Paul Gauguin Cruises: A Buyer's Guide to Tahiti and French Polynesia
Written by
Ati Jain
Published
16 June 2026
Written by
Ati Jain
Published
16 June 2026
Paul Gauguin Cruises runs one ship, the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, built for the shallow lagoons of French Polynesia. It is a luxury small-ship line owned by Ponant since 2019, all-inclusive on drinks and gratuities, with cultural hosts aboard. Most sailings circle the Society Islands, and longer voyages reach the Marquesas and Tuamotus. Shore excursions cost extra.
Paul Gauguin Cruises is a single-ship luxury line that sails French Polynesia year-round from Pape'ete, Tahiti. The ship carries up to 330 guests, small enough to anchor inside reef-protected lagoons such as Bora Bora and Taha'a. Since 2019 the line has been owned by the French operator Ponant, which kept the brand and its Polynesia focus intact. You can see current sailings on Paul Gauguin Cruises.
The proposition is narrow on purpose. Rather than chase many regions with many ships, the line keeps one vessel in the waters it knows best. That focus shows up in the crew, the tenders, and the watersports marina, all set up for island life rather than transatlantic crossings.
The m/s Paul Gauguin holds 330 guests in 165 staterooms and suites. Nearly 70 percent of those have private balconies, and the line states that every cabin has an ocean view. That ratio is generous for a ship of this size, and it reflects a design meant for warm-water cruising where the balcony is the point.
According to ship-registry records, the vessel was built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, and entered service in 1998. It is not a new ship, but a multi-million-dollar refurbishment completed in early 2025 reworked the restaurants, the pool deck, and added connecting staterooms for families and groups.
Paul Gauguin fares are all-inclusive on the fundamentals. That covers beverages aboard, including selected wines and spirits, gratuities, room service, and most onboard dining across the ship's restaurants. The watersports marina, with kayaks and paddleboards, is part of the fare too. For a luxury line, the inclusion list is broad.
The one cost many travelers misread is shore excursions. These are not all included. Snorkel trips, 4x4 island tours, and cultural visits are booked and paid separately, and on a multi-island voyage they add up. We flag this early so the headline fare reflects what you will actually spend.
Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins are local Polynesian hosts who sail aboard as cultural ambassadors. They lead music, dance, and language sessions, help with island visits, and act as a bridge between guests and the communities the ship calls on. The presence is a genuine differentiator, because the cultural layer comes from people who are from these islands, not from a scripted entertainment team.
The core of the schedule sits in the Society Islands, the cluster that includes Tahiti, Mo'orea, Bora Bora, Taha'a, and Ra'iatea. Seven- to eleven-night voyages weave between these lagoons. Longer itineraries reach further, into the Tuamotu atolls or up to the remote Marquesas, and a few seasonal sailings extend to the Cook Islands and Fiji.
Two of these regions carry UNESCO World Heritage status. The marae complex of Taputapuātea on Ra'iatea was inscribed in 2017, and the Marquesas Islands, known as Te Henua Enata, were inscribed in 2024. Both add real cultural weight to the longer itineraries, beyond the lagoon scenery.
Most travelers choose between a shorter Society Islands loop and a longer voyage that adds atolls or the Marquesas. The shorter sailings are the easiest to combine with a few land nights in Tahiti or Bora Bora. The longer ones suit repeat visitors who have seen the headline islands and want the remote ones. The table below sets the common patterns side by side.
“One ship, one region, sailed well. The case for Paul Gauguin is depth in French Polynesia, not breadth across the map.”
Book Paul Gauguin if French Polynesia is the goal and you want a luxury small ship that reaches the lagoons rather than a big resort-style vessel. It suits couples, honeymooners, and culturally curious travelers who value the onboard Polynesian hosts. The single-ship simplicity is part of the appeal.
You may prefer another option if you want a multi-region world cruiser, a hardcore expedition ship with zodiacs and naturalists, or a rock-bottom fare. This is luxury pricing for a focused product. If your priority is somewhere other than the South Pacific, we can point you to a line that fits that map instead.
Each fare is a starting per-person price, and live dates sit on the itinerary page.
Speak to an advisor for live dates and fares, which move with the season.
A wider sample of bookable Paul Gauguin sailings across French Polynesia and the South Pacific. Each fare is a starting per-person price, and live dates sit on the itinerary page.
We book Paul Gauguin Cruises and can match you to the right itinerary. We also secure preferred-partner perks at the same fare and price the full voyage, excursions included, so the number is honest. We earn our commission from the operator, so the advice costs you nothing beyond the fare.
Booking through us, you can also join the Small Ship Travel Loyalty Program, a four-tier program that pays members 2 to 5 percent back per booking, plus perks like cabin upgrades and concierge access. The credit builds across every cruise line we book.
The ship carries up to 330 guests in 165 staterooms and suites. That makes it a small luxury ship, sized to enter the reef-protected lagoons of French Polynesia that larger vessels cannot reach. Nearly 70 percent of cabins have private balconies, and the line states that every stateroom has an ocean view.
Largely, yes. The fare covers beverages aboard, gratuities, room service, and most onboard dining, plus use of the watersports marina. The main thing it does not include is shore excursions, which you book and pay for separately. On a multi-island voyage those add up, so budget them as a real line item alongside the fare.
The French luxury operator Ponant acquired Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019, according to Cruise Industry News. Ponant kept the brand and its French Polynesia focus rather than folding it into its own fleet. The ship later received a major refurbishment completed in early 2025 under Ponant ownership.
The ship sails French Polynesia year-round from Pape'ete, Tahiti. Most voyages circle the Society Islands, including Bora Bora, Mo'orea, Taha'a, and Ra'iatea. Longer itineraries reach the Tuamotu atolls and the remote Marquesas, and some seasonal sailings extend to the Cook Islands and Fiji.
They are local Polynesian hosts who sail aboard as cultural ambassadors. They lead music, dance, and language sessions, support island visits, and connect guests with the communities the ship calls on. Because they come from the islands themselves, the cultural layer feels authentic rather than like scripted entertainment.
Yes. The single-ship simplicity, the balcony-heavy cabins, the warm-water lagoons, and the all-inclusive fundamentals make it a strong honeymoon choice. Couples who want quiet luxury over big-ship activity tend to be happiest here. Pair the cruise with a few land nights in Bora Bora or Tahiti for a complete trip.
Planning your next small-ship trip?
The articles cover the basics. Tell us about your trip and a specialist will say which ship and departure fit your dates and budget. It's free, with no obligation.
CEO
Ati Jain is the founder of Small Ship Travel. He has worked in travel for over thirty years, with a focus on river cruises and small-ship expeditions. He writes for the site about the parts of the industry he knows from direct experience.
consultation
Reach out to our travel concierges today to create your perfect journey.