Value is the question I get most, because French Polynesia is not a cheap place to visit any way you do it. What I like about the all-inclusive model on the Paul Gauguin is that it makes the cost legible before you go rather than after. Meals, wine and spirits with them, and many onboard activities sit inside the fare, so the daily surprises that inflate a land trip mostly disappear. That said, all-inclusive does not mean every-single-thing, and I would rather be clear about that. Here is how I help clients judge whether the math works for them.
What's in the Fare
The fare covers your cabin, dining across all three restaurants, wine and spirits served with meals, and use of the watersports marina with its kayaks and paddleboards. Onboard entertainment and the cultural program with Les Gauguines are included too. For a region where a single nice dinner and a lagoon tour can add up fast, bundling those into one price genuinely simplifies budgeting.
Where People Still Spend
I am upfront that some things sit outside the fare. Many shore excursions, spa treatments, premium wines, and the usual incidentals are extra, and gratuities and airfare are their own line. None of that makes the model dishonest; it just means you should plan a cushion for the excursions you really want rather than assuming they are all covered.
Doing the Math Against a Land Trip
When clients compare the fare to a do-it-yourself land trip, the cruise often holds up well once you add the hotels, inter-island flights, transfers, and restaurant meals a land itinerary needs. You also unpack once. I never push a number, because prices and packages shift; I help you build a realistic side-by-side using current quotes so the decision is yours.
Frequently asked questions
Does all-inclusive cover shore excursions?
Usually not. Most shore excursions are booked and paid separately, so I tell clients to budget for the two or three they care about most. Watersports off the ship's marina are included.
Are drinks really included?
Wine and spirits served with meals are part of the fare, as are many bar offerings. Premium and reserve selections can cost extra.
Is the cruise better value than a land trip?
It often compares well once you tally the flights, hotels, transfers, and meals a land trip in French Polynesia requires. I can help you run an honest comparison with live pricing.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.