Paul Gauguin Cabins

In a world where many new luxury cruise ship rooms imitate modern hotels, it’s refreshing to be in a cruise ship cabin where you actually know that you’re at sea. While Paul Gauguin doesn’t have the most luxurious rooms out there, they are still comfy, efficient and offer a homey base for your French Polynesian adventure. The 2021 refurbishment, which replaced all carpet and linens, made the spaces feel airy and bright.

Of the 165 rooms onboard, nearly 70% have balconies and all have ocean views; there are no interior cabins. There are two wheelchair accessible cabins, and a few rooms can accommodate three people. Otherwise, there are no special family cabins.

What to Expect in the Rooms on Paul Gauguin

All cabins on Paul Gauguin have a queen-sized bed; a cabinet that contains a mini-bar, a small sofa/daybed, a table and stool, and a dressing area that consists of two closets and a vanity shelf, with a second stool. There is also a safe, a hair dryer and a small flatscreen TV (about 24 inches).

The porthole rooms are on Deck 3 and start at 204 square feet. The rooms with picture windows are the same size and located on Deck 4. They are virtually identical, beyond the type of window.

Most of the beds on Paul Gauguin are true queen-sized beds, with a queen-sized mattress, and so you’re not able to separate them. If you are traveling with friends or someone who isn’t your partner, request a room with a bed that can be split.

Suites and Balcony Rooms on Paul Gauguin

The balcony cabins on Paul Gauguin come in four different configurations, mostly determined by the deck they are on. Category D and Category C are identical in their layout, on Deck 6 and Deck 7, respectively. They come in at 215 square feet, with a 32 square foot balcony.

Your space goes up somewhat dramatically when you book a Category B veranda, and so do your perks. Besides bumping up to 247 square feet, a curtain separates your living area from your bedroom, giving you the illusion of a suite (although not the actual two rooms). Balconies are also larger, and you have an actual armchair with your sofa, as opposed to a stool. All rooms in this category and above also come with butler service.

The Category A veranda cabins are larger still, at 300 square feet. The closets in these rooms move to the area near the bathroom, instead of right next to the bed, which makes the room feel more spacious.

The Grand Suite is when life begins to feel truly luxe. Even though they aren’t true suites and are just one room, these cabins at the front of the ship on Deck 8 are 322 square feet and come with king-sized beds. There are two TVs in the room, as well as two armchairs with your sofa, and a second window in addition to your veranda. The balcony wraps around and is almost 194 square feet. You also receive two included 50-minute spa treatments when you book this suite.

Finally, there are two Owners Suite on Deck 7, located close to the bridge; each are slightly different. 7001 is 457 square feet, with a 77 square foot balcony; a separate bedroom with a queen-sized bed; a loveseat that pulls out into a twin for a third guest and a separate shower and dressing area. 7002 is 588 square feet with a 57 square foot balcony. The amenities are similar, but the loveseat pulls out into a queen bed for a third guest. Both rooms have a full dining table in addition to your sitting area. Perks here include private transfers, premium drinks at the bar and included spa services.

Cabin Bathrooms on Paul Gauguin

The bathrooms on Paul Gauguin are efficient and attractive, with good storage options. It’s not a place, though, that two people can easily share at the same time, even in the suites, as there are no double vanities.

Unusual in cruise ships these days, all cabins have a tub. You need to step over the somewhat high and narrow tub for your shower, although there are grab bars and mats so you don’t slip. A half-glass door keeps the water out. Products in the bathroom are Algotherm; you have shower gel, shampoo and conditioner in dispensers affixed to the wall.

Cabins to Avoid on Paul Gauguin

If you are an early-to-bed kind of person, avoid the cabins both above and below Le Grand Salon on decks 4 and 6, as noise bleeds through. The porthole rooms on Deck 3 line the passage to the marina, which is used by scuba divers. That can either be a boon or a curse, depending on if you’re one of them.

The South Pacific can be rocky. If you’re prone to seasickness, it’s best to get rooms that are at the middle of the ship and not on the top level.

Alternatively, check out our favorite cabins below.

Cruise Critic Room Picks

On a Budget: Your days on Paul Gauguin can be action-packed if you maximize time on shore, so if you’re looking to get in at the lowest level, we’d go for a picture window if you’re not a scuba diver, a porthole window if you are (due to the proximity of these rooms to the marina).

For a Splash: All of the balcony cabins are decent sized, but if you’re looking to upscale your French Polynesia trip, we’d book Category B or higher to get the butler service.

For a Splurge: Of the suites, we prefer the wrap-around balcony and king-sized bed in the Grand Suite, as opposed to the Owners Suites.