The luxury cruise ship Paul Gauguin has completed a $6 million
refurbishment, emerging with a number of new features. The vessel
entered dry dock in January, where she was fitted with a new piano
bar, casino and five additional staterooms with private balconies,
bringing her passenger capacity to 330. New soft goods, seating and
carpeting also enhance the Paul Gauguin’s public spaces.
The Paul Gauguin has been managed by Regent Seven Seas Cruises
(formerly Radisson Seven Seas Cruises) since 1997, under a contract
that continues through the end of 2008.
The Paul Gauguin has resumed her full sailing schedule in Tahiti
and the South Pacific. Seven-night roundtrip sailings depart
Papeeteon Saturdays and visit Raiatea (the cultural heart of
Polynesia), Tahaa (for a call at the ship’s private islet of Motu
Mahana), Bora Bora (for two full days on the island James Michener
used as the model of his idyllic “Bali Hai”) and two days in Moorea
(the inspiration for Herman Melville’s novel Omoo).
This year she also sails two 14-night Marquesas cruises; one
14-night Cook and Society Islands, Australs and Tuamotus voyage;
three 11-night Society Islands, Tuamotus and Marquesas voyages;
three 10-night Society Islands and Tuamotus cruises; and two
nine-night Society Islands Holiday voyages which include calls at
Huahine.
In response to guest demand for more adventurous South Pacific
itineraries, certain seven-, 10- and 14-night sailings will feature
an optional seven-night post-cruise land program, including three
nights in Auckland, New Zealand, and four nights in Sydney,
Australia, from just $1,795 per person.
New optional shore excursions include a Capture Moorea Photo
Adventure, Botanical & Agricultural Walk (Moorea), Sunset Sail
Aboard the Margouillat (Moorea), Romantic Escapade at Bora Bora
Pearl Beach (overnight) and a Clear Kayak Safari to Motu Ofetaro
(Raiatea). Other choices include island and lagoon explorations,
parasailing, shark and stingray feedings, off-road mountain
adventures, wave-runner tours and helicopter flight-seeing
expeditions.
Paul Gauguin’s Ambassadors of the Environment program will again
be offered to youngsters on the June 10-Aug. 23 sailings. The
program, in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures
Society, provides young cruisers aged 9 to 15 with interactive
learning experiences that teach them about marine and island
ecosystems, as well as Polynesian culture.
800-285-1835
www.theregentexperience.com
