The cruise competition in French Polynesia is heating up with more cruise lines and more ships seemingly entering the market every year. Some are there year-round, others for extended periods, and yet others are passing through. 

During a recent trip to French Polynesia on another cruise line, I saw the Paul Gauguin cruise ship in the distance. I had sailed on her in 2007 when Regent Seven Seas owned her. She was subsequently sold to a private company, PG Cruises, and then sold again to Ponant. I wondered how she was doing, having undergone a bit of a renovation in 2021, though most of that was to upgrade it environmentally, and the rest was really not specifically mentioned. I am sure there were renovations prior to it, but even from a distance, she really needed some assistance.

Under Ponant’s ownership, Paul Gauguin recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation in February-March 2025.  According to Ponant, “The multi-million-dollar project will introduce sustainable technology upgrades, a contemporary new look for its popular Le Grill restaurant, a reimagined pool deck complete with shaded cabana areas, eight new connecting staterooms, and the updating of soft furnishings throughout the ship.”

So, now seems like a good time to revisit Paul Gauguin. I will be sailing on her August 23, 2025, for a week.

I will spend one night pre-cruise and a day post-cruise at the Intercontinental Tahiti (one of my favorite old school hotels). 

This is what I would call a short cruise, overnighting in Bora Bora and Moorea, a day in Huahine, and one at its “private island” Taha’a (aka Motu Mahana, which is shared on other days by a few cruise lines…and where my old iPhone probably still lies buried in the sand or tumbling in the surf. lol)

Paul Gauguin provides a very inclusive experience with open bar, stocked in-stateroom refrigerator, wi-fi, and gratuities included, as well as paddleboards and kayaks from its marina and on destination beach days. Shore excursions are an extra cost. 

A unique inclusion, that has fortunately survived and been modernized, is Les Gauguines; now also including Les Gauguins, the Tahitian hosts and entertainers.

While my work focus will be on the ship, I plan on spending most of my “off-ship research” time in the water or on the beach rather than taking many tours, as this will be my third journey to French Polynesia.

However, I must digress! My last experience on Paul Gauguin was, shall we say, a bit uneven, so I am very interested to see what has happened over the past eighteen years and three owners. Paul Gauguin – 2007 – Goldring Travel. Now, amusingly, as I reread my article, I didn’t remember all of the issues with the ship because I was in the middle of a marriage doomed to fail. (I am confident things on the ship, as with my personal life, are much better now! lol) 

Alas, the most memorable part of that trip requires my creating a picture:

We anchored overnight in Bora Bora. My children were occupied in the kids’ program. It was a clear night with a full moon right over the mountain. I had arranged for two lounges and a bottle of wine to be set up on the aft deck. As we stared at this beautiful view, my ex-wife turned to me, looking straight in my eyes and said with deep feeling, “You just aren’t romantic enough!”

My other best memory was a great one that has served me well over these past eighteen years, which is not to blindly trust your tour guide.

I was hosting a group from my then consortium on a tour in Moorea. We arrived at a high point where there is an ancient temple and some large trees. Someone who was not from our group walked into the temple, only to be shouted at by the guide, declaring it was sacred ground. A few moments later, the driver began hitting a tree with a large stick, noting that this was a way they used to communicate between islands. Stay with me!

The next day I did the same tour, but with Mark Eddowes (a renowned archaeologist), who was leading the kids’ program. I mentioned the sacred temple incident, to which, as I recall, he replied, “There is no bad juju there. I have been rebuilding it. Hey, Zack (my son), why don’t you sit on the throne?” He continued, “They aren’t still hitting that tree, are they? That was never used for communication, and they are going to kill that tree if they don’t stop.”  Mark also let Zack know the best place to buy a ukulele was from a guy sitting by the drugstore in Fa’a’a, right near where the ship docked. We still have it.

Mark Eddowes still works with Ponant on Paul Gauguin, so I do hope he is on my cruise. He is a great lecturer, as well.

The Paul Gauguin holds 330 guests in a combination of porthole, oceanview, balcony, and a few suite accommodations. All staterooms from porthole to Category C verandas are about 200 sq. ft (plus veranda).  

I will be staying in a Category C Veranda, shown here with the old soft furnishings. I’ll post the new ones when onboard.

There are three dining venues on the ship. (No photos until I see the renovations.)

• La Veranda – Buffet breakfast, lunch, and reservations-only dinner
• Le Grill – Buffet breakfast, lunch, and reservations-only dinner
• L’Etoile – Open seating dinner

For entertainment, Paul Gauguin brings on local Polynesian entertainment (always a hit), the Piano Bar (for some air-conditioned cocktails), La Palette and Pool Bar for some al fresco refreshments and live entertainment in the evenings.

This will be my shortest journey to French Polynesia and it sure seems like Paul Gauguin will provide me with more than enough to keep me busy, entertained, and relaxed.

Next up: Getting there and more!