Paul Gauguin Ship Review
By Alara Shannon, Marketing | September 01, 2013 ( Comments)
Designed specifically to sail the shallow seas of Tahiti and French Polynesia the m/s Paul Gauguin operates year-round in the South Pacific, visiting small ports that larger ships can’t. Paul Gauguin Cruises has managed to create a ship that radiates comfort and luxury while simultaneously offering warmth, informality, and Polynesian flair.
- 7 decks
- 19,200 tons
- 332 guests, Crew to guest ratio of 1 to 1.5
- All oceanview accommodations, nearly 70% with balconies
- State-of-the-art retractable Watersports Marina
iCruise.com Cruise Specialist, Rebecca Witt, returned from a 7-night Tahiti and Society Islands Cruise, and shares her review of the Paul Gauguin below:
Tahiti Cruise Quick Tips:
- Bring water shoes! The sand in French Polynesia is a bit rough with coral and rock. I’m so glad I had the right shoes that I could use in order to walk around comfortably.
- We didn’t find it necessary to exchange any money to the local currency, every local vendor I visited accepted US dollars (some even take credit cards). They cannot, however, make change in US currency so bring a variety of bills for exact payment. I do suggest bringing a small pocket calculator with you to quickly figure out the exchange rate as many vendors and stores list prices in the local currency, French Polynesian Francs.
- No shorts are allowed on the Paul Gauguin after 6:00pm so bring slacks and dresses (resort casual wear) for the evening.
- There is a wonderful, complimentary Polynesian blessing ceremony for couples celebrating special occasions. It is held in La Palette, a small lounge on the aft of the pool deck. They serve champagne and a beautiful cake while one of the Polynesian dancers performs a special dance and a poem is read. Afterwards, guests are called up and wrapped in a traditional Polynesian blanket and given a floral wreath to wear in their hair. Photos are taken by the ship’s photographer for purchase later, with Bora Bora as the backdrop! It is an amazing experience.
- Take advantage of as many lectures and shows as you can. The Les Gauguine (the ship’s own Polynesian entertainers) are phenomenal. In Raiatea they bring a local children’s group onboard and a professional entertainment group in Papeete for additional performances.
- French is predominantly spoken in the islands but locals can understand a little bit of English. Do brush up on your French or bring a dictionary if you hope to have a conversation. We had no trouble communicating basic information, but I do think it is polite to attempt to learn a little bit of the language of the country you visit.
Travel to Tahiti & Embarkation Day
Itinerary: Roundtrip Papeete, Tahiti to Raiatea, Motu, Mahana, Bora Bora, Moorea
Flights between Papeete, Tahiti, and LAX were booked through the cruise line on Air Tahiti Nui. I highly recommend using Paul Gauguin Cruises to purchase flights as all transfers and luggage handling are included.
Our flight to Tahiti left 11:00 pm from LAX on September 6 and arrived at 5:00 am on September 7. It is a long flight but the airline provides a snack in the evening (I wouldn’t consider it a snack because it was a decent sized meal!) and a nice breakfast in the morning. All beverages, including alcohol, are complimentary and each seat featured a TV screen filled with movies, games, music, and other entertainment. Air Tahiti Nui allows one carry-on and personal item, plus one free checked bag with certain weight and dimension restrictions. We didn’t have to pay for any luggage which was really exciting.
Once we arrived in Tahiti, the customs check-in took approximately an hour at the most. There were representatives from Paul Gauguin Cruises waiting for us outside baggage claim and they immediately took our names, gave us leis and whisked our luggage away to be delivered to our rooms at the hotel.
Boarding does not begin on embarkation day until 3:00pm, so Paul Gauguin Cruises reserves day rooms at the Intercontinental Tahiti for the comfort of their flight-weary guests. We were transferred to the hotel (which was less than 10 minutes from the airport) and greeted with fresh pineapple juice during check-in. Our oceanview room was FANTASTIC; fresh flowers everywhere, fresh fruit, and free bottled water are available in the room. A free lunch buffet is provided to Paul Gauguin guests and it was quite nice.
The Intercontinental Tahiti is a beautiful resort with several swimming areas (one has a coral reef and exotic fish) and water sports, spa, fine dining, and just sheer beauty. Most guests who stay at this hotel are on their way to other islands or back home, so their average stay is less than one day.
Note: From what I understand, the flight schedule is going to be changing in late 2013, early 2014 which will allow guests to arrive later on embarkation day so this day room may not be necessary.
Onboard the Paul Gauguin
At 3:00pm we were transferred to the ship, and our luggage was also conveniently transferred for us. Check-in for the Paul Gauguin takes place in Le Grand Salon (the main theatre) and guests are greeted with glasses of champagne and cool hand towels.
Tip: Paul Gauguin Cruises provides complimentary snorkel equipment that you may rent on the day of embarkation. Go down to the Watersports Marina (retractable platform that places you at sea level) and do this as soon as it opens! You can also begin signing up for private bridge tours of the ship. The informative tours only allow for 10 guests at a time, so if this is something that is important or appeals to you, try to sign up as early as possible.
Staterooms were available immediately upon check-in, and our luggage arrived just 15 minutes later. Our Paul Gauguin stateroom was a Category B Veranda Stateroom (249 sq ft, 56 sq ft balcony) and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with sliding glass doors that open to a private balcony, a bedroom area with queen-size bed (some staterooms have convertible twin beds), and vanity, a marble appointed bathroom with full-size tub and shower, closet space, and a separate sitting area with sofa, chairs, and cocktail table.
I normally have sleep issues in new places, but not on the Paul Gauguin! The bed was extremely comfortable with high quality linens and pillows. The balcony was a nice size with two sturdy chairs and a small table. The mini-fridge was stocked and replenished daily with sodas, bottled water, and beer (not the best kind of beer but beer nonetheless). There was also a bottle of champagne in the room upon arrival. High quality amenities from L’Occitane were available in the bathroom: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bar soap, lotion, a shower cap, and small manicure kit.
Category B staterooms include the ultimate perk of Butler Service. Our Butler was fantastic; attentive, and able to make our dining and shore excursion reservations quickly, plus accommodate a number of other small requests we had. He also brought delicious appetizers to our room each evening!
Dining on the Paul Gauguin:
Breakfast and lunch is provided in Le Grill and La Veranda, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The décor is tasteful; it doesn’t detract from the sweeping ocean views through the large picture windows. Meals are served buffet style featuring a variety of offerings made with fresh, high quality ingredients. The service was wonderful; your drink orders can be taken and the staff will carry your plate to your table after you’ve made your selections. Specialty items can also be ordered off a small menu (e.g., Eggs Benedict, specialty sandwiches, and more).
In the evening, Le Grill and La Veranda are transformed into specialty restaurants featuring identical gourmet menus. Both are complimentary; however, reservations need to be made in advance. We tried to make reservations during the day for evening meals but found scheduling to be difficult. In order to confirm your desired mealtimes I recommend making reservations as early as possible for your entire cruise.
On Deck 8, a small continental breakfast and afternoon tea is served in La Palette. This lounge is usually very quiet and intimate.
L’Etoile is the main dining room on the Paul Gauguin; open for dinner only. I absolutely loved this elegant restaurant and found it superior to the specialty restaurants. Reservations were not required and the menu features vegetarian, salt-free, and “well being” healthy fare, in addition to the main a la carte dishes.
Note: My only slight issue was the fact that in La Veranda and L’Etoile, the curtains were closed over their picture windows at dinner which wasn’t received well. Towards the end of the cruise they began to keep them open for guests to enjoy the view into the evening.
Drinks Available on the Paul Gauguin:
Soda, water, alcoholic beverages, and specialty coffee are included in your cruise fare. Top shelf spirits and wine are available for an additional cost. A sommelier accompanies each evening dinner service pairing both a red and white wine to compliment the meal.
7-night Tahiti and Society Islands Cruise, Ports of Call
Sunday: Raiatea
Raiatea is the second largest French Polynesia, and one of the most sacred. It was formerly the Polynesian center of royalty, religion, culture and history. The Paul Gauguin docks in small waterfront market area, however all shops are closed on Sundays.
For this reason, beginning in 2014 the ship will dock in Huahine instead. The local shops will still be closed but the ship’s tenders will transfer you to an area that will have a bit more to explore in order to make the stop worthwhile for those interested in local goods.
I do recommend booking an excursion in interior Raiatea if you would like to visit archaeological sites, tropical scenery and reef fringed lagoons. You can take lessons in scuba diving, explore the island by 4WD vehicle or visit the Black Pearl Farm. We decided to hike a mountain located nearby with a map provided by the ship’s front desk. We even met many other passengers on the hike. It is strenuous with a rough trail so it may not be suitable for everyone. We loved it and it gave us a chance to stretch our legs after a long day of travel.
In 2014, when the Paul Gauguin begins to call on Huahine, the ship will drop anchor in the bay and tender passengers into Raiatea. This will offer guests a day to use the Watersports Marina located on the back of the ship. This retractable platform brings you down to sea level where you can enjoy complimentary water sports, weather permitting, like windsurfing, water-skiing and kayaking.
Monday: Motu Mahana
Motu Mahana is a small island adjacent to Taha’a, privately owned by Paul Gauguin Cruises. Passengers are transported from the ship by tender boat to this isolated, idyllic island.
The ship’s local ambassadors (a group of Tahitian men and women called Les Gauguines) provide entertainment as they roam the island playing music and dancing. Enjoy the great Polynesian music, snorkeling in the reef, drinks from the floating bar, and fresh barbeque lunch. There are plenty of lounge chairs available, or Motu Mahana is very walkable if you’d rather explore. Paul Gauguin Cruises also provides kayaking excursions and coconut tree climbing demonstrations.
Tip: A few vendors are set-up on Motu Mahana selling Tahitian vanilla, jewelry, lotions, and other crafts. Some accept credit cards; all will accept US dollars, but they cannot make change so bring a variety of currency. I also felt the prices were the same or better in Bora Bora and Moorea, so don’t get overexcited and feel you need to make all your souvenir purchases at this port.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Bora Bora
We spend the first day in Bora Bora touring the Intercontinental Le Moana and Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. Le Moana is a very traditional Polynesian resort with a great laid-back environment. The Bora Bora resort is very cosmopolitan, sophisticated and offers top quality spa treatments and packages. Guests of the Paul Gauguin can actually book excursions to these properties for use of their beaches or spa.
The second day we ended up renting bikes ($20pp for the day) from a small bike ship just across the street from the ship. We biked around the entire island which took approximately 20 miles from beginning to end, and was painless 98% of the time. There was one hill that some may need to walk up, but otherwise the ride is flat.
We stopped once at a nice public beach and once more at the famous Bloody Mary’s Restaurant. Bloody Mary’s is well-known and just as much about the experience as it is about the food. There are sand floors and exotic plants, and you sit at palm tree wood tables and stools. It appeals to all tastes; you can order everything from good ol’ hamburgers to the freshest caught fish imaginable.
I found some great prices on the pareos (colorful wraps), jewelry, and other crafts in this port. The shopping is right at the pier and the local vendors are very helpful rather than pushy as I’ve experienced before.
Note: Let me also add that at each port (except Motu Mahana) there is a nice little tent set up where you can get cold water and hand towels while waiting for the tender.
Thursday and Friday Morning: Moorea
Moorea is Polynesia’s second-most popular tourist attraction after Tahiti. It was by far my favorite island; so tropical and lush with jagged mountains meeting the deep blue water. We spent our first day in Moorea touring Intercontinental Moorea Resort and Spa. The hotel was nestled gently into the verdant vegetation, creating one of the greatest ‘vibes’ and environments I have ever experienced. Guests of the Paul Gauguin are able to reserve day excursions to enjoy the resort’s beach lagoon.
From the hotel we decided to explore further and walk down the road to a small village. We found a local restaurant, Creperie Pizzeria Le Motu, and ordered the best Poisson Cru we’ve ever had. Poisson Cru, meaning ‘raw fish,’ is considered the national dish of Tahiti and consists of ahi tuna (or mahi mahi) in coconut milk with diced cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and spices. It is also served on the Paul Gauguin, you must try it!
We hiked leisurely back to the ship after lunch, and estimate it to have been a distance of 3 miles. My travel partner and I are very active and feel comfortable walking long distances. We did see other passengers from our ship along the way, but it may not be suitable for everyone.
Back onboard, we heard from fellow passengers that the dolphin watching expedition was fantastic and they even were fortunate enough to spot a humpback whale with her baby! We did not scuba dive, but the divers on the ship we spoke with declared they had never had such incredible dive experiences.
On our second day in Moorea we booked the Aito Off-Road Safari shore excursion through Paul Gauguin Cruises and were completely blown away; it was amazing. We climbed several picturesque peaks (Belvedere and Magic Mountain) and even journeyed to the center of the volcanic crater that happened to create Moorea itself. We also stopped at a local pineapple farm, sampled homemade jam at the agricultural school on the island, and had samples of local beverages at the Distillery of Moorea and Fruit Juice Factory. I do have to recommend bringing home a bottle of the coconut liqueur!
You can purchase black pearls and black pearl jewelry for as little as $8 at the local vendors on the island, but they will not be perfectly round. There are stores in Bora Bora, Moorea, and Papeete with high-quality, rare pearls that you can have strung on a necklace or pre-made jewelry you can purchase. The Paul Gauguin has a lovely selection of high-quality pearls available for purchase.
Disembarkation Day
The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was taking place in Papeete when our ship returned, so hotel vacancy was extremely limited. Typically, if you purchase flights through Paul Gauguin Cruises, they provide a day room on disembarkation day; the return Air Tahiti Nui flight is very late in the evening (again, around 11:00 pm). As we were unable to enjoy a day room, we ended up staying onboard the ship and enjoying all meals and beverages throughout the day. We did have time to stroll the open-air market and around the city before finally making our way to the airport.
About the iCruise.com Cruise Specialist: Rebecca Witt has been loving life – and the weather – in South Florida after relocating from Tennessee two years ago. Her most memorable travels include the Alaskan interior and French Polynesia. Rebecca wants to find the perfect itinerary and cruise line for her clients and will make sure the vacation planning experience is almost as enjoyable as the vacation itself!
If you have any questions for Rebecca about her trip to French Polynesia aboard the Paul Gauguin, you may email her at: rebecca.witt@wmph.com.
