5 things Paul Gauguin Cruises does well—and 1 it doesn’t

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.

This assessment looks at the product and its fit for different travelers. The strengths are reasons to consider the line, rather than a promise that every guest will value them equally. Ship details and fare terms still matter.

1. A specialist South Pacific setting

Paul Gauguin keeps Polynesia at the center of the product. Guests can choose it for the islands rather than simply an onboard brand. That specialization suits travelers who want to spend a week or longer in the region without changing hotels repeatedly.

2. Local culture aboard the ship

Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines connect entertainment and hosting with Polynesian culture. The onboard experience has a sense of place. This is particularly appealing to guests who want more than a familiar cruise program transplanted into a tropical itinerary.

3. A marina for water-focused days

The retractable marina supports water activities when conditions and local rules allow. It gives snorkelers and other water-minded travelers a concrete feature to compare. Check which activities are included, which require payment and which need advance arrangements.

4. A relatively small ship

The ship offers a more intimate scale than a major resort vessel. Guests can settle into a familiar environment between island visits. That matters especially when the trip is built around scenery, the water and a comfortable social routine rather than big-ship attractions.

5. Broad everyday inclusions

The largely inclusive fare covers much of the normal onboard holiday. That is useful in a region where separate island travel can involve several hotels and transfers. Compare the complete trip, including flights, outings and any paid activities, to judge the actual value.

The drawback: It does not offer a wide worldwide destination choice

The line's regional focus becomes a limitation for guests who want to return with the same operator in many different parts of the world. It also cannot match a large ship's entertainment variety. Choose it because the South Pacific is the point of the journey, rather than as a general cruise substitute.

Before you book

Compare the actual suite plan, restaurant access and itinerary before deciding that one luxury label describes the whole experience. Then review which shore activities and travel arrangements belong to the booked fare. Space and personal service matter most when you will use them throughout the journey, especially on a longer voyage.

The cruise format

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.

Sources

Cruise Frog’s Paul Gauguin Cruises profile; official cruise line information.

Editorial assessment of published product information; no firsthand sailing experience is claimed. Ship features, inclusions and departure programs vary. Updated October 14, 2026.

Photo credit

Paul Gauguin off Bora Bora, December 2017. Photo: Balou46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Original source. Image license. The image is cropped and resized for this page. The adapted image is distributed under the same license.