MS Paul Gaugin - Magical Cruise in French Polynesia

MS Paul Gaugin

One of my best ever holidays was a 7 day cruise around the Tahitian islands on the MS Paul Gaugin.  Talk about 6 star luxury.  It was a smaller sized ship – about 300 passengers.  The itinerary was very leisurely.  Just tootling between various islands – going on little excursions.

The staff had both the big and little things right.  When onshore, you knew that if you went back to the wharf you would find a crew member in a little marquee ready to give you an ice cool drink.  Very refreshing in the heat.

Platform at rear of MS Paul Gaugin for launching water sports

The food was great on board.  I didn’t use it but there was 24 hour free room service.  Your cabin was also stocked with beers and spirits of your choice at no extra charge.  The crew were spectacular – friendly without being obsequious.  The ship perfectly designed for the itinerary – I wouldn’t want to go out into the really open sea on it – since I suspect it would have rolled but it was just fine.  There is a marina at the rear of the ship which they lower as a platform for kayaking, snorkelling, scuba etc.  The best day was probably on the private motu (island) where you arrived to see guys walking around in the water towing a floating bar from which they were doling out fruit cocktails.

Floating bar on private island day

Top 10 places I have visited – not including in NZ

Oops – there are actually 12.  In alpha order:

Bermuda – pink sand, lots of golf courses, great architecture, great weather and those shorts…

Cruising around French Polynesia – on the MS Paul Gaugin, 6 star, amazing, great stops, leisurely and lovely

 

Devon and Cornwall – lovely coastline, ruins, clotted cream, nice seaside towns like Bude and Penzance

French river/canal cruising – on a hotel barge, calm, tranquil, great food and wine, interesting places to visit.  Try to research who the fellow passengers are likely to be – I ended up with mostly Americans which was a mixed blessing.

Las Vegas – completely OTT but see it to believe it, have to do it once.

Loire Valley – chateaux everywhere you look, river views, little villages but too many tourists.

Martha’s Vineyard – a classy part of the US.  Picturesque island reached by ferry from Woods’ Hole. 

 

Monte Carlo – the Casino, grand hotels, grand yachts, conspicuous consumption

New Caledonia – a slice of French culture so close to NZ.  Nice beaches, good food and a wonderful cultural centre Tjibaou

Paris – of course, the Ile St Louis, Musee d’Orsay, Montmartre, Notre Dame, La Defense

Provence – the Pont du Gard, Avignon, Rocamadour, Les Baux and so much else.

Vatulele, Fiji – this was many years ago because I now have political qualms about visiting Fiji post coup/s.  Great all inclusive resort.  You have your own stretch of beach.  If you want something, you put your flag out and a little boat comes to you.  Communal dining optional but a lot of fun.  At night the staff go off duty and you are just left with an open bar which makes for some interesting cocktails.