Paul Gauguin vs Windstar Cruises

The core difference

This is the most direct head-to-head comparison in the South Pacific. Paul Gauguin and Windstar are the only two luxury cruise lines operating year-round in French Polynesia from Papeete — and both serve the Society Islands on seven to fourteen-night itineraries. The choice between them is not theoretical; it is a genuine decision that Australian travellers make when booking a Tahitian cruise.

Paul Gauguin is Polynesian immersion. One ship, 332 guests, purpose-built in 1998 with a shallow draft designed for French Polynesia’s lagoons. Refurbished in 2025. Ponant-owned since 2019. Year-round from Papeete across six archipelagos — Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands, Fiji, and Tonga. Tahitian cultural hosts on every sailing. Drinks included. Private island at Motu Mahana. French-Polynesian cuisine. Twenty-five-plus years of continuous operation in these waters.

Windstar is sailing romance. Wind Spirit — a 148-guest, four-masted sailing yacht with computer-controlled sails — operates year-round from Papeete covering the Society Islands. The sails unfurl at every departure and deploy under wind power whenever conditions allow. The watersport marina platform lowers from the stern for kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, sailing dinghies, and water skiing directly from the ship. The signature 180 Under the Stars barbecue on the open aft deck. Candles under-the-stars dining. Nearly 1:1 crew ratio. Resort casual, no formal nights.

Both ships anchor in the same lagoons, visit the same islands, and depart from the same Papeete terminal — but the experience aboard could not be more different. Paul Gauguin wraps you in Polynesian culture with hosts who dance, teach, and guide. Windstar wraps you in sailing heritage with canvas catching the South Pacific breeze and the ocean accessible from the back of the ship. The choice is genuinely difficult, and it comes down to whether you want immersion or romance.

What is actually included

The inclusion models differ meaningfully — and Paul Gauguin is the more generous at the base fare.

Paul Gauguin’s fare covers all dining, selected wines, beer, spirits, and soft drinks throughout the voyage, watersport equipment from the marina (kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling), access to Motu Mahana private island, and all cultural entertainment. Gratuities are discretionary. Shore excursions beyond the standard programme and spa treatments are additional.

Windstar’s base fare covers all dining and the watersport marina (kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling gear, sailing dinghies, water skiing). Alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are not included unless the All-In package is purchased at USD $99 per person per day (USD $109 if added onboard), bundling unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, and prepaid gratuities.

The net effect: Paul Gauguin’s included drinks represent roughly AUD $700 to $1,200 per person in value on a seven-night voyage. Windstar’s All-In package costs roughly AUD $1,100 per person for seven nights, delivering similar coverage as an add-on. For regular drinkers, Paul Gauguin is the better deal. For light drinkers, Windstar’s lower base fare offers savings. Both include their watersport marinas.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines deliver quality dining in intimate settings — but the culinary philosophies differ.

Paul Gauguin offers two dining venues for 332 guests. L’Etoile serves French-Polynesian cuisine — poisson cru with coconut milk, grilled mahi-mahi, vanilla desserts from Taha’a, and tropical fruit sourced from the islands. La Veranda provides casual poolside dining converting to an intimate evening setting. The French-trained galley integrates Polynesian ingredients with technique — every meal reflects where the ship sails. Service is personal with a near 1:1 crew ratio.

Windstar’s Wind Spirit offers AmphorA as the main restaurant with the James Beard Foundation’s Signature Recipe rotating on the dinner menu, plus Veranda for casual dining and the celebrated Candles — an open-air dining experience on the Star Deck where guests eat steak and seafood under the stars by candlelight. Candles is consistently cited as one of the most romantic dining settings at sea and has no equivalent on Paul Gauguin. The James Beard Foundation partnership, spanning more than eleven years, places award-recognised culinary expertise into daily menus. Windstar’s broader fleet also features Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso on Star Plus ships, though this is not available on Wind Spirit.

The comparison: Paul Gauguin wins on destination-authentic cuisine — the food tastes like French Polynesia because it comes from French Polynesia. Windstar wins on dining atmosphere — Candles under the South Pacific stars is unforgettable. Both deliver quality appropriate to their ship size. For food as cultural immersion, Paul Gauguin. For food as romantic experience, Windstar.

Suites and accommodation

Cabin sizes are comparable at entry level, with Paul Gauguin offering the balcony advantage.

Paul Gauguin’s staterooms start at approximately 200 square feet for Porthole Staterooms, with Balcony Staterooms at roughly 249 square feet including a private balcony. Veranda Suites reach approximately 390 square feet. The Grand Suite spans approximately 588 square feet. The 2025 refurbishment updated all soft furnishings, bathrooms, and amenities.

Wind Spirit’s staterooms are approximately 188 square feet with portholes — no balconies, no windows. The sailing yacht design prioritises open deck space and the sailing experience over private cabin amenities. The staterooms are well-maintained and adequate for a ship where life is lived on deck, in the water, and at Candles rather than in the cabin.

Paul Gauguin offers more space and private balconies. Wind Spirit’s portholes are the trade-off for sailing under canvas. For travellers who value a balcony overlooking the lagoon, Paul Gauguin. For those who plan to be on deck watching the sails or in the water, Wind Spirit’s cabins are perfectly functional.

Pricing and value

This is where Windstar’s advantage is most tangible — and where the comparison gets genuinely competitive.

Paul Gauguin’s per-diem runs approximately AUD $700 to $1,100 per person per night. A seven-night Society Islands voyage costs roughly AUD $6,000 to $9,000 per person with drinks, watersports, and Motu Mahana included.

Windstar’s per-diem on Wind Spirit is lower. Seven-night Society Islands sailings start from approximately AUD $5,000 to $7,000 per person at base fare. Adding the All-In package (approximately AUD $1,100 per person for seven nights) brings the total to roughly AUD $6,100 to $8,100 — still typically fifteen to twenty-five per cent below Paul Gauguin for comparable cabin categories.

The per-diem gap is meaningful for Australian travellers calculating total holiday cost. On a seven-night Tahiti cruise for two, Windstar saves roughly AUD $2,000 to $4,000 per couple compared to Paul Gauguin at equivalent cabin levels with the All-In package included. Paul Gauguin’s premium buys the private island, Tahitian cultural hosts, broader archipelago coverage, included drinks at the base fare, and larger cabins with balconies. Whether that premium represents value depends on how much those features matter to you.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer spa facilities suited to their ship size — but the real wellness comparison is what happens in the water.

Paul Gauguin’s Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm provides marine-derived tropical treatments. Polynesian-inspired rituals using monoi oil, coconut, and vanilla. The real wellness is the ocean — snorkelling, kayaking, and paddleboarding in lagoons from the included marina.

Windstar’s Wind Spirit offers a compact spa with treatment rooms, massage services, and basic fitness equipment appropriate for 148 guests. Where Windstar distinguishes itself is the watersport marina platform — the retractable stern platform deploys in every anchored lagoon, offering kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling gear, sailing dinghies, water trampolines, and water skiing. The range of water activities is broader than Paul Gauguin’s marina, and the water skiing option is unique in this comparison.

Both lines deliver their best wellness through the ocean itself. Windstar offers more watersport variety from the ship. Paul Gauguin offers the Motu Mahana private island for beach-based activities. The distinction is marginal — both put you in pristine Polynesian water at every opportunity.

Entertainment and enrichment

The enrichment programmes reflect each ship’s character — cultural immersion versus sailing romance.

Paul Gauguin’s enrichment is Polynesian. Les Gauguines and Les Gauguins perform traditional dance, teach pareo tying and ukulele, and serve as cultural ambassadors. Local musicians board in port. The Motu Mahana private island day integrates cultural activities.

Windstar’s enrichment is experiential. The sail-away ceremony — sails unfurling to the 1492 soundtrack — creates genuine theatre at every departure. James Beard culinary-themed sailings bring guest chefs for demonstrations. The 180 Under the Stars barbecue is a social highlight. Paul Gauguin brings culture aboard through people who live it. Windstar creates memorable moments through canvas, ocean, and stars.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison beyond French Polynesia reveals very different scales and capabilities.

Paul Gauguin is one ship in one region — year-round French Polynesia from Papeete across six archipelagos. Purpose-built for the shallow lagoons. Twenty-five-plus years of continuous operation. Under Ponant ownership, a second ship (Le Jacques Cartier) joins from late 2026, extending coverage to Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and rarely visited archipelagos.

Windstar operates seven ships (growing to nine) across multiple regions. Wind Spirit in Tahiti year-round. Wind Surf and Wind Star in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Star Plus class all-suite motor yachts across global itineraries. Star Seeker (2025) with ice-strengthened hull for Alaska and beyond. The fleet covers the Mediterranean, Caribbean, French Polynesia, Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia, Costa Rica, and seasonal Australia and New Zealand.

In French Polynesia specifically, Paul Gauguin offers broader archipelago coverage while Wind Spirit focuses on the Society Islands. For the Marquesas, Tuamotus, or Cook Islands, Paul Gauguin is the only choice. For the Society Islands loop, both deliver excellent itineraries.

Where each line excels

Paul Gauguin excels in:

• Polynesian depth. Six archipelagos year-round with purpose-built shallow draft and a second ship arriving from late 2026.
• Cultural immersion. Tahitian cultural hosts on every sailing — dance, music, arts, and guided cultural encounters.
• Motu Mahana. Private island exclusive to Paul Gauguin guests — barbecue, watersports, and Polynesian activities.
• Included drinks. Wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails throughout the voyage at the base fare.
• Balcony accommodation. Private balconies overlooking lagoons — unavailable on Wind Spirit.

Windstar excels in:

• Sailing heritage. Four masts of computer-controlled sails unfurling at every departure. The romance of wind-powered cruising.
• Per-diem value. Fifteen to twenty-five per cent cheaper than Paul Gauguin for comparable Society Islands itineraries.
• Watersport breadth. More diverse marina activities including water skiing and sailing dinghies.
• Candles dining. Open-air candlelit dining under the stars — one of the most romantic settings at sea.
• Intimacy. 148 guests on Wind Spirit versus 332 on Paul Gauguin — substantially more intimate.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Paul Gauguin

Society Islands and Tuamotus (10 nights, year-round, roundtrip Papeete) — The signature itinerary with Moorea, Bora Bora, Taha’a, Rangiroa, and Motu Mahana. Direct Air Tahiti Nui from Sydney.

Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands (14 nights, seasonal) — The expedition-style Polynesia voyage to Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, and Fakarava. Unavailable on Windstar.

Cook Islands and Society Islands (11 nights, seasonal) — Extends to Aitutaki and Rarotonga. Unavailable on Windstar.

Windstar

Wind Spirit: Dreams of Tahiti (7 nights, year-round, roundtrip Papeete) — Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, and Huahine under sail. Watersport marina in every lagoon. Candles under Polynesian skies. Direct Air Tahiti Nui from Sydney. The sailing yacht alternative at a lower per-diem.

Wind Surf: Mediterranean (7 nights, roundtrip Rome or Athens) — For Australians wanting a second Windstar experience beyond Tahiti. The world’s largest motor-sailing vessel. Five masts.

Star Breeze: Australia and New Zealand (seasonal) — Windstar’s local deployment. No international flights required.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin (332 guests, refurbished 2025) — One ship, perfectly suited. Seven-night Society Islands for the introduction. Fourteen-night Marquesas for the committed enthusiast. The most immersive Polynesian cruise available.

Windstar

Wind Spirit (148 guests, four masts) — The year-round Tahiti yacht and the purest Windstar experience. 101 crew for 148 guests. The direct Paul Gauguin competitor at a lower price point, trading included drinks and the private island for sailing heritage and the marina platform.

Wind Surf (342 guests, five masts) — The flagship for Mediterranean and Caribbean. Not deployed to Tahiti but the most spacious sailing yacht experience.

Star Breeze (312 guests) — The all-suite motor yacht for Australian and New Zealand coastal itineraries. The most accessible Windstar experience from Australia.

For Australian travellers specifically

Both lines are highly accessible from Australia — and French Polynesia is the easiest luxury cruise destination for east coast Australians.

Both lines depart year-round from Papeete. Air Tahiti Nui operates direct Sydney to Papeete flights in approximately eight hours. Auckland also connects to Papeete. The travel time is comparable to flying to Bali — making either line an easy booking from Australia.

Paul Gauguin is booked through Ponant’s North Sydney office (1300 737 178) with Ponant Yacht Club loyalty cross-brand recognition across Ponant Explorations, Paul Gauguin, and Aqua Expeditions. The loyalty pathway leads toward Ponant expedition cruising — Kimberley, Antarctica, the Arctic.

Windstar’s Australian representation is handled through Travel the World Group, the General Sales Agent in Australia for more than thirty-eight years. Windstar’s Australian website (windstar.com.au) offers AUD pricing. Star Breeze has deployed for Australian seasons from Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns. Windstar’s Yacht Club loyalty programme is standalone with four tiers earning points per cruise day.

The French Polynesia decision for Australians often comes down to three factors: price (Windstar is cheaper), inclusions (Paul Gauguin includes more), and experience type (sailing romance versus cultural immersion). For honeymooners drawn to the sailing yacht aesthetic and Candles under the stars, Windstar. For couples wanting the most comprehensive Polynesian experience with cultural hosts and a private island, Paul Gauguin. Both are excellent in these waters.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmospheres differ meaningfully — and in Tahiti, atmosphere defines the voyage.

Paul Gauguin’s atmosphere is island resort afloat. International passenger mix — North American, Australian, European, and French. Resort casual to barefoot. Les Gauguines dancing on the pool deck. Cocktails flowing from the included bar. Motu Mahana private island days. Romantic, sun-drenched, culturally rich. Slightly younger average age with honeymooners alongside experienced travellers. 332 guests — intimate but social.

Windstar’s atmosphere on Wind Spirit is the private sailing yacht. Just 148 guests with nearly 1:1 crew ratio. Staff know your name by day two. The passenger mix is predominantly English-speaking — North American, British, Australian, European. Slightly younger than the broader cruise market, with honeymooners attracted to the sailing yachts and the romance. Resort casual — sundresses, sandals, no pretension. The sail-away ceremony creates collective wonder at every departure. Candles dining creates nightly romance. The mood is barefoot, adventurous, and intimate in a way 332 guests cannot quite replicate.

The atmospheric difference: Paul Gauguin feels like a Polynesian resort — cultural, inclusive, sun-soaked. Wind Spirit feels like a private yacht — romantic, intimate, wind-powered. Both are perfect for the setting. The choice is personal.

The bottom line

Paul Gauguin and Windstar are the only direct competitors in this comparison — both sailing year-round from Papeete. The choice comes down to what kind of Tahitian experience moves you.

Choose Paul Gauguin for the most immersive Polynesian cruise — Tahitian cultural hosts, a private island, drinks included, balcony accommodation, and six archipelagos. Accept a higher per-diem.

Choose Windstar’s Wind Spirit for the romance of sailing under canvas — 148 guests, sails catching the breeze at every departure, the watersport marina in lagoons, Candles under Polynesian stars, and a per-diem fifteen to twenty-five per cent lower. Accept compact cabins with portholes, drinks as an add-on, no private island, and Society Islands-only coverage.

For Australians torn between the two: if it is your first Tahiti cruise, start with Paul Gauguin for the complete experience. If you want a different perspective on the same paradise — wind in the rigging, dinner under the stars — Windstar delivers something no motor vessel can replicate.