Why your next dream vacation should be this luxury island cruise

Admit it, you've been wanting to go to Tahiti for a long time. And Bora Bora. And Moorea.

These iconic French Polynesian islands top just about every travel bucket list – and for good reason. There are few destinations in the world with beaches so powdery white, water so perfectly pristine, and air so tropically fragrant.

Across these three islands and their many neighbors – French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands and atolls in all, spread over an area the size of Europe – you'll gaze across famously stunning lagoons painted in every shade of blue, from cobalt to cerulean to turquoise. You'll snorkel above colorful fish darting through coral gardens. You'll hike up lush peaks, and you'll soak in vibrant local cultures.

You might even find a black pearl or two – a local specialty.

In short, it's a dream destination. But one that doesn't have to be just a dream.

The many allures of the French Polynesian islands are much more accessible than you might think, thanks to a longtime leader in authentic, immersive and luxurious trips to the region: Paul Gauguin Cruises.

On a seven- to 14-night French Polynesia voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises, you'll visit a diverse array of at least five of the best-known South Pacific islands – and sometimes many more – in a single, easy-to-arrange, all-inclusive trip. That's something that's almost impossible to do any other way.

Here, a look at why a voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises is one of the best ways to visit this ultimate island paradise.

An overwater 'bungalow' that sails

French Polynesia may be one of the world's most famous island destinations, but visiting it comes with a conundrum: how to see its full array of wonders, which are spread out across its many islands, on a single trip.

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Many visitors to French Polynesia will book a stay at one of its well-known land resorts with overwater bungalows — a staple of such islands as Bora Bora and Moorea. But such stays only allow access to a slice of what French Polynesia has to offer.

A French Polynesia voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises brings a much broader look.

Paul Gauguin Cruises' single ship, the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, essentially is an overwater bungalow that can move locations. It's an intimate, upscale, award-winning small vessel designed especially for the shallow lagoons of the South Pacific. This allows it to deliver visitors to the unspoiled beaches and unsullied lagoons of multiple French Polynesian islands as part of a single holiday.

Check prices and learn more about a Paul Gauguin Cruises voyage.

On a typical land resort stay in French Polynesia, vacationers will spend the bulk of their trip at a single property on Bora Bora, Tahiti or Moorea. When you sail on The Gauguin, on most departures, you'll experience extended, overnight visits to all three of these islands while also stopping at at least a couple more idyllic French Polynesian island escapes for the day.

This allows for a deeper exploration of French Polynesia's natural wonders, communities and cultures, which vary from island to island.

Authentic discovery from the destination expert

Locally based in French Polynesia for more than 25 years, Paul Gauguin Cruises is the destination expert for the region, with long-standing ties to the local communities it visits.

The line has artfully constructed its itineraries to offer its guests an immersive experience of authentic discovery, which includes the opportunity to meet the people living in the region. On the island of Tahaa, for example, you can visit a family-run Tahitian black pearl farm. On another island, Huahine, the historical heritage of the local people is on display at the waterside archaeology sites of Maeve village, with its traditional temples.

While on board, you'll be accompanied by Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines – local Tahitians who live aboard the ship as hosts and entertainers to bring the spirit of Polynesia to life. Throughout afternoons and evenings on The Gauguin, you'll experience the retelling of ancestral legends through dance, delight in traditional songs, and learn local handicrafts during hands-on demonstrations.

Couples celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary can even request a Polynesian blessing ceremony.

In addition, on select summer and holiday voyages, children ages 6 to 15 have access to additional hands-on learning with a local twist – everything from naturalist-led island excursions to crafts, games and science activities – as part of the line's complimentary Moana Explorer Program. It's offered in partnership with South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation Te mana o te moana.

Paul Gauguin Cruises' deep ties to the community include partnering with the local government to provide health care assistance in French Polynesia's Marquesas Islands, with the doctors of The Gauguin offering volunteer consultations to the local population during port calls. The line also provides free transportation aboard its ship to health professionals commissioned by the government's Health Directorate.

A luxurious escape

The Gauguin will get you off the beaten path in French Polynesia, but you won't be roughing it. The vessel is all about luxury, with a contemporary, chic ambience, and warm and genuine service.

While on board, you'll have access to three upscale eateries, including the exquisite main dining room, L'Etoile. It boasts fine table linens, delicate china and a tantalizing array of expertly prepared dishes paired with complimentary wines.

You also can sip expertly made cocktails at The Piano Bar, catch a performance by local entertainment troupes at Le Grand Salon, relax at the pampering Algotherm Spa, or dance under the stars to live music at La Palette.

Like a luxury yacht, the vessel also has its very own marina at its back, where you'll find paddleboards and kayaks for watery playtime (and, if that's not enough watery fun, you can sign on for the ship's onboard PADI-certified scuba program for an extra charge).

Come bedtime, you'll retreat to one of the ship's spacious suites and staterooms, nearly 70% of which have private balconies that offer a front-row seat to the magnificent views.

Read more about the luxurious accommodations on The Gauguin.

These are luxurious accommodations where you'll sink into luscious, queen-size beds, indulge in bathrooms with full-size bathtubs and showers (a limited number have showers only), and have your pick of soft drinks, beer and bottled water from an in-suite minibar that's replenished daily.

In higher-level accommodations, you'll even get butler service, plus an in-suite bar setup.

In all, you'll have one crew member for every 1.5 guests serving you, an extraordinary crew-to-guest ratio only found on the most elegant cruise vessels afloat.

An all-inclusive experience

The Gauguin, notably, is an all-inclusive experience, with the great majority of amenities on board included in the cruise fare. This includes:

• Complimentary dining at all three onboard restaurants, plus 24-hour room service for in-room dining
• Complimentary beverages including select fine wines, Champagne and premium spirits, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea served throughout the ship
• Complimentary butler service in top accommodations (category B and above)
• Complimentary well-being, vegetarian and vegan dining selections, and special dietetic menus upon request
• Complimentary lecture programs by local experts and a variety of special guests
• Complimentary use of snorkeling equipment
• All onboard gratuities

In addition, guests on every sailing will experience a complimentary day at Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises' private South Seas islet. Just off the coast of the island of Tahaa, it's an exclusive beach retreat where you can snorkel with colorful tropical fish, kayak, take on your shipmates in a game of beachside volleyball and indulge in an overwater massage. You'll also be treated to a barbecue feast, complete with cocktails from a floating bar.

Yet another complimentary offering is the exclusive use of a private white-sand beach with volleyball and snorkeling during visits to Bora Bora.

Unique itineraries

One more allure of Paul Gauguin Cruises: It's focused on revealing Polynesia in a way no other luxury purveyor does. It's the luxury provider to pick if you want to go off the beaten path in the region to places as far from Bora Bora as Fiji, Tonga and even the islands of Indonesia.

In addition to voyages that take in such iconic destinations as Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea, which all are part of a corner of French Polynesia known as the Society Islands, Paul Gauguin offers cruises to:

• Cook Islands
• Marquesas Islands
• Tuamotus
• Fiji and Tonga
• Melanesia, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia

It is, quite simply, the best way to explore a wide swath of the South Pacific – and to do it in style and comfort.