m/s Paul Gauguin

This was a wonderful ship, the food was great the islands visited on the 10 night society island trip were beautiful and the ship's crew were great very friendly and could not do enough for you, your wish was their command. I would highly recommend this cruise. One thing to mention try to get on the left side of the ship as there are a better views of the passing islands and the right side of the ship is a little noisy with the anchor and tenders

The Paul Gauguin small cruise ship voyages in the South Pacific offer an unparalleled experience of beauty and excellent service provided by the ship's staff. I cannot imagine how they could possibly do a better job of catering to us as passengers. I would highly recommend their cruises to anyone, especially to romantically motivated couples. Also, the ship's complement of eight superb Tahitian dancers is a definite plus!

Five star luxury cruise line Well trained, experienced, friendly crew

This was our 4th sailing on Paul Gauguin, this time for our 45th anniversary.  It was our 60th cruise!  We were pleasantly surprised to see so many crew that we remember from our last visit in 2011.  We were treated like royal family.  Food is incredible (Tahitian Hinano Beer is included like all bar), wonderful diving with Marina Manager Clement doing a super job, Captain Tony as charming as always and Hotel Manager Jacques runs the best hotel operation land or sea and is very approachable and friendly.  Cruise Director, Michael Shapiro, is a true pro and a great entertainer in his own right.  BONUS:  Guest Lecturer was Jean-Michel Cousteau!  He is amazing with great photos, videos and stories.  With only a max of 335 guests (and about 250 crew!), it just doesn't get any better than this.  Can't wait to return.

We had never been on a ship as small as the Paul Gauguin and were a little concerned about whether it would be rougher than we are used to on the larger ships. I am pleased to say that there was little need for my concern. The first night was a little rough, but I have been on larger ships that were as bad, so I discounted that from being a negative. I cannot, however, say enough about the friendly personality of the ship's crew. From the housekeepers to the department directors; each person we came in contact with was easy to talk with and remembered something about us the next time we saw them. I have not received service like this before and I am certainly spoiled for future cruises! Although the website says that tips are included, we were so happy with the service that we tipped several people because of the extraordinary service they provided. A highlight of the cruise was the day at T'ah'a island where the ship's staff went on shore and cooked for everyone! It was awesome.

Great ship and wonderful service

We had a very enjoyable cruise aboard the Paul Gauguin this past year. The staff were excellent and made us feel at home. It didn't matter whether it was the dining room, bar or room service, everyone was very friendly and helpful. The ship was great and the itinerary was wonderful. We highly recommend taking this cruise for anyone who is in love with Polynesia as we were.

Great trip! All went well. Good itinerary.

I've only been on one cruise before cruising with Paul Gauguin. I suspect I will forever compare everything to Paul Gauguin, and I suspect others will come up short. The ship is extremely well-maintained. It has every amenity we wanted. The service is top-notch. You can tell they spend a lot of time training their crew. The attention is personalized. They know what you want before you do, and they have it waiting. No kidding. The food is delicious! Absolutely delicious!!! I've never had such fresh fish and fruit. Everything is exceptionally well-prepared. One of the deserts were so incredible people were still talking about it the next day. I wish Paul Gauguin cruised the entire world. I'd never leave the ship.

Paul Gauguin was a cruise to remember! We felt like we were high class all the way. The staff on the ship was tremendous!! They were so friendly, and accommodating. It is the staff that really makes the guests feel like VIP. They deserve such credit for going above and beyond all the time! The cruise really allows you to do what you want, and that was great for us. We liked the make your own structure and schedule atmosphere. Room service was wonderful, and the restaurants were great!!

This trip was outstanding! This won't be our first and last. Paul Gauguin cruise is top rated. We have highly recommended this trip/cruise to our friends.

We went on a 10 day cruise to the Society Islands in Tahiti. It was a perfect! We loved our room and balcany. Sleeping with the sounds of the ocean was wonderful! The islands and clarity of the water were amazing! The staff on the ship was great. Everyone was very personal and friendly. Great trip!

The ship was great. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't!

I enjoyed my cruise, but have mixed feelings about my overall experience because of the weather. I am not sure I would have booked this time of year if I had known it was the rainy season. The service and amenities of the ship were great. I did not like it was a older ship, but it was clean and neat. I did enjoy that fact it was a smaller ship which gave it an intimate experience. The only true negative of the cruise was the internet service, but overall it was a great experience.

The trip was a once in a lifetime! The staff aboard the ship were truly amazing! They were so very attentive to each travelers wants/needs. By the 2nd day, they knew what kind of omelet I liked, how I liked my bloody marys, etc. The stewardess and butlers knew our routine and were in and out of our stateroom quickly. Awesome staff!

other than being motion sick, the service was excellent and doctors support good

The PG was absolutely amazing. The size of the ship made it feel like we were cruising with friends! So intimate and personal. The crew were top notch, along with the food and the accommodations were superb!

Good. It was small so that was good but there was very little to do on board. Food was okay. The crew was very friendly and helpful.

Great. Small ship experience was very different. Service was excellent.

Fabulous! First class all the way. The staff, bar none, were exceptional. Extremely helpful, always pleasant, anticipating needs and proactive. Food was all first class. As was the selection of liquor and wines. We participated in many excursions... staff were most helpful in getting us on the ones we wanted. Dive staff were very helpful. I just do not have anything bad to say about the ship and the staff! I'd do this same cruise in a heartbeat!

We had a wonderful time on the Paul Gauguin. This was our second trip and it exceeded all of our expectations.

If you want to visit the islands of Polynesia, this is the ship. It is small, only 300+ passengers (less than 400) and all facilities are easy to walk to and enjoy. No crowding. An older group, for the most part, with many countries represented. Our cabin was well appointed, clean, and relaxing. The crew is the best selling point for this ship. Highly trained, versatile, friendly yet professional. While the dining experience was lovely, the food doesn't live up to expectations. It's not bad by any means, but not exceptional, with a few standouts. Again, it's the crew that really defines the ship. Excellent on that score.

There were lots of choices for shore excursions, which we took advantage of. During our trip there were only two sea days. I spent one of them getting spa treatments and the other was spent, by most of us, feeling sick in our cabins from rough seas. Nothing to be done about the weather. Pleasant to spend the morning on an excursion, return to the ship for lunch in La Veranda, and then to read by the pool until the spectacular sunset. We only went to the crew and the passenger talent shows. Magicians do nothing for me, and that was the show most nights. Limited nightly entertainment.

If you are looking for upscale cruising this is the one to go on. With only one ship their attention to detail and customer service are extraordinary. They cruise around French Polynesia and this trip also included the Cook Islands for 10 days. No matter what you want they can arrange it. Breakfast and lunch(with a different culinary theme daily) are buffet style and dinner gives you the choice of 3 restaurants, two of which you need to make reservations for, one French and one Asian. They make sure that each cabin has the opportunity to have 2 nights in the two reservation restaurants during the cruising time. You can choose to sit with others or alone. There are plenty of activities through out the day as well as off shore activities for an extra fee. There were guest speakers each day and or night. Entertainment is provided each night. Both bands who played during the cruise were excellent. There is a small pool, large sun deck and a small casino. Great experience and crew.

Samuel is very easy to work with. He returns phone calls an answers emails promptly. I would definitely book again with Samuel for my next trip.

Beautiful ship... Great crew...very hardworking and always trying to make the experience lovely. Very dedicated to making the cruise a memorable event for all.

Our 11-day Society and Cook Islands itinerary was unfortunately somewhat sabotaged by an unfortunate spate of bad weather and rough seas. Soon after boarding in Papeete we were informed of a change of itinerary, and that we would be visiting Bora Bora towards the beginning of the trip, and Cook Islands a few days later - due to weather conditions. In and of itself this did not appear to be a problem for us, but after a so-so weather day in Huahini, and a stellar day at a beach BBQ & snorkel in Taha'a, we landed in Bora Bora after a night of choppy seas, for a two day visit (with much rainy weather) on top of the Celebrity Solstice, whose passengers had booked up most of the available excursions on the island. We stayed on board Day 1, and the second day went on shore where we took a local guide w/taxi around the island. Next stop was Rarotonga after a very rough day at sea. Next, Aitutaki which was cancelled. Too rough seas for tender ops. Then 2 days of 11.5' seas back to Moorea

Our time aboard the ship was wonderful. All the staff went out of their way to make our experience amazing. Thank you

We had a fantastic time honeymooning on the Paul Gauguin. We did a cruise of the Society Islands. The experience on board was great. Being an all inclusive ship allowed us to enjoy our time without the concern of food and drinks. The food was fenomenal. We highly recommend eating at Le Grille on the overnight of Bora Bora or Moorea. Each of the islands were beautiful and unique. Service was great and the Polynesian shows were so fun. Overall a great experience.

Staff was wonderful and catered to our every need

Great time! Staff was wonderful. Love the small ship.

We cruised with Paul Gauguin this pastt December. It was absolutely fantastic and we hope to return again someday.

We had a great time onboard the ship. We were on Deck 7 which was perfect. One deck below the pool and one deck above our favorite restaurant during the trip. The staff, especially in La Veranda were amazing and very accommodating to special requests.

The food was excellent and the staff was friendly and always there to serve. The day at the private island was the best. The excursions were pretty similar and would be nice if at least three excursions were included in the price of the cruise rather than having to pay extra. The places were beautiful and the trip was very relaxing.

The service and food was very good. The dining areas could have been open more hours. Everything was very regimented as to operational hours which made you use room service rather than just enjoying a cocktail at the piano bar.

The trip was fantastic. The food and service was excellent. They were especially attentive to some dietary requests and went above and beyond to fill them The waiters were fun and engaging.

The best cruise I have ever taken. The staff was superb and the itinerary and location were sublime!

This trip was one of the best that we have taken and we have been on several cruise ships including Regent Seven Seas, Siversea, and Viking, The service and staff were both outstanding. Excursions were outstanding although additional cost. They were worth it. The ship itself was maintained in pristine condition. The food was good and the specialty restaurants easily accessible and great food. The itinerary was spectacular and well suited for our favorite things including snorkeling, adventure tours, shopping, and the majestic topography of the islands we visited. An additional plus was perfect weather. Overall, the major takeaway was the superb service by all staff aboard the ship.

The MS Paul Gauguin was one of the best ships we have ever been on. The crew was very considerate and attentive but not bothersome. The dining selections were varied and well done. The Chef creativity superseded all ships dining options we have had in the past including Viking Star, Regent Explorer. Beverage options were unlimited and almost all top shelf. Polynesian representatives aboard had every passenger engaged and entertained. Cultural and educational forums were done well and very interesting. Other entertainers were not very good except cruise director's show. At embarkation a seasonal South Pacific rain soaking all incoming passengers. Boarding process is limited to 3 pm. Not a minute before. The passengers standing in the rain had very little cover and no place to put luggage prior to official boarding. Allow the ship steward assigned to you to fully show you to your room along with all the lights and environmental controls. I wandered aimlessly until we found our suite.

The best ever. Love the small ship, food was fantastic, ports were outstanding.

It was awesome! I highly recommend this ship. The staff was great - very well trained and incredibly customer focused.

Our time aboard the ship was great. The crew is awesome! We learned that we really really like traveling on a smaller ship (approx. 330 people) vs. a large ship. The wait staff was excellent. They remembered our names and frequently remembered what we like to eat and where we preferred sitting. The food selection was also excellent and very tasty. Our stewardess, Anna, that cleaned up our stateroom was very friendly and paid attention to detail. Also the entertainment was 1st rate. Each night there was some form of entertainment with a South Pacific Island flavor. The only problem we had with the ship was the additional cost for using their wifi system. Also the system didn't work very well. The wifi should be included in the price of the cruise.

The ship needs some refurbishment but is immaculately clean. The food and especially the service is among the best we’ve experienced. Only one complaint: no umbrellas on the sun deck or pool deck and only limited areas of shade (which were staked and claimed immediately for the entire 10 day cruise by the same people!) I counted approximately 8 such lounges for a 300+ passenger ship in the tropics.

We enjoyed the Paul Guaguin ship for our 7 day cruise. The water and scenery was beautiful. We took the ship to enjoy snorkeling and we were pleased that they had lots of opportunities to snorkel. We liked the size of the small ship.

Relaxing cruise, roomy cabin, exceptional service from ALL of the cruise staff, educational and culturally enlightening, awesome scenery and fun filled port excursions, great food and drink on board. Because of its size you are pampered throughout the ship. If you want to travel to French Polynesia you will truly enjoy the 14 day cruise to the Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands. We saw 10 different islands in just 2 weeks. Everyone of them was unique and the islanders so willing to share. We look forward to a future cruise on Paul Gauguin.

Paul Gauguin surpassed all other cruises lines when it comes to service. The staff on board exceeded expectations on all levels. From state rooms to dining to ports of call, we could not have been more impressed. We would highly recommend Paul Gauguin.

From arrival to disembarkation, this trip was wonderful. It is immaculate . The food was delicious and it’s itinerary was peaceful and beautiful. The crew was friendly and competent. I was very spoiled by my butler. I would definitely recommend this cruise line.

Main dining room was disappointing but the Verandah Restaurant was excellent. The staff were fabulous

I did not go on a cruise ship on this trip....

As we started our travel to Tahiti they had a representative at LAX to make sure we had no trouble. That impressed us. The transfers were smooth, the ship’s staff was gracious. The ports were well managed. We would highly recommend them.

Paul Gauguin thinks of everything to make your cruise comfortable, relaxing and fun. The food is fabulous. The wait staff is great. They worked had learning our names on day one. Rooms are spacious with more than ample storage. Lots to do on the ship and their on board marina is great.

Crew and staff were exceptional. Very attentive. Food was always good. Would have preferred a restaurant where the men could dine in their shorts or leisure clothes as the women were permitted. All in all very well run.

I was with a group of 8 travelers and we all very much enjoyed the cruise.

This trip provided more "wow" moments to mention. The food, staff and ports of call were all amazing. It was truly a fantasy voyage that should not be missed.

Where do I begin! This cruise is probably the best out there! If your bucklist includes the French Polynesia then this Paul Gauguin Cruise is a MUST! The amenities, the food, and the staff are unbelievable. Everything is organized from the time you pay for your booking. You just log onto the cruise site and pick your excursions, pillows(if you are in a B stateroom or higher). This ship is amazing! You will not regret it at all. We are heading back in 2020 again! Thanks Paul Gauguin!

Carl's arrangements for the Paul Gauguin Cruise were detailed and thorough. Once aboard the ship, the services were excellent in all regards. All crew members were courteous, friendly and made you feel welcome. I have cruised with the ship twice now and would recommend it to anyone.

From the moment we boarded until disembarkation, the experience was first class The cabin was comfortable and well serviced. The staff were all well trained and wonderful. The excursions were well organised and interesting

Beautiful ship. She shows her age very well.

The cruise was wonderful. The facilities, excursions, staff, onboard activities, entertainment, and food were all excellent. We were sorry when it was over and we had to leave that very beautiful part of the world. We have already recommended it to several of our friends.

Really enjoyed the small ship experience and fabulous food!

The Paul Gauguin has been beautifully maintained and provides not only exceptional service and food, but also provides one of the most relaxed, enjoyable atmospheres we've encountered. Out tour of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands was a smashing success. I won't hesitate to recommend this cruise to anyone seeking a thoroughly enjoyable event.

From transfer from the airport to return all involved with the cruise line exceed expectations. A smaller ship, fantastic ports of call, on-board experience, all made this trip a very special lasting memory.

Our week on the Paul Gauguin was amazing. We stayed two days on land before the cruise and one after. I'm convinced the best way to see French Polynesia is on a boat. We had two days in Bora Bora and two days in Moorea that provided plenty of time to see what we wanted to see. We didn't have to pack and unpack or deal with planning ferry/flights from island to island. The food was great, the service outstanding. I hope one day I'll be able to return to the Paul Gauguin.

The crew was beyond fabulous and the food was wonderful. I am celiac and the kitchen made everything for me gluten free. That part was amazing, The tours from the ship were bad and the ship is old and needs desperate up dating!!! We arrrived very late and the lady that took us to our room never explained anything so at 1:00 in the morning we couldn’t find out how to get our lights out. After calling twice they finally sent a nice gentleman down.

Great staff, Beautiful ship, and the food was always and everywhere top notch.

Ship was clean, but probably could use an update. Food was excellent. Service was the best we have experienced.

Very special cruise. The service and the crew were equal to or better than the best we have ever experienced

Having sailed on a variety of ships I have to say this was our all time best cruise. The stunning views, warm waters and abundant sea life are all things I have dreamed of and are now documented memories. The small size of the ship made onboard navigation a breeze, the service level of the staff was unparalleled, the food was plentiful, varied and delicious and the interesting wine list offered great wines in addition to those that were complimentary.

Our time on the Paul Gauguin was an experience we will never forget. The service was impeccable, our room very comfortable, excursions well planned, very informative, and well guided. The captain kept us informed on our sailings each day, the tenders were on time and the staff made sure we felt secure getting on and off the ship. The over all atmosphere was friendly and upbeat. The staff went out of their way to ensure all our needs were met. We highly recommend the Paul Gauguin for a cruise of a lifetime.

very nice and enjoyable

Having been on many cruises before, this is the only cruise that offered us a perfect combination of elegant accommodations, terrific food, and world class service. We were fortunate to experience perfect weather conditions and thus were able to visit all 7 unique and interesting islands as planned. Excursions were booked in advance and were very enjoyable. Sailing the south pacific to French Polynesia on the Paul Gauguin was a perfect anniversary celebration for us.

It was really wonderful. The French Polynesian islands were gorgeous, and the staff, the food, the accommodations, the short excursions, every aspect of it was just as enjoyable as the natural beauty we were surrounded by. They were extremely accommodating on any special food requests. Very personalized service.

We did not know this line but, based on desire to go to the South Pacific, our travel agent suggested we look at this one. What a great idea. The cruise was great. The scenery was spectacular. The service was great. You can select daily excursions (extra changes). Would suggest a daily excursion. It is a smaller ship and not much to do onboard during the day. They were well organized and fun. Favorite was the aqua safari underwater walk. The cruise ship staff are fabulous and provide great service. The food was very good. It was not spectacular, but certainly much better than your average cruise line food. It was always fresh and well prepared. Nice cabin and balcony. The ship is a little tired looking but I understand that it is going in for a refurbish very soon. That will help a lot. The only downside was the end of cruise . You have to spend an entire day on the ship and in a hotel (included in fare) waiting for only flights (midnight) to US.

This was a first class experience. From the moment we,stepped onto the ship to our departure the staff was attentive knew our names favorite drinks and time we liked to have our meals. They treated us like we all would love to be treated. The ship is a little older vut really well taken care of. I would highly recommend this trip to all. Anything you wanted to do was available and exceeded our expectations.

We had a fantastic holiday. Our cabin was very nice. We have travelled on many different cruise lines and the service we received on this ship beats them all. For days at sea, they always had different activities, everything from musical, crafts, history movies, etc. There was also lots of lounges on the pool deck for everyone. A very small casino, 1 blackjack table, gym, gift shop, library, etc. The food was very good, lots of options for food, wine, etc.

Just perfect.! Thanks for the staff for dedication to excellent service!!

1st trip with Paul Gauguin and the trip was beyond my expectations. Best food ever on a ship. Warm and friendly staff. Really beautiful and comfortable ship.

This was my 4th sailing since 2009 and it is a big disappointment. It was the first sailing under Ponant ownership and the quality of food, liquor, and activities is quite low. Many of us repeat travelers were very disappointed, and even some first time people complained it was not what they had been led to expect. The biggest problem, to me, was the lack of quality lectures on sea days. While the one lecturer on board was good, she couldn't compare to the four that usually sailed in the past, and gave four lectures per sea day. Now the schedule is filled with classes with the Tahitian men and women, such as making shell jewelry, learning dances, etc. Liquors that were once included now must be paid for (single malt scotches), and many people complained about that. Wines and food generally were lower quality than in the past. Overall, it was overpriced for what one received, and I shan't sail on it again.

We had traveled with Paul Gauguin previously and our expectations were exceeded on that first trip in 2017. This trip, many of our expectations were met or exceeded ... exception this time was the food and beverages on board. Disappointed with selection at breakfast and dinner. Wines were not as good, seems the really nice wines were only available from the "premium" selection list which would mean extra charges on our account. Unfortunately, the organic wines that were available were not offered up front, we found out about them on the last days of the cruise. The staff were above excellent again! Many of the staff were the same and their attention to clients and detail was amazing. We are giving PG another try - we are booked to go from Fiji to Bali in April 2020. We are hoping the food situation improves.

very special felt pampered by helpers and staff

We enjoyed the crew and ship very much. The destinations were gorgeous!

The ship and crew were great!

The best cruise line we have ever used in all respects.

A very good experience. Great service, comfortable room and varied excursions.

The cruise was above and beyond any expectation

From the beyond awesome itineraries, marvelous staff, all included atmosphere, and fabulous marina staff, My review can only say ‘best deal on the planet’. In French Polynesia it costs two to four times what it does in the U.S. for food, drinks, common purchases. The all inclusive policy makes the Paul Gauguin totally worthwhile.

Our time on the Paul Gauguin was wonderful.

We sailed on the Paul Gaugin Marquesas trip in November 2021. The cabin sizes are relatively small and I was concerned about our comfort on a 14 day trip, but found it to be quite efficient and comfortable. The itinerary was wonderful and we were treated to spectacular vistas along our journey. The food and beverage offerings were very good. I think the highlight of the cruise on the Paul Gaugin has to be the wonderful crew and staff that made you feel like part of a family enjoying a holiday together.

It was wonderful but on the pricey side. It is a smaller boat however not small in providing amazing service. Our experience was great. Love it!

The service was A-1. The entire crew was wonderful and did way more than I expected to take care of everyone’s needs.

Great experience and excursions. Ship was refurbished nicely but still dated with bath tubs instead of showers. Staff was wonderful and very very attentive. Needs better description of excursions before and during the cruise. QR codes are useless when the Internet on board is so inconsistent. More upbeat entertainment needed. Still catering to a much older crowd yet it’s a very active cruise.

Paul Gauguin was a pleasure to travel on with great staff, food and accommodations.

We have a positive but mixed review of this cruise line. That is, the vessel, decor, stateroom, cuisine, and service are all excellent. However, the management and administration have many gaps and oversights which need to be addressed in order for this to be a stellar cruise line. That being said, we did enjoy our experience in this lively part of the world.

All the services from start to finish were just great!

Everything you want and need is provided for you. The crew makes this such a special ship. Although it is an older ship and a bit dated, they go out of their way to provide exceptional service. We never had to ask more than once for anything. Very small ship with no more than 300 guests. Great way to see several French Polynesian islands for the first time to find your favorite.

Perfect cruise for water lovers. Everyone on board seemed as pleased as we were, again. First time to Toa Motus and Marquesas, both of which were delightful. Service was first rate, as before; absolutely everyone not only knew your name, but always remembered your favored type of wine. Highly recommended to all.

What a wonderful experience. This is the third time we have traveled on the Paul Gauguin and they always met or exceed our expectations. The crew are wonderful and really make the experience special. I would highly recommend this ship.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time on Paul Gauguin. The ship is a comfortable size. The food was excellent as were the staff who were friendly and couldn't do enough for us. There could have been better entertainment organised during the days at sea, eg. more enrichment lectures to learn about the area we were travelling in.

The food was amazing, the service was spectacular, the service amazing!

We had a wonderful time on PG. Especially loved the dining staff… Mr Ryan took care of my dairy free needs and Flo and his crew always had smiles. Food was fabulous… standing ovation to the chef. Excursions were well done. Really liked the Reef discovery on speed boat in Bora Bora the wave runners Bora Bora, and snorkeling Taha and the e-bikes Moorea, I wish the times of the excursions were published earlier because I would have enjoyed adding a second on some days like a catamaran and known times I had free to book in the spa. I also would have enjoyed the Gauguines to do a Tahitian dance around cocktail hour. Staying up late was difficult. Overall fabulous.

we enjoyed our voyage on the paul gauguin. The ship is a perfect size...less than 320 passengers. The staff is super friendly and we felt recognized and appreciated from the time we boarded to the time we left the ship. The excursions were well conducted by experienced guides....but the itinerary is what makes this cruise memorable.

Great ship experience! Food was delicious with French flair. Service was impeccable

I have never had the high-quality level of service offered on this ship before on any trip I have ever taken anywhere, domestic or international.