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Monday, January 2, 2017

PAUL GAUGUIN TAHITI AND SOCIETY ISLANDS CRUISE

PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES
7-DAY TAHITI AND SOCIETY ISLANDS

For years, going on the Paul Gauguin Cruise through French Polynesia has been a dream of mine.
While we live in a paradise called Hawaii, something told me that I needed to see more of Polynesia and learn more about the Islands of Polynesia.  I had read about the small Paul Gauguin Cruise Ship and really wanted to experience the Islands on this ship and not a mega ship cruising with thousands of passengers.  The Gauguin carries around 300 passengers so it is uncrowded, relaxed and a bit more upscale than the larger ships.  Service aboard the ship is excellent with around 90% of the crew being from the Philippines.  The Filipino staff learns your name and preferences quickly and when they see you they call you by name and ask if you would like your favorite drink.  I have a habit of leaving the cabin around 45 minutes before my girls prior to dinner.  This gives them privacy to get ready for the evening while I relax with a cocktail.  On the Paul Gauguin, I usually hit the Piano Bar of if the weather were good outside the Le Palette Lounge.  At the Piano Bar I would show up and be greeted by name and my favorite drink would be delivered in seconds.  Should my glass go down a bit the waiter was there to refill it again and again.  We had a super Cabin Attendant who greeted us by name every time she encountered us and always asked how we are doing and if we needed anything.  This gal was bright and bubbly and also doubled as a lead singer for the Cruise Ship evening performance.  Wow could she sing.   Incredible.   We usually awoke around 8:00 am and then enjoyed a light breakfast at the La Veranda Restaurant on Deck 6.  We were greeted by name here and after the first day they knew if we liked coffee or cappuccino and would offer it or just bring it.  Breakfast is by order or buffet here.  The buffet includes, fruits, pastries, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, toasts/bagels, yogurt and the other staples of breakfast.  I would normally eat some fruit along with cottage cheese and order a half order of Eggs Benedict.  The first day I ordered a full order and it was just too much.  Breakfast and coffee was followed by hitting our tours on the various Islands.  Believe me they were amazing experiences.  Upon arrival back to the ship each day we would relax and order up a snack via room service or go up to the small buffet on the pool deck.  Then it was dinner around 8:00 pm and then enjoy the evening show.  We enjoyed most of the meals on the Paul Gauguin but did not think the food was the best.  It is good and there are some nice selections.  All of your wine, beer, soda and cocktails are included aboard the Paul Gauguin.  This is great because you never have to pull out your room card and get a charge for drinks.  I enjoyed champagne and wine each day aboard the ship and found the selections of wines offered to be excellent.  There is not much to do aboard the ship.  There is a gym and spa along with a small pool.  This turned out to be ok because we were out all day swimming or taking tours.  My free time on the ship was spent up on the 8th floor deck in the back of the ship.  Relaxing little space and absolutely beautiful when the weather was warm and clear.  The stops we made were awesome with Moorea, Bora Bora and Motu Mahana being  our favorites but all were fantastic.  Highly recommend this cruise.  
Links to our Ports of Call below;

OUR ARRIVAL ON THE PAUL GAUGUIN

PAUL GAUGUIN DOCKED IN THE PAPEETE HARBOR IN TAHITI
VIEW OF PAPEETE FROM OUR STATEROOM
LEAVING PAPEETE FOR OUR POLYNESIAN ADVENTURE
PAUL GAUGUIN 7-DAY TAHITI AND SOCIETY ISLANDS CRUISE SCHEDULE
MAP OF FRENCH POLYNESIA
PAUL GAUGUIN HOLDS ONLY 320 PASSENGERS
BALCONY STATEMROOM IS A BIT TIGHT
ENTRANCE TO STATEROOM 
ROOM FOR THREE OF US WITH SMALL COUCH OPENING UP TO A BED
FRESH FRUIT DAILY AND MY DAUGHTER ATE HALF THE APPLE BEFORE I TOOK THIS PIC
REFRESMENT AND STORAGE CENTER WITH SMALL TELEVISION
REFRIGERATOR STOCKED DAILY AND ALL DRINKS INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE
SMALL SAFE FOR VALUABLES, PASSPORT, WATCHES AND WALLET
TWO SMALL CLOSETS AND MAKE UP DESK
ROBES AND SLIPPERS INSIDE THE CLOSET
BATHROOM WAS SMALL BUT FINE FOR THIS CRUISE
SHOWER AND TUB
THE COMPLIMENTARY BAGS REALLY CAME IN HANDY FOR SHORE EXCURSIONS
DECK 6 HALLWAY INCLUDES SOME PAINTINGS AND ARTIFACTS
PHOTOS OF PAUL GAUGUIN CAN BE FOUND AROUND THE SHIP
LOVED THE PHOTOS OF GAUGUIN 
GAUGUIN AT TWENTY YEARS OLD
SOME ORIGINAL DRAWINGS ABOARD THE SHIP
RARE PHOTOS OF GAUGUIN
ORIGINAL DRAWINGS
SIGNED PRINTS
SELF PORTRAIT
GAUGUIN IN POLYNESIA

POOL DECK
POOL DECK IS COMFORTABLE WITH A BAR
POOL BAR IS OPEN AND ALL THE DRINKS ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE
LE PALLETE LOUNGE IN BACK OF SHIP
NICE BAR THAT OPENS TO THE OUTSIDE DECK WHEN WEATHER IS PERMITTING
NOT A BAD PLACE TO RELAX
OUTDOOR DINING OFF THE MAIN RESTAURANT LA VERANDA
SMALL LIBRARY, GYM, SPA AND DVD COLLECTION ABOARD THE SHIP




SMALL PIANO BAR WITH A GREAT PIANIST NAMED ALEX
PIANO BAR HAD A GREAT STAFF
EVENING SNACKS IN THE PIANO BAR
A SNACK BEFORE DINNER
PAINTINGS IN THE PIANO BAR ARE FOR SALE.  WHERE ARE THE GAUGUIN PRINTS I THOUGHT
THE CASINO IS TINY
ONE BLACK JACK TABLE AND ONE ROULETTE TABLE ALONG WITH A DOZEN SLOTS MACHINES
ENJOY BREAKFAST IN YOUR STATEROOM
MADE TO ORDER BREAKFAST SERVED IN YOUR STATEROOM WHEN YOU WANT IT
ENTRANCE TO LA VERANDA RESTAURANT
BREAKFAST MENU AT LA VERANDA
EGGS BENEDICT IS MY BREAKFAST FAVORITE
ROOM SERVICE MENU
PAUL GAUGUIN ROOM SERVICE MENU IS GOOD
FRESH FRUIT PLATTER
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
ROAST BEEF SANDWICH
PROSCUITTO DI PARMA
STEAK SANDWICH
CHEESE BURGER


FINE DINING ABOARD THE PAUL GAUGUIN
FINE DINING ABOARD THE PAUL GAUGUIN
L ETOILE RESTAURANT MENU
CRISP VEGETABLE SPRING ROLLS
PROSCUITTO DI MANZO AL CAPRINO
MAHI MAHI AND TUNA SASHIMI - THIS WAS THE BEST SASHIMI EVER!!!!
ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST
LOCAL YELLOW FIN TUNA
PASTA BOLOGNESE
DESSERT MENU
ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM
LA VERANDA MENU
SO MUCH GOOD FOOD!
SEARED FOIE GRAS ATOP TUNA SASHIMI
DUO OF ESCARGOT WITH MUSHROOMS AND EGG
MIX THE EGG WITH THE ESCARGOT
YELLOW FIN TUNA CARPACCIO
CHILLED TOMATO SOUP WITH SHIRMP
CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP WAS FANTASTIC
ROASTED LAMB
TRUFFLE AND MUSHROOM RISOTTO
GRILLED TENDERLOIN OF BEEF


LE GRILL RESTAURANT ON THE POOL DECK
LE GRILL MENU
LE GRILL MAIN COURSES AND DESSERTS
FRESH BREADS WITH BUTTER
PAN SEARED CRAB CAKES
HAWAIIAN STYLE AHI POKE
COCONUT SHRIMP
CUCUMBER AND DAIKON
CAESAR SALAD
CHICKEN CHOW MEIN
POLYNESIAN STEAK
GRILLED LOCAL FRESH FISH
MANGO CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
FIVE SPICED CHOCOLATE FONDANT
L ETOILE RESTAURANT MENU
DELICIOUS MENU ABOARD THE PAUL GAUGUIN
SEARED AHI TUNA







LASAGNA

SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE - YUCK!
BANANA BOAT


LUNCH AT LE GRILL
LE GRILL LUNCH BUFFET
SELECTIONS OF COLD AND WARM APPETIZERS, SALADS AND ENTREES
CHICKEN, FISH AND SALAD FOR LUNCH
PAUL GAUGUIN CHRISTMAS MENU
CHRISTMAS MENU DID NOT DISAPPOINT AND WAS DELICIOUS
TRADITIONAL ONION SOUP
FOIS GRAS TERRINE
GRILLED PEAR AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD
BROILED LOBSTER TAIL WITH SHIRMP AND SCALLOP STUFFING
BLACK ANGUS TENDERLOIN WITH FOIE GRAS
ROAST CHRISTMAS TURKEY WITH GRAVY
LA VERANDA DING ROOM
BACK TO LA VERANDA FOR DINNER


ALL OF YOUR CHAMPAGNE AND WINE IS INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE PRICE
FOIS GRAS WITH TUNA
TUNA CARPACCIO
MUSHROOM SOUP WAS AGAIN AWESOME
GREEN ASPARAGUS SALAD
GRILLED TENDERLOIN OF BEEF
ROASTED LAMB
BROILED SHRIMP WITH VEGETABLES
TRUFFLE AND MUSHROOM RISOTTO
FRESH FRUIT WITH WARM WHITE CHOCOLATE
A FINISHING TOUCH TO DINNER
PAUL GAUGUIN TAHITIAN DINNER
TAHITIAN DINNER SPECIALTIES AND DESSERTS
OVEN ROASTED TOFU
PUMPKIN GNOCCHI
LEEWARD ISLAND BOUILLON SOUP
MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH CUCUMBER AND TOMATO
SEAFOOD BROCHETTE OF SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS
GRILLED MAHI MAHI
GRILLED MARINATED VEAL
WARM CHOCOLATE FONDANT

PAUL GAUGUIN SHOWROOM
GREAT TAHITIAN DANCE SHOW CLOSED OUT OUR CRUISE
SUNSET FROM THE PAUL GAUGUIN
HEADING BACK TO PAPEETE WAS SAD.  WANTED TO STAY ANOTHER WEEK
ABSOLUTELY LOVED OUR PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISE!


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