Tahiti · French Polynesia · South Pacific

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Discover the enchanting islands of the South Pacific aboard an intimate luxury ship purpose-built to navigate the shallow lagoons and secluded harbors of French Polynesia.

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Luxury in Paradise

Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a boutique luxury cruise experience unlike any other, sailing year-round through the breathtaking islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. Named after the famed French Post-Impressionist painter who found inspiration in these very islands, the m/s Paul Gauguin was purpose-built to glide through the shallow lagoons, hidden coves, and intimate harbors that larger ships simply cannot access. With just 332 guests, the experience is personal, refined, and deeply connected to the Polynesian culture and spirit of the islands.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Paul Gauguin Cruises – Small-Ship Luxury, South Pacific Specialist

Fleet: The m/s Paul Gauguin – an intimate 332-guest ship purpose-built for Polynesian waters

Destinations: Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, South Pacific, and select Southeast Asia voyages

Service: Award-winning crew with deeply authentic Polynesian hospitality

Signature Feature: The only luxury cruise ship sailing year-round in Tahiti and French Polynesia, with a private beach day on a secluded motu (islet) and onboard Polynesian cultural experiences

  • All onboard meals including gourmet dining and casual venues
  • Complimentary beverages including select wines, spirits, and soft drinks
  • Complimentary onboard watersports marina – kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling
  • Access to a private beach on a secluded motu (islet)
  • Onboard entertainment featuring Les Gauguines and Polynesian performers
  • Complimentary 24-hour room service
  • Onboard gratuities included
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Select sailings may include additional inclusions. Contact our expert advisors for the latest offers.

  • The only luxury ship purpose-built for and sailing year-round in French Polynesia
  • Intimate 332-guest capacity means personalized attention and uncrowded ports
  • Shallow draft allows access to small lagoons and harbors inaccessible to larger vessels
  • Authentic Polynesian cultural immersion with onboard hosts, Les Gauguines

L’Etoile: Elegant main dining room featuring French and international cuisine with open seating

La Veranda: Casual indoor/outdoor bistro with à la carte lunch and themed dinner menus

Le Grill: Poolside alfresco dining with grilled specialties and casual fare

Plus 24-hour room service available to all stateroom and suite categories. All dining is complimentary with no reservations required.

One of the most distinctive features of the m/s Paul Gauguin is its retractable watersports marina at the stern of the ship. When the ship anchors in calm, crystal-clear lagoons, the marina opens to offer complimentary kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling right from the ship.

PADI-certified scuba diving is also available for an additional fee, with expert dive masters leading excursions to some of the most spectacular underwater sites in the South Pacific.

At a Glance

All-Inclusive Luxury

Paradise Included

Beverages, dining, watersports & more

  • Complimentary beverages (select wines & spirits)
  • All onboard dining included
  • Watersports marina – kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling
  • Private motu (islet) beach day
  • Onboard gratuities included
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour room service

*Select sailings may offer enhanced inclusions

Explore

Discover Paul Gauguin

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A Ship Built for Paradise

The m/s Paul Gauguin was specifically designed and built to sail the waters of Tahiti and French Polynesia. Her shallow draft allows her to navigate narrow passages and anchor in secluded bays that larger cruise ships simply cannot reach. With just 332 guests and a crew of approximately 217, the ship maintains an exceptional crew-to-guest ratio that ensures warm, attentive service throughout your voyage. The ship features a retractable watersports marina, three dining venues, a full-service spa, and expansive open-air decks perfect for taking in the stunning island scenery.

Les Gauguines & Polynesian Culture

What truly sets Paul Gauguin Cruises apart is the authentic connection to Polynesian culture woven throughout every voyage. Les Gauguines – a troupe of talented Tahitian hosts and hostesses – serve as the heart and soul of the onboard experience. They share their culture through vibrant song and dance performances, teach traditional Polynesian crafts like pareo tying and flower crown making, and join guests on shore excursions to provide genuine local perspective. Their warmth and hospitality embody the spirit of the islands and create an atmosphere of genuine connection that simply cannot be replicated on any other cruise line.

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Your Private Island Paradise

One of the most unforgettable highlights of every Paul Gauguin voyage is a day spent on a private motu — a secluded islet surrounded by pristine turquoise water and fringed with swaying palm trees. This exclusive beach day is included in your fare and offers a quintessential South Pacific experience. The sand is impossibly white, the water that particular shade of turquoise you only find in French Polynesia, and the pace is entirely up to you. Snorkel over coral gardens just steps from shore, settle in with a tropical cocktail, or let Les Gauguines teach you traditional island crafts on the beach. A complimentary barbecue lunch keeps you fueled, and kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear are all provided. This is the kind of day that stays with you long after you return home – pure, unspoiled paradise.

Experience

The Paul Gauguin Experience

Intimate Ship, Grand Experience

The m/s Paul Gauguin feels more like a private yacht than a cruise ship. With an exceptional crew-to-guest ratio, the level of personalized attention here rivals the finest boutique hotels, all while sailing through some of the most remote and beautiful waters on earth.

Watersports & Adventure

Every anchorage becomes your personal playground thanks to the ship’s retractable marina at the stern. Step straight from the ship into warm lagoon waters for complimentary kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling, or add optional PADI-certified scuba diving to explore world-class underwater sites.

South Pacific Specialist

Paul Gauguin Cruises opens up the full breadth of the South Pacific, from the dramatic volcanic peaks of Moorea to the remote atolls of the Tuamotus where you might be the only visitors that week. Itineraries span Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and beyond, with ports of call that showcase the stunning diversity of island life across the region.

Images

Gallery

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Paul Gauguin Cruises is the only luxury cruise line sailing year-round in Tahiti and French Polynesia. The ship was specifically designed for these waters, meaning she can slip into narrow channels and anchor in bays that are simply off-limits to larger vessels. Combined with an authentic Polynesian cultural program led by Les Gauguines, the result is a South Pacific voyage no other cruise line can match.

Paul Gauguin fares cover all onboard meals across three dining venues, complimentary select wines and spirits, 24-hour room service, onboard gratuities, Wi-Fi, the watersports marina, and the private motu beach day. When you book through Cruise Help, you also benefit from our exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no booking fees – ever.

The m/s Paul Gauguin offers a range of accommodations including ocean-view staterooms, balcony staterooms, veranda suites, and the top-tier Grand Suite. Over 70% of staterooms feature private balconies. All staterooms are thoughtfully designed with island-inspired décor, and suites offer expanded living areas, enhanced amenities, and butler service. Our expert advisors can help you choose the perfect stateroom category and deck location for your voyage.

The m/s Paul Gauguin primarily sails year-round through Tahiti and French Polynesia, visiting iconic islands like Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, and Taha’a, as well as the remote Tuamotu atolls and Marquesas Islands. Select voyages also explore Fiji, the Cook Islands, and other South Pacific destinations. Voyage lengths typically range from 7 to 14 nights, with longer itineraries available seasonally.

The retractable watersports marina at the ship’s stern opens whenever conditions allow, giving you direct access to the sea right from the ship. All equipment for kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling is provided at no extra cost. For those wanting to go deeper, PADI-certified scuba diving is available for an additional fee with experienced dive masters who know these waters intimately.

The m/s Paul Gauguin features three complimentary dining venues. L’Etoile is the elegant main dining room offering French and international cuisine with open seating. La Veranda serves as a casual indoor/outdoor bistro with à la carte lunch and themed dinner menus. Le Grill is a poolside alfresco venue for casual fare and grilled specialties. 24-hour room service is also available to all stateroom categories. All dining is included in your fare with no reservations required.

The dress code aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin reflects the relaxed elegance of the South Pacific. There is no formal night — the atmosphere is resort casual. Evening attire is elegant resort wear: sundresses or casual slacks and collared shirts are perfectly appropriate. During the day, resort casual prevails with swimwear poolside and comfortable island attire throughout the ship. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet refreshingly relaxed.

Les Gauguines are a group of young Tahitian men and women who serve as the cultural ambassadors aboard every Paul Gauguin voyage. They share their heritage through vibrant song and dance performances, teach guests traditional Polynesian skills like pareo tying and ukulele playing, create flower crowns, and join guests ashore to provide authentic local insight. Their warmth and genuine hospitality are a hallmark of the Paul Gauguin experience and create a connection to the islands that is truly special.

On select itineraries, the ship anchors off a private motu – a secluded islet reserved exclusively for Paul Gauguin guests. The day includes a barbecue lunch, tropical beverages, and full use of snorkeling and watersports gear, while Les Gauguines bring the beach to life with cultural activities and entertainment. It’s all included in your fare.

Absolutely! The romantic, intimate setting of French Polynesia combined with the personalized service aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin makes it an exceptional choice for honeymoons, anniversaries, milestone birthdays, and vow renewals. The crew excels at celebrating special moments, and the breathtaking natural beauty of the islands provides an unforgettable backdrop. Our expert advisors can help coordinate special touches to make your celebration truly memorable.

When you book Paul Gauguin Cruises through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares — with just one room. Our team of 23+ expert advisors, many with real cruise ship experience, provides personalized stateroom selection advice, itinerary planning, and help choosing the perfect voyage for your travel style. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. Plus, we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees — ever. With 365-day support, you’re never on your own from the moment you inquire to the moment you disembark.

Get Started

Ready for Your South Pacific Dream Cruise?

Experience the magic of Tahiti and French Polynesia aboard the intimate m/s Paul Gauguin. When you’re ready to explore the most beautiful islands on earth, speak with our expert advisors at Cruise Help. With exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no fees – ever – your South Pacific paradise begins with us. Call us at +1 888-636-3667 or email Peter@cruisehelp.org.