Paul Gauguin Cruises opens its 2022 cruises for sale. The newly renovated m/s Paul Gauguin will sail through French Polynesia with five signature routes
From the Society Islands to the Cook Islands, passing through Tahiti, the Tuamotus and the Marquesas, the teams who have been experts in this region for over 20 years have designed 5 tailor-made itineraries to discover the wonders of this terrestrial paradise.
On board, multiple activities are offered: swimming, diving, kayaking, paddle boarding or even snorkelling… Also on the programme: a privileged moment, isolated from the rest of the world, on the private islet of Motu Mahana, off the unspoilt island of Taha’a, where an authentic traditional Polynesian barbecue is prepared.
On board the m/s Paul Gauguin, premium service and refined gastronomy are inspired by the Polynesian way of life. A ship with 166 staterooms and suites, she has been specially designed to sail in Polynesian waters: her shallow draft allows her to get as close as possible to the shallow lagoons. In the heart of the dream islands and atolls of Tahiti and the Society Islands, the ship invites you to discover Polynesian traditional life and customs.
A NEWLY RENOVATED SHIP
At the instigation of PONANT, its new parent company, PAUL GAUGUIN has completed a major renovation of its ship after two months of work. In collaboration with Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel, the ship’s interior design has been rethought, evoking the elegance of the South Seas and the South Pacific islands. All the staterooms, suites and public spaces have been renovated, highlighting the warm woodworks, a strong marker of the local identity. Lagoon shades, a wide range of green and natural tones, touches of warm colours, vegetal patterns and woven textiles are the hallmarks of a refined décor. Printed exotic panoramics and traditional artworks add to the Polynesian atmosphere on board.
True to its commitment to responsible tourism, PONANT has made major investments to equip the ship with the latest technological innovations in environmental preservation. While the use of heavy fuel oil has been eliminated since 2019 in favour of a more environmentally friendly fuel, LS-MGO (Low-Sulphur Marine Gas Oil), and carbon emissions have been offset by up to 150%, optimisations relating to water and energy treatment have also been carried out during this renovation.
ZOOM ON THE ROUTES:
• Tahiti & the Society Islands
Be dazzled by the incomparable beauty of Huahine, relax in the turquoise waters of Motu Mahana, a small private paradise, explore the peaks and lagoons of Bora Bora…An itinerary to discover the must-sees of French Polynesia.
“Tahiti & the Society Islands” cruise – From Papeete to Papeete, 8 days / 7 nights
20 departures in 2022, from € 2,120 with a 30% PONANT Bonus
• Cook Islands & Society Islands
Between pearl farms and white sand beaches, bordered by superb lagoons with transparent waters hemmed in by an exceptional coral reef, the islands of Polynesia invite you to escape. On this itinerary: temples surrounded by wild orchids and archaeological sites hidden among the luxuriant vegetation of Huahine, the small private paradise of Motu Mahana, Bora Bora with its volcanic silhouette, Moorea nicknamed “the magic island” and its green peaks. And further south, towards the Cook Islands, a stopover in the lagoon of Aitutaki with its clear blue waters and in Rarotonga with its luxuriant valley and the beauty of its sea bed.
“Cook Islands & Society Islands” cruise – From Papeete to Papeete, 12 days / 11 nights
4 departures in 2022, from €3,790 with a 20% PONANT Bonus
• Society Islands & The Tuamotus
A route to discover the many natural riches of French Polynesia and its breathtaking landscapes: deserted motus, impressive lagoons, underwater depths teeming with life, forested mountains, idyllic beaches… Swimming in the Tuamotus, “the infinite lagoon”, the largest atoll in Polynesia, famous for its “wall” of sharks, in Rangiroa, where multicoloured fishes, rays and harmless sharks put on a show. Or in the Unesco biosphere reserve of Fakarava, the second largest lagoon in Polynesia, which is home to exceptional flora and fauna, grey sharks and intact coral reefs.
“Society Islands & The Tuamotus” cruise – From Papeete to Papeete, 11 days / 10 nights
6 departures in 2022, from € 3,040 with a 30% PONANT Bonus
• Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands
A route with varied landscapes throughout these 3 archipelagos: dizzying peaks, imposing cliffs, turquoise lagoons, virgin beaches, deserted coves, underwater caves… Between the depths of the Fakarava atoll with its stunning coral in the heart of the Tuamotus archipelago and the unique charm of the Marquesas archipelago with its dense forests. In terms of Polynesian culture, Hiva Oa is home to the largest stone sculptures in the Marquesas, Fatu Hiva to ancestral crafts, Tahuata to sculpted works of art and Nuku Hiva to a tiki of carved stones and thousand-year-old petroglyphs.
“Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands” cruise – From Papeete to Papeete, 15 days / 14 nights
4 departures in 2022, from € 5,440 with a 25% PONANT Bonus