Some destinations demand more than an ordinary cruise. Tahiti does. French Polynesia does. The South Pacific does. Paul Gauguin Cruises was built for exactly this — an all-inclusive luxury cruise company that has spent more than 25 years perfecting one thing: getting travelers closer to the islands of French Polynesia, Fiji, and the wider South Pacific than any other ship can. Purpose-built for these lagoons, the Paul Gauguin cruise ship turns a Tahiti dream into one of the most effortless luxury cruise vacations at sea. For a genuine, up-close encounter with these waters, there’s simply no better choice than the m/s Paul Gauguin.
Most cruise ships visit the South Pacific. The m/s Paul Gauguin was built for it. From keel to deck, she was purpose-designed to sail the shallow lagoons, hidden bays, and remote anchorages of Tahiti and French Polynesia. Her shallow draft lets her glide into places larger ships must admire from the horizon — so you wake up steps from the beach, not miles from shore. That single design choice is what separates a Paul Gauguin voyage from every other cruise in the region.
Reputation is earned through consistency, and the Gauguin has earned hers many times over. Since her debut in 1998, sailing the South Pacific is essentially all she has ever done — making her the longest continuously operating year-round luxury ship in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. In September 2019 she joined Ponant, the world leader in luxury small-ship and expedition cruising, and benefited from top-to-bottom refurbishments in 2021 and again in early 2025. Her crew know these islands intimately, her itineraries have been refined over decades, and her guests return again and again.
The Gauguin is a small luxury ship by design, carrying just about 330 guests with a crew-to-guest ratio near 1:1.5 — one of the most generous at sea. Roughly 70% of her staterooms and suites have private balconies, and interiors blend yacht-style craftsmanship with Polynesian design, refreshed in the recent refurbishments. On board you’ll find three restaurants, an outdoor pool and expansive sun deck, a fitness center, a boutique, the Deep Nature Spa for signature treatments, and a lounge with live entertainment each evening — plus a retractable watersports marina that opens right off the stern.
Paul Gauguin is genuinely all-inclusive, so nearly everything that defines your day is already covered:
Most shore excursions are optional and priced separately, and select fares include roundtrip airfare (typically from Los Angeles). Joan confirms exactly what’s included on your itinerary.
Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins. The heart of the ship is its troupe of Tahitian hosts and entertainers, who double as the activity staff — leading cultural demonstrations, performing music and dance each evening, and sharing the stories of their islands. Many return year after year; they’re the reason the Gauguin feels less like a cruise and more like being welcomed into Polynesia.
Motu Mahana. On every voyage, the ship anchors off its own private islet near Taha’a for a full day on the beach — a barbecue, a floating bar in the lagoon, kayaking and snorkeling, and traditional music and dancing by Les Gauguines. It’s a highlight no other line can offer.
A private beach in Bora Bora. Guests also enjoy exclusive use of a secluded white-sand beach in Bora Bora, the most beautiful lagoon on earth.
PADI diving. The Gauguin is the only luxury ship in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification, so you can learn to dive — or log a dive on Rangiroa’s legendary reefs — straight from the ship.
A Polynesian blessing. Honeymoon and anniversary couples are welcomed with a complimentary traditional Polynesian blessing ceremony — one reason the Gauguin is consistently ranked among the world’s finest honeymoon cruises.
Voyages run from 7 to 16 nights and reach the most beautiful corners of the South Pacific:
No other ship offers as diverse an array of South Pacific itineraries — and it has been that way for years.
The Gauguin’s cuisine pairs bold local flavors with classic French technique, a hallmark since the Ponant era. There are three venues: L’Etoile, the elegant main dining room; La Veranda, serving French and Italian menus; and Le Grill, a relaxed open-air spot for casual dinners under the stars (La Veranda and Le Grill take reservations). Add 24-hour room service and daily Polynesian touches, and every meal becomes part of the journey.
The Gauguin is ideal for couples seeking a romantic, once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon or anniversary in French Polynesia; experienced travelers who want to see the world differently; divers and snorkelers who want reef access without sacrificing comfort; and luxury travelers who value intimacy and genuine culture over crowds and casinos. It also welcomes families on select sailings through the Moana Explorer program for children ages 6 to 15. If you’ve ever dreamed of Tahiti, this is how to live that dream properly.
The Gauguin sails year-round, so there’s never a bad time. The dry season (roughly May to October) brings cooler temperatures and calmer seas; the wet season (November to April) brings lush green landscapes and warm water. Joan can match the itinerary and timing to what you most want to see.
At Tasteful Voyages, Joan Qualls is a Virtuoso travel advisor who specializes in Paul Gauguin Cruises and other luxury ocean voyages. Booking through a Virtuoso advisor costs nothing extra and often unlocks exclusive amenities, preferred cabin categories, and personalized pre-trip planning that go well beyond what’s available online. Schedule your complimentary consultation today and start planning your South Pacific journey.
The m/s Paul Gauguin was purpose-built for the shallow waters of Tahiti and French Polynesia, giving guests access to lagoons, bays, and remote islands larger ships can’t reach. Combined with decades of local expertise, genuinely all-inclusive fares, the beloved Les Gauguines troupe, and a private islet, it offers an experience no other line in the region can match.
Yes. Fares include all dining, complimentary beverages (select wines, spirits, and beer), gratuities, Wi-Fi, watersports, entertainment and lectures, and access to two private retreats. Most shore excursions are optional, and some fares include roundtrip airfare.
Since 1998, making her the longest continuously operating year-round luxury ship in Tahiti and the South Pacific. She joined Ponant, the leader in luxury small-ship cruising, in 2019.
About 330 guests, with a crew-to-guest ratio near 1:1.5 — small enough for personal service and access to remote ports, with roughly 70% of accommodations offering private balconies.
Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins are the ship’s troupe of Tahitian hosts and entertainers who share Polynesian culture throughout the voyage. Motu Mahana is Paul Gauguin’s private islet off Taha’a, where every cruise enjoys a full beach day with a barbecue, a floating bar, watersports, and live music.
Yes. The Gauguin is the only luxury ship in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification, plus snorkeling and watersports from its onboard marina and destination beaches.
Absolutely. It’s consistently ranked among the top honeymoon cruises in the world, with an intimate ship, romantic destinations, overnights in Bora Bora, and a complimentary Polynesian blessing ceremony for couples.
Yes, on select sailings, through the Moana Explorer program for children ages 6 to 15 — with 2025 additions like connecting cabins making multigenerational travel easier.
Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, Rangiroa, Fakarava, the Marquesas, and, on select voyages, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Fiji — on itineraries of 7 to 16 nights.
Year-round. The dry season (May–October) offers cooler, calmer conditions; the wet season (November–April) brings lush landscapes and warm water. Your advisor can help you choose.
Yes. As a Virtuoso advisor, Joan Qualls specializes in Paul Gauguin Cruises and can often secure exclusive amenities, preferred cabins, and personalized planning beyond what’s available online.