Today we are discussing Tahiti, the king of islands. We will explore the most cost-effective and comfortable way to travel in Tahiti, which is aboard the luxurious small cruise ship, Paul Gauguin.
If I were to sensationalize this, I would say that it’s an all-inclusive luxury trip to Tahiti for 16,500 RMB per person for 8 days and 7 nights. This is true! Even though it doesn’t include the major transportation tickets, it is still quite a bargain.
Why is the Paul Gauguin cruise so cost-effective? The 8-day, 7-night itinerary (Papeete – Huahine Island – Raiatea Island – Tahaa Island – Bora Bora – Moorea – Papeete) costs 2,490 euros per person, which is about 20,000 RMB per person. Additionally, for a third person (aged 3-17) in the same cabin, the cruise fare is waived, making it extremely economical for three people. Just take a look at hotel prices in Bora Bora, and you will understand. I can confidently say that if you want to explore Tahiti, the Paul Gauguin cruise offers the best value for money. A complete 8-day, 7-night trip could even cost less than a night’s stay in a hotel in Bora Bora.
Furthermore, Paul Gauguin is a small luxury cruise ship that has won several awards for being the best small cruise. It offers all meals and afternoon tea included. Eating a casual meal in Tahiti generally starts at about 100 USD per person. When I visited Tahiti, dining out daily was the biggest expense. For lunch and dinner combined, two people could easily spend 500 dollars, which seemed outrageous! Opting for the Paul Gauguin cruise saves you all those meal expenses.
Additionally, the child policy for a third person is excellent. As long as it is a third guest in the same cabin (under 17 years of age), the cruise fare is completely waived, only requiring payment of 120 euros for port taxes. For a family of two adults and one child, the total price comes to 2,970 euros * 2 + 120 euros * 3 = 6,300 euros. This amounts to about 42,000 RMB, averaging 16,500 RMB per person. The reason for 2,970 euros instead of 2,490 euros is that the cabins allowing a third guest begin from the second-level ocean view cabins, E class. This is an all-inclusive trip to Tahiti! Just to put this in perspective, even a trip to the Maldives may cost more than this.
Throughout this itinerary, the journey doesn’t only cover Papeete and Bora Bora, but also includes Huahine Island, Raiatea Island, and Tahaa Island. This means you get to experience 5-6 distinctly different islands in Tahiti. Given Tahiti’s distance, visiting multiple islands in one trip makes it worthwhile.
You might wonder if this seemingly extravagant Tahiti experience at such a low price has any hidden pits. First and foremost, the Paul Gauguin cruise is highly renowned. It is the only small luxury cruise ship that operates year-round in the Polynesian and South Pacific waters. The Paul Gauguin cruise has been operating the Tahiti route since 1997, originally part of Regent Seven Seas but sold to Ponant in 2019 and extensively refurbished since then. Its shallow draft allows it to access Bora Bora’s lagoons, which other ships cannot do.
Moreover, Paul Gauguin has won awards for being the best small cruise ship by Travel + Leisure, with second and third places going to Windstar Cruises and Seabourn, respectively. As a reputable travel industry benchmark, the awards from Travel + Leisure carry substantial weight.
Paul Gauguin is part of Ponant, which is under the Artemis Group, owned by the second-largest luxury goods group, the Pinault family. Ponant ranks in the same league as Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Silversea in the cruise industry.
The crew to guest ratio on the Paul Gauguin is 1:1.5 (209 crew members serving 330 guests), making it one of the best ratios even amongst luxury cruise ships. All cabins have ocean views, with nearly 70% featuring balconies. The cruise is all-inclusive, covering not just meals, afternoon tea, and beverages but also WiFi, and basic shore excursions (with optional paid upgrade excursions). This means that aside from airfare and visa expenses, you won’t need to spend any additional money while in Tahiti.
As for the itinerary, there are a total of four sailings: January 31, November 7, November 14, and December 12, 2026. The nearest sailing is more than a year away, and the early bird discounts for foreign travelers means the earlier you book, the cheaper it gets. Each sailing lasts 8 days and 7 nights, covering Papeete, Huahine Island, Raiatea Island, Tahaa Island, Bora Bora, Moorea, and back to Papeete, starting from 2,490 euros. Ship fares for a third person aged 17 or younger are completely waived, with each required to pay only a 120 euro port tax.
Prices vary based on cabin categories. For a party of two adults and one child or three adults, it is recommended to start with the ocean view cabin E, which allows for a third guest.
The cruise fare includes:
– 8-day, 7-night cruise ticket aboard Paul Gauguin, owned by Ponant.
– All meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner in three restaurants and four bars, plus afternoon tea – with no extra charge for room service breakfast.
– Water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.) and rental of snorkeling equipment.
– Onboard WiFi.
– Onboard activities (lectures, performances, parties, etc.).
– Most cabin types allow one child (aged 3-17) to stay with two parents in the same cabin at no extra charge, just paying the port tax.
– Each cabin also gets a $200 onboard spending credit (exclusive time-limited offer from Xiyou Travel).
Now, let’s look at the itinerary in detail. This is the 8-day, 7-night Tahiti sailing:
**Day 1**: Board at Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, where the only international airport in Tahiti is located. This means that after landing, you won’t need long travel times before boarding the Paul Gauguin.
**Day 2**: Huahine Island (HUAHINE), known as the “Garden Island,” famous for its beautiful natural white sandy beaches. The island is lush with dense forests and is one of the best-preserved secret islands with ancient villages. Surrounded by coral-filled lagoons, it’s ideal for snorkeling.
Huahine Island has remained largely untouched by the modern world, radiating an atmosphere of ancient Polynesian tranquility. The island has only eight small villages, and local residents are friendly to visiting travelers.
Paul Gauguin’s voyages arrive early in the morning (often before dawn) and leave late in the evening, allowing you to enjoy a full day on the islands of Tahiti. Basic excursions upon disembarkation are included, but you can also sign up for other paid upgrade tours, typically around 100 euros each.
**Day 3**: Raiatea Island (RAIATEA) is a volcanic island situated between Huahine and Bora Bora, often referred to as the mother of Polynesia.
**Day 4**: Tahaa Island (TAHA’A), known as the “Vanilla Island,” produces 80% of Tahiti’s vanilla. The air here is filled with the subtle fragrance of vanilla, revealing the island’s essence even before you arrive.
Tahaa is one of the few islands where both natural and cultural features are excellently preserved. Without an airport, visitors must fly to Raiatea and take a boat to Tahaa, making it less accessible and thus less frequented by tourists. You likely wouldn’t visit this island unless you’re on the Paul Gauguin cruise.
Paul Gauguin has exclusive access to a private island, Motu Mahana, where only Paul Gauguin guests can disembark; even locals are prohibited from landing here.
After visiting a cruise company’s private island, it became clear that these companies truly know how to entertain their guests by offering beach BBQs and local cultural performances on these private shores.
There’s even a chance to experience exclusive seaside spa treatments on Motu Mahana, which would be an unforgettable experience. Only the mainline cruises dare to provide such luxuries.
**Days 5 and 6**: Bora Bora is the highlight of the trip, with Paul Gauguin staying for two full days and one night, two entire days on Bora Bora. The shallow draft of the cruise allows it to dock inside Bora Bora’s lagoon.
Here’s a conceptual map: Bora Bora is like a pentagram, surrounded by a lagoon and a significant mountain in the center. Only Paul Gauguin can access the lagoon which is inaccessible to other larger ships.
Bora Bora is extraordinary, with waters displaying seven shades of blue. The snorkeling here is fantastic; the lagoon is home to baby sharks and rays, providing you with an exhilarating experience of being “surrounded by sharks.” Rest assured, these baby sharks are harmless.
Paul Gauguin features a private beach in Bora Bora, strategically located behind the Le Maitai Polynesia Resort’s lagoon. You can fully enjoy Bora Bora’s stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, similar to having your own slice of paradise.
Alternatively, you can partake in land excursions, riding 4WD vehicles for panoramic views of the atoll, where you can also find some remnants from World War II.
Two whole days in Bora Bora allows ample time to relax, enjoy the beach, the sea, and engage in extensive snorkeling.
**Day 7**: Moorea Island
Known as the “Isle of Magic,” Moorea offers a variety of activities. You can take adventures in the untouched tropical forests, partake in various water sports, or even have close encounters with dolphins.
**Day 8**: Return to the capital Papeete, concluding your journey. You can either opt to return home or stay and explore more of Tahiti. There are plenty of other islands worth visiting beyond Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahaa. Additionally, Papeete offers direct flights to Easter Island and the Cook Islands, both of which are must-visit destinations in one’s lifetime.
The itineraries for the sailings on November 14 and December 12, 2026, have slight discrepancies. They skip Raiatea Island but stay on Moorea for two days and one night. While this means one less island, it offers a more in-depth experience on Moorea, which makes sense as most travelers visit Tahiti primarily for Papeete, Moorea, and Bora Bora.
Next, let’s talk about the Paul Gauguin cruise itself.
The ship saw a complete refurbishment in 2021. It is now part of Ponant, part of the luxury brand whose sister brands include the well-known Gucci, YSL, BV, and Balenciaga.
The Paul Gauguin is a small, charming cruise ship that embodies French elegance. With its all-inclusive package, it offers three restaurants and four bars, free in-room minibars, and complimentary onboard WiFi. Even room service for breakfast is complimentary.
La Veranda, located on the sixth deck, holds a Michelin two-star honor, offering guests multiple courses of French dining. For dinner, it can offer a full five-course meal, which is quite generous.
The eighth-floor pool deck, Le Grill, allows you to dine while enjoying the breathtaking views of Tahiti. The ocean-view restaurant on the eighth floor also provides free afternoon tea. On this luxury ship, even beverages are fully complimentary, except for select rare wines that are priced higher.
L’Etoile restaurant offers formal dinners with exquisite china and high-end wines. Even in the South Pacific, it’s important to maintain a sense of ceremony.
Of the three restaurants, two require reservations, with assurance that every guest can secure at least one dinner reservation during their cruise. This is to ensure quality meals and service.
Paul Gauguin has only 165 cabins (with a full capacity of 330 guests) and 209 crew members, meaning that luxury cruises rarely run at full capacity, resulting in primarily one crew member catering to one guest.
Additionally, should the number of Chinese guests exceed 20, there is a high likelihood that Paul Gauguin will provide a Chinese-speaking staff member.
The most basic cabins are 19 square meters, featuring windows with sea views. Approximately 70% of Paul Gauguin’s accommodations have balconies, starting from 22 square meters. From the second-level rooms (Ocean View Cabin E), children are allowed to stay with parents, with only port taxes charged on one child aged 3-17, freeing them from cruise ticket costs.
An easy way to gauge the luxury of a cruise ship is by the presence of bathtubs, and every room on Paul Gauguin features one.
Paul Gauguin serves as a moving villa, allowing you to wake up to the world’s best views in Tahiti daily, always at different islands. This is an experience that other cruise lines can’t match, as there is only one Tahiti, the true king of islands.
Moreover, Paul Gauguin encourages family travel, offering a beloved “Moana” Little Explorer program, introducing kids to the wonders of Tahiti. During holidays, summer camps are organized for children aboard.
**How to book?**
I will repost the pricing as different cabin categories come with varying costs. Additionally, since 70% of Paul Gauguin’s cabins are balcony cabins, there are limited ocean-view cabin options. The four sailings on January 31, November 7, November 14, and December 12, 2026, all last 8 days and 7 nights. A 25% deposit is needed upon booking, with the remaining balance due 92 days before departure. Currently, bookings receive a $200 cabin credit as an exclusive promotional benefit.
This is an early bird promotional offer; foreigners’ early bird prices cannot be reduced. The cancellation policies are as follows:
– Cancellation 367 days before departure incurs a fee of 150 euros per person.
– Cancellation 366-213 days before departure incurs a 10% fee of the total cost.
– Cancellation 212-93 days prior incurs a 15% fee of the total cost.
– Cancellation within 92 days incurs a 100% fee of the total cost.
– Additionally, name changes are permitted up to 47 days before departure for a 50-euro fee per person, but not within 46 days.
If you truly cannot make the trip, you can also transfer your reservation.
Please remember to be very cautious when booking!
Cruise vacations can be quite complex. It is advisable to seek additional consultation before making a reservation. If you have inquiries, please contact the assistant (xiyoutravel4) who will add you to the [Xiyou Cruise Group]. Most international products require confirmation of cabin availability again, so please be sure to contact the assistant right after booking.
We previously promoted this trip two years ago, and readers who went reported excellent feedback. After all, it’s Tahiti, the Paul Gauguin.
Overall, this trip is suitable for romantic honeymoons, given that it’s Tahiti, and also great for family vacations since the third guest aged 3-17 travels free, making it very cost-effective. I personally prefer this cruise as it has been a long-desired journey for me.
**Tips about Tahiti**:
How to get to Tahiti from China?
Currently, there are no direct flights from China to Tahiti. Most travelers transfer via Tokyo (with Air Tahiti Nui) or Auckland (with Air New Zealand).
What other connections can be made to visit alongside Tahiti?
There are a few options; if you are traveling through Auckland, you can connect to New Zealand. Tahiti has direct flights to the Cook Islands, which I believe is the second-best destination in the South Pacific after Tahiti; there are also direct flights between Tahiti and Easter Island.
**Friendly Reminder**:
Experiencing the most beautiful things too early might make life subsequently feel dull. Our photographer visited Tahiti earlier this year, and now when she plans trips to Southeast Asian islands, she seems unmotivated.
Previously, she referred to Southeast Asian islands as “the joyful home” or “the sweet one.” Now, her tone has shifted, describing them with disdain.
Tahiti is indeed wonderful, but experiencing islands in moderation also brings joy.
Lastly, Kuramathi Island in the Maldives is back on offer. Its positioning is as an alternative to Southeast Asia, as you need to decide between the Maldives or Southeast Asian islands at similar price points. Moreover, Kuramathi’s highlight is its 1.8-kilometer long sand beach stretching endlessly between the sky and sea.
**Maldives Kuramathi Sand Beach Villa for 4 nights FB package** (including breakfast, lunch, and dinner + round trip speedboat): 4,788 yuan/person Validity: From May 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024. For stays between July 20 and October 31, there’s a supplement of 800 yuan/person. The May Day holiday does not incur extra charges.
Reservations can be cancelled freely 15 days prior to check-in, even after confirmed payment.
If you wish to upgrade to 2 meals + 2 snacks, it’s an additional 1,350 yuan/person. If you want to upgrade from FB (including three meals) to AI (all-inclusive), it’s an additional 1,650 yuan/person. Each room can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child.
Links are available on our video account. Book confidently through the travel links provided. We edited a video on Kuramathi Island, which prompted this offer. If you haven’t followed our video account yet, make sure to do so!
If you love travel, don’t forget to follow and pin our official account! I’m Jisucai Cai, the head of Xiyou, a travel blogger skilled at integrating travel with aviation, hotels, and credit cards to help you travel smarter!
