spectacular

Paul Gauguin Cruise Review to South Pacific

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 48

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5
Verified Review
Paul Gauguin

11 Night Cook Islands & Society Islands (Papeete Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 30, 2011

Ship: Paul Gauguin

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 13 years ago

Review summary

French Polynesia and Cook Island itinerary was excellent. Service was professional; room service w/in 10 min. Wines were high quality. Rich french food at dinner got overwhelming for 11 days. Ate frequently at the Asian influenced Grill to lighten up. Rooms were comfortable. Staff curt in the French boutique restaurant. Evening entertainment below par; dated and often amateurish. Travel desk not open @ independent touring outside of excursions, although excursions were high quality and fairly priced. Did the pre sail tour to Moorea and it was spectacular.A great way to tour the islands.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Daily activities on private island in Tahaa and Bora Bora were terrific. Evening entertainment not so great.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Travel Desk lowered this rating.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ports of call

Moorea, French Polynesia

5 out of 5
Rent a car and drive around the island. Go on the snorkel tour which takes you to a site near old Club Med, or better yet, book one of the all day tours through a hotel. You can easily take a taxi to meet a tour from the dock. Le Mayflower is a great French restaurant which locals go to.

Papeete, Tahiti

3 out of 5
Intercontinental is beautiful here. Raddison only ok. Be sure breakfast is included as it is $35.00pp! Absolutely DON"T go on the bus tour here after departing the ship. Totally boring. Opt to go directly to your hotel and enjoy the facilities.
Don't Miss: View of Moorea from Intercontinental.

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

5 out of 5
Most beautiful spot of the cruise. Archeology trip to burial site not so great, but take the shuttle bus to the farthest beach. There is a restaurant with a band, facilities, the most beautiful beach ever, and water you can walk out into for half a mile. We could have stayed here. Spend the whole day!

Taha'A, Society Islands

3 out of 5

Huahine, French Polynesia

3 out of 5
Went snorkeling on the excursion, which was good , but didn't see the island from land so can't comment.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

5 out of 5
Circle island tour a waste. The folks who did "day at the beach with snorkeling" raved about it. Beautiful beach. The shuttle bus goes to ok but not great beaches. We were there on a national holiday, so missed out on marketplace.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

5 out of 5
The ship takes you to a motu with a beach and reef. GREAT!
Don't Miss: wine and cheese on your balcony as you sail away at dusk.

Pros: destinations, days on motus,balcony stateroom, food and wine

Cons: evening entertainment on most eves was dated and amateurish

Recommends Paul Gauguin? Yes!

Was this review helpful? 48

3 Comments

cruisellama    5 years ago

graham123    6 years ago

glomarrone    9 years ago

I don't know why in French restaurants the staff feels that diners want them to be snooty.  For me it is a turnoff & I rarely go to French restaurants because of it.  I think that the servers are trying to act sophisticated and professional.  They simply come across as cold.  I always try to loosen them up if I can & it usually works.