Paul Gauguin Cruises Offers 2017 Holiday Voyages In Paradise

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, features two 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands voyages on the Gauguin offering the perfect way to celebrate December holidays in paradise. On The Gauguin's December 23, 2017 voyage, guests can enjoy a "White Christmas" on French Polynesia's white-sand beaches, or they can ring in the New Year on the South Seas in festive style during the December 30, 2017 cruise.

The 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands holiday cruises depart Papeete, Tahiti, and sail to Huahine, Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Bora Bora (overnight), and Moorea (overnight) in the Society Islands. In addition to cruising to beautiful islands in French Polynesia and highlighting Polynesian culture, these voyages feature complimentary access to Paul Gauguin Cruises' two exclusive retreats—Motu Mahana, an islet off the coast of Taha'a, and a private beach in Bora Bora. At Motu Mahana, guests enjoy a day of watersports, Polynesian activities, a barbecue feast, and cocktails from full-service and floating bars. In Bora Bora, guests can relax on a white-sand beach and enjoy refreshments, a game of volleyball, and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

The December 23rd sailing features Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) scientist Martin Robards, PhD, who is Director of the WCS Arctic Beringia program. During the voyage, he will share his research as part of the Wildlife Discovery Series. Robards manages a trans-boundary conservation program that comprises Alaska, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region in northwestern Canada, and the Chukotka Peninsula in northeastern Russia. In this role, Robards collaborates with indigenous hunters in Arctic communities, as well as policy makers in Washington D.C., to protect marine mammals, shorebirds, and other threatened species in remote northern habitats. He is an expert in the ecological, social, and economic conditions of the Arctic. Robards has studied the impacts of energy development, commercial shipping, and climate change, and has helped to develop environmental policy. He will share his expertise in a series of lectures on topics that include WCS' Global Marine Program, the South Pacific, and global connectivity and Arctic conservation.

Both holiday voyages feature the Stewards of Nature program, which invites guests to discover and value nature through hands-on, interactive learning for children and teens ages 7-17, as well as family members. Every day of the cruise, there is a combination of naturalist-led island and/or beach excursions, science activities, crafts, games, and other adventures. Depending on the itinerary, children might learn about underwater life during a snorkeling excursion, observe the ocean or the stars through binoculars or an onboard telescope, learn about different kinds of marine life and their habitats, reinforce their discoveries by playing Ocean Trivia or Oceanopoly, go on a dolphin-watching expedition, swim with sharks and rays, play beach games and race hermit crabs, enjoy a dance performance or a movie and a pizza party on board, and learn what it means to be a Steward of Nature. While all of the activities on the itinerary are included for children and teens through the nominal fee, family members are invited and encouraged to participate in most activities for the additional cost of the shore excursions.

Image Courtesy Paul Gauguin Cruises