NEW YORK, NY – March 21, 2024 – Paul Gauguin Cruises, French Polynesia’s destination expert, has unveiled the rich roster of expert speakers, scientists, and culturalists who will host the line’s 2025 Boutique Crossing Collection – three unique itineraries of 14-, 16- and 20-nights cruising between Fiji, Bali, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.
From a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and doctor of cultural geography to acclaimed National Geographic photographers, wildlife filmmakers, and best-selling authors, the distinguished talent will host engaging conversations and informative lectures with guests sailing aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin on immersive journeys that balance shoreside discovery and relaxing days at sea.
“Enriching voyages with insight into a destination’s unique culture and personality is a key pillar of The Gauguin Experience,” said Susan Robison, General Manager, Sales and Marketing for Paul Gauguin Cruises. “From culture and geography to the environment, the wilderness, and the wildlife of some of the most fascinating places on Earth, the expert speakers chosen for our 2025 Boutique Crossing Collection have the same passion for authentic discovery as we do and look forward to sharing it with our guests.”
The 2025 Boutique Crossing Collection: Itineraries & Guest Experts
Crossing Oceania: Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji to Benoa, Bali | 20 Nights | January 19, 2025
Day-by-Day: Lautoka, Fiji • At Sea (2 days) • Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu • Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu • At Sea (2 days) • Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands • At Sea • Alotau, Papua New Guinea • Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea • At Sea (4 days) • Dili, Timor-Leste • At Sea • Komodo Island, Indonesia • At Sea • Benoa, Bali (overnight)
Dr. David Keeling is the Distinguished Professor of Cultural Geography at Western Kentucky University and a recipient of the Alan Hay Award from the Royal Geographical Society. His conversational lectures delve into topics from ancient trade routes and WWII Pacific Island battles to Papua New Guinea’s post-colonial development, Timor Leste’s independence, Indonesia’s identity, and more.
John Hay, Nobel Peace Prize recipient for his work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), offers a big picture view of the Pacific, from its fisheries and land tenure systems to understanding the ‘garbage patch’ and the responses to climate change. His wife, Helen Henry, author of My Kotuku of the South Seas: Living and Loving in Rarotonga, provides cultural insights while they both will share their personal stories on a wide range of South Pacific topics.
Immersive Indonesia: Singapore to Darwin, Australia | 14 Nights | April 1, 2025
Day-by-Day: Singapore • Parai Beach, Bangka Island, Indonesia (maiden call) • At Sea • Semarang, Java Island, Indonesia • Surabaya, Java Island, Indonesia (maiden call) • Benoa, Bali (overnight) • At Sea • Komodo Island, Indonesia • At Sea • Dili, Timor-Leste • At Sea • Darwin, Australia (overnight)
Having explored all seven continents, photographer/filmmaker Bob Krist has been stranded on an Icelandic glacier, charged by bulls in India, and knighted during a Trinidad voodoo ceremony. His lectures range from the informative—Bali’s unique culture; to the engaging— the misadventures of a National Geographic photographer, and how to travel authentically during the age of Instagram.
Professional astrologer and internationally acclaimed author, Leslie McGuirk is known for her holistic interdisciplinary approach to mental and spiritual growth. Her popular talk on astrology as human design (and not fortune-telling) makes her a sought-after corporate speaker and a frequent presenter at Mexico’s Rancho La Puerta, a #1 Travel + Leisure international destination spa.
Crossing Melanesia: Darwin, Australia to Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji | 16 Nights | April 15, 2025
Day-by-Day: Darwin, Australia • At Sea (2 days) • Thursday Island, Australia • At Sea • Alotau, Papua New Guinea • Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea • At Sea • Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands (overnight) • At Sea (2 days) • Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu • Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu • At Sea (2 days) • Lautoka, Fiji
National Geographic photographer/filmmaker and Explorers Club member Jad Davenport has been on assignment in more than 160 countries, from covering Middle East conflicts to studying Canadian Arctic polar bears and wolves. A true explorer, he’ll speak of his quests to find Eroni Kumana, the Solomon Islander who saved castaway JFK.
Adventure writer Peter Heller is the New York Times best-selling author of The Dog Stars and The River, among others, and his non-fiction books range from surfing to kayaking Tibet’s Tsangpo Gorge. With the storytelling wit of an award-winning writer, his lectures engage with topics like surviving a career as an adventure journalist, why we go into the wild, and talks on several of his novels.
All-inclusive fares for the Boutique Crossing Collection start at $7,480* per guest. The three crossings are part of The Gauguin’s 2025 full voyage schedule comprised of 29 cruises offering 11 unique itineraries of 7- to 20-nights, including a new 10-night More Tuamotus & the Society Islands featuring another first for the line – an overnight stay in Fakarava, Tuamotus, famous for its UNESCO Marine Biosphere.
Designed specifically to sail the pristine lagoons of the South Seas, The Gauguin is eminently at home amidst these idyllic isles. Evoking a chic, contemporary ambience, the beloved ship welcomes with a relaxed, easy elegance. Indulgent suites and spacious staterooms – many with a private balcony – exceptional cuisine, authentic explorations ashore, a commitment to sustainability, and genuinely hospitable service all contribute to the ship’s stellar reputation. For more information on Paul Gauguin Cruises, please contact a Travel Advisor, call 800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com.
About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a luxury cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of French Polynesia and the South Pacific. Paul Gauguin Cruises has been recognized by notable publications in travel and lifestyle including the “World’s Best Small-Ship Ocean Cruise Line” in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2022; one of the “Top 2 Small Cruise Lines” in the Condé Nast Traveler 2023, 2022, and 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The line was also recognized for the 4th time for having the “Best French Polynesia Cruises” in the AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards. In September 2019, Paul Gauguin Cruises joined PONANT’s family, a designer of inspiring voyages on board small exploration ships.
*Prices are per person USD, double occupancy.
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