Romantic Cruise
Top 5 Onboard Experiences

The top five
activities aboard
the Paul Gauguin
cruise ship

tips & insights on

Polynesian entertainment
Marina watersports
Food & beverages
Poll swimming & lounging
Symbolic Polynesian wedding

Polynesian entertainment

You won't find cliched Polynesian shows on the Paul Gauguin cruise ship. Its main focus is on authentic Polynesian culture - dance, music and more.
Local troupes of musicians and dancers come onboard while the ship is in port. They perform in the main lounge (Le Grand Salon) and on the pool deck.
Their dance and music performances are lively, with hips swiftly vibrating to a mesmerizing drum beat. It's a cultural celebration, not a synthetic stage show.
You're also entertained by the music and dance performances of the Les Gauguines (the ship's live-aboard troupe of young Polynesian women).

Marina watersports

The Paul Gauguin's stern has a built-in retractable watersport platform. It's lowered to sea level when the ship is anchored in port - and, whiff, you have a marina dock.
From it, you can launch a windsurfer or two-person kayak - or begin your snorkeling or waterskiing adventure without ever going to shore. All the above is free.
The marina staff will fit you for snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel and fins). They lend it to you free of charge for the duration of the cruise for your marina and shore-excursion use.
For a fee, you can scuba-dive. Certified? Marina dive masters take you on expeditions to interesting coral reefs. Neophyte? The marina has PADI certified instructors.

Food & beverages

There are no assigned restaurant seats or sittings. All three restaurants have open-seating. You make the choices of when, where and with whom you dine. Note: Although dinner reservations are required for two of the restaurants, you specify your time, date, and type of table preference.
The two high-end restaurants are L'Etoile and La Veranda.
L'Etoile is open for dinner only. Reservations are not required. It serves international dishes (vegetarian, healthy-choice, and special-diet dishes are also available). Click the link below to see its extensive and interesting menu choices.

Dinner menu selections

La Veranda is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At night, it specializes in French cuisine - and seating is by reservations only.

One evening each cruise, both La Veranda and L'Etoile serve a special Polynesian dinner, with music and decorations.
The third restaurant is Le Grill, a casual open-air affair located on one of the top decks. It offers a buffet-style breakfast and lunch. At night, it transforms itself into a waiter-service bistro with a changing ethnic theme - seating is by reservations only.
Room service is 24/7 and prompt. You can order off a restaurant menu during meal periods. Lighter fare is available during the other hours.
Afternoon Tea is served in a room with a panoramic view.
Enjoy pre- and post-dinner cocktails in the Piano Bar.
Or have them in Le Grand Salon where you can dance and listen to a cabaret soloist backed by the talented Siglo band.
Or sip your drinks in the indoor-outdoor La Palette. It's great for sunset watching and late-night dancing.

Pool swimming & lounging

Attendants will bring you drinks and food. Or, you can visit the conveniently adjacent Pool Bar or Le Grill restaurant.
You can almost always find an empty pool-side lounge chair any time of the day.
On most cruise ships, people leave items on lounge chairs to "own" them during their long absences. This custom is discouraged on the Paul Gauguin.

Symbolic Polynesian wedding

Les Gauguines conduct a vow-renewing Polynesian wedding ceremony for honeymooners and anniversary celebrants. It's symbolic, but an emotionally moving and delightful experience.
Attendees are greeted with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Entertainment includes a slow, sinuous love dance performed by a Les Gauguines member.
As is in a traditional Tahitian wedding, a couple is crowned with floral tiaras and wrapped in a quilted Tahitian blanket. The winsome honeymooners in the photo above are Lauren and Brian Morgan from Toronto, Canada.
First the newlyweds partake. Next come the anniversary couples, in order of anniversary years, which ranged on my visit from 5 to 55.

More activities

Learn how to make handicrafts in the Grand Salon from local artisans.
Or let a member of Les Gauguines teach you Polynesian dance, music and language.
Attend enrichment lectures by experts on Polynesian culture, history, and marine life.
Tour the bridge and galley - the captain and chef will answer your questions.
Indulge yourself with massages, facials and other beauty treatments in the Carita Spa. It also has a steam room and a beauty salon.
Drop by the duty-free Boutique for gifts, cruise wear, black pearl jewelry, and sundries.
Play bridge, shuffleboard, and ping pong - or help complete the community jigsaw puzzle.
Gamble in the casino - there's blackjack, roulette, and more.
Explore your favorite websites in the Internet Cafe.
Exercise in the fitness room or join the early morning walk-a-thon.
Join the informal sail-in and sail-away gatherings on the decks.
View movies on the large screen in the Grand Salon or with your cabin TV-DVD player.
Snuggle up with a good book (the library's collection is modest but well-selected).

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