songs and dance, live music, magic shows, or local Polynesian performance groups from the islands. Enrichment lecturers provide presentations of French Polynesia history, culture, and marine biology, and other topics. 

Piano Bar

Reading Nook

Sun Deck

La Palette

Le Grand Salon

La Boutique

Promenade Deck

Pool and Pool Bar

Crew Show

Reception

Les Gauguins & Les Gauguines

Local Entertainment

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Enrichment

Watersports

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

Watersports Marina

Our 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 paddleboard or launching a kayak.

Our watersports equipment is also available when we call upon our private beaches. Plus, if you plan on snorkelling in multiple ports, you’re welcome to check out snorkelling 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.

SCUBA Diving Excursions

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 m/s Paul Gauguin's retractable watersports marina, where you can embark on an optional SCUBA adventure.

Even if you have not SCUBA dive before, as a guest aboard The 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 we offer PADI certification on board for novice divers, as well as refresher courses.

Here are highlights of what else you might expect to find in dives off specific islands along the path of your itinerary:

Society Islands

Moorea—Catch a glimpse of black-tipped reef sharks, lemon sharks, impressively large moray eel, sea turtles, and barracudas.

Bora Bora—View lemon sharks and manta rays up close.

Tuamotus Islands

Rangiroa & Fakarava—In this premier diving location, look for hammerhead sharks (December-February) or manta rays (September-October). In addition, dolphins, turtles, eagle rays, barracuda, and other fascinating fish species are often spotted here, among coral reefs and canyon passes – including Fakarava’s reef, a UNESCO-Classified Nature Reserve.

Cook Islands

Aitutaki—Dive along the sheer drop off and large coral bommies to come across impressively large hawksbill turtles, white tip reef sharks resting on the sea floor, friendly emperor angel fish and occasional eagle rays.

Marquesas Islands

The Marquesas Islands are among the best diving spots in the world. The Gauguin offers you your only opportunity to explore the underwater world of the Marquesas, as there are no dive centers in these remote but pristine islands.

Nuku Hiva—The steep cliffs and caves off this island reveal a variety of unusual marine life, including hammerhead sharks, manta rays, moray eel, manta rays, and scorpion fish.

Tahuata—Jump into an underwater wilderness and observe grey sharks, Hiva Oa manta rays, dragon moray eel, lobster, and schools of juvenile fish dancing among predators such as giant trevally or tuna.

For the safety of our guests, diving is available in the Marquesas for advanced Open-Water Certified divers with the Deep Diver Specialty Certification only, as dives are 60 feet minimum.

Diving certifications are subject to availability.

Shore Excursions

From snorkelling adventures in a traditional outrigger canoe to discovering lush rainforests on a thrilling ATV excursion, our rich collection of shore excursions allows you to explore French Polynesia and the South Pacific in the manner that appeals to you most—both above and below the waterline as well as on shore.

Long-standing partnerships in every island ensures your discovery is led by the most experienced and knowledgeable experts. Here we invite you to explore your options either by port of call or type of activity. Shore excursions are available to pre-book approximately 60 days prior to sailing; diving tours must be booked on board. Guests and their travel advisors can pre-book their excursions by calling our Reservations Department at 1 (800) 848-6172. We look forward to revealing Polynesia to you soon!

Private Beaches

Our Private Paradise ... and Yours

Part of what makes a voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises so special is the access our small ship provides to some of the world’s most idyllic, unspoiled beaches. We’ve made this benefit even better by offering you the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable day on one of our private retreats. Those who enjoy watersports are in for a real treat at any of our two utopias.

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Health & Fitness

Fitness & Watersports

Algotherm Spa

Pool Deck

Fitness Centre

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Kids & Teens

In partnership with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation, the Moana Explorer Program invites children and teens, ages seven to 15, to discover and value the natural wonders of this breathtaking part of the world through hands-on, interactive learning. Every day of the voyage, there is a combination of excursions, science activities, crafts and other adventures. Depending on the itinerary, children might learn about underwater life, create natural jewellery, conduct water experiments, go on a treasure hunt, enjoy water games in the on-board pool, or design their own Polynesian tattoo. Best of all, there is no fee* for this special family programme! It's all part of PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises' extraordinary all-inclusive value. 

Moana Explorer Program

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Useful Information

What's Included

Paul Gauguin Cruises is proud to offer an extraordinary value in luxury cruising, thanks to our all-inclusive pricing. Spend more time enjoying your cruise vacation and less time worrying about every little detail when it’s all been taken care of—from gourmet dining to onboard gratuities, and so much more.

When you travel on board The Gauguin, you’ll enjoy:

• All shipboard meals, in your choice of venues
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits, beers, soft drinks, bottled water, and hot beverages served throughout the ship
• In-room refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and bottled water
• All shipboard entertainment, including our troupe of Polynesian performers and live music in the evenings
• Presentations by onboard experts, and select sailings feature guest hosts
• Onboard gratuities for room stewards, dining and bar staff
• Watersports, including complimentary kayaking and paddleboarding from our marina or destination beaches
• Complimentary snorkel gear for use throughout the cruise
• Use of our secluded, white-sand beach in Bora Bora*
• A day on our private islet, Motu Mahana, off the coast of Taha’a, featuring snorkeling, watersports, a barbecue, full bar service, and Polynesian hospitality (on select voyages)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship

*Subject to availability as conditions allow. When unable to call there, we will be offering a tender to the pier and a free shuttle to Matira Beach, the island’s award-winning public beach that features restaurants, public facilities and shopping. Voted #1 in the best things to do in Bora Bora by U.S. News & World Report, Matira Beach boasts powdery white sand, waters in a thousand shades of blue, and is wonderfully uncrowded.

Laundry

Onboard laundry services, including pressing and eco-friendly cleaning services, are available for a per item cost and may be arranged through your stateroom/suite steward/stewardess. 

Dietary Requirements

Please advise the Paul Gauguin Cruises Reservations Department of any special dietary requirements at least 60 days prior to sailing. Ask for “special services” at 800-848-6172. Once aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, the Matire d’ Hotel will review dietary requirements with guests. Vegetarian, vegan, low-sodium, and heart healthy dishes are served aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin.

Medical Facilities

A licensed and registered doctor and nurse is available for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. The ship’s medical centre is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents, and is not intended or capable of providing on-going treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. For guests requiring oxygen equipment, an oxygen concentrator is the only form of oxygen equipment allowed aboard ship and must be provided by the guest. Wheelchairs are for emergency purposes only.

Dress Code

Country Club Casual, or elegant resort wear, is appropriate dress for all evenings aboard The Gauguin. A dress, or skirt or slacks with a blouse or sweater for ladies, and slacks and collared shirts for gentlemen. No ties are required at any time, although gentlemen may opt to wear a jacket to the Captain’s Welcome Reception.

We recommend that you pack the following travel essentials for a cruise aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin: Comfortable cool clothing of natural fibres, elegant resort wear for evenings, sun hat, sunglasses, sun block, swimsuit, pool slippers, beach cover-ups, swimming t-shirt (or Lycra® top) preferably long sleeved, mosquito repellent, travel alarm, medication, personal medicine kit, and reef shoes (sturdy, closed-toe).

Wi-Fi

The ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art communication system. Internet access is complimentary throughout the ship for all guests. 

Smoking Policy

For the comfort, convenience, and safety of all our guests, smoking and vaping is prohibited in public rooms, dining rooms, staterooms, suites, and private balconies aboard the ship, and pipe smoking is not allowed on board. Smoking and vaping is permitted only in specifically designated outdoor smoking areas including the forward outdoor areas on Deck 5 (starboard and port sides), La Palette (outside area, starboard side only), and Bar Du Soleil (starboard side only).

Smoking Safety Notice: Always use the ashtrays and never throw cigarettes overboard – they could be blown back into the ship and cause a fire. 

Age Restrictions

Children under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult over the age of 21. . If the adult accompanying the child is not a parent, a “Parental Consent Guardianship Form” must be signed by a parent or legal guardian and received by PGC prior to sailing. The ship is not able to accommodate children under one year of age and reserve the right to restrict the number of those under three years of age on board. Babysitting services are not available. Parents must be diligent to guard their children while on or near the balconies or any railing. The ship is not equipped to provide pre-natal, post-natal or pediatric services. Summer and holiday sailings of the m/s Paul Gauguin feature the Moana Explorer Program. 

Disabled Facilities

There is one stateroom onboard that is wheelchair accessible. This stateroom features wide doorways to accommodate a wheelchair, a walk or roll-in shower, stall, and a greater distance between the bed and vanity. There are also a select number of staterooms in other cabin categories that feature shower stalls for those who have trouble stepping into a bathtub. Shower stalls can be requested for additional assistance and the onboard infirmary can perform a select number of services.

All decks, with the exception of Deck 9 - the Sun Deck - and the Marina Deck, can be reached via an elevator and manoeuvred in a wheelchair. The same level of mobility is required to get back onboard the ship.

Passengers travelling in wheelchairs should be aware that almost all ports of call on the MS Paul Gauguin are tendered. Passengers will need to be able to climb down a flight of stairs and take a step into a tender to get to shore.

PLEASE NOTE: Paul Gauguin encourage those who require additional assistance to travel with someone who can help. If there are any specific requests, Paul Gauguin will do their best to accommodate in any way possible.

Guide dogs, or other service animals are welcome onboard as long as appropriate certification is provided to Paul Gauguin Cruises at least 30 days prior to the scheduled departure. Guests are responsible for making all arrangements for the entry of the service animal into any country visited by the ship.

Motorised scooters and wheelchairs are welcome onboard the ship. All wheelchairs, of any type, must be provided by the passenger, and Paul Gauguin Cruises need to be notified in advance. The size of the wheelchair should be taken in to consideration to be sure it will fit in the passenger's stateroom.

There is not an interpreter available onboard the MS Paul Gauguin. Given 3 months notice, Paul Gauguin can have a light and vibration system fitted in staterooms. A crew member can also be assigned to assist in case of emergencies.