When Paris stockbroker-turned-aspiring painter Paul Gauguin left for Tahiti and the South Pacific in 1891, he sought to escape the constraints of Western civilization. Once there, he created canvases that captured the luminous colors, lush vegetation, and serene life of a tropical world. Today, passengers can step into that same atmosphere aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, a ship that brings travelers into intimate contact with the landscapes and cultures that inspired Gauguin more than a century ago.
The m/s Paul Gauguin is designed to harmonize with the translucent lagoons and vivid archipelagoes of the region. While Gauguin’s first shelter was a simple bamboo hut, modern travelers enjoy elegant staterooms aboard Paul Gauguin Cruises’ boutique vessel, built specifically for South Pacific itineraries. The ship carries just 332 passengers and about 217 crew members, creating an intimate yet fully serviced experience. The onboard program balances Polynesian cultural immersion—lectures by experts, performances by indigenous artists, and craft sessions—with a strong emphasis on water activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. The Gauguin is among a small number of cruise ships offering onboard scuba certification and a resident dive team. Fares typically include round-trip air from Los Angeles, shipboard gratuities, a selection of complimentary beverages, 24-hour in-cabin dining, gourmet meals, and access to a private beach on Bora Bora and a private islet near Tahiti.
Polynesian entertainers © PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES
One standout itinerary offered by Paul Gauguin Cruises is the 12-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands voyage. On our June sailing, the Gauguin proved to be spacious for a small ship and fully in the luxury class, with amenities such as a pool, spa, fitness center, theater, casino, and an internet center. Dining takes place in three open-seating restaurants with menus developed by Paris chef Jean-Pierre Vigato. Entertainment and enrichment programs included magicians, a classical musician, and a lineup of subject-matter experts, alongside seven resident Polynesian performers and craft instructors. A special guest on our cruise was ocean environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, who shared insights from his family’s undersea exploration projects, supported by rare film and video footage.
The itinerary covered four island groups—Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, and French Polynesia—culminating in visits to iconic islands such as Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti. The route spanned more than 2,000 nautical miles and offered a variety of unforgettable shore experiences. Highlights included morning snorkeling with stingrays and lemon sharks in Bora Bora’s clear waters, a scenic circle tour of Moorea’s dramatic mountain coastline, and an entire day of leisure on Motu Mahana, the Gauguin’s private islet in the Cook Islands. There, guests relaxed on sun chairs, enjoyed a barbecue and a floating bar, and had easy access to kayaks and snorkeling equipment.
For travelers wanting to trace Paul Gauguin’s path across the Pacific, this cruise provides a vivid and accessible way to explore that world. It feels carefree and luxurious while remaining rich in cultural discovery—an evocative journey through a South Pacific realm of white sands, crystalline waters, and timeless island life, experienced island by island from the comfort of a ship tailored to the region.