Honeymoons are the trips couples remember in detail, so I take planning them seriously. A Paul Gauguin sailing suits a lot of couples because the ship is small — about 330 guests — and it reaches Bora Bora, Moorea and Taha'a without the crowds. I've helped plenty of newlyweds shape these trips, and a few choices make the real difference. Here's how I'd approach yours.
Choosing your islands
For most couples I build the trip around Bora Bora and Moorea, with Taha'a's Motu Mahana for a private beach day. Bora Bora delivers the famous lagoon and the sunsets; Moorea is greener and quieter, good for a hike or a slow morning. You don't need to see everything — two or three islands done well beats a rushed loop.
The romantic touches worth booking
A private dinner on your balcony, a couples' spa treatment, or being on deck as the ship leaves an anchorage at sunset are the extras I'd actually spend on. Ask about honeymoon arrangements when you book — small things like that are easier to set up in advance than once you're aboard. They aren't essential, but they're the moments couples tell me about afterwards.
What I'd skip
Don't over-schedule. Couples who book an excursion at every port come home tired, which is the opposite of a honeymoon. Keep a sea day or two with nothing planned, sleep in, and use the ship's marina off the stern for a swim. The honeymoon memories couples keep tend to be the unhurried ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Paul Gauguin good for honeymooners?
I think so. At about 330 guests it's intimate, and it reaches Bora Bora, Moorea and Taha'a, which are the islands most couples already have in mind.
Which islands are most romantic?
Bora Bora for its lagoon and sunsets, Moorea for green quiet, and Taha'a's private motu for a beach day. Two or three beats rushing them all.
Can we arrange special honeymoon touches?
Yes — private dinners, spa treatments and the like. Ask when you book so the staff can set them up in advance rather than on the day.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.