The first time I sailed the m/s Paul Gauguin, it was a Gauguine who taught me to tie a pareo properly on the pool deck, laughing at my first three attempts. The Gauguines are the ship's Tahitian hosts, a small group of local women who join the roughly 330 guests for the whole voyage. They aren't a stage act you watch once; they're the people teaching ukulele, leading the language sessions, and dancing on Motu Mahana off Taha'a. I tell clients they are the reason this ship feels Polynesian rather than just a hotel that floats. Here's what they actually do, from someone who has sailed with them.
Who the Gauguines are
The Gauguines are Tahitian women hired as cultural ambassadors, not performers brought in for a single show. They live aboard alongside guests for the length of the sailing, so by day three you know them by name and they know yours. They speak French, Tahitian and English, and they move between the lounge, the pool deck and the private island, weaving in songs and stories as the days go. That continuity is the whole point — the culture arrives through people you actually get to know.
What they teach
On a typical sailing you can learn a few words of Tahitian, try your hand at weaving a palm-frond basket, pick up basic ukulele, and join a dance lesson before the evening show. The crafts are simple enough that anyone can join and walk away with something they made. I usually nudge first-timers toward the language session early in the week, because it changes how you hear the music for the rest of the trip.
Where it comes together
The day on Motu Mahana, the line's private islet off Taha'a, is when the Gauguines are at their best — music under the palms, a floating bar in the lagoon, and dancing on the sand. It feels relaxed rather than staged, which is rare. If cultural connection is what you're after, this ship delivers it through real people, year-round, with the drier months from roughly May to October being my pick for the smoothest sea days.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Gauguines professional dancers?
They're Tahitian cultural hosts rather than a hired dance troupe. Some are wonderful dancers, but their role is broader: teaching, translating, leading crafts and joining guests throughout the sailing.
Do I have to take part in the activities?
Not at all. Everything the Gauguines lead is optional. Plenty of guests just enjoy the music and watch, while others join every lesson — both are completely normal.
Is there an extra charge for the cultural programs?
The onboard activities the Gauguines lead are part of the voyage. Specific shore excursions are priced separately and vary, so confirm details when you book.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.