A PONANT cruise is a beautiful way to see more of French Polynesia in one seamless journey. Paul Gauguin is the classic small ship choice for Tahiti island-hopping, while Le Jacques Cartier offers a more limited Explorer-style option on selected 2026/27 sailings – one that departs from Lautoka, Fiji
PONANT is a French luxury cruise line known for intimate ships, refined service and destination-led voyages.
The experience is all about moving gently between islands. Waking to lagoon views, stepping ashore in places with deep Polynesian culture, and returning to the comfort of a beautifully appointed ship at the end of the day.
Paul Gauguin is the signature choice for French Polynesia, with regular itineraries through the Society Islands and beyond. Le Jacques Cartier offers a smaller PONANT Explorer experience on selected South Pacific sailings for travellers whose dates align with its limited regional program. See more below.
Signature Tahiti Cruise
A relaxed, elegant way to experience several French Polynesian islands, with many Papeete-based itineraries through the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Cook Islands and Marquesas.
Selected 2026/2027 Sailings
A sleek 184-guest PONANT Explorer with selected French Polynesia-linked sailings between 1 September 2026 and 31 March 2027.
Paul Gauguin emerged from a 2025 refurbishment with refreshed interiors, updated cabin styling, a renewed pool area and an upgraded Le Grill restaurant. The result is a more polished onboard feel while keeping the relaxed, island-focused charm that makes this ship so well suited to French Polynesia. New York Post Review - 2025
Unpack once, then wake to a new island, lagoon or anchorage.
Paul Gauguin cruises mean mornings at sea, bright lagoon days, island visits, and warm evenings back on board. It suits travellers who want to see more than one island without arranging multiple resort transfers.
Many sailings begin and end in Papeete, making it easy to add international flights, pre-cruise accommodation and a post-cruise stay in Moorea, Bora Bora, Taha’a or another island. Classic routes focus on the Society Islands, while longer sailings reach the Tuamotus, Cook Islands and Marquesas.
Onboard, expect French-influenced gastronomy, an open bar, 24-hour room service, entertainment, fitness facilities, Polynesian cultural hosts, and a marina for select water activities where conditions allow.
A deeper French Polynesia experience
The appeal is not only in where the ship sails, but also in how it brings the South Pacific onboard.
Les Gauguins & Les Gauguines
Local hosts bring Polynesian culture into the journey through storytelling, dance, music and workshops, helping guests feel more connected to the islands they visit.
Private island-style moments
Selected sailings may include treasured beach experiences in Bora Bora or at Motu Mahana, a sandy islet off Taha’a, with time for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking or simply slowing down by the lagoon.
Refined small-ship comfort
With 165 staterooms and suites, a maximum of 330 guests, 209 crew and 3 restaurants, Paul Gauguin balances yacht-like intimacy with polished PONANT service.
The most recognisable Paul Gauguin itineraries bring guests into the heart of French Polynesia. Iconic Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine and Papeete, with longer options adding remote atolls, cultural depth and extra time at sea.
This style of cruising gives you island variety without the constant packing and unpacking. Island Escapes can build the sailing into a complete Tahiti holiday, with flights, transfers, accommodation and the right resort stay before or after your cruise.
Pearls of the Society Islands
Tahiti & the Society Islands
Society Islands & Tuamotus
Cook Islands & Society Islands
Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands
Le Jacques Cartier in the 2026/27 season
A smaller, modern PONANT Explorer for selected South Pacific and French Polynesia voyages.
Le Jacques Cartier offers a different PONANT experience for travellers who love the idea of a sleek, intimate Explorer ship and can travel on specific dates. It is especially appealing if you have already cruised, enjoy a sense of discovery, or want something less commonly available in the Tahiti region.
Expect modern design and innovative technologies for an intimate, refined cruise experience. The ship carries 184 guests in 92 staterooms and suites, with restaurants, lounges and bars, wellness facilities, a swimming pool, theatre and marina platform.
Selected 2026/27 sailings may begin or end outside Tahiti. The Fiji-to-Tahiti option embarks in Lautoka, Viti Levu Island, Fiji and disembarks in Papeete, while the November 2026 French Polynesia sailing is Papeete round-trip.
Refined Explorer design
Expect a contemporary ship atmosphere with elegant furnishings, open views of the horizon, and a smaller scale than Paul Gauguin’s.
Wellness, pool & marina
The onboard wellness offering includes spa treatments, massages, hairdressing, hammam, and a fitness room, plus a pool and a marina platform for sea excursions or water activities.
Theatre & culture
The theatre hosts conferences with guests and naturalist teams, as well as shows, concerts, and performances by professional dancers and musicians.
PONANT cruises usually depart from Papeete, the main port city on the island of Tahiti.
Guests fly into Fa’a’a International Airport (PPT), Tahiti’s international gateway, then transfer by road to the port of Papeete to embark. The airport is close to the city, making the arrival process straightforward when flights, transfers and cruise timings are planned together.
We recommend arriving in Tahiti at least one night before your cruise departure where possible. This gives you time to settle in, allows breathing room for international flight connections, and makes embarkation day feel relaxed rather than rushed.
NOTE: For Le Jacques Cartier cruises, your holiday may require extra planning around the exact embarkation and disembarkation ports. For the limited September cruise departure is from Lautoka, Fiji.
Island Escapes can arrange your international flights, pre-cruise accommodation in Tahiti (or other departure ports), airport transfers and post-cruise resort stay, so the full journey connects smoothly around your PONANT sailing.
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Photo credits: PONANT CRUISES
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Paul Gauguin is the natural choice for travellers dreaming of a classic French Polynesia cruise. It has a relaxed South Pacific rhythm, regular Tahiti itineraries and an onboard style shaped around Polynesian culture, lagoon life and island hopping. Le Jacques Cartier offers a different kind of PONANT experience. It is a smaller Explorer ship with selected South Pacific sailings, making it a more limited and date specific option for travellers who want something rarer.
For most travellers, Paul Gauguin is the best fit for a classic Tahiti cruise holiday. Many voyages operate round trip from Papeete and focus on the islands travellers most want to experience, including the Society Islands. Longer itineraries can also reach further into French Polynesia, with selected sailings exploring the Tuamotus, Cook Islands and Marquesas.
Paul Gauguin feels deeply connected to the South Pacific. On board, Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines bring Polynesian culture into the journey through storytelling, dance, music and workshops. Selected itineraries may also include beautiful beach experiences in Bora Bora or on Motu Mahana, a sandy islet off Taha'a. For guests who want the cruise to feel like part of the islands rather than simply a way to travel between them, this is a major part of the appeal.
Paul Gauguin offers several Papeete round trip itinerary styles, giving travellers flexibility depending on how deeply they want to explore. Options can include seven night Society Islands voyages, ten or eleven night Society Islands and Tuamotus sailings, eleven night Cook Islands and Society Islands itineraries, and fourteen night Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands voyages. Exact dates, ports and durations should always be checked for the selected departure.
Le Jacques Cartier is best for travellers who are drawn to a smaller, contemporary Explorer ship and can travel on specific dates. It suits guests who enjoy refined ship design, thoughtful enrichment, elegant lounges, wellness spaces and a more boutique expedition style atmosphere. Rather than a regular Tahiti cruise program, it offers a rarer South Pacific opportunity for travellers who like their itinerary to feel a little more distinctive.
No. Paul Gauguin commonly operates Papeete round trip itineraries, which makes it very easy to pair with Tahiti resort stays before or after the cruise. Le Jacques Cartier varies by voyage. The September 2026 French Polynesia linked sailing embarks in Lautoka, Fiji and finishes in Papeete, while the 15 November 2026 to 29 November 2026 sailing is Papeete round trip.
Le Jacques Cartier is the smaller ship, carrying up to 184 guests in 92 staterooms and suites. Paul Gauguin carries up to 330 guests in 165 staterooms and suites. Both are small ships compared with mainstream cruising, but they offer different moods. Paul Gauguin feels more like a South Pacific specialist, while Le Jacques Cartier has the atmosphere of a sleek boutique Explorer ship.
Paul Gauguin has the stronger regular Tahiti and French Polynesia program, so it is usually the easier choice when travellers have specific dates, island wishes or a classic Papeete round trip cruise in mind. Le Jacques Cartier should be treated as a limited season opportunity in the region, with routing, dates and cabin availability checked carefully before booking.
No. Le Jacques Cartier is not a one off ship or product. It is part of PONANT's Explorer fleet. However, for Tahiti focused travel between 1 September 2026 and 31 March 2027, its availability in the region is limited. For travellers wanting a Papeete return voyage, the 15 November 2026 departure is the key special sailing currently identified in that window.
No. Both offer the refined PONANT style, but the experience is different. Paul Gauguin places French Polynesia at the centre of the journey, with Polynesian culture, island hopping, lagoon days and South Pacific warmth woven through the cruise. Le Jacques Cartier offers a more contemporary Explorer ship experience, with refined gastronomy, lounges and bars, spa and hammam, fitness room, pool, theatre and marina platform.
Le Jacques Cartier has a sleek, contemporary feel, with modern design, refined furnishings and open views that keep the sea close throughout the voyage. Guests can enjoy wellness facilities, a swimming pool, marina platform and a theatre for talks, shows, concerts and performances. It is well suited to travellers who want a boutique small ship experience with a polished Explorer atmosphere.
Shore excursion inclusions can vary by voyage, fare type and current offer. Some enriching shore excursions may be available at additional cost, so Island Escapes will always check what is included, what is optional and what is worth adding before you book. This is especially important in French Polynesia, where the right lagoon, motu or cultural experience can become a real highlight of the trip.
Paul Gauguin is usually the better starting point for families, especially on selected departures where dedicated family programming is listed. It has a warmer South Pacific holiday feel and an itinerary style that can suit families wanting culture, islands and lagoon time. Family suitability, minimum ages and children's program availability should always be checked for the exact sailing. Le Jacques Cartier is better approached as a boutique Explorer style voyage.
Yes. This is one of the loveliest ways to experience Tahiti. Paul Gauguin is especially easy to combine with pre or post cruise stays in Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Taha'a or another French Polynesian resort. Le Jacques Cartier can also be packaged with resort stays, but the flights and hotel nights need to be planned carefully around the exact embarkation and disembarkation ports.
PONANT offers can change and may apply only to selected ships, departures or cabin categories. These can include solo traveller promotions, cabin bonuses or campaign pricing. Island Escapes will check the current offer, eligibility and terms when preparing your quote, then help you understand whether the promotion genuinely suits your dates, cabin preference and wider Tahiti holiday plans.