Paul Gauguin

MS Paul Gauguin is a cruise ship completed in 1997, operated by Paul Gauguin Cruises, a Ponant-owned brand. She's a small ship with capacity for 318 guests and sails primarily in the South Pacific. Built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St Nazaire, France, she was christened on December 19, 1997, in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, with the painter's own granddaughter, Maria Gauguin, attending the naming ceremony.

The cruise line takes its name from the 19th-century painter Paul Gauguin, who spent ten years living with and painting the people and nature of Polynesia, and the ship herself was purpose-built for the shallow seas of French Polynesia. Her low draft allows her to reach small seaports, atolls, and smaller island anchorages that deeper-keeled ships simply cannot access.

The onboard experience balances genuine luxury with an easy, accessible feel, informal and relaxed rather than stiff, but still backed by 5-star hotel amenities and premium service throughout. A crew-to-guest ratio of around 1:1.5 keeps service attentive, and more than seventy percent of staterooms and suites include private balconies. Across her 9 decks, 7 of which are passenger accessible and 5 with cabins, guests will find 3 restaurants, 4 lounges and bars, a swimming pool, a retractable marina platform for watersports, 4 elevators, and a medical facility.

Polynesian culture runs through everything aboard. It sits at the heart of the ship's onboard offerings, with music, storytelling, and cultural activities led by Les Gauguines, a resident troupe of Tahitian hosts. Entertainment blends classic French songs with traditional Polynesian performances, and watersports, including complimentary snorkeling equipment, are offered free of charge at each port of call.

Deck 6 houses a digital museum featuring more than 150 of Paul Gauguin's works, a fitting tribute to the artist she's named for. Fares include gratuities, soft drinks, and a selection of fine wines and premium spirits.

Paul Gauguin suits travellers drawn to the South Pacific who want both authentic cultural immersion and the comfort of a small luxury ship.

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