What’s New with Paul Gauguin Cruises?

As cruising continues to trend up, it’s important to know which lines can best meet your needs.

If you’re looking to cruise to breathtaking locations, Paul Gauguin Cruises delivers.

TravelPulse recently went one-on-one with Diane Moore, President of Paul Gauguin Cruises. Moore is a seasoned veteran in the cruise industry, having worked for Royal Cruise Line, Holland America, Crystal Cruises and Virtuoso before joining Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2010.

Moore discusses what travelers and travel agents need to know about Paul Gauguin Cruises.

TravelPulse: What’s new and exciting with Paul Gauguin Cruises?

Diane Moore: In 2019 we return to the tropical wonderland of Fiji on two voyages that also feature Tonga, the Cook Islands, and the Society Islands.

The 13-night voyage departs Papeete, Tahiti, on September 7, 2019, and visits: Moorea, Society Islands; Taha’a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands; Bora Bora, Society Islands; At Sea; Aitutaki, Cook Islands; At Sea (2 days); Vava’u, Tonga; At Sea; Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji; Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji; Beqa Island, Fiji; and Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji. The 12-night reverse itinerary departs September 21, 2019, and calls at the same ports except Beqa Island, Fiji.

Wine experts will be also aboard special 2019 sailings with Paul Gauguin Cruises as part of our all-inclusive value in luxury cruising.

— Jody Bogle is a third-generation winegrower who, along with her brothers, currently manages the day-to-day operations of Bogle Vineyards & Winery in California. Born and raised on the family farm in Clarksburg, Jody spent many a summer in her youth tying, weeding, and pruning vines on the 1,500 acres her family farms in the Sacramento River Delta. Be aboard when Jody offers a lecture and a tasting of Bogle wines on The Gauguin during the February 23, 2019, Tahiti & the Society Islands voyage.

— Jody Bogle of Bogle Vineyards & Winery pouring a glass of wine in the winery tasting room in California.

— Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer are the owners and winemakers of Pfeiffer Winery and Vineyards, an ultra-premium, sustainable, 70-acre vineyard with an international reputation for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Enjoy a wine lecture and a tasting of Pfeiffer Winery wines when Robin and Danuta join The Gauguin’s April 13, 2019, Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands voyage.

— As the sixth generation of “America’s oldest winemaking family,” Steven Kent Mirassou began his wine career at age 13 on the bottling lines, forklifts, and warehouses of the family’s historic winery. At the ripe age of 32, he opened the Steven Kent Winery with one mission in mind: to make Cabernet in the Livermore Valley that rivals in quality the greatest red wines around the world. Steven shares his expertise during a lecture and tasting of his wines during the April 27, 2019, Tahiti & the Society Islands voyage aboard The Gauguin.

— Nestled in the famous Napa Valley, the Salvestrin Winery has been growing wine grapes since 1932. It was originally planted in 1860 by Dr. George Crane, and three generations of the Salvestrin family have meticulously and sustainably farmed this historic St. Helena vineyard for 80 years. Sensitive to both the environment and the surrounding community, the family follows organic guidelines as they consistently create handcrafted wines that are fruit forward, elegant, balanced, and memorably world class. Learn more about these exceptional wines as the family shares their story during a lecture and wine tasting during the July 10, 2019, Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage.

— Katie Leonardini and her family have owned Whitehall Lane for more than 25 years. In its short history, Whitehall Lane has developed into a world-class winery. The efforts of the Leonardini family are evident in the recent run of accolades from wine publications—but are even more apparent in the beautifully made, elegant wines they continue to make. Enjoy Katie’s presentation and tasting of Whitehall Lane wines aboard the July 10, 2019, Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage.

— The Pejus’ Rutherford vineyard has been home to Lisa Peju since she was six years old. It was then that she moved with her parents from Southern California to wine country to begin a life devoted to growing grapes, producing high-quality wines, and finding new and innovative ways to market the family brand. Learn more about Peju Winery—and taste its delicious wines—as Lisa shares her expertise during a presentation on board The Gauguin during the July 27, 2019, Society Islands & Tahiti Iti voyage.

Experts in the fields of art, music, magic, Polynesian life and culture, wine and the wonders of the deep offer insights, lectures, performances, demonstrations, and workshops join select voyages of The Gauguin in 2019.

TP: How does PG Cruises work with travel agents?

DM: Travel advisors are key to our success at Paul Gauguin Cruises, and we offer an educational program for travel advisors that will give those a distinct advantage. Paul Gauguin Cruises offers PEARL’s—Partners Earn Added Rewards and Learn to Sell— a travel advisor specialist training program that was conceived to provide travel professionals with a deeper understanding of Paul Gauguin Cruises, our destinations we sail to, and small ship, luxury cruising.

The program is a self-paced specialist training program, providing a unique platform for agents to truly immerse themselves in the Paul Gauguin Cruises experience, enabling them to more accurately identify and connect with prospective clients and promote our line successfully and grow their travel business. PEARLS partners receive access to resources including exclusive sales and marketing training, advance notice of special promotions, shipboard credit offers, marketing tools, and bonus commissions.

TP: What makes PG Cruises stand out from other cruise lines?

DM: Designed specifically to sail the pristine lagoons of French Polynesia year-round, The Gauguin provides an up-close, authentic experience of the South Seas and offers an elegant yet casual ambiance with luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, gourmet dining, trademark Polynesian hospitality, and extraordinary all-inclusive value.

The Gauguin’s troupe of Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins, are local Tahitians who serve as cruise staff, entertainers, and storytellers and are a highlight for many guests along with local musicians and dancers who perform on board.

On all sailings, guests also receive complimentary access to Paul Gauguin Cruises’ two exclusive retreats. Off the coast of Taha’a lies the islet of Motu Mahana for enjoying a day of watersports, Polynesian activities, a sumptuous barbecue feast, and cocktails from full and floating bars.

In Bora Bora, guests can relax on a private, white-sand beach and enjoy refreshments, a game of volleyball, and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. The ship offers gourmet dining in all 3 venues including menu specialties designed by French celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, 24-hour room service, and Polynesian specialties.

The Gauguin features a watersports marina which is available to launch a kayak or paddleboard from. The ship also has its own dive team which provides PADI certification scuba diving programs and dive excursions to explore the lagoons.

TP: What are the most popular and most unique itineraries from PG Cruises?
DM: Paul Gauguin Cruises’ 2019 sailing schedule also features our signature voyages: 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands; 7-night Society Islands & Tahiti Iti; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.

As destination experts, we are able to offer guests the best way to see Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji and the South Pacific on our carefully curated itineraries which feature rich Polynesian culture, azure lagoons, and breathtaking island landscapes.

TP: Do you have any current specials or promotions?

DM: Paul Gauguin Cruises is taking part in Cruise Lines International Association’s “#CHOOSECRUISE” campaign, which takes places during the month of October 2018.

Those who book a 2018, 2019, or 2020 sailing aboard The Gauguin between September 27 and November 10, 2018, will receive $100 per-person Shipboard Credit. This Shipboard Credit can be used toward indulging in a spa treatment in Deep Nature Spa, purchasing a souvenir in La Boutique, or booking a shore excursion aboard. Paul Gauguin Cruises is also offering savings of 50 percent off standard all-inclusive cruise fares on all voyages, plus included airfare from Los Angeles.