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- An escapade in the heart of Melanesia
An escapade in the heart of Melanesia, 29 March 2027
17 nights
Paul Gauguin
29 Mar '27Cruise overview
Leaving from Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory, PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises is offering a unique 18-day journey featuring idyllic landscapes, lush nature and ancestral civilisations with secular traditions. Aboard Le Paul Gauguin, a ship with a decidedly relaxed and international atmosphere, set off to discover the ancestral lands of Australia and four Melanesian treasures: Papua New Guinea, the Vanuatu archipelago, the Solomons and the Fiji Islands.
On cosmopolitan Thursday Island, in the far north of the Australian territory, make the most of a visit to discover the history of this part of the Pacific during the Second World War. The Paul Gauguin will set sail for Papua New Guinea, a fascinating land that is home to no fewer than 700 ethnic groups within a highly diverse yet mainly unexplored, ecosystem.
Setting sail for the Salomon Islands! You will stop over in Honiara on the large island of Guadalcanal, where exoticism and beauty go hand in hand, from paradisiacal waterfalls to lush green hills.
Then, the Paul Gauguin sails towards heavenly lands, where white sandy beaches encircle luxuriant forests with unique ecosystems, and legends and myths remain engraved in memories and traditions… In Port-Vila, capital of Vanuatu, you will relish the unforgettable sight of magnificent bays, a colonial heritage, paradise beaches and enchanting waterfalls. In Espiritu Santo, the archipelago’s main island, you are sure to be captivated by the unspoilt seabed surrounding this luxuriant islet.
Itinerary
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is Australia’s most colorful, and exotic, capital city. Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise waters of the Timor Sea, the streets are lined with tropical flowers and trees. Warm and dry in winter, hot and steamy in summer, it’s a relaxed and casual place, as well as a beguiling blend of tropical frontier outpost and Outback hardiness. Thanks to its close proximity to Southeast Asia and its multicultural population it also seems more like Asia than the rest of Australia. Darwin is a city that has always had to fight for its survival. The seductiveness of contemporary Darwin lifestyles belies a history of failed attempts that date from 1824 when Europeans attempted to establish an enclave in this harsh, unyielding climate. The original 1869 settlement, called Palmerston, was built on a parcel of mangrove wetlands and scrub forest that had changed little in 15 million years. It was not until 1911, after it had already weathered the disastrous cyclones of 1878, 1882, and 1897, that the town was named after the scientist who had visited Australia’s shores aboard the Beagle in 1839. During World War II it was bombed more than 60 times, as the harbor full of warships was a prime target for the Japanese war planes. Then, on the night of Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, Australia’s greatest natural disaster. It’s a tribute to those who stayed and to those who have come to live here after Tracy that the rebuilt city now thrives as an administrative and commercial center for northern Australia. Old Darwin has been replaced by something of an edifice complex—such buildings as Parliament House and the Supreme Court all seem very grand for such a small city, especially one that prides itself on its casual, outdoor-centric lifestyle. Today Darwin is the best place from which to explore Australia’s Top End, with its wonders of Kakadu and the Kimberley region.
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At sea
At sea
Thursday Island, Queensland
At sea
Alotau
Samarai Island
At sea
Honiara, Guadalcanal Island
Honiara, Guadalcanal Island
At sea
At sea
At sea
Port Vila
At sea
At sea
At sea
Lautoka
Balcony Staterooms
Ocean-view accommodation with private balcony and seating area.
Amenities
- Queen or Twin Configuration
- Sofa Bed
- Lounge Area
- Bath
- Toiletries Provided
- Free Mini Bar
- TV
- Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
Owner's Suite
Expansive suite with large living area, dining space, and oversized balcony.
- Queen or Twin Configuration
- Sofa Bed
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Bath
- Toiletries Provided
- Room Service Available
- Suite Benefits
- Free Mini Bar
- Butler Service
- TV
- Free Wi-Fi
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
Veranda Suite (A)
Spacious suite with veranda, separate sitting area, and walk-in wardrobe.
- Queen or Twin Configuration
- Sofa Bed
- Lounge Area
- Shower
- Bath
- Toiletries Provided
- Room Service Available
- Suite Benefits
- Free Mini Bar
- Butler Service
- TV
- Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
Veranda Stateroom (B)
Ocean-view accommodation with private balcony and seating area.
- Queen or Twin Configuration
- Sofa Bed
- Lounge Area
- Bath
- Toiletries Provided
- Free Mini Bar
- Butler Service
- TV
- Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
Balcony Staterooms
Ocean-view accommodation with private balcony and seating area.
- Queen or Twin Configuration
- Sofa Bed
- Lounge Area
- Bath
- Toiletries Provided
- Free Mini Bar
- TV
- Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
Deck 9
- Sun Deck
- Bar Du Soleil
Deck 8
- Grand Suite
- Veranda Staterooms
- Pool Bar
- Pool
- Le Grill
- La Palette Lounge
Deck 7
- Owner’s Suite
- Veranda Suites
- Veranda Staterooms
- Balcony Staterooms
- Captain’s Reception Lounge
- Bridge
Deck 6
- Balcony Staterooms
- Promenade
- Spa
- Fitness Centre
- La Boutique
- Fare Tahiti Digital Museum
- La Veranda Restaurant
Deck 5
- L’Etoile Restaurant
- Photo Studio
- Photobooth
- Piano Bar
- Reading Nook
- Le Grand Salon
Deck 4
- Window Staterooms
- Reception
- Travel Desk
- Office
- Dive Desk
- Marina Access
Deck 3
- Porthole Staterooms
- Hospital
- Pharmacy
- Stairs to Marina Deck
Ship features
M/S Paul Gauguin captures the essence of South Pacific cruising with luxurious accommodation, exceptional cuisine, and a warm, welcoming spirit.
- 330-guest capacity for intimate, all-inclusive voyages
- Dedicated to French Polynesia and the South Pacific
- Water sports marina for kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling
- Three restaurants offering gourmet, regionally inspired cuisine
- Spacious suites and staterooms, many with private balconies
- Signature Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins Polynesian hosts onboard
- Elegant spa, fitness centre, and outdoor pool
- Open-seating dining with all beverages included
- Expert-led enrichment lectures and cultural activities
- All-inclusive fares covering dining, drinks, and gratuities
Accommodation
Accommodation
All 165 staterooms and suites aboard M/S Paul Gauguin are ocean-facing, with over 70% featuring private balconies. Interiors combine French sophistication with Polynesian warmth, offering plush bedding, L’Occitane amenities, and modern conveniences. Suites add butler service, expanded living space, and prime locations for uninterrupted lagoon views, while all guests enjoy attentive service and thoughtful design throughout.
Dining
Dining
Dining on M/S Paul Gauguin celebrates the flavours of the South Pacific through world-class cuisine and fine wines. The main restaurant, L’Etoile, offers French-inspired dishes in an elegant setting, while La Veranda provides gourmet dining with sweeping ocean views. Le Grill, located poolside, offers casual breakfasts, themed lunches, and romantic al fresco dinners under the stars. Menus are designed by award-winning chefs, complemented by an extensive selection of wines and beverages, all included.
Amenities
Amenities
Facilities include a spacious outdoor pool and sun deck, a marina platform for direct water access, a boutique, fitness centre, and the luxurious Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm. Guests can borrow snorkelling gear or enjoy water sports directly from the ship, while lounges and bars provide relaxed settings for cocktails and live music.
Wellness
Wellness
The Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm offers a full menu of massages, facials, and body treatments inspired by Polynesian tradition. Couples’ treatments, aromatherapy rituals, and ocean-view massage rooms create a soothing sanctuary for mind and body.
Entertainment
Entertainment
Evenings are filled with live performances, Polynesian music and dance, and open-air movie nights beneath the stars. The onboard troupe, Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, host cultural shows and storytelling sessions that celebrate island heritage. Enrichment lectures and photography workshops add depth to each voyage.
Families
Families
M/S Paul Gauguin welcomes families on select sailings with the Moana Explorer Programme, offering educational activities for children and teenagers. Hosted by local naturalists, these hands-on sessions connect younger guests with the marine life, ecosystems, and culture of the South Pacific.