At the turn of the century, impressionist Paul Gauguin traveled to the tropical shores of French Polynesia to create some of his most renowned masterpieces. Today his namesake, the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, transports discerning guests to the same romantic Tahitian vacation paradise-to explore, enrich and escape.

Providing an extraordinary luxury cruise experience uniquely tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific, Paul Gauguin Cruises is the undisputed destination expert, delivering an artfully, authentic, and all-inclusive luxury vacation.

In 2023, The Gauguin Experience celebrated 25 years of sailing in French Polynesia continuing to charm travelers from all over the world to discover the wonders of French Polynesia with its one-of-a-kind expertise.  The Gauguin remains the region’s gold standard in small-ship luxury cruising with her beautifully reimagined décor, her carefree ambience, and most especially her exceptional crew who bring the enriching experience to life every day with heartfelt passion and genuine care. 

Built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France in 1998, The Gauguin was designed specifically to allow guests the freedom to discover the exotic ports of the South Pacific without limitation. In September 2019, Paul Gauguin Cruises joined PONANT’s family- a designer of inspiring voyages on board small exploration ships.

The Gauguin hosts voyages ranging from 7- to 20-night itineraries, featuring such exquisite destinations as Tahiti and the Society Islands, Tuamotus, the Cook Islands, Marquesas, Tonga, and Fiji. Each of these exclusive voyages highlights the sheer beauty that defines the South Seas. Stunning islands, white-sand beaches, blue lagoons and the vibrant Polynesian culture of this region combine to provide a welcome tropical escape for guests yearning for the ultimate getaway.