After sailing the m/s Paul Gauguin and booking many other French Polynesia trips for clients, I've learned that luxury on a small ship is less about gold trim and more about what's effortless. This is a vessel of roughly 330 guests where the watersports marina folds down off the stern and the beverages are already included. I tend to judge amenities by how little I have to think about them. By that test, the Paul Gauguin does well. Here's what actually matters once you're aboard.
Dining: three restaurants, no surcharge
The ship carries three venues: L'Etoile for French cuisine, La Veranda for Polynesian dishes and local fish, and the casual open-air Le Grill. None of them carry a cover charge, which on a small ship means you can eat where the mood takes you without booking weeks ahead. I'm partial to La Veranda's local fish after a day in the islands. The kitchen sources Tahitian ingredients where it can, so the menus actually reflect where you are.
The stern marina and watersports
The amenity I point clients to first is the retractable marina off the stern. When conditions allow, it opens straight onto the water for kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling, with gear provided. For a ship this size that's a genuine differentiator, because you're in the lagoon within minutes rather than waiting on a shore tender. Combined with the private-island day at Motu Mahana off Taha'a, it makes the ship feel built for the water rather than just floating above it.What's included, and the quiet touches
Beverages, gratuities, and the cultural programming aboard are part of the fare, which removes the constant tallying that wears on you elsewhere. The all-suite-leaning cabins, the Tahitian hosts known as Les Gauguines, and the unhurried pace round out a ship that feels personal. I'd describe the style as relaxed refinement rather than formal grandeur. If you want a small ship where the extras are handled and the focus stays on the islands, this is the amenity set to beat in French Polynesia.
Frequently asked questions
Are drinks and gratuities included on the Paul Gauguin?
Generally yes; the fare is largely all-inclusive, covering beverages, gratuities, and onboard cultural activities. Shore excursions and some premium items cost extra, so confirm current inclusions when you book.
How many restaurants are there?
Three: L'Etoile for French cuisine, La Veranda for Polynesian and local fish, and Le Grill for casual open-air dining. None carry a cover charge.
What makes the ship's amenities different from larger luxury lines?
The intimate scale of about 330 guests, the stern watersports marina, and the deeply Polynesian onboard culture. It trades big-ship variety for a more personal, place-rooted experience.
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