Paul Gauguin Charter & Incentive Sales - OCTOBER 21, 2009
PAUL GAUGUIN 2010 FRENCH POLYNESIA & SOUTH PACIFIC ITINERARIES AND DEPARTURE DATES ANNOUNCED
FT. LAUDERDALE - October 21, 2008 - Roy Grimsland, Executive Vice President, Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited, today announced Paul Gauguin's 2010 South Pacific and French Polynesia itineraries and departure dates for charter and incentive sales. Rates will be held at 2009 prices for bookings made by December 31, 2008. The five-plus-star, 332-passenger Paul Gauguin is the region's longest continually operating luxury ship: between the ship's inaugural sailing in 1998 and the beginning of 2010, Paul Gauguin will have completed more than 500 South Pacific cruises and served more than 140,000 guests. No other luxury ship in history has offered this kind of single-destination deployment on a year-round basis for such an extended period of time.
“There's something magical about French Polynesia, and Paul Gauguin's size, elegance and all ocean-view accommodations make this ship the best way to explore it,” said Grimsland. “Intimate and luxurious, with one of the highest staff to guest ratios, Paul Gauguin offers friendly, personalized care with no crowds and no lines and water-based options not available on larger ships. Because of the ship's size, Paul Gauguin can sail Tahitian lagoons that larger ships cannot enter, creating intimate, private, exclusive opportunities to explore the South Pacific waters. We are delighted to provide flexible itineraries in 2010 and beyond that showcase the natural beauty and wonder of this special part of the world.”
In 2010, Paul Gauguin will offer its signature seven-night cruises to the Society Islands plus a range of longer cruises throughout the South Pacific. The seven-night cruises operate year-round and depart from Papeete to Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora and Moorea. Itineraries include a day exploring Paul Gauguin's private island retreat of Motu Mahana, an islet off of Taha'a, where guests will enjoy a magnificent barbeque lunch, Polynesian entertainment, cool breezes and crystal waters, and overnight stays at the majestic islands of Moorea and Bora Bora, where Paul Gauguin offers a private beach. In addition to the Society Island itineraries, Paul Gauguin offers several 9-to-17-night cruises visiting Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Australia, Cook Islands, Marquesas, Tuamotus, Australs, and the Society Islands.
The ship is perfectly suited to the balmy days, sultry nights and inspiring panoramas of the South Pacific. The ship's spacious public rooms and informal but luxurious environment evoke Tahiti's tranquil atmosphere, and the friendly onboard staff reflects the warm and welcoming nature of the French Polynesian people. Paul Gauguin offers several options of suites and staterooms-all with ocean views and more than two-thirds with private balconies. The recently announced $6 million dry dock in January-February 2009 includes adding balconies to the 26 category D staterooms, thereby increasing availability of the ever-popular balcony accommodations on board. Dining options include two restaurants and an outdoor grill, single, open-seating dining, and 24-hour room service, plus complimentary select wines and spirits and all non-alcoholic beverages. All shipboard gratuities are included.
Activities and entertainment include guest lectures; complimentary water skiing, windsurfing, and kayaking off the state-of-the art retractable water sports platform; complimentary snorkeling gear; an optional PADI scuba dive and certification program; an award-winning, full service spa; a fully equipped fitness center; and more. Paul Gauguin has its own troupe of Polynesian hostesses, dancers and entertainers called Les Gauguines, and there's Le Grand Salon for live entertainment, lectures and meetings, a lounge and disco, piano bar, and small casino.
Every ocean-view suite and stateroom features a queen-sized bed (a limited number of which can have twin bed configuration), a spacious bath with full-size tub (select staterooms offer shower only), hair dryer, TV, personal safe, telephone, individual temperature control, and a refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily. All of the suites and Veranda staterooms (categories OS - B) feature Butler service and an in-suite bar setup.
Paul Gauguin has received myriad awards and recognition for excellence, including Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards for “Best Luxury Cruise” (2007, 2006, 2005, 2004); Condé Nast Traveler readers awards for “Highest-Ranked Small Ship Luxury Cruise Ship” (2008) and one of the “World's Top Rated Small Ships” (10 years in a row, since 1998); Cruise Critic Editor's Pick for “Top Luxury Cruise” (2004) and “Top Romantic Ship” (2008, 2004); Porthole Readers' Choice Awards for “Best South Pacific Itinerary” (2007, 2006); and others.
For 2010 Charter & Incentive pricing, departures, and booking information, please contact: Mike Beale, Vice President Charter & Incentive Sales, at mbeale@pgcruises.com, or call 1-866-939-7285.
About Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship is 513 feet long, 71 feet wide and has a draft of 16.9 feet. The ship can accommodate 332 passengers with a staff of 215, one of the highest guest-per-staff ratios at sea (1.5:1). By 2010, Paul Gauguin will have undergone more than $25M in refurbishments since its inaugural sail in 1998, including the planned 2009 refit.