Paul Gauguin Cruises
The most established luxury small ship in French Polynesia. 330 guests, fully all-inclusive, year-round from Papeete — with exclusive access to a private islet off Taha'a and a private beach in Bora Bora available to no other ship.
- Paul Gauguin Cruises operates a single, purpose-built ship — the m/s Paul Gauguin — year-round exclusively in French Polynesia and the South Pacific, making it the most destination-specialized luxury ship in the world for this region.
- The ship carries 330 guests with a shallow draft that allows access to lagoons, atolls, and private anchorages larger ships physically cannot reach — including an exclusive private islet (Motu Mahana) off the coast of Taha'a and a private beach in Bora Bora.
- Everything is included: all meals across three restaurants, wines and spirits throughout, Wi-Fi, watersports from the marina, gratuities, snorkel gear, private beach access, and all onboard entertainment — no surprise charges.
- Six itineraries in 2026 range from 7 to 14 nights, covering the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas (newly UNESCO-listed), Cook Islands, and combinations — all sailing round-trip from Papeete (Tahiti).
- Paul Gauguin Cruises is part of the PONANT Explorations Group but operates as its own brand with its own identity, ship, all-inclusive model, and permanent South Pacific focus.
What makes Paul Gauguin Cruises different
Paul Gauguin is not an expedition line dabbling in the South Pacific. It is the South Pacific — built around one destination and one ship that has called French Polynesia home for more than 27 years. One ship, one region, every sailing, year-round. That kind of specialization is rare in cruising and shows up in the details, from a shallow draft engineered for lagoons and atolls to private anchorages no other operator can use.
At 330 guests, the m/s Paul Gauguin is small enough to enter places larger ships physically cannot reach, yet large enough to support three dining venues, an onboard marina, a spa, and a full entertainment program. Pricing is genuinely all-inclusive: wines and spirits, gratuities, watersports, Wi-Fi, snorkel gear, private beach and private islet access are all built into the fare. There is very little à la carte once you are aboard.
The most distinctive onboard element is the Gauguines and Gauguins, the ship's resident Polynesian cultural hosts. They lead live music and dance, share cultural insight throughout the voyage, and perform traditional blessings for couples — a feature unavailable on any other ship in the region. Three dining venues (L'Étoile main dining room, La Veranda al fresco, and Le Grill on deck) lean into French-Polynesian cuisine with inclusive wines, and the spa, fitness room, casino, and Polynesian dance performances round out the onboard experience.
Honest framing: Paul Gauguin is not an expedition-style experience. It is a polished, elegant, all-inclusive luxury cruise in one of the world's most beautiful destinations — French Polynesia done at a very comfortable level, not roughing it. Travelers cross-shopping more expedition-feeling options should read our Aqua Expeditions guide and Quark Expeditions guide for side-by-side context.
Where Paul Gauguin sails
Tahiti & the Society Islands — 7 nights
Ports: Papeete, Huahine, Motu Mahana (private islet), Taha'a, Bora Bora (overnight), Moorea (overnight). The most popular itinerary and ideal for first-timers. Combines all the iconic Society Islands highlights: Bora Bora's lagoon, Moorea's volcanic peaks, the private Motu Mahana islet, and the cultural warmth of Huahine. Two overnights give depth most 7-night cruises don't offer.
More Society Islands & Tahiti — 7 nights
Ports: Papeete, Huahine, Raiatea (UNESCO Marae Taputapuatea), Motu Mahana, Taha'a, Bora Bora (overnight), Moorea, Papeete. Adds Raiatea, home to Marae Taputapuatea — a UNESCO World Heritage sacred site considered the spiritual birthplace of Polynesian culture. Best for travelers who want the Society Islands with more cultural and historical depth.
More Tuamotus & Society Islands — 10 nights
Ports: Papeete, Society Islands, Fakarava (overnight — UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), Rangiroa (French Polynesia's largest atoll), Bora Bora (overnight), Moorea. Extends into the Tuamotu Archipelago for an overnight at Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for drift diving with sharks. The best combination of remote atoll immersion and classic Society Islands beauty.
Society Islands & Tuamotus — 11 nights
Ports: Papeete, Huahine, Raiatea, Motu Mahana, Bora Bora (2 nights), Society Islands, Fakarava, Rangiroa, Moorea. For travelers who want two full nights in Bora Bora. Combines UNESCO heritage (Raiatea, Fakarava) with extended time in the most celebrated lagoon in French Polynesia.
Cook Islands & Society Islands — 11 nights
Ports: Papeete, Huahine, Aitutaki (Cook Islands), Rarotonga (Cook Islands), Bora Bora (overnight), Motu Mahana, Moorea. The itinerary that goes beyond French Polynesia. Aitutaki's lagoon is one of the most photographed in the South Pacific; Rarotonga offers volcanic hiking and Maori cultural traditions distinct from Polynesian French culture. Best for travelers who want the full South Pacific scope.
Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands — 14 nights
Ports: Papeete, Fakarava (Tuamotus), Fatu Hiva, Atuona, Tahuata, Nuku Hiva (Marquesas), Rangiroa, Bora Bora, Huahine, Motu Mahana, Moorea. The definitive Paul Gauguin itinerary. The newly UNESCO-listed Marquesas Islands — wild, remote, cliff-lined, culturally distinct — are accessible to almost no other luxury ship. Fatu Hiva's Bay of Virgins is among the most dramatic anchorages in the Pacific. Best for travelers who want the entire French Polynesia experience and understand that 14 nights earns it.
What's included — and what isn't
Paul Gauguin runs one of the cleanest all-inclusive models in luxury cruising. Here is the practical breakdown.
- All shipboard meals at L'Étoile, La Veranda, and Le Grill
- All beverages: wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks, water throughout the ship (excluding Sommelier reserve menu)
- 24-hour room service
- In-room minibar restocked daily with soft drinks, beer, and water
- Onboard gratuities for all dining, bar, and cabin staff
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Watersports from the marina: kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkel gear
- Private beach access in Bora Bora (exclusive to the ship)
- Private islet day at Motu Mahana, off Taha'a (on select voyages) — beach, snorkeling, BBQ, full bar service
- All evening entertainment and Polynesian cultural performances by the Gauguines and Gauguins
- Onboard expert presentations and select guest host sailings
- Children 17 and under sharing with two adults pay port charges only
- Shore excursions (available to book separately)
- Premium wine and Sommelier reserve menu upgrades
- Scuba diving (separate fee; onboard dive center available)
- Spa treatments and fitness services
- Air to and from Papeete
- Casino
Who Paul Gauguin Cruises is — and isn't — for
- Travelers who have dreamed of Bora Bora, Moorea, or French Polynesia and want to see multiple islands without re-packing between hotels.
- Couples, honeymooners, and anniversary travelers — the ship offers traditional Polynesian blessings for weddings and anniversaries.
- Travelers who want a genuinely all-inclusive experience with no bill anxiety — everything is covered except excursions and spa.
- Guests who appreciate warm, culturally authentic onboard entertainment — the Gauguines and Gauguins are a uniquely loved feature.
- Travelers comparing Paul Gauguin with Aqua Expeditions, Scenic Eclipse, Regent Seven Seas, or private villa-based French Polynesia trips.
- You want expedition-style adventure or very small-group wildlife immersion — this is a polished 330-guest luxury ship, not an expedition vessel.
- You are price-sensitive — Paul Gauguin is positioned at the premium end of French Polynesia travel.
- You want diverse global destinations on one cruise — the ship only sails French Polynesia and the South Pacific.
- You prefer very intimate ships — at 330 guests it is small by ocean standards but larger than ultra-boutique expedition lines like Aqua.
Our honest take on Paul Gauguin Cruises
There is genuinely no better ship for French Polynesia at this price category. Twenty-seven-plus years of year-round presence, a hull designed for this region, and access to private spaces no competitor can touch all show up in the experience. The all-inclusive model is one of the cleanest in the business — guests rarely feel nickel-and-dimed once aboard, which is increasingly rare in luxury cruising.
The Gauguines and Gauguins are one of the most memorable and authentic features of any cruise in the South Pacific; no other ship offers anything comparable. For honeymooners and couples celebrating something significant, the combination of Bora Bora from a ship with exclusive beach access and a traditional Polynesian blessing is one of the most meaningful settings in the world for it.
The 14-night Marquesas itinerary is, in our view, one of the most distinctive cruise itineraries available anywhere. The Marquesas are remote, wild, and almost impossible to reach otherwise — and Paul Gauguin runs the trip a handful of times each year. It is not the obvious first booking, but for the traveler who is ready, it is unforgettable.
An advisor adds real value here around itinerary selection (7 vs. 10 vs. 14 nights), cabin category (about 70% of staterooms have balconies; suites add butler service), timing around trade winds and rainy season, and air routing through Papeete. For a broader frame, our travel-style comparison walks through how all-inclusive luxury small-ship cruising stacks up against expedition yachts, river cruising, and resort-based travel.
Paul Gauguin Cruises — frequently asked questions
Is Paul Gauguin Cruises truly all-inclusive?
Yes. Fares include all meals across three restaurants, wines, spirits, and beers throughout the ship, gratuities, Wi-Fi, watersports from the onboard marina, snorkel gear, private beach and private islet access on select voyages, and all onboard entertainment. Shore excursions, scuba diving, spa treatments, premium Sommelier reserve wines, and the casino are not included. Flights to Papeete are also separate.
How many guests does Paul Gauguin carry?
The m/s Paul Gauguin carries 330 guests. That is meaningfully smaller than most ocean liners but larger than ultra-boutique expedition ships like Aqua Expeditions, which carry 16 to 40 guests. The size is the deliberate sweet spot — small enough to enter shallow lagoons and atolls that ships over 2,000 guests physically cannot reach, while still offering three dining venues, a spa, a marina, and a full entertainment program.
What is the best Paul Gauguin itinerary for first-timers?
The 7-night Tahiti & Society Islands sailing is the classic first-timer choice and the most popular itinerary in the fleet. It covers Bora Bora (overnight), Moorea (overnight), Motu Mahana (private islet off Taha'a), and Huahine — the essential French Polynesia highlights in one week. Travelers who want the Marquesas should plan the 14-night itinerary; those islands are remote and not reachable on shorter sailings.
Who are the Gauguines and Gauguins?
The Gauguines and Gauguins are a resident troupe of Polynesian cultural hosts who sail on every voyage. They perform traditional music and dance, lead cultural programming, and conduct traditional Polynesian blessing ceremonies for couples celebrating weddings, vow renewals, and anniversaries. They are widely considered one of the most authentic and memorable features of any cruise in the South Pacific — no other ship in the region offers anything equivalent.
What is Motu Mahana?
Motu Mahana is a private islet off the coast of Taha'a, exclusively reserved for m/s Paul Gauguin guests on select sailings. The motu features a white sand beach, snorkeling in coral gardens, kayaking, paddleboarding, a full Polynesian barbecue, and a floating bar in the lagoon. No other cruise line has access — when the ship is calling, the islet belongs entirely to its guests.
How does Paul Gauguin compare to Aqua Expeditions?
Different products for different travelers. Aqua (16 to 40 guests) is ultra-boutique, expedition-focused, and culinary-led across the Amazon, Mekong, and Galápagos. Paul Gauguin (330 guests) is all-inclusive, polished, and exclusively French Polynesia and the South Pacific. Travelers comparing the two are usually weighing intimacy and expedition feel against destination specialization and all-inclusive pricing. Our Aqua Expeditions guide covers that side in detail.
Is Paul Gauguin good for honeymoons?
Yes — it is one of the most popular honeymoon cruise options in French Polynesia. The combination of exclusive Bora Bora private beach access, the Polynesian blessing ceremony performed by the Gauguines and Gauguins, the all-inclusive model with no onboard bill anxiety, and some of the most romantic anchorages in the world makes it a natural fit for honeymoons, vow renewals, and anniversaries.
Can I book Paul Gauguin Cruises through Travel Squad Vacations?
Yes. Our advisors handle itinerary selection (7 vs. 10 vs. 11 vs. 14 nights), cabin category (roughly 70% of staterooms have balconies, with butler-service suites at the top tier), timing around the French Polynesia trade-wind and rainy seasons, pre- and post-cruise hotel recommendations in Papeete or Bora Bora, and air routing through Tahiti. These details meaningfully affect the trip and reward planning.
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