Paul Gauguin Cruises is owned by Ponant Explorations Group, which is itself controlled by Artemis, the private holding company of France’s billionaire Pinault family.
Ponant acquired Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019, and in 2025 the brand became one of three commercial lines inside the newly formed Ponant Explorations Group alongside Ponant Explorations and Aqua Expeditions.
Paul Gauguin Cruises is known for year round, small ship sailing through French Polynesia, offering an intimate, luxury focused alternative to large scale South Pacific cruise itineraries.
Artemis is the investment vehicle of the Pinault family, best known for controlling luxury group Kering, home to brands like Gucci and Saint Laurent, giving Paul Gauguin Cruises deep pocketed, luxury minded ownership.
What many travelers do not realize is that Paul Gauguin Cruises operates just one ship, making it one of the smallest branded operations owned by a major luxury cruise group.
This guide explains exactly who owns Paul Gauguin Cruises, how the Ponant acquisition happened, who leads the company today, and what makes its single ship itinerary distinctive.
It also covers where Paul Gauguin Cruises sails, what the brand is known for, and how it compares with other luxury small ship operators.
Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Is Paul Gauguin Cruises?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is a luxury small ship cruise brand that sails year round through French Polynesia, including Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the Society Islands.
The company was founded in the 1990s and named after the French post impressionist painter, who spent significant time in Tahiti during his career.
The brand built its identity around a single dedicated ship, the m/s Paul Gauguin, rather than operating a large multi ship fleet.
Its team remains based in Bellevue, Washington, even after being acquired by the French parent company Ponant.
Who Owns Paul Gauguin Cruises?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is owned by Ponant Explorations Group, the French cruise company that acquired the brand in August 2019.
Ponant itself is controlled by Artemis, the holding company of the Pinault family, which purchased Compagnie du Ponant from private equity firm Bridgepoint in 2015.
In March 2025, Ponant restructured its expedition and small ship brands into Ponant Explorations Group, placing Paul Gauguin Cruises alongside Ponant Explorations and Aqua Expeditions under one umbrella.
This makes Paul Gauguin Cruises a privately owned brand within a much larger, family controlled luxury cruise group rather than an independently traded company.
Ultimate private holding company
Parent cruise group, CEO Herve Gastinel
French Polynesia luxury cruise brand
Is Paul Gauguin Cruises Publicly Traded or Privately Owned?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is privately owned and does not trade on any public stock exchange.
Its ultimate owner, Artemis, is a private family holding company controlled by the Pinault family rather than a publicly listed corporation.
Artemis also controls luxury conglomerate Kering, though Kering itself is publicly listed separately from the family’s direct cruise industry holdings.
How Did Ponant Acquire Paul Gauguin Cruises?
Ponant announced its acquisition of Paul Gauguin Cruises in August 2019, drawn to the brand’s established niche in French Polynesia.
Ponant founder Jean Emmanuel Sauvee said the two companies shared similar values around intimate, destination focused luxury cruising, making the acquisition a natural fit.
Following the deal, Paul Gauguin Cruises kept its own president and Bellevue, Washington based team, while Ponant’s Americas leadership coordinated from New York.
The acquisition also had historical symmetry, since Ponant had previously sold a ship to Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2012 that became the Tere Moana.
Who Leads Paul Gauguin Cruises Today?
Herve Gastinel serves as CEO of Ponant Explorations Group, overseeing Paul Gauguin Cruises alongside Ponant Explorations and Aqua Expeditions.
Gastinel took over as Ponant’s chief executive in March 2021, succeeding co-founder Jean Emmanuel Sauvee in the role.
Day to day brand management for Paul Gauguin Cruises continues to draw on its long standing team based in the United States.
What Is Ponant Explorations Group?
Ponant Explorations Group is a March 2025 restructuring that unified three small ship cruise brands under Artemis ownership.
Alongside Paul Gauguin Cruises, the group includes Ponant Explorations, the original French expedition cruise brand, and Aqua Expeditions, a river and small ship operator in which Ponant took a majority stake.
All three brands operate vessels carrying fewer than 500 passengers, reflecting a shared focus on small ship, destination immersive travel.
Paul Gauguin Cruises Fleet
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates a single ship, the m/s Paul Gauguin, carrying 332 passengers.
The ship is purpose built for French Polynesian waters, with a shallow draft that allows access to lagoons and smaller ports larger ships cannot reach.
Because the brand relies on one dedicated vessel, its identity is tightly linked to a single consistent itinerary pattern rather than a varied multi ship fleet.
Where Does Paul Gauguin Cruises Sail?
Paul Gauguin Cruises sails year round through French Polynesia, including Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, and the Marquesas Islands.
The brand also offers occasional seasonal itineraries to other South Pacific destinations, though French Polynesia remains its core and defining region.
What Is Paul Gauguin Cruises Known For?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is known for luxury, all inclusive style South Pacific cruising centered entirely on French Polynesia.
The brand emphasizes water sports, an onboard marina platform, and immersive Polynesian cultural programming as part of the guest experience.
Its year round, single ship, single region focus sets it apart from larger luxury lines that split their fleets across many global itineraries.
Is Paul Gauguin Cruises Really Good or Really Worth It?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is generally well regarded among luxury travelers specifically seeking a dedicated French Polynesia itinerary.
Guests frequently praise the ship’s intimate size, attentive service, and the water sports marina that allows direct ocean access from the vessel.
Common criticism includes higher fares relative to mainstream cruise lines and limited itinerary variety since only one ship and one region are offered.
Review platforms generally place Paul Gauguin Cruises among the stronger performers in the small ship luxury category for its specific niche.
- Deep specialization in French Polynesia itineraries
- Intimate ship size with attentive service levels
- Backed by well resourced parent group Ponant Explorations
- Single ship limits sailing dates and cabin availability
- Higher fares than mainstream cruise lines
- Little itinerary variety outside French Polynesia
Customer Service and Official Contact Information
Travelers can review itineraries, request quotes, and reach guest services through the official PGCruises.com website.
Details on the 2025 Ponant Explorations Group restructuring were reported by Seatrade Cruise News.
Additional background on the 2019 acquisition is available on Wikipedia’s Paul Gauguin Cruises entry.
Paul Gauguin Cruises is owned by Ponant Explorations Group, controlled by the Pinault family’s Artemis holding company, making it part of one of the world’s wealthiest private luxury cruise portfolios.
For background on the parent company and other luxury small ship brands, see WhoMakeThis’s guide to who owns Ponant and the related breakdown of who owns Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Who owns Paul Gauguin Cruises?
Paul Gauguin Cruises is owned by Ponant Explorations Group, which is controlled by Artemis, the private holding company of France’s Pinault family.
When did Ponant acquire Paul Gauguin Cruises?
Ponant announced its acquisition of Paul Gauguin Cruises in August 2019, keeping the brand’s existing team in Bellevue, Washington.
How many ships does Paul Gauguin Cruises have?
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates a single ship, the m/s Paul Gauguin, which carries 332 passengers on year round French Polynesia itineraries.
Is Paul Gauguin Cruises part of Ponant Explorations Group?
Yes, since March 2025 Paul Gauguin Cruises has been one of three commercial brands within Ponant Explorations Group, alongside Ponant Explorations and Aqua Expeditions.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.