Ponant Explorations Group Expands in French Polynesia with Dual-Ship Deployment and New ‘Polynesian Bliss’ Voyages

Ponant Explorations Group is set to redefine French Polynesia cruising from winter 2026–2027, stationing two ships in the region and unveiling new itineraries that reach all five archipelagos plus the remote Pitcairn Islands. Building on 25 years of destination expertise with the m/s Paul Gauguin, the group will add Le Jacques Cartier to create a complementary blend of cultural immersion and expedition-style exploration across some of the Pacific’s wildest and least-visited islands.​

Two Ships, Two Complimentary Experiences

From late 2026, Ponant Explorations Group will base m/s Paul Gauguin and Le Jacques Cartier in the South Pacific, each offering a distinct style of voyage. Paul Gauguin, purpose-built for shallow lagoons and based year-round in French Polynesia, will operate 66 departures in 2026–2027 across the Society Islands, Tuamotu and Marquesas, with select voyages extending to the Cook Islands, Fiji and Tonga.​

On board Paul Gauguin, guests are welcomed by Polynesian hosts, the Gauguins and Gauguines, who share local culture through music, dance and hands-on workshops such as hat and basket weaving and pareo tying. The ship, extensively refurbished in 2021 and further updated in 2025, offers a relaxed, international atmosphere with a strong focus on extended stays and authentic cultural encounters.​

Le Jacques Cartier, a small expedition-style yacht with 92 staterooms and suites, will sail nine departures on three new Discovery itineraries that focus on the Tuamotu, Marquesas, Austral, Gambier and Pitcairn Islands. These can be combined into a single, 42-night odyssey covering six archipelagos and 23 islands – currently the most comprehensive French Polynesia itinerary on the market.​

‘Polynesian Bliss: Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands’

Among the headline offerings is Polynesian Bliss: Marquesas, Tuamotu and Society Islands, a 15-day / 14-night roundtrip voyage from Papeete operating six times between November 2026 and January 2027. Priced from around €11,100 per person, the itinerary showcases dramatic Marquesan peaks, the lagoon-filled Tuamotus and the iconic Society Islands, blending rugged landscapes with classic Polynesian lagoons.​

Guests cruise aboard Le Jacques Cartier, enjoying Ponant’s French-inspired service, fine dining and expedition comforts such as a marina platform, Zodiacs and the multi-sensory Blue Eye Lounge, where guests can watch and listen to the underwater world. Each day includes at least one included activity led by local guides – from cultural visits to snorkelling, hiking or Zodiac explorations – with additional optional excursions and scuba diving offered at selected stops.​

Six New Remote Stopovers Confirmed

To support the new Discovery itineraries, Ponant’s R&D teams undertook scouting missions in the Austral and Tuamotu Islands, working directly with local communities to co-create shore experiences. As a result, six new ports of call have been confirmed:​

• Mataiva (Tuamotu) – known for its rare mosaic-patterned lagoon.​
• Hikueru (Tuamotu) – home to one of the largest lagoons in the Tuamotu archipelago.​
• Makemo (Tuamotu) – recognised for its rich birdlife, including red-footed boobies and frigatebirds.​
• Raivavae (Austral) – famous for its crystal-clear “motu pool” lagoon and postcard-perfect sandbanks.​
• Tubuai (Austral) – considered the spiritual heart of the Australs, with over 200 marae and thriving clam colonies, ideal for hiking and snorkelling.​
• Rurutu (Austral) – known for dramatic limestone caves and seasonal humpback whale sightings that typically run until mid-November.​

These new stops anchor experiences such as welcome ceremonies, artisan workshops, temple (marae) visits and low-impact nature excursions, all designed to respect local culture and ecosystems.​

Side-by-Side: Paul Gauguin vs Le Jacques Cartier

Ponant’s dual-ship strategy positions French Polynesia as two complementary journeys rather than one single experience.​

• m/s Paul Gauguin
  • 165 staterooms and suites.​
  • Focus on Society, Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands, with some voyages to the Cooks, Fiji and Tonga.​
  • Emphasis on cultural immersion, extended calls and relaxed resort-style cruising with Polynesian hosts.​
• Le Jacques Cartier
  • 92 staterooms and suites.​
  • Explores Tuamotu, Marquesas, Austral, Gambier and Pitcairn Islands on three expedition-style itineraries.​
  • Emphasis on exploration, Zodiac landings, nature-focused activities and new, remote stopovers.​

This twin approach allows guests to choose between tradition and comfort or deeper exploration – or even to combine both ships across multiple trips for a layered understanding of the region.​

Suggested image here: side-by-side ship profiles or lifestyle imagery comparing the atmosphere on board Paul Gauguin and Le Jacques Cartier.​

A Deeper, More Responsible Polynesian Experience

With two small ships, new scouting-led itineraries and close collaboration with local communities, Ponant Explorations Group is betting on a more granular, archipelago-by-archipelago approach to French Polynesia. Expedition guides, local experts and onboard thematic programming will highlight the biodiversity, history and living cultures of each island group, from sacred marae in the Australs to bird sanctuaries and blue lagoons in the Tuamotus.​

For travellers, the expanded portfolio opens up rare opportunities: sailing to islands with only a few dozen inhabitants, tracing Polynesian culture across five archipelagos and extending out to the storied Pitcairn Islands in a single, carefully curated journey. For French Polynesia itself, the model reflects a commitment to smaller ships, slower travel and experiences designed to support – rather than overwhelm – the remote communities that make these islands so extraordinary.​