December 21, 2023
Gratitude and Reflections
As our 25th Anniversary year draws to a close, we would like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for your loyalty to Paul Gauguin Cruises. Delivering the most authentic experience in French Polynesia is what we are known for; something that would not be possible were it not for our expert crew. They truly are the mana (life force) of The Gauguin Experience, and in this issue of our blog we are pleased to honor their dedicated professionalism including some reflections shared by guests in their own words.
All of us at Paul Gauguin Cruises wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and an enriching new year. Thank you for taking this journey with us. We look forward to seeing you aboard The Gauguin very soon.
Warmest regards,
Your Paul Gauguin Cruises Family
As the destination expert, Paul Gauguin Cruises is proud to escort travelers into the heart of Polynesian culture and beauty on the beautiful m/s Paul Gauguin.
Guests, Crew & Community: An Unbreakable Bond
While it is true that the raison d’être (reason for being) of Paul Gauguin Cruises is to reveal French Polynesia with artful authenticity, what transcends our passion for these islands are the life-long relationships made among our guests, crew, and the locals who have welcomed us so graciously into their communities.
It is the collective sharing in the discovery of the most beautiful place on Earth that makes The Gauguin Experience so special. The feedback we receive from our guests inspires us to constantly fine-tune every aspect of our voyages to keep each journey fresh and exciting.
After 25 years as Tahiti’s leading luxury line, imagine our joy in hearing the following from Mark and Linda Buetzow (Novato, CA) who sailed aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin in her inaugural year and again recently: “We have taken two terrific cruises on the m/s Paul Gauguin. Both experiences were fantastic considering especially the wonderful staff on board, the beautiful ship, and the amazing itineraries. We have gone on many cruise ships all over the world and The Gauguin is our favorite by far.”
The staff and crew of The Gauguin are talented, dedicated, and proud to serve. Their genuine hospitality is reflected in each and every smile.
Albert and Vivien Armea (Floral Park, NY) shared their effusive praise for our dining staff and service overall: “It’s like watching an orchestra playing in harmony when you see your restaurant crew in action. Our experience was amazing in all dining venues. My wife and I have been cruising for a good number of years and the level of service we received on this cruise was outstanding. The crew is like a close-knit, happy family—something we have not seen from other cruise lines.”
The atmosphere aboard The Gauguin is welcoming, lively and very friendly… without missing a beat of exacting, hospitable service.
Emilbert DeLeon (Daly City, CA) told us the crew is the essence of Paul Gauguin Cruises: “Your crew was the heart and soul of the cruise line and made this South Pacific vacation the best,” and Karin Käpplein (Wäghausel, Germany) shared that the staff is “such a great team; we came as strangers and left as friends.”
Destination Authority: For 25 Years and Counting
Bringing the natural beauty and cultural uniqueness of French Polynesia to the forefront of the guest experience is something we have been perfecting for decades with our partners throughout the islands. So, July 29, 2023 marked a very special occasion as country and state officials, tourism leaders, and local business partners joined our guests, PONANT CEO Hervé Gastinel, and Captain Michel Quioc aboard The Gauguin to celebrate our 25th Anniversary.
Captain Michel Quioc honors crew members for their 25 years of exemplary service (L to R): Captain Quioc, Master of The Gauguin; Philip Rizan, Tender Master; Alexander Francisco, Ship’s Printer; Apolinario, Jr., Head Waiter; Virgil Elefane, Ship’s Cook. Not pictured: Jovito Calimlim, Ship’s Cook.
With fireworks crowning a star-lit sky, an evening of cultured entertainment, camaraderie, and nostalgic memories featured a special tribute to the employees who have sailed with us since the beginning.
In collaboration with the French Polynesian government, the “Toate Gauguin” (taote means doctor in Tahitian) medical partnership provides healthcare services to remote islands.
Deepening our commitment to the place we have called home for 25 years, we are proud to have recently launched a healthcare initiative in partnership with the French Polynesian government. In a first for the cruise industry in French Polynesia, the initiative aims to meet the health needs of people in these remote islands in two ways: first, by offering volunteer consultations by the ship’s doctors during scheduled port calls; and second, by providing complimentary transportation aboard The Gauguin to health professionals commissioned by the government to ensure advance specialized consultations.
Looking ahead, The Gauguin will continue to offer more unique itineraries to more boutique ports of call than any other luxury line; always with our guests’ enjoyment and enrichment guiding the discovery on board, on shore, and amidst the dazzling coral reefs and breathtaking lagoons so unique to this region.
As Merle Kensinger (Panama City, FL) said: “The m/s Paul Gauguin spoiled me in a wonderful way. I have been on many cruises throughout my life, but this is the gold standard.”
A 25th Anniversary celebratory moment aboard The Gauguin; our goal has been—and always will be—to offer guests the most enriching and revealing discoveries throughout French Polynesia.
We look forward to sharing the same authentic experience with you… whether it’s your first voyage with us or one of many happy returns.