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The top five
activities aboard
the Paul Gauguin
cruise ship
#1 - 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).
#2 - 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.
#3 - Food & beverages
Good
news: 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 button below to see its
extensive and interesting menu choices.
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.
#4 - 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.
#5 - 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.
There are many other
interesting 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).
Click these buttons for
more of my photos, tips
and insights on a romantic
cruise on the Paul Gauguin
 
My "What it's Like"
cruise ship sections
 to
view
My general
cruise ship section
Click the button below for Regent's website for Paul Gauguin itineraries with maps, a list of
cruise-specialist travel agents near you, plus other useful trip-planning
information.
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