Le Paul Gauguin

Provided On Board

• Hairdryer
• Bathrobe
• Slippers
• Towels
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shower gel
• Lotion

Power Sockets

110V American (two flat pins) / 220V European (round sockets with two round pins).

Footwear Adventure

Shoes suitable for wearing in the water—whether they are reef shoes, sneakers, or old sandals—are imperative for water-based activities. There are corals, urchins, and other marine life that can cause painful cuts and injuries that can be prevented by bringing footwear from home. There is limited opportunity for purchase in the South Pacific. Note that flip-flops are not suitable for this function.

Important Note

For wet landings, cheaper neoprene reef shoes, flip-flops, and crocs are not suitable for any terrain. If you do not want to invest in a new pair of sandals, you can use old runners (that will get ruined) for getting your feet wet and then change into dry walking shoes. This does mean carrying a second pair of shoes and a hand towel to dry your feet.

Comfortable walking shoes and wet landing shoes such as reef walkers, Tevas or old sneakers are recommended.

All vessels are equipped to deal with the majority dietary requirements with 4 weeks notice.  If you have any questions or concerns please speak with us prior to booking a cruise. 

Breakfast

On board, start each day the right way.

Smoothies are made to order with fresh fruits and vegetables at La Palette on deck 8.

Enjoy a room service breakfast in your stateroom, or breakfast in a relaxed atmosphere around the swimming pool (at the Grill) or in a more sophisticated setting at the Veranda. Coffee, espresso, tea, fruit juices, smoothies and mimosas are popular breakfast beverages.

Restaurants

Each day, the chef creates quality dishes to prepare menus that reflect typical flavours and French tradition.

L’Etoile: Deck 5

• L’Étoile serves a range of international cuisine and local dishes in an ambiance of refined elegance.
• Open for dinner only

La Véranda: Deck 6

• La Véranda serves breakfast and lunch in the form of a buffet offering a varied selection of options. For dinner, the chef prepares a range of gastronomic cuisine, with a special emphasis on the tastes and flavours of Polynesia (booking required).
• Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Lunch is open for walk-ins and dinner by reservation

The Grill: Deck 8

• Located by the pool, the Grill is the ideal restaurant for an open-air breakfast, a buffet lunch (grills, salads and fresh tropical fruits) or a casual dinner with reservation.
• Breakfast and lunch buffets
• Polynesian specialty dinner with reservation
• Pool view

Snacks

Tea time is around 4 p.m., when delicious sweets, tea, coffee and cold drinks are served.

Beverages On Board

• Aperitifs and petit fours are served on board the ship each day at 6 p.m.
• From embarkation and throughout the cruise, unlimited complimentary drinks* are served. We call this the Open Bar. This also applies to drinks from the minibar and those served by room service.

* Excludes premium alcohol drinks served à la carte

Special Meal Requirements

Special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options, are incorporated into all menus. The chefs are happy to accommodate other dietary needs with advance notice.

A big part of being on an ‘expedition’ is getting away to the more remote corners of the world. This can mean interrupted signals and service on board

A satellite communication system is provided for you to use to contact people anywhere in the world. The total charges for all such communications are added directly to the stateroom account (the rates depend on the region the ship is sailing through). Calls that you receive can be transferred directly to your stateroom or to any other communal area on the ship. To receive or send faxes, please see Reception.

Free Wi-Fi internet access is available on all of our ships, in both the staterooms and the communal areas. One or several computers are at your disposal in the recreation centers. Please note that the Wi-Fi connection may be discontinued depending on the navigation area and landscapes that may block the vessel from satellite coverage, especially at high latitudes (no connection possible beyond 80° North or South), or for technical reasons beyond our control.

Diving and initiation dive

Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.

Supplied equipment

• Diving wetsuit
• Stabilising jacket
• Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
• Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
• Fins

Mask & snorkel: advice to bring your own for health reasons

Cultural enrichment

On board the fleet, in addition to the animation programme and the cultural and scientific conferences, you will find a choice of books and board games. On board the Sisterships, the library is also equipped with Wi-Fi connected computers. On the lower deck there is an image and photography area in order to view and order photos of your cruise. The staterooms on all our ships are each equipped with a television offering free films and documentaries.

Gym

In order to maintain your fitness, and following the programme, a group gym session on the decks, in the pool or in the theater (fitness, yoga, Pilates, meditation, aquagym – list to be confirmed on board with the crew) will be offered to you during your cruise.

Other

Informative presentations may be organized during the day. A varied and entertaining programme of cultural and fun activities is on offer every evening.

On expedition cruises, passengers are always accompanied by a team of about ten naturalist-guides and experts on board which constitutes one of the best guest-to-staff ratios found on any voyage of this kind. They are all specialized in a particular field: history, geology, marine or land mammals, ornithology… Their objective is to share their knowledge with passengers during on-board conferences and excursions as well as landings in Zodiac boats, with the aim of making them true ambassadors of the regions they visit.

They are also there to ensure safety during expedition activities, excursions and landings in Zodiac boats. They set off on scouting missions, prepare meticulously for every excursion, supervise and ensure the safety of passengers, etc.

They are trained in the regulations governing exploration trips in the polar zones (IAATO in Antarctica, AECO in the Arctic) and have the necessary certifications and licenses to ensure the supervision of the proposed activities.

Ponant will do everything they can to make these expeditions accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

Transfer options vary depending on your itinerary in most destinations. Please ask us for specific details. 1300 654 861 or contact@expeditionpartners.com.au