Paul Gauguin Cruises announced that the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin will undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment during a 7-week drydock in Singapore this upcoming February.
The project will introduce sustainable technology upgrades, a contemporary new look for its popular Le Grill restaurant, a reimagined pool deck complete with shaded cabana areas, eight new connecting staterooms and updated furnishings throughout the ship. This significant update means an even more elevated experience for clients seeking the ultimate luxury in cruising.
Elevated Upgrades
“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, in a press statement. “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 minimize the environmental footprint—an area in which the Group continues to lead. With her year-round presence in the Islands of Tahiti, The 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.”
Stirling Design International, a global leader in transportation design, is leading the project. Since 1984, the studio has spearheaded the design of PONANT EXPLORATIONS Group’s new-build fleet. Their expertise is evident in the design for the ship’s reimagined interiors and open decks. Highlights of The Gauguin refurbishment include:
Connecting Staterooms: Eight new connecting staterooms on Deck 7 will appeal to the multi-generational travel boom.
Le Grill: The indoor/outdoor restaurant adjacent to the pool will get a top-to-bottom makeover featuring a sleek, contemporary look in white with wood screens, ceramic tiles and trim framing culinary stations, and soft oak wood furnishings crowned by stylish bamboo light fixtures.
Pool Deck & Pool Bar: A new white canopy will shade cabana-like seating on the port side of the newly refinished teak pool deck, while the façade of the pool itself will be wrapped by a new mosaic banner. Ample white chaise loungers will surround the space, ensuring blissful moments of sunshine and scenery. The Pool Bar will receive the same white wood-carved screens as Le Grill, as well as new lighting for a subtle evening glow.
Throughout the ship, both public spaces and staterooms will see reupholstered furnishings and new carpeting in a tropically chic color palette as well as woodwork restorations. The refurbishment will also introduce cutting-edge sustainable technology to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Upgrades will include advanced heat recovery systems, efficient chillers, an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system generating electricity from heat and optimized electric motors, significantly reducing energy consumption.
A new seawater treatment system will produce fresh water onboard, while the Nordaq filtration system that produces drinking water from seawater helps eliminate plastic water bottles, minimizing single-use plastics. Waste management enhancements include a glass crusher and a cardboard compactor for efficient recycling.
After its refurbishments, The Gauguin will offer two voyages as part of its 2025 Boutique Crossing Collection—the 14-night Immersive Indonesia: Singapore to Australia, departing April 1, 2025; and a 16-night Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji, departing April 15, 2025.
For more information, visit pgcruises.com.
