We felt incredibly lucky to be invited on board for this special launch. There was a real buzz among guests - being among the first to experience the ship in her refreshed state was something we won’t forget. While many passengers were continuing all the way to Darwin and even on to Fiji, our schedules only allowed us to join the Singapore to Bali sector. Even in that short time, the experience was absolutely unforgettable.
Departing on 1 April, our voyage took us from the vibrant shores of Singapore to the cultural richness of Indonesia. One of our first ports was Parai Beach on Bangka Island - a relatively rare destination for cruise ships.
Parai gave us a spectacular welcome. It was the island’s first cruise ship visit since COVID, and the excitement surrounding Paul Gauguin’s arrival was palpable. Island residents, schoolchildren, performers and local dignitaries all came to greet the tender boats. We were treated to a traditional Indonesian welcome ceremony with music, dancing and heartfelt smiles. The Captain, of course, was the guest of honour. It was one of those truly special moments that meant a lot to both us and the locals.
We continued on to Surabaya, where Martine joined the full-day excursion to the awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site of Borobudur Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world.
I opted for a different kind of serenity and spent the day on board Paul Gauguin. With most guests ashore, I enjoyed a peaceful morning followed by a luxurious treatment at the ship’s Serenity by Algotherm spa. The marine-based French products were divine. While the spa is compact, it offers a range of modern facial treatments and, of course, heavenly massages.
Dining on board the m/s Paul Gauguin is an experience in itself, with three distinct venues to choose from. The main dining room, L’Etoile, offers a refined yet inviting setting with a nightly changing à la carte menu and no reservations required. It’s ideal for an elegant dinner with new friends or a quiet table for two.
La Veranda, located aft with gorgeous ocean views, serves breakfast and lunch in a casual setting and transforms into an intimate French bistro by night. Dinner reservations are required here, and the menu changes every four days, offering guests a rotating selection of gourmet dishes.
Le Grill, located by the pool, provides a relaxed al fresco dining option during the day with a menu of fresh, light fare. In the evening, it becomes a stylish venue for candlelit dinners under the stars. Like La Veranda, dinner reservations are required and the menu rotates regularly, blending regional flavours with French refinement.
Every meal featured beautiful fresh bread from the galley ovens, and breakfast was a particular highlight. Golden honey sourced from the Marquesas Islands and exquisite artisanal jams from across the South Pacific were among the many small, authentic touches that made the experience feel truly Polynesian.
French flair ran deliciously through every menu. From buttery croissants and flaky pastries in the morning to indulgent foie gras and Tarte Tatin at dinner, each bite was a reminder of Paul Gauguin’s heritage. The cheese selection rivalled any Parisian fromagerie, and free-flowing French Champagne was always close at hand - just one of the many inclusions on this all-inclusive voyage.
Our stateroom was spacious, well-appointed and full of thoughtful details. There was ample storage, a bright bathroom with a shower over the bath and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opening onto our balcony.
Each evening, a small plate of hors d’oeuvres arrived with turndown service - a lovely touch that made returning to our room feel like our own private cocktail hour. The mini bar was restocked daily and well curated, and anything extra was just a room service call away.
Though our time on board was brief compared to those sailing on to Darwin and beyond, we never once felt rushed or like we’d missed out. Being there for the ship’s dry dock debut - even for just the first leg - made it feel all the more special, like we were part of something just beginning.
We can’t wait to sail on her again, with the Marquesas Islands now high on our list.
