Paul Gauguin Cruises’ ’Paul Gauguin’ has arrived in Singapore to undergo an extensive refurbishment programme.
She will be in drydock for seven weeks.
The multi-million dollar project will introduce sustainable technology upgrades, a contemporary new look for its Le Grill restaurant, a re-imagined pool deck complete with shaded cabana areas, eight new connecting staterooms, and the updating of soft furnishings throughout the ship.
“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,” said Hervé Gastinel, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer of PONANT Explorations Group, owner of Paul Gauguin Cruises.
“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 minimise the environmental footprint—an area in which the Group continues to lead.
“With her year round presence in the Islands of Tahiti, ’Gauguin’ is more than a vessel; she is a key member of the Polynesian community, reflecting our profound connection to this region and its people,” he said.
Stirling Design International will lead the interior upgrade. Since 1984, the studio has spearheaded the design of PONANT’s newbuilding luxury expedition cruise fleet.
The ship’s re-imagined interiors and open decks, will include intricate lattice work and canvas elements to harmonise with warm wood finishes, blending with the natural light and the vessel’s tropical surroundings.
Highlights of the refurbishment programme include:
- 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 the Moana Explorer Programme in 2020 in partnership with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservancy foundation. ’Paul Gauguin’ is the only cruise ship in French Polynesia year-round to offer a complimentary programme for children ages six to 15 on select summer and holiday voyages.
- Le Grill: Offering floor-to-ceiling views of islands and sea, this indoor/outdoor restaurant adjacent to the pool will get a top-to-bottom makeover to feature a sleek, contemporary look in white with wood screens, ceramic tiles, and trim framing culinary stations, and soft oak wood furnishings crowned by bamboo light fixtures. This is where guests can enjoy open-seating breakfast buffets, causal lunches dining on grilled favourites and salads, and dinners by reservation, showcasing an authentic menu of Polynesian and international specialties.
- Pool Deck: A new white canopy will shade cabana-like seating on the port side of the newly refinished teak pool deck, while the pool’s façade will be wrapped by a new mosaic banner. White chaise loungers will surround the space.
- Pool Bar: Amplifying the new pool space, the Pool Bar will receive the same white wood-carved screens as Le Grill, as well as new lighting for the evening.
- Soft Good Enhancements: Throughout the ship, both public spaces and staterooms will undergo re-upholstered furnishings and new carpeting in a tropically colour palette, as well as woodwork restorations.
- Sustainable Technology Upgrades: The refurbishment will also introduce sustainable technology to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Energy performance upgrades will include advanced heat recovery systems, efficient chillers, an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system generating electricity from heat, and optimised electric motors, significantly reducing energy consumption.
In addition, a new seawater treatment system will produce fresh water on board, while the Nordaq filtration system that produces drinking water from seawater helps eliminate plastic water bottles, minimising single-use plastics.
Waste management enhancements include a glass crusher and a cardboard compactor for efficient recycling.
Emerging from the drydock at the end of March, ’Paul Gauguin’ will offer two unique voyages as part of its 2025 Boutique Crossing Collection, a 14-night Immersive Indonesia: Singapore to Australia, departing 1st April, 2025; and a 16-night Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji, departing 15th April, 2025 as the ship sails back to Tahiti.
She will then resume her schedule of all-inclusive, luxury voyages offering seven- to 14-night journeys to the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Cook Islands, and Marquesas.
