What struck me most about the m/s Paul Gauguin wasn't any single amenity, but how well they fit a ship of about 330 guests. Nothing felt oversized or impersonal. You eat well, you can drop straight into the water off the back of the ship, and the cultural life onboard feels genuine rather than staged. In this guide I'll cover the dining, the watersports setup, and the human side of the experience, so you know what your days actually look like once you're aboard.
Dining across three restaurants
For a small ship, the dining range is generous. L'Etoile handles the French side of the menu, La Veranda leans into Polynesian dishes and local fish, and Le Grill is the easygoing open-air option, ideal after a morning in the water. Because there are only a few hundred guests, you are not fighting for tables, and the crew quickly learns how you like things. Menus evolve, so treat specific dishes as a guide rather than a guarantee, but the breadth of choice for a ship this size is real.
The marina and time in the water
My favorite feature is the marina that folds out from the stern. When the ship is at anchor, you can step almost directly into the lagoon for swimming, kayaking, and other watersports without a long shore transfer. In a region built around its water, that easy access changes how you spend your days. Pair it with a stop at the private island of Motu Mahana off Taha'a, and a good chunk of the trip is simply you and the lagoon.
The cultural side onboard
The amenity that stays with people isn't a facility at all; it's Les Gauguines, the Tahitian hosts who share music, dance, and stories throughout the sailing. They give the ship a sense of place that a pool deck never could. Add in the relaxed daytime dress code, attentive service from a crew that recognizes you within a day or two, and the open decks, and the onboard experience feels less like a big resort and more like traveling with people who know the islands.
Frequently asked questions
How many restaurants are on the ship?
Three: L'Etoile for French cuisine, La Veranda for Polynesian dishes and local fish, and the open-air Le Grill. For a ship of about 330 guests, that's a good spread.
Can I get in the water directly from the ship?
Yes. A marina folds out from the stern when the ship is at anchor, so you can swim, kayak, and do watersports without a shore transfer.
Who are Les Gauguines?
They're the Tahitian hosts onboard who share music, dance, and local culture throughout the cruise. They're a big part of what gives the ship its sense of place.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.