 Expert Review |  | | | | |
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Editor's Note: Paul Gauguin wound up its long relationship with Regent Seven Seas Cruises in January 2010. The ship continue to sail the South Pacific with newly formed Paul Gauguin Cruises. Read more. Stunningly crafted, and specially designed to navigate the coral-filled, shallow waters off the islands of the South Pacific, Paul Gauguin has a magical feel about it from the moment your jet-lagged body reaches the gangplank. The ship is a floating tribute to the culture-rich area it sails in. Photos of ancient Tahiti line the walls while "Fare Tahiti," a mini museum, holds exhibits of manuscripts and finely carved Polynesian artifacts. Paul Gauguin is homey with a controlled elegance, and life onboard is laid back, casual and passenger-pampering, from the bottles of water provided to take ashore to complimentary poured wine and beer at lunch and dinner. Paul Gauguin is the only ship in the Regent Seven Seas fleet that is not actually owned by the cruise line -- though Regent Seven Seas has operated it from the beginning. First owners were the French firm Societe Services et Transport. They sold the ship to Grand Circle Travel. And though the folks at GCT market Paul Gauguin's Tahiti cruises as does Regent Seven Seas Cruises, if you book through the former you're still buying a RSSC trip. As of January 6, 2010, all that will change when new cruise line Paul Gauguin Cruises will take over the operation of Paul Gauguin. However, don't expect much else to change; the new owners are committed to keeping up the previous standards of luxury and inclusiveness. Since the beginning, Paul Gauguin has been lauded as one of the most romantic ships afloat; it's a Cruise Critic top choice for honeymoons -- and for vow renewals as well. And because of its floating marina, the ship, not to mention the destination, is also a great choice for watersports fans. | | |  top | | | | Dining
Meals on Paul Gauguin are all open seating which means you can dine when -- and with whom you choose. L'Etoile is the ship's main restaurant; it features French cuisine with Polynesian accents. In addition to the typical appetizers and mains, diners can also choose to order a gourmet tasting menu or vegetarian, light and healthy, no-salt-added, or simple dishes. Decadent dessert offerings, like a chocolate macadamia tart or local coconut sorbet, also include low-carb and sugar-free options. Breakfast and lunch are offered here, as well. Also French -- but inspired by Le Cordon Bleu -- is La Veranda; it's in essence the ship's boutique eatery. La Veranda is open most nights (six out of seven on weeklong cruises) and reservations are required. If the Tahitian creme brulee is on the menu, order it (it's made with fresh vanilla from the islands). For more casual fare, Le Grill, open for breakfast and lunch, is the ship's buffet venue. At night, it also offers an alternative to Paul Gauguin's French restaurants by offering grill-inspired menus, with dishes such as grilled baby lamb chops in a shallot red wine sauce and grilled chicken breast with homemade chili-pineapple chutney. Around-the clock room service is available. During lunch and dinner passengers can order from the L'Etoile menu. And, consistent with Regent Seven Seas' policy across its fleet, beverages, ranging from sodas to house wine and spirits, are included in your cruise fare. | | | | top | | | | Public Rooms
The interior design reflects a nautical theme with wood paneling, wide windows and beautiful blended colors of gray, purple and salmon. Le Grand Salon sets the stage for daytime lectures, pre-dinner dancing and evening entertainment. The indoor/outdoor La Palette Lounge serves as a setting for afternoon tea and cocktails and a late night disco. There's a small casino with three blackjack tables and roulette (due to local regulations slot machines are not allowed). Other passenger areas include a card room, a well-stocked library, the Fare Tahiti museum, and a boutique stocked with jewelry (South Seas black pearl jewelry is a big seller), designer gifts and a trove of Paul Gauguin-themed logo-wear. | | | | top | | | | Cabins
All the pretty cabins face outside; 70 percent sport private verandahs. If you want a private balcony, book ahead if you can as there's nothing more fabulous than sipping coffee on your balcony as the ship pulls into the harbor in Bora Bora! Comfort level is high with twin beds that convert to queens, TV/VCR (videos are loaned out, on a complimentary basis, from the reception desk), mini fridges stocked with free soft drinks and a one-time booze setup. There's also a safe, telephone and separate sitting area. Big marble bathrooms feature large tubs, hair dryer, skimpy terry cloth towels and waffle robes along with assorted lotions, shampoos, soaps and bath gels. All staterooms provide sufficient storage. Lovely added touches in all staterooms include a sprinkling of flower petals around your bathroom sink and beautiful, arty notes at turndown that include tidbits about the South Pacific. Outside staterooms, with picture window or portholes, span 200 square feet. Regular balcony staterooms measure 202 square feet with 37-square-foot verandahs, while so-called "Veranda Staterooms" measure 249 square feet and come with a 56-square-foot balcony and butler service. All suites also have butler service including the Veranda Suite (300 square feet with 58-square-foot balcony), Grand Suite (332 square feet with 197-square-foot balcony) and two Owner's Suites (one at 531 square feet with 57-square-foot balcony, the other at 457 square feet with a 77-square-foot balcony). Only one cabin (number 415) is wheelchair-accessible, and select cabins can accommodate three passengers either with a rollaway bed or a loveseat that pulls out to a bed. | | | | top | | | | Entertainment
Once a week a fun beach party is staged on secluded Motu Mahana (tiny island) in Taha'a, where you can swim or snorkel in crystal clear waters; the ship sets up a luncheon grill and offers an open bar. Nighttime is intentionally sedate -- no big Broadway-style revues here. A singer/pianist performs before dinner in La Palette and dance music is provided by the ship's band in various venues, from poolside to Le Grand Salon. There's a dedicated piano bar located by the casino. The highlight of the cruise is the colorful performances by local Polynesian entertainers, young hula dancers or folk troupes. La Palette, on top of the ship, transforms into a nightclub disco after midnight that attracts youngish couples and honeymooners. | | | | top | | | | Fitness and Recreation
The Paris-based Carita Spa performs the gamut of salubrious face and body treatments from facials to exotic thalassotherapy and is worth the splurge. There's a small, well-used fitness center that does the trick with just enough equipment to keep you fit. Every morning there's an organized walk-a-thon on the sun deck (13 times around equals a mile). The biggest onboard treat is the ability to dive from the retractable watersports platform to go snorkeling, paddle a kayak, or go scuba diving with a pro dive master. All nautical gear is free except for scuba gear. Guest lecturers provide more cerebral diversions with talks on the local customs, history and attractions. Movies are also shown daily on stateroom televisions. While it's fun to explore each island on your own -- there are plenty of cabs, local buses and good swimming or snorkeling and restaurants to sample nearby most of the ports, there is an extensive shore excursion menu available. Many options relate to the water and include snorkeling, scuba diving with PADI certified instructors and special dive boats, jet skis, windsurfing and kayaking. Many passengers get their PADI certification on the ship. There are also outrigger/jeep combination tours, a shark feeding excursion, parasailing and helicopter tours. Snorkeling equipment can be signed out at the beginning of the cruise and returned at the end and is free-of-charge. | | | | top | | | | Family
Despite the daunting traveling distance from anywhere to the South Pacific and the ship's reputation as a romantic getaway for couples, there are certain times of the year when Paul Gauguin offers an excellent family travel option. During summer and school holiday periods, the ship hosts the Ambassadors of the Environment Program for children ages 9 to 17. Presented in conjunction with the Ocean Futures Society of Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau), it features special eco-excursions for parents and kids to try together, tied in with the nature aspect of the program. Among them are naturalist-led snorkeling, night snorkeling and a rainforest trek in Moorea with an anthropologist. | | | | top | | | | Fellow Passengers
This cruise attracts an interesting range of ages, a mixed bag of honeymooners coupled with well-traveled 40-somethings and senior citizens. | | | | top | | | | Dress Code
Dress is resort casual. The only night passengers tend to get a little bit more dressed (i.e. men wear jackets and even, sometimes, ties) is the captain's welcome dinner. | | | | top | | | | Gratuity
Gratuities are included in the cruise fare. | | | | top | | | | | Expert reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation. | |  | |
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