For more than three decades, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP has been creating purposeful voyages of exploration across the globe, uniting elegant small-ship design with a deep commitment to sustainable travel. With a portfolio of distinctive brands – including PONANT EXPLORATIONS and brand new PONANT YACHTING, Aqua Expeditions and Paul Gauguin Cruises – the Group has become a leader in authentic journeys that immerse travellers in the heart of the world’s most captivating destinations.
Among its fleet, no ship has forged such a profound connection with a region as the Paul Gauguin. For over 25 years, this 330-guest vessel has been the leading specialist in French Polynesia and the South Pacific, celebrated for her intimate atmosphere, Polynesian hospitality, and immersive itineraries. Now, following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, she begins a new chapter in her story, offering guests an elevated onboard experience while staying true to her Polynesian spirit.
A Ship Transformed
The Paul Gauguin’s seven-week dry dock in Singapore has redefined the ship for a new era of travel. Guests returning will discover an elegant redesign of public spaces and staterooms, refreshed dining venues, and sustainable innovations designed to reduce environmental impact.
Highlights of the transformation include:
- Four new connecting staterooms, reflecting the growing demand for multi-generational travel. These additions complement the ship’s Moana Explorer Program for children, developed in partnership with Te mana o te moana, French Polynesia’s leading marine education and conservation foundation.
- Le Grill restaurant, now showcasing a sleek, contemporary look of light oak, ceramic tiles and Polynesian-inspired design details – the perfect backdrop for refined indoor-outdoor dining.
- A transformed pool deck, where a sweeping canopy shades new cabana seating, mosaic features frame the pool, and loungers invite lazy days beneath the Pacific sun.
- Sustainable upgrades, including heat recovery systems, efficient chillers, optimised electric motors, seawater treatment facilities and Nordaq water filtration. Together, these advancements significantly cut energy use and eliminate single-use plastics on board.
- Updated livery, with the iconic three-sail PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP logo now gracing the ship’s stack in polished steel, illuminated by night.
An Expert in Polynesian Discovery
Purpose-built for the South Pacific, the Paul Gauguin’s shallow draft allows her to navigate close to lagoons and remote islands that are inaccessible to larger ships. This gives guests unrivalled access to secluded anchorages, crystalline lagoons and villages where Polynesian traditions remain strong.
Life on board carries the spirit of the islands. The ship’s Gauguins and Gauguines – Polynesian hosts – bring warmth, music and dance to the voyage. Dining, service and décor all reflect local influences, while every itinerary is enriched with extended stays and overnight calls that allow travellers to experience island life at an unhurried pace.
As Captain Michel Quioc notes :
“With over 25 years of expertise in French Polynesia, we have forged a unique bond with these islands and their communities. Each Paul Gauguin itinerary offers genuine immersion – from dockside nights beneath Bora Bora’s volcano to quiet mornings in secluded lagoons – creating a connection that stays with our guests long after they leave.”
Itineraries for 2027
With bookings now open for the 2027 season, the Paul Gauguin will operate 34 sailings across nine distinct itineraries, ranging from 7 to 20 nights. Each voyage blends iconic sights with lesser-known treasures, creating an intimate portrait of the South Pacific.
- Tahiti and the Society Islands (7 nights) – A classic introduction, sailing from Papeete to Moorea, Bora Bora, and Taha’a Motu Mahama.
- with nine departures from June to December 2027.
- Pearls of the Society Islands (7 nights) – A deeper exploration of sacred Raiatea, Huahine’s lush landscapes and overnight stays in Bora Bora, Tahiti and the society Islands.
- Society Islands and Tuamotus (10–11 nights) – With extended time in Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, plus Motu Mahana, the line’s private islet in Taha’a lagoon.
- Cook Islands and Society Islands (11 nights) – From Rarotonga’s volcanic peaks to Aitutaki’s coral lagoons, blended with Moorea and Bora Bora.
- Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands (14 nights) – Two weeks of cultural and natural immersion, including Huahine, Fakarava, and the dramatic Marquesas.
- Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Society Islands (13 – 15 nights) – A sweeping South Pacific voyage between Fiji and Tahiti, featuring Tonga’s traditions and Moorea’s lagoons.
- From Fiji to Bali (20 nights) – A true odyssey, combining days at sea with ports such as Vanuatu, Guadalcanal and Komodo National Park.
- Indonesia’s Sacred Temples and Natural Sanctuaries (13 nights) – From Singapore to Darwin via Java, Komodo and Bali.
- Escapade in the Heart of Melanesia (17 nights) – From Darwin to Fiji, exploring Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Across every voyage, overnight stays and extended port calls ensure travellers can connect deeply with Polynesian and Pacific cultures.
Awards and Recognition
The Paul Gauguin’s excellence has been consistently recognised. Named Best Small Cruise in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, the ship also earned Seatrade’s 2024 Sustainability Initiative of the Year for its Taote Gauguin healthcare partnership with the French Polynesian government. Travel + Leisure, AFAR and other leading publications have repeatedly ranked Paul Gauguin Cruises among the world’s finest small-ship operators.
A New Chapter With Le Jacques Cartier
Looking to the future, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP will expand its presence in Polynesia with the introduction of Le Jacques Cartier. Beginning in winter 2026–2027, this state-of-the-art small exploration ship will offer new itineraries under the Exclusive Polynesia collection.
Highlights will include:
- Polynesian Bliss: Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands (October/November/December 2026 & January 2027)
- Secret Polynesia: From the Society to the Austral Islands (October/November/December 2026)
- From French Polynesia to Pitcairn Island ( November 2026)
- Ancestral Cultures of the South Pacific (September 2026 & February 2027
With just 184 guests on board, Le Jacques Cartier will combine elegant French design with expedition capability, opening new horizons across Polynesia and beyond.
Polynesia, Perfected
For travellers seeking a voyage that is both indulgent and enriching, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a unique proposition: year-round expertise, immersive itineraries, and a ship designed for the islands she calls home. Enhanced by her recent refurbishment, and supported by PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP’s pioneering sustainability vision, the Paul Gauguin continues to set the benchmark for South Pacific cruising.
As Polynesia prepares to welcome a new era of exploration with the arrival of Le Jacques Cartier, one thing remains unchanged – the promise of authentic discovery in one of the most captivating places on Earth.
