The South Pacific classic: one small ship, lagoons in three shades of blue, and nights anchored inside the reef rather than racing between ports. The Paul Gauguin sails from Papeete year-round, and the ten-night itinerary is its signature.
The route at a glance
Roundtrip from Papeete, ten nights, year-round - though the dry season from May to October brings the clearest skies and coolest trade winds. MS Paul Gauguin (330 guests) sails the Tahiti, Bora Bora and UNESCO Reserves circuit: Moorea first, then north to Fakarava in the Tuamotu atolls, a UNESCO biosphere reserve where the ship spends a night at anchor; an overnight in Bora Bora with two full days on the lagoon; Raiatea and Taha'a, two islands sharing one lagoon; then back to Papeete, often with a final night aboard. Port days are tender or dock, distances are short, and several evenings are spent anchored inside a lagoon rather than underway.
Who this route suits
Best for honeymooners, anniversary and milestone-birthday travelers, snorkelers and divers, and anyone who wants the postcard version of the South Pacific without island-hopping logistics. The ship is small and calm, the pace is slow, and the retractable watersports marina off the stern means swimming straight from the ship. Less ideal for budget travelers (this is one of cruising's most expensive weeks per night), for anyone wanting big-ship entertainment, or for travelers who dislike long flights - Papeete is eight hours from the US West Coast.
What it costs
This is a premium route. Autumn 2027 departures list cruise-only porthole staterooms from £5,106 to £5,391 per person, with April 2027 peak dates from £6,550. Balcony staterooms run from about £7,470, veranda suites from £12,488. The fare includes drinks, gratuities and the watersports marina, which softens the headline price. The real extra is airfare: Papeete flights from the US or Europe add substantially to the total, so compare packages before booking cruise-only.
The five-minute version
- Ten nights, roundtrip Papeete, year-round; driest skies May to October.
- Moorea, Fakarava (UNESCO atoll), two days in Bora Bora, Raiatea and Taha'a.
- One 330-guest ship built for these islands; watersports marina off the stern.
- Cruise-only from about £5,100, balcony from about £7,470; airfare is the big add-on.
- If ten nights is too far to fly, Hawaiian islands in ten days is the closer Pacific alternative.