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About Paul Gauguin Cruises: All-inclusive luxury small-ship

French Polynesia's destination expert, sailing the longest continually operating luxury ship in the South Pacific on all-inclusive voyages through Tahiti's lagoons.

1998 Founded 1998, longest continually sailing luxury ship in the South Pacific Sailing since m/s Paul Gauguin, 330 guests, 165 suites and staterooms Ship 1 crew per 1.5 guests Crew ratio 86 sailings bookable now
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About Paul Gauguin Cruises

“Distinguished as French Polynesia’s leading destination experts for almost 30 years, Paul Gauguin Cruises delivers an authentic, all‑inclusive escape to the South Pacific. When you sail with Paul Gauguin Cruises, you enjoy the freedom to explore exotic ports without limitation. Step aboard and be charmed as their one-of-a-kind expertise introduces you to the wonders, culture, and beauty of French Polynesia.” — Paul Gauguin Cruises

Some ships visit French Polynesia; the m/s Paul Gauguin was born for it. Purpose-built for the shallow lagoons of the South Pacific with a draft of just over 17 feet, the 330-guest ship has sailed these waters continuously since 1998, celebrating 25 years in the islands in 2023. Now a member of the Ponant Explorations Group, the line calls itself French Polynesia's destination expert, and few would argue: no luxury ship has been sailing the region longer.

Life aboard is warmly Polynesian. Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, a troupe of Tahitian hosts and entertainers who live aboard year-round, infuse every sailing with music, dance, and storytelling, while a crew-to-guest ratio of one to one-and-a-half, among the highest at sea, keeps service effortless. A retractable watersports marina puts kayaks and paddleboards at your doorstep, and guests are welcomed ashore at Motu Mahana, the line's private islet off Taha'a, and an exclusive beach on a motu off Bora Bora.

Fares are genuinely all-inclusive: all meals across three dining venues, 24-hour room service, select wines and spirits, an in-room refrigerator restocked daily, gratuities, and nightly entertainment. Seven- to 20-night itineraries wander the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands, Tonga, and Fiji, ideal for travelers, honeymooners to seasoned explorers, who want the South Pacific done properly.

New & notable: Now sailing as part of the Ponant Explorations Group, the m/s Paul Gauguin marked 25 years in French Polynesia in 2023, and the line's loyalty benefits now extend across the group's Ponant Yacht Club.

Save on Paul Gauguin Cruises with Pavlus Travel

Pavlus Travel has been helping travelers save on the world's best cruise lines since 1994. Book Paul Gauguin Cruises through Pavlus and our exclusive discounts stack on top of the line's own current promotions — then our Lowest Price Guarantee keeps it that way. You never pay a service or planning fee, and you work one-on-one with a dedicated advisor who knows Paul Gauguin Cruises inside and out, from first quote to final port.

  • Exclusive Pavlus savings on every Paul Gauguin Cruises sailing
  • Lowest Price Guarantee — matched or beaten
  • Never any service or planning fees
  • A dedicated personal travel advisor, not a call center
  • 30+ years of negotiated cruise-line relationships
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The Paul Gauguin Cruises Experience

Built for the lagoons

A shallow 17.1-foot draft lets the ship slip into intimate anchorages beyond the reach of larger vessels, from Bora Bora to the Tuamotus.

Les Gauguines & Les Gauguins

A one-of-a-kind troupe of Tahitian hosts and entertainers lives aboard year-round, sharing Polynesian music, dance, crafts, and genuine island hospitality.

Motu Mahana private islet

An exclusive retreat off Taha'a with Polynesian hospitality, snorkeling, and watersports, plus a private beach on a motu off Bora Bora.

Onboard watersports marina

A retractable marina offers complimentary kayaking and paddleboarding directly from the ship, with Zodiacs supporting optional dive excursions.

Exceptional crew ratio

A crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5 ranks among the highest at sea, delivering polished, personal service for just 330 guests.

What's Included with Paul Gauguin Cruises

  • All shipboard meals across a choice of three dining venues
  • Complimentary 24-hour room service
  • Select wines and spirits, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and hot beverages throughout the ship
  • In-room refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and bottled water
  • Gratuities for room stewards, dining, and bar staff
  • All shipboard entertainment, including the Polynesian performance troupe
  • Complimentary kayaking and paddleboarding from the watersports marina

The Paul Gauguin Cruises Fleet (1 ships sailing bookable itineraries)

m/s Paul Gauguin

m/s 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 travelers 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 (more than 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 Gauguin and Les Gauguines—local Tahitians who serve as onboard hosts and hostesses, entertainers, and storytellers.

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Where Paul Gauguin Cruises Sails

Good to Know Before You Book

Gratuities & tipping
Gratuities are included in your Paul Gauguin cruise fare. If guests feel strongly about expressing their gratitude to the crew, they should be encouraged to make a donation to the Crew Welfare Fund at the Purser Office. This money is utilized for crew parties and events.
Cancellation policy

Cancellation By Guest

 Cancellation charges based on days prior to cruise departure 
Cancellation PeriodFee Per Person
Within 15 days of depositNo fee *
365 days or more prior to departure$250 administrative fee (can be applied to a future booking within 12 months of cancellation date)
364 to 211 days prior to departure10% of full fare (can be applied to a future booking within 12 months of cancellation date)
210 to 91 days prior to departure25% of full fare
90 days or less prior to departure100% of full fare

Final payment must be received 90 days prior to voyage departure date. There is no grace period after 90 days. Bookings not paid in full at 90 days are subject to cancellation at 100% penalty.

Last updated: March 20, 2026. Click this link to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.
Smoking on board
Ships are non-smoking except in designated areas on outside decks (also applies to electronic cigarettes).
Traveling with minors
Children aged under three are not permitted on board the ships, except the MS Paul Gauguin, which can board children from the age of 12 months. Children aged under six are not allowed to board ships embarking on Polar Expedition cruises.
Pregnancy policy
Because ships do not have baby delivery facilities on board, women who are over 26 weeks pregnant are not permitted to embark. In any case, itis recommended that pregnant women hoping to travel on a ship consult a doctor before departure to ensure that their health is compatible with the proposed cruise.
Moreover, no pregnant woman will be allowed to embark on cruises to Antarctica, of the North-West Passage or on Ocean Voyages.

Policies are provided by Paul Gauguin Cruises and can change; your Pavlus advisor will confirm current terms for your specific sailing before you book.

Paul Gauguin Cruises Questions, Answered

What is Paul Gauguin Cruises?

Paul Gauguin Cruises operates a single ship — the m/s Paul Gauguin — in permanent year-round deployment in French Polynesia and the South Pacific. This is the defining difference between Paul Gauguin and any other cruise line: no ship in the world is as exclusively and deeply committed to this remarkable part of the Pacific.

With just 330 guests, the ship is purpose-built for these waters, with a shallow draft allowing access to remote atolls, lagoons, and anchorages that larger vessels cannot reach. Paul Gauguin Cruises has operated in French Polynesia for over 25 years and is part of the Pacific Beachcomber hospitality group, which also operates several of the finest overwater bungalow resorts in the islands.

Tell me about the m/s Paul Gauguin — the ship itself.

The m/s Paul Gauguin was purpose-built for French Polynesian cruising and launched in 1998. At 330 guests, she is intimate by ocean-going ship standards. Key features:

  • All ocean-view cabins — Every stateroom and suite faces the sea; no interior cabins
  • Retractable marina platform — Folds out at the stern to create a floating dock for watersports directly from the ship
  • Two pools and spacious sun decks designed for tropical enjoyment
  • Multiple dining venues including La Veranda (French/Italian specialty) and the main restaurant L’Étoile
  • Shallow draft allowing anchorage in coral-fringed lagoons off remote Polynesian atolls
  • Spa and fitness center
How does Paul Gauguin compare to other luxury lines sailing French Polynesia?

Paul Gauguin is simply the specialist — French Polynesia is their only theater of operation, year-round, for over 25 years. No other major cruise line matches this depth of commitment. Silversea and Regent Seven Seas include French Polynesia as one of dozens of worldwide destinations; their ships are larger and their itineraries spend less time in the islands. Windstar offers sailing ship voyages in Polynesia with strong atmosphere but less inclusive fares. For travelers for whom French Polynesia is the destination — not just a port of call — Paul Gauguin has no equal.

Who are Les Gauguines?

Les Gauguines are one of the most beloved and unique features of the Paul Gauguin experience. They are a team of Tahitian and French Polynesian women who serve as the ship’s onboard cultural ambassadors — performing traditional Polynesian songs and dances, leading guests on shore excursions, offering Tahitian language lessons, and sharing the history, legends, and traditions of their home islands throughout the voyage. They are not performers in the conventional sense — they are genuine Polynesian hosts who make guests feel genuinely welcomed into island culture. Repeat Paul Gauguin guests often cite Les Gauguines as the feature that makes the line impossible to replicate.

What is the Gauguin Explorers diving program?

The Gauguin Explorers dive program is widely regarded as one of the finest scuba diving programs at sea. The dive operation is based directly aboard the ship, with equipment, instruction, and dive masters available for both certified divers and beginners (resort courses offered). French Polynesia offers extraordinary dive sites — pristine coral reefs, drift dives through passes in outer atoll walls, shark-feeding dives in Bora Bora lagoon, and encounters with manta rays and sea turtles. For divers, the Paul Gauguin is a legitimately world-class dive platform in arguably the world’s finest warm-water dive destination.

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