Launched in France in 1997, grossing 19,200 tons and stretching 513 ft, this is a sleek Bahamian-registered ship named for the man whose life and work embodied the romanticism of French Polynesia. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the renamed Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, and the
Paul Gauguin is now owned by Grand Circle Travel and marketed by both firms. The 10-year-old ship operates in the South Pacific under charter to Regent Seven Seas. It is under contract with Regent through the end of 2009.
Renovations scheduled for early 2009 include refurbishing the poolside restaurant, Le Grill; expanding outdoor dining space for La Veranda restaurant; upgrading the Internet area and fitness center; getting new boats for watersport activities; an extensive restoration of all public areas, including new carpeting, upholstery and refinished woodwork; refreshing of all cabins; and adding 26 balconies.
This stylish seven-deck vessel is the most luxurious ship to sail in these tropical climes, and her rates reflect this. Some competition, however, has arrived with the Star Flyer and a midsize Princess ship, both lower-priced.
With nine mostly French officers and an international crew of 206, Paul Gauguin shows a great deal of sophistication but she is more French modern than South Seas, apart from a Fare Tahiti museum collection of historic black and white prints and some artifacts, including a few wooden pieces by Gauguin himself. The cruise setting is beautiful French Polynesia.
An international clientele is attracted by the exotic locale to include Europeans, Australians and Americans mostly 50 and older because of the relatively high price. Many will be quite active travelers and will take to the wide variety of watersports offered. All gratuities are included. Children are generally not present, and there are no special facilities onboard that cater to them.
She conducts year-round 7-day destination-oriented circuits of the Society Islands from Papeete calling at Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora and Moorea. Most nights are spent gently swinging at anchor in a beautiful lagoon surrounded by majestic volcanic peaks, and most of the cruise is in protected waters with only short stretches of open sea. Additionally, she makes longer 10-, 11-, and 14-day cruises that take in the Marquesas, Tuomotus and Cook Islands. The more remote Marquesas are where Gauguin spent most of his time. At year's end, she will undertake a 17-day one-way voyage westward through the South Pacific islands to Brisbane for an overhaul, returning the same route.
Shore excursions take to outrigger canoes, wave runners, four-wheel drive vehicles and buses. Most landings will be by tender except at Papeete, the homeport. The retractable stern marina allows for parasailing, waterskiing, windsurfing and kayaking while swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving are done elsewhere but not directly from the marina. All activities are included in the fare apart from the scuba gear. Regent Seven Seas developed its own motu (small palm island), where guests enjoy daylong barbecues and idyllic beaches and move to and from the ship at will.
The ship carries 330 passengers in 165 spacious, well-appointed outside cabins and suites, and a shallow draft and relatively modest size afford the ship surprising agility. Two tasteful fine-dining rooms, with single sittings at unassigned tables and no dress code, feature ocean views to three sides and Continental, French and Italian cuisine. The columned L'Etoile, with its classic furnishings and fluted shell light fixtures, is a refined Parisian-style room serving dinner only, while the smaller La Veranda's requires reservations for dinner, with the French menu preferable to the Italian one. Breakfast and lunch are also served here. Wine at dinner is complimentary.
A partly covered grill near the pool makes for a third dining spot and for an informal breakfast and lunch. Room service is nonstop, and is most popular for breakfast on one’s private the veranda. Public rooms include Le Grand Salon, La Palette, the casino and a relatively new piano bar. The aft-facing observation lounge (La Palette) also becomes a piano bar at night and a disco even later.
Folkloric island shows performed by troupes are a highlight, as are guest lecturers and dancing to a good Filipino band. Passengers are looked after by the Gauguines who are the cruise staff and double as entertainers and storytellers. The fitness center is fully equipped but windowless, and the pool has a bar. The spa, run by Carita of Paris, offers numerous treatments and a Roman-style steam room, but it also exacts further charges. The information center supplies documents on the history and culture of the islands, and the boutique sells Polynesian handicrafts, black-pearl jewelry and other gifts.
Classic crown moldings and wood accents enrich staterooms with desks, love seats and wardrobes. Also present are phones, TVs, VCRs, stocked refrigerators (replenished daily with complimentary soft drinks and mineral water, while alcoholic drinks carry a charge), safes, good stowage, queen or twin beds, and small marble-appointed baths with full-sized tubs, separate stall showers, robes and hair dryers. Half of the rooms have verandas and all are outside with windows, or portholes on the lowest deck. Tropical flowers placed in cabins lend a colorful island touch. Room service is around the clock.
The roomy Paul Gauguin is the finest way of sailing the South Seas, and by adding an island hotel stay, preferably on Moorea or Bora Bora, the long trek out is extended beyond the cruise whether 7-, 10, 11- or 14-days. The principal competition, but at lower costs and in less luxury, are Star Clippers' Star and Princess. Windstar no longer cruises here.
