Cruise Frog guide
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises is a one-ship luxury line devoted to Tahiti and French Polynesia. Its m/s Paul Gauguin, a 330-guest ship built for these waters, sails mostly 7- to 14-night round trips from Papeete to the Society Islands, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas and the Cook Islands, with occasional longer voyages to Fiji, Tonga, Australia and Indonesia.
Style
Luxury
small ships, a high crew-to-guest ratio, most extras included
Best for
- Couples
- History and culture
- Families
Fleet rating
No ships rated yet.
About Paul Gauguin Cruises
The line takes its name from the painter Paul Gauguin, who lived and worked in Polynesia for about ten years. Its ship began sailing there in 1998 under Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Pacific Beachcomber took over the line and the ship in 2010 and briefly ran a second, smaller ship, Tere Moana, which left the fleet in 2016. Ponant bought Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019, and the line is now part of the Ponant Explorations Group, which also runs Ponant and Aqua Expeditions.
Fares are largely all-inclusive, and the ship carries about one crew member for every one and a half guests. Polynesian culture runs through life on board, with local hosts and entertainers known as Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines, and a retractable marina at the stern launches kayaking, paddleboarding and PADI scuba diving. On select departures a kids' program run with a local ocean foundation offers activities for ages 7 to 15.
What Paul Gauguin Cruises is known for
Paul Gauguin Cruises is known for its long specialization in French Polynesia and a ship designed around the region, and it does well in readers' polls: Condé Nast Traveler readers voted it the best small cruise line in 2024 and 2025, and Travel + Leisure gave it the top small-ship ocean line award in its 2022 World's Best Awards. Reviewers often praise the crew's warmth, the Polynesian entertainers and the watersports marina. The usual criticisms are that the ship, completed in 1997, is older than many luxury rivals despite its refits, that the lower cabin grades have windows or portholes rather than balconies, and that reaching Tahiti means long and costly flights for most guests.
Who it's for
Paul Gauguin Cruises suits couples and honeymooners, snorkelers and divers, and travelers who want to see several Polynesian islands in a week without changing hotels, with most extras included in the fare. Families can sail on the departures that offer the kids' program. Travelers looking for a big-ship resort with many restaurants and nightlife, for itineraries beyond the South Pacific, or for a low-cost holiday should look elsewhere.
- Couples
- romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
- History and culture
- port-intensive itineraries, lectures, included excursions
- Families
- kids' clubs, family cabins, things for every age
How it rates
None of Paul Gauguin Cruises's ships has been rated yet. A line's rating is the average of its ships' scores.
Where Paul Gauguin Cruises sails
Ships
Where to fly in
- Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT)1 Paul Gauguin Cruises ship sails from Papeete, French Polynesia
Quick answers
What is Paul Gauguin Cruises known for?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is known for its long specialization in French Polynesia and a ship designed around the region, and it does well in readers' polls: Condé Nast Traveler readers voted it the best small cruise line in 2024 and 2025, and Travel + Leisure gave it the top small-ship ocean line award in its 2022 World's Best Awards. Reviewers often praise the crew's warmth, the Polynesian entertainers and the watersports marina. The usual criticisms are that the ship, completed in 1997, is older than many luxury rivals despite its refits, that the lower cabin grades have windows or portholes rather than balconies, and that reaching Tahiti means long and costly flights for most guests.
Who is Paul Gauguin Cruises best for?
Paul Gauguin Cruises suits couples and honeymooners, snorkelers and divers, and travelers who want to see several Polynesian islands in a week without changing hotels, with most extras included in the fare. Families can sail on the departures that offer the kids' program. Travelers looking for a big-ship resort with many restaurants and nightlife, for itineraries beyond the South Pacific, or for a low-cost holiday should look elsewhere.
Where does Paul Gauguin Cruises sail?
Paul Gauguin Cruises's ships in service sail Asia (1 ship), Australia and New Zealand (1 ship) and South Pacific (1 ship).
How many ships does Paul Gauguin Cruises have?
Paul Gauguin Cruises has 1 ship in service on Cruise Frog: Paul Gauguin.
Who owns Paul Gauguin Cruises?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is part of Ponant Explorations Group.
Where is Paul Gauguin Cruises based?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is headquartered in Marseille, France. It has operated since 1998.
What is Paul Gauguin Cruises's loyalty program called?
Paul Gauguin Cruises's past-guest loyalty program is Ponant Yacht Club.
What is the largest Paul Gauguin Cruises ship?
Paul Gauguin is Paul Gauguin Cruises's largest ship at 19,200 gross tons, carrying 330 guests.
Cruising with children
Paul Gauguin’s Moana Explorer program is a reason to choose a specific family departure. Do not assume it runs throughout the year or that every published page uses the same age band.
Read the Paul Gauguin Cruises family guide →