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

An aerial view of a sleek white yacht with a person relaxing on the bow, surrounded by sparkling deep blue ocean waters. The image captures the tranquility and luxury of marine leisure.
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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.

A modern, spacious cruise ship suite with a large angled window offering an expansive ocean view. The room features a plush gray sectional sofa, minimalist furniture, and a wall-mounted flat-screen television.
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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. Relax on powdery white sand, snorkel in crystal-clear shallows teeming with tropical fish, enjoy a complimentary barbecue lunch, and sip tropical cocktails under the shade of coconut palms. Les Gauguines host activities on the beach, and the watersports team provides complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. It’s the kind of moment that defines a Paul Gauguin voyage — pure, unspoiled paradise.

Experience

The Paul Gauguin Experience

Intimate Ship, Grand Experience

With just 332 guests aboard a purpose-built vessel, the m/s Paul Gauguin offers an intimate, yacht-like atmosphere. The exceptional crew-to-guest ratio ensures personalized attention, while the ship’s shallow draft provides access to secluded harbors and lagoons that larger vessels cannot reach.

Watersports & Adventure

The ship’s retractable watersports marina transforms each anchorage into your personal playground. Enjoy complimentary kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling directly from the ship, plus optional PADI-certified scuba diving in some of the world’s most pristine underwater environments.

South Pacific Specialist

From the iconic overwater bungalows of Bora Bora to the lush volcanic peaks of Moorea and the remote atolls of the Tuamotus, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers unparalleled access to the enchanting islands of Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the broader South Pacific.

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 m/s Paul Gauguin was purpose-built for these waters, with a shallow draft that allows access to intimate lagoons and hidden harbors that larger ships cannot reach. With just 332 guests and a deeply authentic Polynesian cultural experience led by Les Gauguines, it offers an immersive South Pacific voyage that no other cruise line can match.

Paul Gauguin fares include all onboard meals across three dining venues, complimentary select wines and spirits, 24-hour room service, onboard gratuities, complimentary Wi-Fi, access to the watersports marina (kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear), and a 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.

One of the m/s Paul Gauguin’s most distinctive features is its retractable watersports marina located at the stern of the ship. When the ship anchors in calm, clear waters, the marina opens to provide direct access to the sea. Complimentary activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling with provided equipment. PADI-certified scuba diving is also available for an additional fee, led by experienced dive masters who know the best underwater sites in the region.

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 m/s Paul Gauguin anchors off a private motu — a secluded islet with white sand beaches and crystal-clear lagoon waters. This complimentary beach day includes a barbecue lunch, tropical beverages, snorkeling equipment, and watersports gear. Les Gauguines host cultural activities and entertainment on the beach. It’s an exclusive, quintessential Polynesian experience included in your cruise 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!