TOP 9 FAQs
Pacific Beachcomber is one of the major players in the Polynesian tourism industry, with 25 years of experience in the French Polynesia market. In addition to Paul Gauguin Cruises, the company owns four InterContinental hotels in French Polynesia and owns and manages the Maitai Hotel on Bora Bora.
Pacific Beachcomber is very excited about prospects for Paul Gauguin Cruises and the m/s Paul Gauguin and definitely plans to expand our business. We have acquired a new ship which is planned to sail in late 2012.We will notify our travel partners of the details as they unfold.
InterContinental Hotels is an international hotel company with seven hotel brands, serving 180 million guests a year in nearly 4,400 hotels across nearly 100 countries. The company’s roots reach back as far as 1777. The InterContinental Hotel Company was acquired by Bass in 1998 and became a distinct, discrete company listed on U.S. and U.K. stock exchanges on April 15, 2003.
Other than our name, nothing has changed or will change in the level of superb luxury, quality, service, staffing, and value that made the m/s Paul Gauguin one of the top three small luxury cruise ships of 2009, according to readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
The m/s Paul Gauguin underwent a 7 million-dollar refurbishment in January 2012. The refurbishment included new décor, new flooring, carpeting, elegant new furniture, new window treatments, and decorative wall panels. New furnishings and lighting were installed in the ship’s elegant dining areas.
Le Casino got a new built-in banquette and expanded gaming.
The ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art communication system. An Internet Center is centrally located with seven computers. In addition, guests can take advantage of WiFi Hot Spots in the Piano Bar, La Palette, Pool Deck, Pool Bar, all suites on Deck 8, and all suites/staterooms on Deck 7 from 701 to 726.
Internet access is available for a nominal fee. After a one-time account activation fee of $3.95, applicable to all users at first login, guests may choose from the following three plans:
• Time Plan #1: $62.50 for 250 minutes ($0.25 per minute)
• Time Plan #2: $35 for 100 minutes ($0.35 per minute)
• Pay As You Go: $0.55 per minute
Please note that plan upgrades are not available, and no credit is given for unused minutes. The Internet Café is open 24 hours. Pay-as-you-go is available until 10:00 p.m. the last night of the cruise. Time Plan minutes can be used until 10:00 a.m. the following day.
To find departures dates and prices online at
www.pgcruises.com, go to the “Destinations” main tab. Select the destination you are interested in, then the “Itinerary”, then click on the “Dates and Fares” tab. You will find all the dates for that itinerary and the prices by cabin category.
Other major cruise lines have many years of experience building agency files. Since Paul Gauguin Cruises is a new cruise line, agencies must do a one-time registration so we can comply with federal guidelines on commission payments.
As published in our brochure, preliminary flight schedules will be made available 60 days prior to sailing. This is due to schedule changes. We regret that we can’t provide flight schedules earlier.
GENERAL
Please visit our
Destinations section for detailed information on our available itineraries.
To plan and book your sailing, Paul Gauguin Cruises strongly recommends the services of your professional travel agent, who is best qualified to assist you with all your travel needs.
Yes. Your all-inclusive fare includes select wines and spirits. Only premium liquors, specialty wines, and Cognac incur an additional charge.
Our Ambassadors of the Environment program, created in collaboration with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, introduces participants aged 9 to 17 to the extraordinary ecological wonders of Tahiti and French Polynesia. Young Ambassadors will explore coral reefs, hike rain forest trails, and visit ancient Polynesian temples. Please ask your travel professional for details.
It depends on the dive. Both single- and double-tank excursions may be available, depending on your itinerary.
No, guests must provide their own wheelchair. PGC wheelchairs are exclusively for use in emergencies.
You can order red wine, white wine, Champagne, Leonidas Belgian chocolates, and chocolate- dipped strawberries
A deposit of 20% of the per person fare is required within 72 hours of reservation to confirm a booking.
Costs vary according to whether guests want a pressing only, laundry and pressing, or dry cleaning and pressing. For gentlemen, prices range as follows:
• Pressing: from $2 for a T-shirt to $8 for a 3-piece tuxedo
• Laundry and pressing: from $2 for a swimsuit to $9 for a 2-piece suit
• Dry cleaning and pressing: from $3 for an undershirt to $14 for a 3-piece tuxedo
For ladies, prices range as follows:
• Pressing: from $2 for a T-shirt to $8 for a 3-piece suit
• Laundry and pressing: from $2 for a swimsuit or stockings/pantyhose to $11 for a 3-piece suit
• Dry cleaning and pressing: from $2.50 for socks to $14.50 for a 3-piece suit or evening dress
A full price list is available onboard.
For safety reasons, irons, including travel irons, are not permitted onboard. Pressing services are available for a nominal fee.
There is plenty of entertainment available on board including in the Piano Bar, La Palette, Grand Salon, and Poolside.
French Polynesian Francs are available from the Purser's Office.
Yes, the ship arrives in Papeete at 1900HR.
Air Tahiti Nui.
Collared shirts are fine for men, polo or golf; a jacket is optional for the Captain's Welcome Reception. Men can wear golf shirts in the dining room. No T-shirts, shorts, or flip-flops are allowed in the dining room, please.
Passports are the only requirement for passengers from the US, Canada, and European countries. Passengers from other countries should inquire with relevant authorities or a visa service company. Consult your healthcare professional for any inoculations you may require, or contact the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) toll-free at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or online at www.cdc.gov/travel.
10:00 pm.
3:00 pm.
Lagoons offer more privacy and are farther from the main property.
Yes, if you provide us with your flight arrival information.
Fiji Dollar (FJD)
French Polynesia French Pacific Franc (XPF)
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Tonga Pa’anga (TOP)
Children under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult over the age of 21. PGC may restrict the number of children on board. PGC is unable to accommodate infants less than one year of age.
No, but they are reasonably priced. The only included shore excursions are Motu Mahana and Bora Bora Motu.
In light of continuing legislative changes in smoking policies around the world as well as the comfort, health and safety of our guests and crew, both in terms of the proven dangers of second hand smoke and the fire hazard that smoking presents, smoking is prohibited in all suites, staterooms and balconies.
In addition, cigarette smoking is not permitted in any enclosed dining areas, whether it be the ship’s main dining room or the alternate dining venues. Cigarette smoking is only permitted in designated areas of the outdoor Le Grill. Other than open deck areas, the only public rooms or areas where cigarette smoking is permitted are La Palette (outside area only), Le Grill (designated area), and the Pool Bar.
Yes, but for an additional fee.
“Open seating” means you can dine whenever, wherever and with whomever you choose during regular dining hours.
Yes, snorkel gear is complimentary for the duration of the cruise. You pick up the gear on Day 1.
Pregnant women should consult with their doctor prior to sailing with Paul Gauguin Cruises as we cannot offer pre-natal care on board. Paul Gauguin Cruises will not accept any guest 6 months (24 weeks) or more into pregnancy at the time of sailing due to the lack of neo-natal care facilities on board.
Pregnant guests under six months (24 weeks) must provide PGC with a written doctor’s permission prior to sailing that states she is fit to travel by sea and air (if PGC booked their air). This must be forwarded to Reservations, Attn: Special Requests-Medical at 1 (425) 732-7198. On the fax, please reference the Guest’s name, ship name and sailing date. This permission must be dated within 30 days of the cruise departure date.
The Master in conjunction with the Ship’s Doctor has the right to deny boarding if in his professional opinion there may not be adequate shore side medical facilities available in port during their cruise.
The standard electrical voltage aboard ship is 220 volts. Both 220-volt and 110-volt outlets are available in bathrooms and staterooms.
Yes. You may book a cruise online. My Account also provides the ability to purchase shore excursions, as well as a host of other features.
Butler service is available in stateroom categories B and above. One to two butlers are always available to assist with unpacking, packing, arranging excursions, and delivering Petit Fours and canapés to your cabin daily
Paul Gauguin Cruises has an advanced cellular network installed onboard our ship allowing guests to place and receive calls using their personal mobile phones when the ship is in international waters. In order to take advantage of this service guests’ mobile phone must be able to roam internationally and their provider must have a roaming agreement with Maritime Communications Partner AS (MCP). A list of roaming partners can be found online at www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/roa_xwmc.shtml. Not all prepaid phones are supported. BlackBerry’s and other mobile data services may continue to receive messages while roaming on the ship’s network. For questions about services or about pricing and billing, guests should contact their mobile phone provider’s customer service department prior to sailing. There are no charges from Paul Gauguin Cruises for this service.
No, the Saturday Air Tahiti Nui flight arrives in time for embarkation.
Yes, you can send messages to current guests of the m/s
Paul Gauguin using the
guest contact form.
Guests can enjoy complimentary windsurfing, and kayaking from the onboard watersports marina as follows:
One windsurf board is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Out of fairness to all our guests, rides are limited to 30 minutes each. The m/s Paul Gauguin has six kayaks aboard the watersports marina—four with double seating and two with single seating. Kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a 30-minute maximum per ride. Kayaks are restricted to the area within sight of the marina, and snorkeling or swimming from kayaks is prohibited.
TAHITI MARRIAGE
Yes. To access our marriage in Tahiti section including all the information you need regarding legal documents,
click here.
BEFORE YOU SAIL
After receipt of final payment and required guest information, cruise documents will be sent to you approximately twenty five days prior to your departure. If you are on a PGC air/sea program, your flight itinerary will be issued wherever possible in the form of e-tickets. Airlines have mandated that all travel agencies and cruise lines issue e-tickets on all e-ticket eligible itineraries. If passengers require a paper ticket on an e-ticket eligible itinerary, airline fees will be assessed.
Attire ranges from casual to Country Club Casual. Casual wear is appropriate for daytime on board or ashore, and consists of resort-style outfits. Casual wear, including shorts and jeans, is not considered appropriate after 6:00 p.m. Evening attire is Country Club Casual, which consists of skirt or slacks with a blouse or sweater for women, and slacks and collared shirts or polo shirts for men.
The amount of personal baggage allowed on the m/s Paul Gauguin is not limited, but airlines do have limitations. The customary allowance per person is two checked pieces that must not exceed 107 inches (273 cm) when length, height and width measurements are combined. No single piece may exceed the three-dimensional sum of 62 inches (158 cm) and a weight of 70 lbs. (31.75 kg).
At time of final payment, 90 days prior to sailing, all air records must be finalized with: Travelers name as it appears in passport, date of birth and gender. Our air program requires we issue airline tickets at 75 days prior to the travel date. If we do not have this information at the time of final payment (90 days out), guests could be liable for obtaining their own flight arrangements and subsequently be responsible for the cost of their air travel.
Please advise the Paul Gauguin Cruises reservations department of any special dietary requirements you may have at least 60 days prior to sailing. Ask for “special services”. General dietary needs such as low salt or low cholesterol foods can be satisfied onboard the ship just by speaking with the dining wait staff.
If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or other special occasion during your cruise, allow us to celebrate with you by having your travel consultant advise us on your Guest Information Form of such occasions between four and six weeks prior to departure.
ARRIVING & DEPARTING
Air transportation is based on Economy/Coach or similar class of service on scheduled or charter services of IATA, U.S. or international air carriers. Designated air departure or return cities are at the discretion of PGC and are subject to change without notice. PGC reserves the right to choose the air carrier, routing and scheduling to and from each city and the right to substitute charter flights for scheduled air and vice versa. Service is subject to availability.
Airline tickets issued by PGC are restricted by contract and may not be reissued or exchanged for another air carrier or routing. In addition the airline tickets are non transferable to another guest. Cancellation or rebooking charges may be assessed by the airline for any changes which are the sole responsibility of the guest.
Advance seat selection is subject to the policy of the participating air carrier and may not be available. The service and responsibility of the air carrier used in conjunction with any PGC cruise program is subject to and limited by the "Contact of Carriage" as specified by the air carrier for each ticket issued.
Guests using an Air/Sea Program may upgrade to Business or First Class air service subject to space availability by the airline used in conjunction with the itinerary, and upon payment of the applicable airfare. PGC does not redeem airline accrued frequent flyer mileage for Air/Sea upgrades. The possibility of such redemption is at the sole discretion of the airlines and must be handled directly with the participating carrier.
Upon returning to the United States, all baggage is subject to inspection by U.S. Customs Service. Guests may also be subject to inspection by local customs officials. Residents of the United States are allowed a duty-free exemption of $800 per person and those over the age of 21 may include one liter of liquor and one carton of cigarettes in their exempted purchases.
PGC offers its guests the option to purchase hotel stays or land programs in Bora Bora, Tahiti, Moorea, Taha’a, Huahine, Fiji, and Auckland. You may extend your stay in your port of embarkation or disembarkation in one of the hotels listed
here. Prices include room, tax, service charges, full breakfast, porterage and transfers as applicable. Please note that rates do not include early check-in or late check-out. Official standard check-in time is usually 3:00 pm and check-out time 11:00 am. One night or additional night accommodations may be purchased to ensure early check-in for guests arriving on early flights, or for guests with late flight departures. Paul Gauguin Cruises reserves the right to substitute hotels.
Some optional land programs are subject to cancellation if a minimum number of participants is not achieved. Cancellation penalties apply on land/hotel programs cancelled within 90 days of departure. Guests participating in the PGC Air/Sea Program and not deviating will receive airport transfers to/from the pier or hotel. For guests with independent flight arrangements, a private car transfer from the airport to the pier can be purchased in advance and flight information must be advised at least thirty days prior to departure. We regret that motorcoach transfers cannot be booked pre-cruise for guests with independent flight arrangements.
All post-cruise transfers can only be booked on board at the tour office.
The ship is ready for embarkation at 3pm. Guests are required to embark no later than an hour prior to sailing time. For disembarkation, guests should plan on vacating their suites shortly after the scheduled arrival time into port. Cruise-only guests should not schedule flights prior to four hours after disembarkation.
Outbound mail service and postage are available on board at a nominal charge.
Laundry and valet services, including pressing and dry cleaning, are available with charge and may be arranged through your Stewardess.
Beauty salon services and spa services including manicures, pedicures, facials and a variety of spa treatments are available at our onboard spa. To ensure proper scheduling, these services may not be pre-arranged. However, once on board, the m/s Paul Gauguin’s dedicated staff will make every effort to accommodate your schedule.
A program of shore excursions for the m/s Paul Gauguin’s ports is available for purchase on board. A shore excursion booklet will be sent in advance with final documentation. Paul Gauguin Cruises reserves the right to withdraw any shore excursion or land program if the required minimum passenger number is not met. Cancellation by PGC of any of these programs does not constitute grounds for cancellation of your cruise. Shore excursion program fares are per guest and subject to space availability. Operation of these shore excursions is subject to weather conditions, flight schedule changes and local conditions. Any cruise cancellation penalties remain in effect as per terms and conditions outlined in the cruise brochure.
Gratuities are included in your Paul Gauguin cruise fare. If guests feel strongly about expressing their gratitude to the crew, they should be encouraged to make a donation to the Crew Welfare Fund at the Purser Office. This money is utilized for crew parties and events.
A licensed and registered doctor and nurse are on board and available for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. The ship’s medical center is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents, and is not intended or capable of providing on-going treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. For guests requiring oxygen equipment, an oxygen concentrator is the only form of oxygen equipment allowed aboard ship, and must be provided by the guest. PGC wheelchairs on board are for emergency purposes only.
The Internet Center is centrally-located with seven computers. WiFi Hot spots in the Piano Bar, La Palette, Pool Deck, Pool Bar, all suites deck 8, all suites on deck 7 from 701 to 726. Internet access is available for a nominal fee.
Business equipment is available, including fax machine and copy services. Fax reception is complimentary; fax transmission and ship-to-shore phone calls are available at standard tariffs. For a nominal fee, guests may send or receive e-mail via computers on board.
Each stateroom or suite is equipped with a personal safe. Paul Gauguin Cruises is not responsible for any personal articles such as money, jewelry, cameras, binoculars, documents or any other items, which you retain personally or in your stateroom or suite.
The ship’s boutique offers a selection of designer fashions, perfumes and local items. Toiletries and convenience items are also available for purchase. The boutique may be closed occasionally while in port due to local government regulations.
Nothing beats traveling the world with a group of like-minded companions, sharing discoveries and enjoying great memories for years to come. Create special groups to include:
• Family reunions
• Friends and neighbors
• Senior groups
• Club members
• Church groups
• Alumni groups
• Business associates
• Customer appreciation
CHARTERS & INCENTIVES
None. Paul Gauguin Cruises only has oceanview suites and staterooms, most with private balconies that can be used for private dinning and relaxing. (Please note that furnishings do not include chaise longue chairs.)
Our balconies range in size from197 sq. ft. in our Grand Suite to 37 sq. ft. in our Balcony Staterooms.
Our bathrooms are marble-appointed and have a full-size bathtub with shower. Each bathroom is also supplied with a hair dryer and luxury beauty products that include shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, and bath gel.
Yes, 24-hour room service is complimentary aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin.
Nothing. All shipboard gratuities are included.
Nothing. Soft drinks, mineral water, and wine with dinner are included in our all-inclusive fares. In fact, select fine wines and premium spirits, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea served throughout the ship are all complimentary.
We offer complimentary meeting space rental as well as onboard A/V equipment, charging only a nominal service charge for meeting room set-up and service (based on the number of guests in the meeting). In addition, there is no charge for a hospitality desk area on board, as well as the use of our computer and printer.
Reservations can be made in advance for shore excursions only. Spa and dinner reservations may be made once onboard, subject to availability and capacity constraints.
Yes, an itinerary can be changed, provided that embarkation and debarkation ports remain as published.
Port/governmental fees, handling security, and cruise ship fuel surcharges are additional and are based on the number of guests sailing.
Yes, if you are chartering the ship.
Yes.
We have complimentary collateral materials in the form of blank shells, over-sized postcards, deck plans, and more available on our website. Please
click here to access.
We have complimentary high-resolution images available on our website. Please
click here to access.
Because of our ship’s intimate size, the number of top-end suites is limited. To secure a top-end suite for your VIP, we recommend that the rate for that suite be pro-rated into the group rate.
We have dedicated personnel specially trained to ensure that every aspect of your group is taken care of, from first contact through final billing.
We offer complimentary site inspection of suites/staterooms on a space available basis, as detailed in the group/charter agreement, if the business has been signed and deposited. If not signed and deposited, we offer reduced rates.
Paul Gauguin Cruises offers full, open-seating dining to all guests so they can dine with whom they want, where they want, whenever they want.
Whether yours is a small group or a full-ship charter, you will have the ability to utilize our conference rooms, lounges, and restaurants for your meeting needs.
Yes, all meals are à la carte. Large groups requesting group seating, when available, however, may be limited to a set menu. We are able to create special menus for guests who have food allergies or require a specific diet.