Ia Orana,

We hope you and all of your loved ones are well. We are pleased to announce that we are resuming our Tahiti and French Polynesia voyages starting in July 2020 and have released our comprehensive “Covid-safe Protocol.”

French Polynesia is officially re-opening to international tourism on July 15, 2020, and more information on their travel policy can be found here.  Paul Gauguin Cruises will offer voyages in Tahiti and the Society Islands to the local French Polynesia market starting in mid-July 2020.  Paul Gauguin Cruises will welcome both local and international guests on the 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage departing July 29, 2020, from Papeete, Tahiti. In August 2020 and beyond, Paul Gauguin Cruises resumes its 7- to 14-night Tahiti, French Polynesia, and South Pacific sailing schedule.

As always, the safety and security of guests and crew members remains Paul Gauguin Cruises’ top priority. The small size of The Gauguin, the medical infrastructure and teams on board, protocols and the professionalism of crew, ensured that there were no cases of Covid-19 contamination. 

To prepare for the resumption of activity, Paul Gauguin Cruises and PONANT are collaborating with the IHU (Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire) Méditerranée Infection of Marseilles, one of the world's leading centers in the field of infectious diseases, as well as with the Battalion of Marine Firemen of Marseilles.

The “Covid-safe” health protocol has been developed by Paul Gauguin Cruises and PONANT and is based on health standards that exceed international regulations. This protocol is built on the principle of double protection: 100 percent monitoring of people and goods before boarding, then once on board, strict health protocols are applied.

In addition to strict cleaning procedures advised by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), implementation of social distancing requirements and enhanced employee training, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ new measures include:

Pre-Boarding

• Prior to boarding, all guests and crew members will have to present a signed doctor’s medical form, complete a health questionnaire, and undergo a health check and screening by the ship’s medical staff.
• All luggage will pass through a disinfecting zone by sanitizing mist or UV lamps.
• Surgical and cloth masks, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer bottles will be provided to passengers.

On-board experience

• 100 percent fresh air in staterooms, through non-recirculating air conditioning systems. Ventilated air will be renewed in the common areas at least five times per hour.
• Restaurant layouts have been redesigned and will only offer contactless a la carte dining options.
• Public spaces, such as the fitness room and theater will be capped at 50 percent occupancy.
• Hourly disinfecting of high-touch points, such as door handles and handrails, with EcoLab peroxide, which eliminates 100 percent of germs, bacteria and against biological contamination.
• Crew members are required to wear a mask or protective visor when in contact with guests. Guests will be asked to wear a mask in hallway corridors and will be recommended in public spaces.
• The Gauguin is equipped with advanced hospital equipment, including mobile laboratory terminals that enable testing on site for infectious or tropical diseases. Advanced diagnostic equipment such as ultrasound, radiology and blood biological analysis is available, and one doctor and one nurse are present on every sailing.

Shore excursions

• Zodiacs will be thoroughly disinfected after each stopover.
• Re-boarding after shore excursions will only be permitted after temperature check and disinfection procedures (individuals and personal belongings).

The complete “Covid-safe Protocol” manifesto that has been developed is available online here.

If you have an upcoming cruise with us, please review this summary of requirements for traveling to French Polynesia:

• For entry into French Polynesia, a Covid-19 (RT-PCR) Test is mandatory. The test must be administered no more than 72 hours prior to your flight departure time to Papeete, Tahiti. The test certificate must be presented upon check-in for your flight. To learn more, please click here.
• If you are traveling to French Polynesia on Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles to Papeete, a link on locations to obtain the Covid-19 (RT-PCR) Test in Southern California can be found here. Sanitary measures taken during flights on Air Tahiti Nui can be found here.
• Please review Paul Gauguin Cruises “Covid-safe Protocol” at this link. In preparation for your cruise, a health questionnaire will be sent to booked guests and is to be completed by a guest’s doctor 30 days prior to travel. At time of boarding the m/s Paul Gauguin, a declaration of health questionnaire is to be completed by guests and handed to the ship’s medical team.  

If you have any questions regarding an upcoming cruise, please contact your travel advisor. Our team is also available to assist you, Monday – Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, at 800-848-6172 and by email at customerservice@pgcruises.com.

We look forward to once again welcoming our guests on board and providing them peace of mind with exceptional cruise experiences in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific.

Māuruuru roa,

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Final instructions will be provided to guests in advance, in accordance with local health instructions. Measures could be modified, according to medical, sanitary and scientific updates.