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Groups – either with a certain travel agent or affinity organizations – are common on Paul Gauguin. As a result, and also because the ship is so international, it can be a bit harder to strike up conversations with strangers than on other cruise ships, as people tend to stick to the groups they came with. Still, like any ship, it’s hard to feel lonely, as the staff go out of their way to create a friendly atmosphere. Polynesian spirit and traditions are infused throughout The Gauguin Experience. Our troupe of cultural ambassadors, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, live aboard ship as hosts and entertainers.
Le Casino and Piano Bar
In 2018, Papeete cruise port started offering new fly-cruise package via a partnership with two airlines - United (USA Chicago-based) and French Bee (France Paris-based).
The Paul Gauguin Cruises Experience
Paul Gauguin attracts an international passenger base, although Americans, Canadians and French are the prime audience. On a weeklong sailing, the cruises are 75% North American and 25% French and international, we were told, with those ratios reversing when the ship makes longer sailings to the Marquesas and islands farther afield. Perhaps no destination sparks images of romance and tropical beauty more perfectly than French Polynesia. Yet for all its fame as a honeymoon destination, most people know little about this chain of 118 islands beyond Tahiti, Bora Bora and the over-the-water bungalows that dominate our collective imagination.
Voyages
I enjoyed all the Polynesian specialties served at meals, enriching Polynesian programming and entertainment with Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines, the ship’s memorable Polynesian Night, and connections with local Tahitians. Guests can have five-star meals in their choice of three fully included fine-dining venues — La Veranda, Le Grill, and the L’Etoile main dining room, which offers a rotating daily menu of delectable choices. Complimentary room service is also available around the clock, so enjoy the laid-back luxury of breakfast on your balcony or in bed. The pool deck on Paul Gauguin seems small at first glance; the square pool doesn’t seem like it would fit the demand. But we found that it was never crowded, as people spent a lot of time off the ship snorkeling at various beaches or on excursions.
Upcoming Paul Gauguin Cruises Cruises: 2024 Prices, Itineraries + Activities on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Upcoming Paul Gauguin Cruises Cruises: 2024 Prices, Itineraries + Activities on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:31:06 GMT [source]
The spirit of Paul Gauguin Cruises
We are immensely grateful to the communities who so graciously welcome our guests into their lives, and we look forward to our continued explorations of this special part of the world with great care. Our exquisite main dining room is dressed to impress with perfectly appointed décor, fine table linens, and delicate china. Join us every evening for dinner and sample a tantalizing array of expertly prepared dishes, perfectly paired with complimentary wines. The cruise line is named after the 19th century painter Paul Gauguin, who spent ten years living with and painting the people and nature of the Polynesia area. La Veranda Restaurant is buffet-style and offers breakfast and lunch (with a la carte lunch menu and alfresco seating). Click on top left to choose a different ship or use the menu above which is specific for Paul Gauguin.
Paul Gauguin Cruises supports French Polynesia healthcare - Seatrade Cruise News
Paul Gauguin Cruises supports French Polynesia healthcare.
Posted: Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The granddaughter of the painter (Maria Gauguin) attended the naming ceremony, which took place in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Florida. Godmother of the ultra-luxury liner is the wife of Francois-Xavier Poylo (vessel's architect) - Mrs Carole Poylo. The ship was refurbished in 2012 for USD 7 million and last drydocked in 2021 (February-March, in Singapore). MS Paul Gauguin cruise ship is currently owned and operated by Paul Gauguin Cruises (aka "PG Cruises", Ponant-owned brand). In 1997, the vessel entered service for RSSC-Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (in 2006 renamed Regent Seven Seas Cruises). In 2009, the cruise liner was acquired by Pacific Beachcomber (French Polynesia luxury hotels and resorts operator).
Watersports Marina
Breakfast and lunch on Paul Gauguin are elaborate buffets, with a daily theme (although you can also order items off the menu if you want). Dessert lovers won’t want to miss the teatime spread at Le Grill; it’s buffet style, as opposed a three-tiered server, but decadent nonetheless. We do wish the ship would have redone the electric to put USB and power outlets near the beds.
Watersports activities are offered complimentary in each of the itinerary's ports of call. The ship has an aft-located retractable marina platform serving company's watersports programming. Each of the 165 staterooms and suites features a view of the sea and has been designed to maintain the guests' privacy. Like the shared spaces, their decoration is imbued with Polynesian art and is a perfect blend of elegance and authenticity. Our experts have carefully designed six itineraries, ranging from 7 to 14 nights.
Other Ponant Cruises cabins
Bug spray with DEET is also a necessity in the lush, tropical environment. Because the ship is older, there are a wide variety of cabins, including those with portholes and picture windows, in addition to balcony rooms and a handful of suites. Investment from Ponant has transformed the ship, both literally – a 2021 refurbishment touched almost every aspect of the 25-year-old vessel – and culturally. There’s a slightly more pronounced French vibe that comes through in the food, the wine and the passenger mix (although the ship is primarily full of Americans on its seven-day itineraries).
The renovation improved the quality of the loungers not only at the pool deck but outdoor seating around the ship. Oddly, there’s no hot tub, which seems like a miss in a tropical destination where being outside is paramount. All MS Paul Gauguin staterooms are oceanview (no inside cabins), and nearly 70% of them have step-out balconies. The ship has only one handicap (wheelchair-accessible) stateroom for disabled passengers (E-415 Oceanview).
The sugary white-sand beach and snorkeling opportunities are outstanding. Special dietetic menus and vegetarian selections are available upon request. Complimentary beverages (also wine and premium liquor), 24-hour room service and in-room dining are also provided.
I loved watching Technicolor sunrises and sunsets from my overwater balcony and toasting our day’s adventures each evening. French Polynesia contains 118 islands and atolls, so you’ll want to see more than just one or two of these fairytale destinations while you’re there. Unpack once in your floating overwater bungalow and wake up somewhere new, effortlessly able to explore five or more legendary isles in a single trip. These pristine islands are undeveloped, tropical gems with magnificent scenery and no crowds. You’ll enjoy unforgettable days and nights on your voyage and the island views from the sea are truly spectacular. Cabins 763, 764, 765, 766 and 767 vary in size and are equipped with a shower cubicle.
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. Designed specifically to glide in luxury through the shallow seas of the South Pacific, The Gauguin is a small-ship cruiser’s dream. Once on board, guests enjoy newly-decorated spacious suites and staterooms (nearly 70% with private balconies), an onboard watersports marina, three dining venues, an extensive spa, and five-star service.
It amazed me how much the team on The Gauguin went out of its way to provide personalized attention to guests on board. By the second day, the staff and crew knew our names, and others we saw as well. Numerous staff and crew members have been with the ship for 10 years or more, while five crew members are celebrating 25 years this year. In 2022, Paul Gauguin Cruises introduced 4 new itineraries "Tahiti and The Society Islands" (7-night), "Society Islands and Tuamotus" (10-night), "Cook Islands and Society Islands" (11-night) and "Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands" (14-night).
Recently reimagined and redesigned with a chic flair, The Gauguin accommodates just 330 guests in a setting of relaxed elegance. I loved the camaraderie that developed among the vibrant, active, and extraordinarily friendly community of guests. The cruise ship was launched in 1997 for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) and christened on December 19, 1997.