Paul Gauguin Cruises
Also called: PGC
Parent company: PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP
PremiumSee how Paul Gauguin Cruises describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1One ship, one region: the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin sails French Polynesia year-round, plus Cook Islands, Tonga and Fiji, and a few longer crossings to Melanesia, Indonesia and Singapore.
- 2All-inclusive fare: all dining (three restaurants and 24-hour room service), beer and select wines and spirits, soft drinks, Wi-Fi, onboard gratuities, select watersports and two private beach retreats. Premium liquors, specialty wines, spa and shore excursions are extra.
- 3Motu Mahana, the line's private islet off Taha'a, and a private beach in Bora Bora (subject to conditions) are the only included shore experiences.
- 4Loyalty is the PONANT Yacht Club, shared with PONANT EXPLORATIONS; PONANT also offers a Status Match from other cruise lines' programs.
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line90 days prior to departure
Final payment is due 90 days before departure, with no grace period; bookings not paid in full at 90 days are cancelled with a 100% penalty. Group final payment is also due 90 days before sailing.
Applies to: New bookings (including groups) from October 7, 2024
Deposit
Per cruise line25% of the fare within 72 hours of booking
25% of the fare within 72 hours of booking to confirm the reservation (all new bookings, including groups, from October 7, 2024). Bookings made 89-30 days before sailing are paid in full within 48 hours; 29 days or less, in full at booking. Once a deposit is made, all changes carry an administrative/cancellation fee.
Applies to: New bookings (including groups) from October 7, 2024
Bookings from September 19, 2022 to October 6, 2024 had the same 25% deposit with an older penalty table.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSee details below
New bookings (including groups) from October 7, 2024: within 15 days of deposit no fee (not for bookings made within 90 days of sailing); 365+ days before departure US$250 admin fee per person (usable on a future booking within 12 months); 364-211 days 10% of full fare (usable on a future booking within 12 months); 210-91 days 25%; 90 days or less 100%. Applies to the cruise fare only; air and hotel packages carry their own fees, and air tickets cancelled after issue (75 days out) are penalized. Cancel through Reservations by phone or in writing to CustomerService@pgcruises.com.
Applies to: New bookings (including groups) from October 7, 2024
Bookings from September 19, 2022: 181+ days $250 admin fee; 180-91 days 25%; 90-0 days 100%.
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Included (onboard gratuities for room stewards, dining and bar staff; spa and salon excepted)Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- Included (onboard gratuities for room stewards, dining and bar staff; spa and salon excepted)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Included (beer and select wines and spirits)Per cruise line
- Premium drink package
- Extra cost: premium liquors, specialty wines and certain Cognacs (paid on board; no package price published)Per cruise line
Sources differ
The 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands page says the only separate costs are spa treatments and shore excursions. The FAQ says premium liquors, specialty wines and certain Cognacs cost extra, which we show.FAQ 7-night itinerary page - Soda package
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Included (soft drinks, bottled water, hot beverages; in-room refrigerator with soft drinks, beer and water)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included (complimentary for all guests throughout the ship)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Included (complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi; no paid tier published)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Included (all shipboard dining in all three restaurants plus 24-hour room service; no specialty surcharge or package)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Included (no specialty-dining charge)Per cruise line
- Fitness classes
- Included (sunrise Polynesian-inspired Zumba class and morning deck walk hosted by Les Gauguines; fitness center)Per cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- Not listed as an extra: the only separate onboard costs are spa treatments and shore excursionsPer cruise line
- Air program
- Optional Air/Sea package (extra cost): round-trip economy air Los Angeles–Papeete (mainly Air Tahiti Nui), round-trip transfers and a hotel day room; other gateways for a supplementPer cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Port, security and handling fees ($140-$400) are included in fares; extra: shore excursions (except Motu Mahana and the Bora Bora beach), spa, premium drinks, laundry/pressing (per item), medical care; a cruise fuel surcharge may be addedPer cruise line
Sources differ
Paul Gauguin's Terms & Conditions say 'Port, security and handling fees of $140 to $400 are included', but the next paragraph lists 'port charges' (and air and cruise ship fuel surcharges) among the items the fare does not cover. We show the first statement.Terms & Conditions
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Tell Paul Gauguin Cruises at the time of booking: wheelchair use and any condition that may need care must be reported then (in writing per the ticket contract). Dietary needs: at least 60 days before sailing via 'special services' at 855-626-2077. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Guests bring their own wheelchair (the ship's are for emergencies only). The marina can't be reached by elevator, and most ports need tenders, so wheelchair users may have to stay aboard; the captain decides. Travelling with a companion who can help is strongly recommended. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- The ticket contract says pets and other animals are not allowed on board; no separate service-animal policy is published. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- A doctor and nurse are on board (charges apply). An oxygen concentrator, supplied by the guest, is the only oxygen equipment allowed. Pregnancy limits differ between official pages, so confirm with the line. Per cruise line
Sources differ
Pregnancy: the FAQ says Paul Gauguin won't accept any guest '3 months (12 weeks) or more into pregnancy at the time of sailing'; the Terms & Conditions and Ticket Contract say not 'past the sixth month of pregnancy by the end of their cruise'.FAQ Terms & Conditions
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryWindow/Porthole Staterooms (Categories E, F) and Balcony Staterooms (Categories C, D)
Per cruise line200-202 sq ft; all-inclusive fare, no butler (butler starts at Category B).
midVeranda Stateroom (Category B) and Veranda Suite (Category A)
Per cruise line249-300 sq ft with veranda; butler service (unpacking, pressing, spa and La Veranda/Le Grill reservations, pre-cruise in-suite setup). Category A also gets binoculars.
luxuryGrand Suite (GS) and Owner's Suite (OS)
Per cruise line332 sq ft (Grand Suite) and 457 sq ft (Owner's Suite); butler service and binoculars.
Loyalty program
PONANT Yacht Club (PYC)Per cruise line
- 1Major — After 2nd cruise
- 2Admiral — After 4th cruise
- 3Grand Admiral — After 7th cruise
- 4Commodore — After 20th cruise
Guests may say
“PONANT Yacht Club”, “PYC”, “Paul Gauguin Society (former name)”
One program across Paul Gauguin Cruises, PONANT EXPLORATIONS and PONANT YACHTING (cruises booked directly with Aqua Expeditions don't count). PONANT's Status Match gives a PYC tier from another line's program from the first voyage, once per guest (e.g. Silversea 100+ VS Days, Regent Titanium, Seabourn Elite, Celebrity Zenith, Royal Caribbean Pinnacle = Grand Admiral). Commodore can't be matched.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Included only with a PGC air or hotel program (the Air/Sea package includes airport-pier transfers). Guests who fly independently can pre-buy a private car from Papeete airport to the pier (send flight details at least 30 days ahead); post-cruise transfers are booked on board at the Travel Desk. The airport is about 20 minutes from the pier.
Which ports: Papeete, Tahiti for French Polynesia voyages; crossings and Fiji voyages start or end in Lautoka (Fiji), Darwin, Singapore or Bali.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Cruise family
PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP
Loyalty between brands: Shared: PONANT Yacht Club. Cruises with PONANT EXPLORATIONS, PONANT YACHTING and Paul Gauguin Cruises all count toward one status, and members use it on PONANT and Paul Gauguin. Cruises booked directly with Aqua Expeditions don't count: Aqua has its own program, Circolo Aqua, status-matched with the Yacht Club.
See the whole family →Good to know
Private island Motu Mahana and a Bora Bora private beach
Per cruise lineA day on Motu Mahana, the line's private islet off Taha'a (barbecue, floating bar, kayaks, snorkeling), and access to its private beach in Bora Bora are the only included shore experiences; other excursions are extra. The Bora Bora beach is subject to conditions: when it can't be used, guests get a tender to the pier and a free shuttle to public Matira Beach.
Third guest 17 and under sails free
Per cruise lineA third guest aged 17 or under in the same stateroom sails free (cruise fare); a third guest 18+ pays 30% of the adult fare. Third-berth guests pay the full air add-on, and triples exist only in select staterooms.
Children: minimum age 1, no babysitting
Per cruise lineSources differ
Paul Gauguin's pages differ on two child rules. Who must sail with an adult over 21: the FAQ says children under 21; the Terms & Conditions and Ticket Contract say under 18. Moana Explorer ages: 6-15 on the Family page, 7-15 on the FAQ and ship page. Confirm with Paul Gauguin before booking.FAQ Terms & Conditions Family page Ship pageThe ship can't take children under one year old and may limit the number under three. There is no babysitting and no pediatric care. The free Moana Explorer kids program runs only on select summer and holiday sailings and is booked on board.
Single supplements by category
Per cruise lineSingle supplement is 100% for Owner's, Grand, A and B; 50%-100% for C and D; 0%-50% for staterooms 763, 764 and categories E and F. It varies by voyage, and the line runs Zero Single Supplement promotions on selected voyages.
Embarkation in Papeete: 3-5 p.m.
Per cruise lineEmbarkation starts at 3:00 p.m. and must be finished before 5:00 p.m. for the muster drill; there is no early boarding. The airport is about 20 minutes from the Papeete pier, and most Wednesday departures have Los Angeles flights that allow same-day embarkation.
Dress code: Country Club Casual
Per cruise lineEvenings are 'Country Club Casual' (elegant resort wear); ties are never required. After 6:00 p.m. no shorts, t-shirts, torn jeans, caps, flip-flops or Crocs in restaurants and lounges.
Fleet
- Ships
- 1 ship: m/s Paul Gauguin ("The Gauguin"), 330 guestsPer cruise line
- Newest ship
- m/s Paul Gauguin (built 1997; refurbished in a seven-week Singapore drydock, back in service April 1, 2025)Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- m/s Paul Gauguin (single ship; built 1997 at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire)
Where they sail
Learn these regions
Last full review: 5 Oct 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.