14/02/2025
The m/s Paul Gauguin, French Polynesia's expert, renovated in 2025
Thu Paul Gauguin Cruises ship is undergoing major refurbishment work to equip her with new sustainable technologies.
The work includes a complete renovation of Le Grill restaurant and the pool area, as well as the creation of eight connecting cabins. These transformations are taking place between February and March, during a seven-week technical stop in Singapore.
Our vision for this refurbishment is deeply rooted in our ongoing commitment to delivering an authentic experience that reflects the beauty and culture of French Polynesia.
Hervé Gastinel, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP
Leading the design is Stirling Design International, a globally recognised leader in transportation design, whose thoughtful approach perfectly aligns with Paul Gauguin Cruises’ vision of artful and authentic discovery. Since 1984, the studio has spearheaded the design of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP’s new-build fleet. Their expertise shines through in the design for the ship’s reimagined interiors and open decks, where intricate latticework and canvas elements will harmonize with warm wood finishes, seamlessly blending with the natural light and stunning tropical surroundings.
The ship is beloved by our guests and the local community, and we continue to invest in The Gauguin’s elegant design while integrating advanced, more sustainable technologies to minimize the environmental footprint—an area in which the Group continues to lead. With her year-round presence in the Islands of Tahiti, the m/s Paul Gauguin is more than a vessel; she is a essential member of the Polynesian community, reflecting our profound connection to this region and its people.
Hervé Gastinel, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP
Highlights of the m/s Paul Gauguin refurbishment include:
- Le Grill: Offering floor-to-ceiling views of islands and sea, this inviting indoor/outdoor restaurant adjacent to the pool will get a top-to-bottom makeover featuring a sleek, contemporary look in white with wood screens, ceramic tiles, and trim framing culinary stations, and soft oak wood furnishings crowned by stylish bamboo light fixtures. This is where guests enjoy open-seating breakfast buffets, causal lunches dining on grilled favorites and salads, and dinners by reservation showcasing an authentic menu of Polynesian and international specialties.
- Pool Deck: A sweeping new white canopy will shade cabana-like seating on the port side of the newly refinished teak pool deck, while the façade of the pool itself will be wrapped by a new mosaic banner. Ample white chaise loungers surround the space, ensuring blissful moments of sunshine and scenery.
- Pool Bar: Amplifying the chic new pool space, the Pool Bar will receive the same white wood-carved screens as Le Grill, as well as new lighting for a subtle evening glow.
- Connecting Staterooms: Eight new connecting staterooms on Deck 7 will appeal to the growing multi-generational travel boom; a trend that Paul Gauguin Cruises anticipated when launching its highly successful Moana Explorer Program in 2020 in partnership with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservancy foundation. The m/s Paul Gauguin remains the only cruise ship in French Polynesia year-round to offer a complimentary program for children ages six to 15 on select summer and holiday voyages.
- Soft Good Enhancements: Throughout the ship, both public spaces and staterooms will see reupholstered furnishings and new carpeting in a tropically chic color palette as well as woodwork restorations.
- Sustainable Technology Upgrades: The refurbishment introduces cutting-edge sustainable technology to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Energy performance upgrades include advanced heat recovery systems, efficient chillers, an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system generating electricity from heat, and optimized electric motors, significantly reducing energy consumption. A new seawater treatment system will produce fresh water onboard, while the Nordaq filtration system that produces drinking water from seawater helps eliminating plastic water bottles, minimizing single-use plastics. Waste management enhancements include a glass crusher and a cardboard compactor for efficient recycling.
The stack will now display the iconic three-sail logo, referencing the institutional brand PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP. Crafted in polished steel and illuminated with LED, the nitghtime effect will be particularly refined. Paul Gauguin Cruises’ signature scripted “P” logo will take a prominent position on Deck 8 forward, while the sleek white hull will receive modern gray accents. These design elements underscore the shared values, reflecting their unwavering commitment to authenticity and the mariner’s spirit of adventure.