Dreamy Tahiti Cruises: Windstar vs. Paul Gauguin

Ever since legendary artist Paul Gauguin painted Tahitian landscapes with raven-haired beauties, French Polynesia has seduced visitors with its turquoise lagoons and islands blooming with hibiscus.

The 118-island nation invented deluxe overwater bungalows which perch on stilts over the sea. (Try to stay in one if you can!)

But cruising French Polynesia is often the most affordable way to see this region. It’s très romantique! Plus you get to explore several different French Polynesian islands in one trip.

So what are the best cruises in French Polynesia?

We’ve sailed with both Windstar Cruises (twice!) and Paul Gauguin Cruises in French Polynesia – and both are stellar choices.

They each operate small luxury ships devoted exclusively to cruising the South Pacific year-round.

Here we take a look at the main islands visited and give you a taste of what to expect on these South Pacific cruises. We also compare the two cruise lines to see how they stack up against each other.

Ready to find out which one floats your boat?

Spoiler alert: Windstar is less expensive and has bigger suites. But Paul Gauguin has real balcony cabins, an onboard scuba program and to-die-for food.

Say hello to the best Tahiti cruises!

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises has been cruising the South Pacific for some 40 years now.

One of our favorite small ship cruise lines, it operates a fleet of six ships. They ply the waters off the Caribbean, Mediterranean and other regions around the globe. (See our Windstar Cruises review.)

Early in 2024, the line swapped in the 312-passenger Star Breeze as the chosen ship for their year-round small ship Tahiti cruises (moving the smaller Wind Spirit out of the region).

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises is a separate brand under the French Ponant cruise line umbrella. (You can read about our Ponant cruise experience.)

The brand has only one ship, the 5-star Paul Gauguin.

She also operates exclusively in the waters of Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific.

What about the cruise experience (in a nutshell)?

Tahiti, Bora Bora and the French Polynesian islands simply ooze romance.

So naturally, these two small dedicated-to-Tahiti cruise ships are couples-oriented.

They visit at least four islands.

Snorkeling with tropical fish in coral gardens, swimming in warm waters and beach days on private motus (tiny islets) are just a few highlights.

But it’s not all about sun and sea.

Introducing you to the French Polynesian culture is another integral part of your cruise. So you’ll also get to enjoy, for example, the magic of watching Tahitian dancers on your ship.

What other ships offer Polynesian islands cruises?

There are a few other cruises that go to Tahiti and French Polynesia.

For example, Seabourn is a luxury cruise line that offers several long South Pacific cruise itineraries in spring and fall, often departing from or arriving in Sydney, Australia. (See our Seabourn Cruises review – think all the complimentary French champagne and caviar you could want!)

Oceania Cruises (known for some of the best food at sea) is another visitor to the South Pacific, typically combining the Hawaiian islands with islands in the South Pacific, like Samoa and Vanuatu.

These cruise lines don’t specialize in South Pacific island cruises, however, and may only call in at one or two French Polynesian islands.

There’s also Aranui Cruises. It offers trips from Tahiti to the remote Marquesas Islands on the dual-purpose passenger and freighter ship, Aranui 5 (which carries 230 passengers).

But because it acts as both a working cargo ship and a passenger ship, it’s not for everyone, and so we’re not covering it here.

Islands visited when cruising French Polynesia

Before we compare Windstar’s Star Breeze with Paul Gauguin you might like to know what you can do on your French Polynesia cruise – so let’s go and explore some of the main islands!

Tahiti Island and Papeete

The starting point for Tahiti cruises is typically the port city of Papeete.

The capital of French Polynesia, it’s found on the main island of Tahiti (where more than 60% of the country’s people live).

Papeete is also home to the Tahiti Faa’a International Airport (PPT), where all international flights arrive.

After flying to Papeete, it’s a good idea to stay overnight for a couple of days to shake off jet lag before starting your cruise.

We like the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa. It’s just a few minutes’ drive from the airport and set on a lovely lagoon with azure waters.

In Papeete, we checked out the lively market with fresh fish, baskets of seashells, exotic star fruit and pineapples (reminding us of the delicious Hawaiian fruit we love in Hawaii) and carved wooden warriors on display.

Planning to buy black pearl jewelry (or maybe a single pearl) on your cruise? Tahiti is famous for its black pearls.

You’ll want to stop at the Robert Wan Pearl Museum to learn about the island nation’s pearl industry and get tips for choosing the perfect pearl.

Cruising to Bora Bora

But for that true paradise feeling, you need to visit the less-developed islands. Take Bora Bora.

Craggy Mount Otemanu, crowned by creamy clouds, towers over the island center.

Encircling Bora Bora’s popsicle-blue lagoon is a ring of white-fringed motus, many sprinkled with palm trees.

We took a jeep excursion – bone-jarring but thrilling – and one of the most fun things to do in Bora Bora!

We saw every tropical fruit imaginable (from bananas to mangos) growing wild, as well as massive 20-foot cannons left behind by the Americans after WW II.

On another tour – a ray feeding tour – we caressed soft stingrays swirling about us as we knelt in the lagoon.

Snorkeling in Rangiroa

Coral reefs around the islands teem with galaxies of rainbow-hued fish and exotic sea life.

Snorkeling and diving are superb throughout the islands of French Polynesia!

But Rangiroa is special.

When conditions are right, divers and snorkelers can shoot through a pass between the ocean and lagoon in a surge of rushing water – and watch sharks (harmless to humans) devour hapless fish washed in with the tide.

Cruising Moorea Island

For more heart-pounding fun, Moorea has a great hike up to Belvedere Lookout Point.

Kayaking in Raiatea

Raiatea is where we kayaked the peaceful Faaroa River.

We paddled through a sea of yellow hibiscus petals, fallen from the lacy canopy of foliage above, past mangroves, bamboo groves and giant ferns.

Get thee to a motu

And the white-sand beaches in French Polynesia?

Well, they’re some of the prettiest beaches in the world.

You need only shake your towel out on any number of unspoiled motus (most uninhabited) to experience life as dreamy as it gets.

Windstar Tahiti cruise review: Star Breeze

Completely refurbished in 2021, the Star Breeze is one of three identical power yachts in the Windstar fleet. (The other three ships in the fleet are tall ships that look like sailing ships, but with computerized sails.)

One of Star Breeze’s identical triplet sisters is Star Pride. We’ve written a whole in-depth review of the Star Pride, so you can hop on over to that article for all the details.

In the meantime, however, here’s a short summary of Star Breeze.

Staterooms

Most suites are a very spacious 277 square feet in size (all with ocean views). And they’re really suites, plush in a nautical way, with living areas separated from the bedroom by a curtain.

Almost half of the suites (60) have French-style balconies.

You can’t sit outside on them. But opening the sliding glass doors of our balcony suite (on the Star Pride) allowed the sunshine and fresh air in, providing a feeling almost akin to having a suite with a full outside balcony.

Of these 60 French-style Balcony Suites, the prized ones are the 22 new Star Balcony Suites.

They were added during the 2021 ship refurbishment, when the ship was cut in half and “stretched” to make it larger.

These suites are brand new from top to bottom (with smart new décor and furnishings). While the other original Balcony Suites have been refreshed, they don’t sport the same new furnishings.

Also, the layout is flipped around on the Star Balcony Suites. The bed is positioned by the balcony – ideal if you like to read in bed with a view. In contrast, the original Balcony Suites have the living room area facing the balcony.

There are also a few larger suites, and a handful of these have full private sit-out verandas.

As well, there are 80 Star Breeze suites with picture windows.

All suites are kitted out with new bathrooms with double sinks and luxury L’Occitane amenities. Most have large rain showers with double glass doors (but a few suites have a tub/shower combo).

When you board, you’ll find Windstar’s signature fresh fruit bowl waiting for you in your room, and it’s replenished daily.

Watersports

What’s unique: You can swim, snorkel, paddle a stand-up paddleboard and kayak right from a watersports platform at the back of the ship – all complimentary!

When the ship is at anchor at most French Polynesian islands (and conditions permit), the watersports platform is open.

Itineraries

Society Islands cruises

Most Star Breeze cruises are 7-night roundtrip sailings from Papeete, weaving through the Society Islands – Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora and Huahine.

And if you want to stay in an overwater bungalow too (who doesn’t!), Windstar can make that dream come true. They let you bundle a 3-night stay in an overwater bungalow on Moorea (at the 4-star Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa) with a 7-night cruise.

Longer voyages

Alongside their classic route, Star Breeze spices it up with a few extended voyages.

Choose an 11-night cruise and you’ll also drop anchor at Fakarava and Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Islands group.

And if you crave even more exotic landscapes, a 14-night cruise takes you to Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa and Fatu Hiva (in the distant Marquesas Islands archipelago).

Rates

As a premium small ship cruise line, Windstar’s fares include dining at all restaurants. (Unlike mainstream cruise lines like Holland America, there’s no extra charge for specialty restaurants.)

But rates don’t include things like alcohol, WiFi, gratuities and shore excursions like snorkeling with sharks.

Is the package worth it? See our article on Windstar’s All-In (and other drinks) packages. (Hint: Yes, the All-In package can make financial sense if you like to have a few drinks while on your cruise!)

Paul Gauguin Cruises review

The Paul Gauguin is roughly the same size as the Star Breeze, carrying just a few more passengers.

But unlike Star Breeze, she was purpose-built to glide through the shallow seas of the South Pacific. With 25 years of year-round cruises from Tahiti under her belt, the Paul Gauguin is a seasoned navigator of these island paradises.

The ship is also known for its delightful local troupe of Tahitian singers and dancers, called Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines.

Onboard each cruise, they bring Polynesia’s spirit to life – retelling ancestral legends through dance as part of the ship’s entertainment, greeting you on the islands when you get off the tenders and performing traditional songs on the private motus.

Staterooms

Like Star Breeze, all Paul Gauguin cabins are oceanview (no inside cabins).

There’s a variety of staterooms you can choose from, ranging from 200 sq. ft. cabins with two portholes to 358 sq. ft. Veranda Suites to sumptuous Grand Suites and Owner’s Suites.

About 70% of the staterooms have private balconies, each furnished with a table and two chairs. (The top suites have lounge chairs too.)

The other staterooms have either large windows or two portholes.

Most accommodations are in the Balcony Stateroom category. They’re 202 square feet in size with an additional 37 sq. ft. balcony (total 239 square feet of space). Many have a full-size tub/shower combination in the bathroom. (Cabins in the Veranda Stateroom category are a little larger.)

With all new furniture, polished wood work, curtains and carpeting, Paul Gauguin’s staterooms are light, bright and luxurious looking.

Restaurants

Watersports

Like Star Breeze, the Paul Gauguin also has a marina at the back of the ship, where you can enjoy complimentary kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and other watersports.

As well, PG has an onboard scuba diving program.

You can take dive classes on the ship and get your PADI certification. Two inflatable Zodiac-style dive boats (with ladders) also depart right from the ship’s retractable marina to whisk you away in minutes to some of the world’s most spectacular dive sites.

Lemon sharks? Manta rays? Rainbow-colored angelfish and parrotfish dancing among the reefs? All at your fingertips.

Itineraries

The Paul Gauguin sails further afield from its base in Papeete than Star Breeze, offering a wide variety of different itineraries.

Society Islands cruises

Of course, you can find 7-night (bread-and-butter) cruises from Tahiti to the Society Islands. Departing from and returning to Papeete, they visit Huahine, Taha’a, Bora Bora and Moorea.

Longer voyages

Book a longer 10-night cruise, and you can mix the Society Islands (with two full days in Bora Bora) with the Tuamotu Islands (for epic snorkeling and scuba diving).

There are also 14-night itineraries, which throw in the mystical Marquesas Islands too. On the Marquesas, step out on hidden valley hikes, take 4×4 rides through rugged landscapes and come face-to-face with ancient stone sculptures and tiki carvings.

As well, the Paul Gauguin ventures to the exotic Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji and Bali.

And if you’re looking for a truly unique voyage, there are occasional dream cruises from Darwin in northern Australia to New Guinea and Fiji, offering an unforgettable exploration of the Pacific’s gems.

Rates

Rates are more expensive than Windstar but all-inclusive (except for shore excursions).

(You pay for these perks on Windstar Cruises.)

Windstar Cruises vs. Paul Gauguin? Comparison

So, which is the best Tahiti cruise? Tough question. We really love both. To help you decide, here are some key differences between the two.

Price

The biggest difference is the price. Windstar’s rates are cheaper than PG’s, which are more inclusive.

And if you don’t drink a lot of alcohol, why pay for this inclusion on Paul Gauguin? You can save money by going with Windstar.

Even with a Windstar drinks package or the All-In Package, the Star Breeze is still easier on the wallet than PG (for now, at least).

Staterooms

When comparing the cabins on Star Breeze and Paul Gauguin ships, it’s a toss-up depending on what you value most.

Star Breeze boasts larger staterooms. They come with bathrooms fitted with double sinks (unlike the Paul Gauguin), which can accommodate two people using the bathroom at the same time. Plus, most Star Breeze bathrooms come with large showers, which we find more appealing than the tub/shower combinations on Paul Gauguin.

On the other hand, all of Paul Gauguin’s staterooms have been totally refreshed with completely new furnishings, while only the Star Balcony cabins on Star Breeze have received such a complete facelift.

Also, most PG staterooms feature true balconies, allowing for outdoor seating, in contrast to Star Breeze, where only some suites have balconies. And even then, you don’t get a real balcony on the Star Breeze.

If having a balcony to enjoy the breathtaking views of French Polynesia is a deal breaker, then Paul Gauguin is the clear winner.

Dining

Windstar has more dining venues and options.

Then again, the food is so good on Paul Gauguin, you don’t need multiple dining spaces – you’ll savor every meal no matter where you eat!

Itineraries

There’s not too much difference between the 7-night Society Islands itineraries offered by both cruise lines (though Windstar does throw in an extra stop at Raiatea).

But when it comes to longer voyages, Paul Gauguin takes the lead with a broader selection of unique itineraries combining far-flung locales like Fiji, the Cook Islands and Bali with Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Scuba diving

While Windstar offers scuba dive excursions, you do these with an outside operator, as they don’t have an onboard scuba program like Paul Gauguin.

If diving is a big part of your cruise experience, you’ll prefer the convenience of Paul Gauguin’s set-up, where you can easily leave the ship on one of their dive boats and go directly to your dive site.

So, which line offers the best French Polynesia cruises?

This wraps up our Star Breeze review and review of Paul Gauguin Cruises in Tahiti!

When it comes to choosing between cruising with Paul Gauguin vs. Windstar, it’s a split decision. Some people lean towards the Star Breeze (largely swayed by their more attractive pricing), while others are die-hard Paul Gauguin fans.

If forced, we’d probably say the Paul Gauguin is a tad more luxurious. (That French touch is hard to compete with!)

But honestly, you can’t go wrong with either of these deluxe small-ship cruises.

We’ve done both, and the real stars end up being Tahiti and the French Polynesian islands – and they’re simply gorgeous. No matter your choice, you’ll be cruising in paradise!

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Photo credits: © 3 to 5, 7 to 10, 12, 13, 19, 20 Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase

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