Reviewing My Tahiti and French Polynesia Cruise with "Paul Gauguin" Cruises

Table Of Content

• 10 of 261 Paul Gauguin Tahiti (Papeete) Cruise Reviews
• Island-Hopping Tahiti Gets an Upgrade on This Revamped Iconic Cruise Ship
• Paul Gauguin Tahiti (Papeete) Cruise Reviews
• Food on Paul Gauguin is Outstanding, with French Flair and Polynesian Flavors
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• Tahiti (Papeete)
• The Staff and Service
• About Paul Gauguin CruisesThis cruise line is good for...

The crystal blue waters and majestic wildlife are the key attractions to see here. We went on a glass-bottom boat, a whale watching tour, and a day beach tour. Reviewers on Cruise Critic describe the excursions and activities on The Paul Gauguin as well-planned and enjoyable, with knowledgeable and friendly guides, and a chance for immersive experiences in the places they visit.

10 of 261 Paul Gauguin Tahiti (Papeete) Cruise Reviews

Many reviewers on Cruise Critic have praised the Paul Gauguin service and staff, highlighting their friendliness, helpfulness, and expertise. One of the important elements that contribute to the Paul Gauguin being a pleasurable and memorable voyage is the staff’s constant willingness to go above and beyond to ensure that passengers have a good time. Visitors are greeted with great hospitality and a grin the moment they board the Paul Gauguin.

Island-Hopping Tahiti Gets an Upgrade on This Revamped Iconic Cruise Ship

She told me that she suspected many people onboard were not reporting their symptoms, not surprising, I probably wouldn’t have either if I’d known I’d be charged that much. These can be hard to get, so it’s advisable to plan out your meals in these restaurants ahead of time so you can book soon after you board. Because Le Grill is the only casual option and it’s usually full, room service is your only option on those nights when you return from excursions and just don’t want to deal with dressing up. Luckily, for women this can be as easy as throwing on a sun dress (no T-shirts or shorts for men at dinner anywhere other than Le Grill). Your cabin price includes beverages, specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, shows, and gratuities. You will pay extra for premium beverages, tours, scuba and spa services.

Paul Gauguin Tahiti (Papeete) Cruise Reviews

Longer 10- to 14-night itineraries visit the more remote and less-visited Tuamotus and Marquesas or Cook Islands. In 2024, some seven-night cruises will mark the cruise line’s return to Raiatea, a sacred island known for its cultural heritage and natural beauty. Five-foot blacktip reef sharks were circling my legs in the crystal-clear waters of Bora Bora. I was snorkeling with fellow cruise passengers off an outrigger, accompanied by sharks and stingrays, in a lagoon with more shades of blue than the lineup at my local paint store. 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.

Food on Paul Gauguin is Outstanding, with French Flair and Polynesian Flavors

Oddly, there’s no hot tub, which seems like a miss in a tropical destination where being outside is paramount. From an artist’s perspective, the ship is a marvel—it reflects a deep understanding of the aesthetic of Paul Gauguin, the Pacific atolls and the lush tropical islands. The interiors are bathed in ocean color palettes—almost an extension of what you see when you look out your window. There are eye-catching red-orange chairs whose color could have come right out of his “When Will You Marry? As if that weren’t enough, in the ship’s gallery there are three of Gauguin’s actual original pieces!

Review: Onboard Paul Gauguin in Tahiti - Cruise Passenger

Review: Onboard Paul Gauguin in Tahiti.

Posted: Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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In summary, the Paul Gauguin is a superb cruise ship that offers passengers an opulent and pleasurable experience. The Paul Gauguin has something for everyone, from the roomy and luxurious accommodations to the mouth watering dining options. The service and employees are welcoming and helpful, and the trips and activities are well-planned and pleasant. Finally, the Paul Gauguin is a genuinely unforgettable cruise experience thanks to the amenities and entertainment, which provide passengers a choice of ways to unwind and have fun. To help you make the most of your time at each port of call, Paul Gauguin delivers a roundup of shore excursions with local operators each day. It includes active adventures, such as ATV tours and e-bike rides, and engaging cultural encounters.

They explain how to properly tie a pareo and teach a few words of the local language. There are pleasant reminders of place throughout the ship, from the rain forest murals to the collected Polynesian artifacts displayed in glass cases near the expanded piano bar in the center of the ship on Deck 5. They include a ceremonial paddle carved in traditional patterns and original lithographs by French artist Paul Gauguin who introduced the beauty of Tahiti to much of the world. The cruise line has gone through several owners, but most recently it was acquired by French cruise line Ponant in fall 2019.

The Staff and Service

SO, do what we did and extend your stay with Paul Gauguin’s hotel program (simply ask Shawn about that) and book an extra night stay or more to simply rest & refresh before your Cruise begins so you can “actually” enjoy your 1st few days onboard. Whether dining, exploring, or just relaxing on board, the defining essence of an experience, the thing that makes it memorable, is the grace and manners of the staff. Home to unbelievably clear waters and untouched, uninhabited islands, here you can spend days snorkeling, shell-collecting, or perfecting your tan in paradise.

We had the butler suite so we got our favorite liquor and wine and beer stocked in the room bar. We rented bikes on this tiny island for $8 for 1 hour and saw one vehicle the entire time, it was great! We took a dip in the 29 degree Celsius ocean water to cool down and then once back on the ship we went to the onboard Marina and kayaked off the back of the ship. For this port stop we decided to take a bus tour of the Island as most other excursions were based around water activities so we thought why not mix it up a little and see the “Cultural Highlights of Huahine”.

Although we did not dive on this cruise, the ones that did said that scuba diving trips here were better organized than other dive trips, and the locations were fantastic. This was my fourth time onboard, and the m/s Paul Gauguin has withstood the test of time in its friendly island manner complete with upscale amenities and services, including gourmet food and French wine. In the cruise industry, it’s not the newest, flashiest ship but it is a perennial fan favorite. This past August, my pal Kim and I sailed on a seven-night Tahiti and Society Islands itinerary with overnight visits in both Bora Bora and Moorea, including time on the white sands of the cruise line’s private Bora Bora beach. These tropical itineraries call for casual attire by day and country-club or elegant resortwear clothing by night.

Still, like any ship, it’s hard to feel lonely, as the staff go out of their way to create a friendly atmosphere. 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. The renovation improved the quality of the loungers not only at the pool deck but outdoor seating around the ship.

First, we stayed at the InterContinental Hotel Tahiti, which is about two miles from the airport. (Our taxi was less than $20.) The resort is a superb property with several restaurants and bars, two infinity pools, a fitness center, a business center, and a watersports/scuba center. Many reviewers on Cruise Critic have praised the amenities and entertainment, stating that there is something aboard the ship for everyone. People frequently remark on how fun the live entertainment and performances are, and how serene and restful the spa is. The inclusion of the fitness center is also praised, with many commenting on how much they valued the chance to stay fit while on their trip.

The ship carries 320 passengers, but there were only 214 passengers on our cruise and 280 planned for the next cruise. Scuba diving, cultural trips, and snorkeling are all available as excursions on the Paul Gauguin. These excursions provide visitors the chance to explore the neighborhood and discover the history and culture of the places they travel to. The knowledgeable and amiable guides are always on hand to help visitors with whatever they require. Many reviewers on Cruise Critic have praised the cabins, stating that they are roomy, cozy, and well-appointed.

The line took out the casino to expand the Piano Bar into a larger space, with a book nook and more places for pre- and after-dinner drinks.

By the end of the first day most staff we interacted with knew our names. Another great benefit about Paul Gauguin is that the ship was built specifically to sail French Polynesia’s lagoons which means the 332 maximum guests onboard see parts of French Polynesia that most other cruisers don’t get to see or experience. Live music and events that are likely to please guests are part of the diverse and exciting entertainment offered on the Paul Gauguin. Additionally, the ship offers a library where visitors can unwind and read in a serene setting. The ship also features a spa where visitors can indulge in a choice of treatments and a fitness facility with cutting-edge equipment. Paul Gauguin’s service and employees play a significant role in the overall experience by giving visitors the support they require to fully enjoy their trip.