The Paul Gauguin cruise ship is designed for travellers who want French Polynesia and the South Pacific by small ship, without the scale or pace of a large resort vessel.
The m/s Paul Gauguin carries about 330 guests — small enough to reach the lagoons and motus that larger ships cannot.
The m/s Paul Gauguin is the ship used by Paul Gauguin Cruises for its Tahiti and South Pacific voyages. It is known for small-ship cruising, oceanview accommodations, many balcony staterooms, a watersports focus, Polynesian cultural elements and itineraries that are built around the islands rather than the ship itself.
PaulGauguin.ca is operated by Far & Away Adventures as a specialist booking resource. We sell Paul Gauguin Cruises and help travellers choose the right sailing, stateroom and travel plan. We are not Paul Gauguin Cruises and we do not operate the ship.
Why the Ship Matters
The ship is an important part of the trip, but it should not be judged the same way as a large mainstream cruise ship.
On a large ship, travellers often compare the number of restaurants, shows, lounges, pools and onboard attractions. With the m/s Paul Gauguin, the decision is different. The question is whether the ship is the right platform for seeing Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Taha’a, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, the Cook Islands or the wider South Pacific.
For many travellers, the answer is yes because the ship simplifies the region. You unpack once, travel between islands overnight or during the cruise, and avoid building every hotel, ferry, domestic flight and transfer separately.
That simplicity is one of the main reasons people choose Paul Gauguin Cruises.
What the Ship Does Well
The m/s Paul Gauguin works well for travellers who want comfort, smaller scale and strong destination focus.
The ship is a good fit if you want:
- A smaller ship instead of a large cruise vessel
- French Polynesia and South Pacific-focused itineraries
- A relaxed onboard atmosphere
- Oceanview accommodation
- The option of a balcony or suite
- Dining and service without a crowded resort-ship feel
- Easier movement between islands
- A cruise that can pair well with a resort stay before or after
It is especially useful for travellers who want to see more than one island but do not want the extra logistics of a fully land-based itinerary.
Who May Prefer Another Option
The m/s Paul Gauguin is not the right ship for every traveller.
It may not suit you if you want a casino, huge nightlife, waterslides, large production shows, dozens of dining venues or the lowest possible price for a South Pacific trip.
It may also not be the right choice if your main dream is to spend every night in an overwater bungalow. In that case, a land-based Moorea or Bora Bora stay, or a cruise-plus-resort combination, may be better.
The best recommendation depends on the trip you want, not just the cruise product.
How to Use This Ship Section
The ship pages on PaulGauguin.ca are designed to help you make practical booking decisions.
Start here:
- Deck Plans: /ship/deck-plans/
- Cabins & Suites: /ship/cabins-suites/
- Best Cabins: /ship/best-cabins/
- Dining: /ship/dining/
- Life Onboard: /ship/life-onboard/
- Motu Mahana: /ship/motu-mahana/
- Watersports & Marina: /ship/watersports-marina/
- Dress Code: /ship/dress-code/
- Wi-Fi & Internet: /ship/wifi-internet/
The most important pages for most travellers are cabins, deck plans and itineraries. Once those are clear, dining, dress code, Wi-Fi and onboard life become easier to evaluate.
Booking Advice from Our Specialists
We do not recommend choosing a Paul Gauguin cruise by ship description alone.
Before requesting a quote, think about:
- Which itinerary fits your trip best
- Whether Bora Bora, Moorea or Motu Mahana are priorities
- How long you can be away
- Whether a balcony is worth it for your sailing
- Whether motion sensitivity affects cabin choice
- Whether you want a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay
- Which flights work from your gateway
- Whether current inclusions, offers or resident rates apply
A good booking request gives us enough information to compare the whole trip, not just one cabin on one sailing.
Is the Paul Gauguin cruise ship small?
Yes. The m/s Paul Gauguin is a small luxury ship compared with mainstream ocean cruise ships. Its size is part of the appeal for French Polynesia and South Pacific itineraries.
Is the ship good for first-time cruisers?
It can be. Many travellers who are not typical “cruise people” like the ship because the focus is on the islands, not on a large cruise-ship environment.
Is the ship good for honeymoons?
Yes, for couples who want several islands in one trip. Couples who want to spend most of their time in one overwater bungalow may prefer a land stay or a cruise-plus-resort combination.
Should I choose the ship or itinerary first?
Choose the itinerary first. The ship is important, but the islands, duration and route usually shape the trip more than any single onboard feature.
For official destination information, see Tahiti Tourisme.