Sailing the Tahitian Dream

PHOTO: A highlight of the cruise is when Paul Gauguin drops anchor in Bora Bora.

It has become the quintessential exotic island cruise—a sailing of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. One ship that has been doing it in style since the mid-1990s is the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin, now part of the two-ship Paul Gauguin Cruises fleet, which was named number-one “Small-Ship Cruise Line” in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards in 2014. Also, The readers of Condé Nast Traveler named Paul Gauguin one of the “Top 20 Small Cruise Ships” in 2013.

Paul Gauguin, a ship displacing 19,200 gross registered tons with a crew of 217, provides a luxury, all-inclusive cruise experience (except for shore excursions) during a seven-night round trip sailing from Papeete on the island of Tahiti to such iconic islands as Huahine, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Moorea. The intimate and well-designed nine-deck vessel has everything guests need on board, but its small size makes it easy to get around. Included in the fare are select wines and spirits, beer, soft drinks, bottled water and hot beverages; shipboard gratuities for room stewards and dining staff; and 24-hour room service.

The focus of this cruise, however, is not the ship, but the incredibly beautiful islands of Tahiti. The sailing is choreographed so guests keep visiting even more spectacular islands during their journey, with the highlight, for many, being Bora Bora, the real life Bali Hai from the novel and musical “South Pacific.” The ship also focuses on delivering a truly Tahitian experience, with local dancers and music as entertainment, food influenced by local cuisine, and Tahiti photos and artwork throughout the vessel.

Itinerary: Paul Gauguin embarks in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, the largest and most populated city in French Polynesia. On Day 2, the ship anchors in the lagoon at Huahine, known as the “Garden Island” for its rainforests and dramatic terrain. Guests can explore the island’s sacred sites and landmarks, which are among the best-preserved archaeological remains in French Polynesia.

On Day 3, the ship anchors in the lagoon at Tahaa. Guests can enjoy Motu Mahana, an adjacent island featuring white-sand beaches, as part of a complimentary ship-wide excursion. On Day 4, the ship reaches a cruise highlight in Bora Bora. Recognizable by Mount Otemanu, this island is surrounded by a spectacular lagoon and a series of smaller motus. Guests can take a wave runner excursion around the island or tour the interior on a four-wheel drive vehicle. On Day 5, the ship stays in Bora Bora to explore the island further.

PHOTO: Guests can explore a pineapple plantation while touring Moorea.

On Day 6, the ship reaches Moorea, with its spectacular mountain peaks. Here, guests can visit a local pineapple plantation. On Day 7 the ship remains in Moorea to explore more of the island. Guests can take a tour of the interior in a four-wheel drive vehicle, snorkel in the lagoon or try a dive excursion at a local resort. On Day 8, guests disembark in Papeete.

Public Areas: Paul Gauguin has plenty of places for guests to take in the sun, starting with the Sun Deck far forward on top Deck 9 over the ship’s bridge. There are plenty of deck chairs, and guests will also find the starboard-side Bar Du Soleil, which has six tables and bar stools, plus some shade.

On Deck 8, there’s a good-sized pool, especially for such a small ship. There are lots of tables, chairs and sun loungers surrounding the pool, as well as a pool bar on the port side with wicker couches and chairs.

In stern on Deck 8, there’s a wraparound deck with even more tables and chairs, wicker couches with cushions. La Palette lounge, an indoor bar just forward of the terrace has a small dance floor and combo stage, and turns into a disco at night.

On Deck 6, La Boutique is the ship’s store offering Tahitian fashions and souvenirs, as well as essentials that guests may have forgotten. Just down the hallway is a small library with an eclectic collection of books and DVDs. The Deep Nature Spa, also located on Deck 6, offers hand and foot treatments, body treatments, facials and other spa programs with a Tahitian twist. There’s also a small fitness center located midships on the same deck.

Deck 5 is where the ship’s main theater and lounge, Le Grand Salon, is located far forward. Seating is lounge style and there’s a dance floor, stage and long bar. This is where guests meet for all shore excursions. Just aft of Le Grand Salon is Le Casino, featuring roulette, blackjack, 13 slot machines and a large bar with piano player. Just aft of the casino is the photo shop and the Internet café, offering nine terminals and access to Wi-Fi accounts. Internet service is slow at this point. Deck 5 also is the promenade deck where guests can stroll outside or play shuffleboard.

PHOTO: Paul Gauguin provides a luxury, all-inclusive cruise experience.

Deck 4 has the reception area, travel concierge and shore expeditions desk. There’s also access to the ship’s drop-down marina, where guests can pick up snorkeling equipment, or go kayaking, windsurfing and paddle boarding, or access Zodiacs for optional dive excursions as part of a PADI dive certification program. Deck 3 is where the medical center is located, as well as where guests can board tenders.

Dining: Paul Gauguin features three restaurants. L’Etoile, the ship’s main restaurant located in the stern on Deck 5, serves breakfast and dinner with menus that change daily. Cuisine is continental with a French twist and there are also special themed dinners. There is no charge and guests can walk in at any time during the evening, though they may have to wait at the nearby casino bar if tables are full.

La Veranda Restaurant, a specialty eatery located on Deck 6, features a degustation and à la carte menu for dinner designed by two-star Michelin chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, who oversees Apicius restaurant in Paris. Cuisine is French with a Polynesian twist. Reservations are required but there is no extra charge.

The Grill is open for breakfast (buffet and à la carte service), lunch (buffet) and dinner with both indoor and outdoor seating around the pool by candlelight.

Accommodations: The ship has 166 staterooms and suites with accommodations ranging in size from 200 to 588 square feet. Suites feature butler service. Seventy percent of the accommodations have private balconies.

Balcony suite 713 has a queen-size bed, a large wall mirror, a small two-seater couch, a round glass coffee table, a small flat-screen TV, a DVD player, a safe and a small desk with a vanity mirror. There’s also a hairdryer and 110V and 220V outlets.

A small refrigerator is stocked and replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and bottled water; fresh fruits and hors d’oeuvres are offered daily.

Entertainment & Activities: The ship exudes the culture of the Tahitian islands, which is reflected in the daily and nightly entertainment. A group of local Tahitians called the Gauguines serves as cruise staff, entertainers and storytellers. Nightly performances in Le Grand Salon often feature performances of Polynesian dancing and music.

Guests also get a day at Motu Mahana, the cruise line’s private island off the coast of Taha’a, where they can try snorkeling or other watersports, enjoy bar service and have lunch. They also have access to a white-sand private beach located on a motu off the coast of Bora Bora.

On selected cruises, there’s an Ambassadors of the Environment youth program designed by explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau under the auspices of the Ocean Futures Society. The program introduces young travelers (ages 9 to 17) to the natural wonders of French Polynesia through hands-on, interactive experiences with marine and island ecosystems. The program is available on holiday cruises on select summer and holiday sailings in 2015.

Fares: Under a special 50 percent off promotional fare, per person prices range from $3,995 to $11,995 depending on cruise date and accommodations selected.

For more information, call 800-848-6172 or visit www.pgcruises.com.