Experience the Legendary Islands of French Polynesia on a Paul Gauguin Cruise
Positioned midway between California and New Zealand, the lush volcanic islands of the Society Islands rise from clear turquoise lagoons in a vast ocean area each with a mystique of its own. Poeticized by writers for centuries and captured beautifully in famous works of art by history’s most beloved painters including Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse, the islands of French Polynesia include legendary names such as Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.
Famous for their magnificent natural beauty, the 118 islands and atolls comprising Tahiti offer an intriguing blend of Polynesian, French and Asian culture. Dubbed as the Garden of Eden by early European explorers, our fascination with Tahiti only continues to grow with travelers from every corner of the world placing the destination on their ‘bucket list’. What better way to experience as many of these islands as possible from the sea, where dramatic volcanic peaks, luxury over water villas and impossibly blue lagoons can be seen with a bird’s eye view from the exclusivity of a Paul Gauguin Cruise, specifically designed to sail the shallow seas of Tahiti and French Polynesia.
Visiting small ports that larger ships can’t reach and effortlessly blending into the stunning natural beauty of the South Seas, the m/s Paul Gauguin offers an extension of the informal, relaxing environment of the islands, coupled with five-star service, comfort, and indulgence. Having recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation, the m/s Paul Gauguin has worked hard to earn the title as most luxurious ship to sail in Tahiti on a year-round basis. Your home away from home will be called a stateroom – a generously sized hotel room with private balcony to enjoy the uninterrupted ocean views as you won’t want to miss a thing. Fully stocked with the five-star amenities luxury travelers are used to, the m/s Paul Gauguin has fully-appointed ensuites, top of the line furnishings including beautifully built-in cabinetry, fluffy extras such as bathrobes and house slippers and a refrigerator stocked with drinks. Many of the rooms even offer the ultimate and absolutely indispensable perk of personalized Butler service.
Like any high standard villa, personal service is a hallmark of the ship’s appeal. You’ll know it as you step aboard with one crew-member for every 1.5 guests. The staff’s rigorous dedication to your comfort and well-being is gracefully expressed in a hundred thoughtful acts including the way the maitre d’ remembers your name or which table you prefer.
But what to do aboard a ship for seven days? Enjoy a refreshing dip in the onboard swimming pool, or relax poolside in a deck chair with a good book and something sparkling to drink. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to dive, take advantage of the onboard SCUBA lessons – the only luxury ship in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification on board for novice divers, as well as refresher courses. Or just explore the ocean’s surface via the ship’s retractable water sports platform that allows guests to descend to sea level where a windsurfer or kayak awaits for the ultimate spontaneous adventure. This summer, guests can expect to mingle with world- renowned ocean expert and conservationist, Jean-Michel Cousteau – son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau – onboard to the Society Islands & Tuamotos. As a very special guest, he will offer a series of lectures with videos of his work in the world’s oceans, as well as accompany guests on several dives from the ship.
