Welcome to Paradise! The islands of French Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic atolls strewn across the grand Pacific Ocean and the island of Tahiti is the largest of all. Start your dream vacation with a two-night stay in Papeete at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort and Spa. The Resort is located on 32 acres of lush tropical garden alongside an idyllic lagoon. Indulge in a host of activities, from diving amongst coral reefs to taking a swim at the infinity pool or unwinding at the Deep Nature Spa. Enjoy a drink from your private balcony of your spacious panoramic ocean view room facing the lagoon. Explore the best of Tahiti on two included half-day excursions before you embark the M/S Paul Gauguin, one of the finest small boutique ships at sea. Voted most luxurious ship to sail in Tahiti on a year-round basis, your Paul Gauguin ship is designed to dazzle. Along with the incredible beauty of the South Pacific you will be treated to all shipboard meals in your choice of venue, included beverages, in room fridge replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and water, entertainment including local Polynesian performers, complimentary watersports including kayaking and paddle boarding, use of the secluded, white-sand beach in Bora Bora, and a day on Gauguin’s private island, Motu Mahana!
Featuring Papeete, Huahine, Taha’a, Bora Bora & Moorea
July 23 – August 2/3, 2025
Itinerary
July 23 & 24 | Here we go!
Board your flight today for Los Angeles or San Francisco and connect to your flight to Papeete, Tahiti. Depending on flight schedules you’ll arrive either late on July 23 or early on July 24. On arrival you’ll be met by your Universal Travel Tour Director and assisted with your transfer to your hotel. The hotel owns two private freshwater horizon pools, one with a sand-bottom and a swim-up bar. A lagoonarium of its own is available too for the snorkeling fan. It is Tahiti’s most famous Resort and one of the island’s only two 5-star properties, with amazing views over the island of Moorea, just in front of it. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to rest in your upgraded, spacious, and panoramic ocean view balcony room, your beautiful home for the next two nights. Tonight meet your fellow travelers for a welcome to Tahiti dinner.
Overnight: InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (D)
July 25 | Downtown Papeete
Meet your local tour guide this morning for a private half-day tour. Visit downtown Papeete, the Capital of French Polynesia. The name Papeete means “water from a basket”. Visit the local market and surrounding shopping area. You will be greeted by a Polynesian Dance group with the sounds of the conch shell, Marquisian drums, guitars & ukuleles. See local artists demonstrating their skills of weaving, wood carving, pareo painting/dying. Sample traditional food including “poisson cru” (fresh tuna ceviche marinated with lemon and coconut milk and some crudities). It will be a great introduction to the Polynesian lifestyle and joyful culture. Return to the hotel early this afternoon to relax and enjoy the resort.
Overnight: InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (B)
July 26 | Sail away from Papeete
After your leisurely breakfast this morning your local guide awaits you for another half-day tour of the island. Travel westbound this morning and your first stop will be the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands, considered to be one of the best and most beautiful museums in the South Pacific. Next you will visit Arahura marae, an ancient cult center. Here you will learn about the ancestral Ma’ohi religion and culture. Continue your tour to Maraa’a Fern Grotto and later you will visit the Vahipahi Tropical Gardens, before transferring to the pier to board the incredible M/S Paul Gauguin! You’ll arrive in time for a late lunch and will have the entire evening to discover what makes the M/S Paul Gauguin the award winner that it is! The ship underwent an refurbishment in March of 2021. Tonight choose one of the three restaurants for dinner and relax in the piano bar. Your ship sets sail at midnight. (B,L,D)
July 27 | Huahine, Society Islands
Your first port of call is Huahine, known as “The Garden Island” for its lush rainforests and dramatic terrain. While here, you can cruise the expansive lagoon, explore the island’s culture, or have a romantic picnic on the beach. (B,L,D)
July 28 | Taha’a Mount Mahana, Society Islands
Embark on your choice of exciting shore excursions today, or spend your whole day relaxing on Motu Mahana, Gauguin’s private islet. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, or simply lounge on the beach with drinks served in coconuts, and a floating lagoon bar. Les Gauguines will also be on hand to provide musical entertainment and demonstrate traditional Polynesian crafts. Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch at the beach or relax on your balcony and soak in the breathtaking island views! (B,L,D)
July 29 & 30 | Bora Bora, Society Islands
Immediately recognizable by Mount Otemanu rising from the ocean, this half atoll, half mountain is surrounded by a spectacular lagoon and a series of smaller islands. Ancient Polynesians called it Parapora, or “firstborn” because they thought it was the first island created after Raiatea. The ship anchors for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)
July 31 & August 1 |Moorea, Society Islands
Vibrant colors abound on Moorea, in everything from fresh fruits and flowers to multi-hued lagoons, from spectacular mountain peaks to palm-fringed beaches. You may shop for local handicrafts, embark on an optional dolphin watching expedition with a marine biologist, and sample the local pineapples, said to be the most delicious in all of French Polynesia! Tonight you return to Papeete (B,L,D)
August 2/3 | Papeete, Tahiti & flight back home
After disembarking the ship this morning, board your motorcoach and journey to the East Coast to admire the volcanic coastal scenery at Tahara lookout. Next, travel to Bay of Matavai, where Captain Wallis discovered Tahiti. Continue your journey to the Faarunai waterfalls and Arahoho Blowhole, one of the island’s most visited natural wonders. On your way back you will stop at a local restaurant for an included lunch. This afternoon a dayroom awaits for your convenience. Repack and relax at the pool once again before you transfer to the airport for your overnight flight. Fond memories of Polynesia will last a lifeline! (B,L)
M/S Paul Gauguin Ship – Facts
Capacity: 330 guests
Crew: 217/International
Crew-to-Guest Ratio: 1:1.5
(one of the highest of any luxury cruise ship)
Length: 504 feet
Width: 72 feet
Draft: 17.1 feet
Tonnage: 19,200 tons
Maximum speed: 18 knots
Passenger decks: 7
- All Oceanview accommodations, nearly 70% with balconies, measuring from 200 to 500 sq. ft.
- 166 suites/staterooms on Decks 3-8, including one wheelchair-accessible stateroom and select staterooms that can accommodate three guests/ Cabin B and up: Butler service, in-suite bar setup, and iPod® music system in suite/stateroom
- A choice of three dining venues
- Complimentary 24-hour room service, including selections from L’Etoile restaurant during regular dining hours
- Complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, and hot beverages
- In-room refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and bottled water
- Onboard gratuities for room stewards, dining and bar staff
- Full entertainment program including Polynesian artists, musical entertainment, a pianist, and a professionally operated casino with slot machines
- Spa and beauty services, including hand and foot treatments, body treatments, facials, and spa programs
- Optional PADI SCUBA diving program and certification
- Watersports marina for complimentary kayaking and paddle boarding, and Zodiacs® for optional dive excursions
- A day at Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ exclusive retreat off the coast of Taha’a, featuring Polynesian hospitality, snorkeling, watersports, bar service, and a delicious feast
- Access to the exclusive, private beach located on a motu off the coast of Bora Bora, which offers an idyllic white-sand beach, excellent snorkeling, and bar service on French Polynesia itineraries
- Fully-equipped fitness center
- Presentations by local naturalists and a variety of special guests
- Spacious outdoor decks and a pool
- La Boutique duty-free shop
- Book library (open 24 hours a day)
- Wi-Fi hot spots throughout the ship to cover most staterooms and common areas, as well as guest-accessible computers, available 24 hours a day for a nominal fee
- Laundry services available
- Certified medical services
Weather
July is the best month to visit French Polynesia. The daily temperatures in July reach pleasant low 80’s °F. The seawater temperature reaches ideal 80 °F. At night, temperatures hover around a pleasant 71 °F.
Inclusions:
- Round trip airfare to Tahiti (except baggage fees)
- 2 or 3 night pre stay in Papeete (depending on the air schedule), at a 5-star resort in panoramic lagoon view rooms
- All transfers while in Papeete
- 2 or 3 full American Breakfast at the hotel
- Porterage of one suitcase per person
- One welcome to Tahiti dinner
- 3 half day tours in Tahiti (incl. driver & guide gratuities)
- 7 nights onboard the m/s Paul Gauguin
- Onboard gratuities for room stewards, dining and bar staff
- All shipboard meals, in your choice of venues
- Complimentary 24-hour room service
- Complimentary beverages, incl. select wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks, bottled water, and hot beverages served throughout the ship
- In-room refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and bottled water
- Watersports, including complimentary kayaking and paddle boarding from our marina or destination beaches
- 1 Post Day-Room in Papeete (run of the house)
- Service of a Tour Director
- $100.00 per person Shipboard Credit
Optional, limited upgrade to an Overwater Bungalow on your pre-cruise in Papeete available upon request
Payments
$300.00 non-refundable deposit due within 3 days of making the reservation (An additional 30% of the trip cost in your selected cabin, is due on or before Jan 10, 2025)
Final payment due March 3, 2025
Cancellations
50% non refundable Mar 4, 2025
100% non-refundable Apr 22, 2025
An optional Travel Protection plan is available with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, see enclosed product flyer for more information.
A valid passport is required on this itinerary and must be valid for at least 6 month after returning back to the USA.