Cook Islands and Society Islands cruise on the Paul Gauguin

Day 1: Tahiti

Accommodation: InterContinental Resort Tahiti

Your South Pacific adventure starts today, with international flight to Tahiti, which arrives early the following morning.

Day 2: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

On arrival in Tahiti, you will met and transferred to your hotel which has been pre-registered to allow for immediate check in. Spend your day relaxing and recovering.

Day 3: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

Enjoy a leisurely morning before being transferred to the pier after lunch where you will join your Paul Gauguin cruise. The ship will set sail this evening.

Day 4: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

Your first port of call is Huahine, known as "The Garden Island" for its lush rainforests and dramatic terrain. While here, you can cruise the expansive lagoon, explore the island's culture, or picnic on the beach.

Day 5: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

A day at sea. Spend the day enjoying The Gauguin's Polynesian ambiance: casual, leisurely, and graceful. Perhaps you will take in a lecture by one of the special guests, then dine in the evening over classic French cuisine at L'etoile as you cruise to Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.

Day 6: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

A spectacular day to enjoy the pristine lagoon and white sand beaches of Aitutaki. Go snorkelling, explore the island and perhaps visit the village of Arutanga which is home to the oldest church in the Cook Islands.

Day 7: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

Rugged Rarotonga is the most mountainous of all the Cook Islands and you could spend time here exploring its natural beauty. Snorkel in Muri Lagoon, wander the lush Takitumi Conservation Area or take a hike into the island’s dense interior with Pa, a local naturalist.

Day 8: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

A full day cruising back across the South Pacific towards Bora Bora allows time to relax on deck, read about the amazing islands you are about to visit or perhaps indulge in a spa treatment?

Day 9: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Michener described Bora Bora as "The most beautiful island in the world." You might wish to explore the island with a number of activities, such as a tour of the island paradise that affords breathtaking island views or glide over crystalline waters on a glass bottom boat to see the island`s famous marine life without getting wet, take a thrilling helicopter ride over the ship and island, or simply spend a few hours lolling on the island`s beautiful beach.

Day 10: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

A further full day at leisure in the lagoon of Bora Bora.

Day 11: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

Motu Mahana, an islet adjacent to Taha'a, is your very own South Seas paradise, featuring white-sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters, and gentle breezes. As an exclusive Paul Gauguin experience, you will spend a full day on this idyllic island doing exactly as you please. Relax in the shade of a palm tree, engage in a game of volleyball, snorkel in the motu's turquoise lagoons and enjoy a delicious al fresco barbecue lunch with Polynesian entertainment.

Day 12: On-board ship (Tahiti)

Accommodation options: MS Paul Gauguin

Covered in an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, spectacular mountain peaks, peaceful multi-hued lagoons, and palm-fringed beaches, Moorea features a magnificent beauty that is unsurpassed. White-sand beaches lapped by the translucent shimmering lagoon water and shaded by palm, coconut, and ironwood groves stretch for miles. During your visit, you might wish to take an optional air-conditioned coach ride around the island to admire the stunning views.

Day 13: Return home

A further day at leisure in and around Moorea. Perhaps join a dolphin watching cruise in the lagoon with a local marine biologist or head inland into the mountains to the fruit farms and take in the breathtaking views of the coastline from up here.