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Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited today announced that Paul Gauguin, French Polynesia’s premier luxury ship, will undergo a $6 million renovation during its dry dock in Brisbane, Australia, which is scheduled for January 25-February 5. The positioning cruises offered in conjunction with this dry dock have sold out, but wait lists are still being accepted.
Renovations on the five-plus-star vessel will include converting 26 oceanview staterooms to balcony staterooms; modifying and refurbishing the vessel’s casual poolside restaurant, Le Grill; expanding the al fresco dining space for the ship’s La Veranda restaurant; an Internet area upgrade; a fitness center upgrade; new sports boats for the watersport activities; extensive restoration of all public areas, including new carpeting, upholstery and refinished woodwork; and refreshing all staterooms and suites.
For 2009, Paul Gauguin’s other seven itineraries throughout the South Pacific, which include airfare from Los Angeles, are as follows:
• Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands in November: 14 nights from $7,295
• Cook Islands, Society Islands, Tuamotus & Australs in August: 14 nights from $6,950
• Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands in April and December: 14 nights from $6,550
• Society Islands, Marquesas & Tuamotus in May, July and October: 11 nights from $5,695
• Society Islands & Tuamotus in May, July and October: 10 nights from $5,250
• Society Islands & Tuamotus Holiday in December: nine nights from $5,850
• Society Islands in February-June and August-October: seven nights from $4,150
The 332-passenger Paul Gauguin is the region’s longest continually operating cruise ship. It was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship is 513 feet long, 71 feet wide and has a draft of 16.9 feet. The ship can accommodate 332 passengers with a staff of 215, a ratio of 1.5:1. By 2010, Paul Gauguin will have undergone more than $25 million in refurbishments since its inaugural sail in 1998, including the planned 2009 refit.