The question I'm asked most before a Paul Gauguin sailing is simply which cabin to book, and my honest answer is that there's no single best one — only the one that fits how you travel. I've stayed aboard this ship and helped plenty of clients pick their room, and the categories run from comfortable ocean-view staterooms up to roomy suites. What matters is whether you'll actually spend time in the cabin or treat it as a place to sleep between dives and shore days. Here's how I sort it.
The cabin categories, plainly
The Paul Gauguin runs from ocean-view staterooms through balcony cabins to the larger suites. The staterooms are genuinely comfortable — a real window, a proper bed, and enough room to settle in. Balcony cabins add private outdoor space, which I think is the single most worthwhile step up on a ship sailing past Bora Bora and Moorea. The suites give you a separate sitting area and more service, and the top categories come with butler attention. It's a boutique ship, so even the entry cabins feel looked-after rather than budget.
Is a balcony worth it here?
In French Polynesia I lean toward yes. You're sailing through scenery you'll want to see in your dressing gown with a coffee, and a balcony lets you do that without going up to the deck. That said, I've had clients who barely touched their balcony because they were always ashore snorkelling or off the watersports marina — for them the extra spend on a window stateroom would have gone further on excursions. Think honestly about your own rhythm before paying for the view.
Where the cabin sits on the ship
Location matters more than the brochure suggests. Higher decks give longer views; mid-ship is steadier if you're sensitive to motion; being near the stairs is handy on a small ship but the walks are short anyway. Fares shift by category, season and how early you book, so I don't quote fixed prices — I check current rates against your dates and tell you where the genuine value sits. Often a mid-category balcony is the sweet spot rather than the very top suite.
Frequently asked questions
Do all cabins on the Paul Gauguin have ocean views?
The cabins are ocean-view across the categories, with balconies appearing as you move up. Layouts and exact inclusions vary by category, so I confirm the specifics for the cabin you're considering.
Is a suite worth the extra cost?
It depends on how much time you'll spend in the cabin. Suites add space, a sitting area and more service; if you're ashore most days, that money may do more on excursions. I'll talk it through against your plans.
How much do the cabins cost?
Fares vary by category, season and how far ahead you book, so I don't give a fixed figure. Send me your dates and I'll confirm current pricing before you decide.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.