Windstar or Paul Gauguin for French Polynesia?
You've decided French Polynesia is the destination. Bora Bora, Moorea, the Tuamotu atolls — the imagery alone is enough to book a flight. Now comes the real question: do you sail with Windstar Cruises or Paul Gauguin Cruises?
Both operate small ships. Both linger in ports longer than the mega-ships. But they deliver very different trips. Here's what actually separates them — and how to figure out which one belongs in your itinerary.
Already curious how French Polynesia looks port-by-port? The French Polynesia by Cruise Ship guide covers the destination essentials before you commit to a ship.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Gauguin is entirely dedicated to French Polynesia and the South Pacific year-round.
- Windstar sails French Polynesia seasonally and offers more itinerary variety, including the Cook Islands.
- The m/s Paul Gauguin carries around 332 guests; Windstar's Star Breeze carries around 312.
- Paul Gauguin's pricing is largely all-inclusive; Windstar's is not.
- Both are genuinely small-ship, immersive experiences — the right choice hinges on your travel style, not just the destination.
What Does Each Line Actually Offer in French Polynesia?
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises exists for one purpose: French Polynesia and the South Pacific. The m/s Paul Gauguin sails year-round from Papeete, and that singular focus shows. The crew knows these islands deeply. The onboard naturalists, lecturers, and Polynesian cultural programming reflect decades of sailing the same waters.
The ship carries the Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines — a group of Tahitian and Marquesan hosts who perform, share stories, and connect guests to local culture in a way no outside excursion can replicate. That's not a feature you find on other lines.
Itineraries range from 7 nights to 14 nights. The 7-night Society Islands itinerary (Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora) is the entry point. Longer voyages add the Marquesas and Tuamotus. Every itinerary returns to Papeete.
Windstar Cruises
Windstar's French Polynesia sailings run seasonally — typically late fall through spring, operating out of Tahiti. The Star Breeze, a 312-guest all-suite yacht, is the primary ship for these waters. Windstar also offers itineraries that stretch into the Cook Islands, which Paul Gauguin does not.
Windstar's DNA is yacht-style cruising: sails (on the sailing ships), open bridges, water sports platforms in remote anchorages, and a casual-elegant onboard vibe. The Star Breeze is a motor yacht, not a sailing vessel, so you won't get the romance of canvas overhead — but you get modern suites, a top-tier spa, and Windstar's well-regarded culinary program.
If French Polynesia is one part of a longer itinerary — or if Cook Islands access matters to you — Windstar has an edge here.
How Do the Ships Compare?
| Feature | m/s Paul Gauguin | Star Breeze (Windstar) |
|---|---|---|
| Guest capacity | ~332 | ~312 |
| Ship type | Small luxury liner | All-suite motor yacht |
| Pricing structure | Largely all-inclusive | Not all-inclusive |
| Home port | Papeete, Tahiti (year-round) | Papeete, Tahiti (seasonal) |
| Itinerary focus | French Polynesia & South Pacific only | French Polynesia + Cook Islands |
| Water sports platform | Yes | Yes |
| Cultural programming | Polynesian hosts onboard | Shore excursion-based |
| Sailing experience | Motor vessel | Motor vessel |
Neither ship is large by any measure. You'll know fellow guests by name within two days on either vessel.
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What's the Real Difference in Price?
This is where many travelers are surprised. Paul Gauguin's pricing is largely all-inclusive, covering most beverages, gratuities, and select excursions depending on the sailing. That changes the math considerably when you're budgeting.
Windstar's base fares tend to come in lower on a per-night basis, but shore excursions, beverages, and gratuities are generally additional. Add those back in and the gap narrows — or closes entirely.
For a 7-night sailing, expect Paul Gauguin pricing to start in the mid-to-high four figures per person for interior cabins and climb well above that for balcony suites and higher categories. Windstar's Star Breeze is an all-suite ship, so there's no interior cabin tier — suites start in a comparable range for French Polynesia sailings.
The honest answer: both are a meaningful investment. Paul Gauguin's all-inclusive structure often makes it easier to budget the total trip cost upfront.
Which Itineraries Are Worth Choosing?
Paul Gauguin's Strong Suits
The 14-night Marquesas & Tuamotus itinerary is remarkable — it reaches islands most travelers never access, including Fakarava (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) and the dramatic Marquesas. If depth over breadth matters to you, this is the sailing to consider.
The 7-night Society Islands sailings are the easiest entry point and offer excellent port time in Bora Bora, with an overnight stay that many itineraries skip.
Windstar's Strong Suits
Windstar's French Polynesia & Cook Islands itinerary is genuinely rare. Aitutaki, in particular, is one of the Pacific's most photogenic lagoons and rarely reachable by cruise ship. If you want French Polynesia and something beyond the standard island circuit, Windstar earns serious consideration.
Windstar also gives travelers a chance to combine their cruise with pre- or post-cruise hotel stays in Tahiti, with some packages building that in.
Why Working with an Advisor Makes a Real Difference Here
These two lines don't compete at the same travel agencies you'd find on a generic booking site. Availability windows for Paul Gauguin's marquee itineraries — especially the Marquesas sailings — can close months in advance. Windstar's seasonal French Polynesia departures sell out early too, particularly in the January-through-March sweet spot when weather is most cooperative.
An advisor with direct relationships to both lines can also help you stack amenities, match cabin categories to what you actually need, and flag which departures pair well with business-class air from Denver or connecting hubs. That kind of specificity matters when you're spending this much on a trip.
If you're weighing other small-ship options at the same time, the Regent Seven Seas vs Silversea comparison is worth a look for context on how all-inclusive pricing structures differ across luxury lines.
When you're ready to start planning, reach out to Ohana Cruises. Jeffrey Lazo works directly with both Windstar and Paul Gauguin Cruises and can help you compare sailings side by side — no pressure, just honest guidance built around the trip you're actually trying to take.
