EXCLUSIVE Savings on Regent Paul Gauguin!

Our family of companies has been given an EXCLUSIVE pricing opportunity for the Regent Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia this summer. These prices aren't available from anywhere but from one of our group of companies.

The Paul Gauguin is simply an amazing ship. Intimate, personal, inclusive, perfectly suited for one of the most beautiful places in the world. Tahiti and French Polynesia are spectacular, and the Paul Gauguin is the best way to experience it. From the Gauguin gallery onboard (with, ironically, more originals than the Gauguin Museum near Papeete), to the lovely Gauguines, the social hostesses onboard who are all natives of Polynesia and serve not just as your social hostesses but also as cultural ambassadors, this is a sublime experience.

Of course, since it's Regent, the cruise is all-inclusive, from bottled water, tips, to alcohol with lunch and dinner along with 2 bottles of your choice in your cabin, this is truly an all-inclusive cruise. The quality of the dining onboard is extraordinary, and the service levels what you'd expect on a true luxury cruise.

The sailings we have with these special offers are:

June 6, 2009, 7-night sailing round-trip Papeete - Category D Balcony - $2,995/person, Category E Oceanview - $2,340/person, Category F Porthole - $2,195/person. Government fees and taxes are $210 additional. Third passenger is FREE on this sailing (fees/taxes are additional).

May 15 & July 29, 2009, 10-night sailing round-trip Papeete - Category D Balcony - $3,640/person, Category E Oceanview - $2,795/person, Category F Porthole - $2,595/person. Government fees and taxes are $300 additional. Third passenger is FREE on this sailing (fees/taxes are additional).

As a Tahiti Tiare specialist, I'm happy to assist you with pre- or post-cruise extensions in the islands as well.

If you have dreamed of French Polynesia, promised yourself (or your loved one) that you will go "someday", or if the idea of sitting in a lounge in crystal clear water with a waiter bringing you drinks right to your chair sounds heavenly, then this is your opportunity. Call me at 303-690-8937, toll-free at 888-SAIL-123 (888-724-5123) or email me at amber@cruiseresource.com to book your escape to paradise now!

Paul Gauguin Remaining in French Polynesia!

As many of you know, one of my favorite ships is the Paul Gauguin, currently operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises in French Polynesia. I think it's the perfect marriage of ship and surroundings, not to mention the fact that Tahiti and all of French Polynesia is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

It was announced a couple weeks ago that the owners of the Paul Gauguin, Grand Circle Travel, were terminating their operations agreement with Regent (Regent to No Longer Operate Paul Gauguin). At the time, it was uncertain the future cruising territory for the Paul Gauguin. No longer!

Gauguin Shipping Ltd., a subsidiary of Grand Circle Corp., will continue to operate the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia and the region “well into 2010 and beyond,” said Executive Vice President Roy Grimsland. Grand Circle now is setting up a separate company to operate and market the 330-passenger Paul Gauguin, which has operated in Tahiti since 1998. Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd. recently hired Grimsland, a top sales veteran of several cruise lines, including RSSC.

Grimsland announced the Paul Gauguin’s 2010 South Pacific and French Polynesia itineraries for charter and incentive sales. Rates will be held at 2009 prices for bookings made by Dec. 31, 2008. In 2010, Paul Gauguin will offer its signature seven-night cruises to the Society Islands plus a range of longer cruises throughout the South Pacific. The seven-night cruises operate year-round and depart from Papeete to Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora and Moorea. Itineraries include a day exploring Paul Gauguin’s private island retreat of Motu Mahana and overnight stays at the islands of Moorea and Bora Bora, where Paul Gauguin offers a private beach. In addition to the Society Island itineraries, Paul Gauguin offers several nine- to 17-night cruises visiting Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Australia, Cook Islands, Marquesas, Tuamotus, Australs and the Society Islands.

It does appear that the new operating group may be seeking more charter cruises, and de-emphasizing the traditional individual passenger, but if this iconic ship and itinerary is on your "must do" list, we can still work together to make your dream a reality.

I, for one, am one happy Paul Gauguin lover!

Regent To No Longer Operate Paul Gauguin

In news which will sadden lovers of the Paul Gauguin (and those who have dreamed of sailing on her in Tahiti and French Polynesia), it is expected that Grand Circle (the owner of the Paul Gauguin) and Regent Seven Seas will announce this week that Regent will no longer operate the Paul Gauguin after the 2009 sailing season currently available for sale.

It is unknown what Grand Circle has in mind for the ship at this time, so keep watching here for updates once that announcement is made.

If you've been planning on sailing the Paul Gauguin, which I personally believe is the perfect ship for French Polynesia, it's time to stop procrastinating! Take advantage of this advance information and book your 2008 or 2009 sailing NOW! As a Certified Tiare Specialist, I can help you in all aspects of your dream cruise and vacation in French Polynesia.

More Luxury in Tahiti

Just as Princess is wrapping up its final season of the Tahitian Princess in French Polynesia/Tahiti, yet another luxury line is announcing plans to sail there. Joining the Regent Paul Gauguin and Star Clippers Star Flyer will be the Silversea HSH Prince Albert II.

As we discussed a few days ago, the HSH Prince Albert II is the new luxury expedition ship for Silversea which is currently undergoing extensive renovation to turn it into a ship worthy of the Silversea name.

I've been asked several times when Princess will be going back to French Polynesia, or if another line will go there instead. Frankly, the French Polynesian government would much prefer to have lines such as Silversea, Star Clippers and Regent there. Princess was there mostly because they agreed to the government's terms in order to purchase the former Renaissance ship, which they then renamed Tahitian Princess. They had a good run there for several years, but were running into issues on airlift capacity and pricing, many times with the air cost being very close to the cruise price, not something generally experienced by typical Princess passengers. I'd be surprised if French Polynesia will be anything more than a stop or two on longer itineraries for lines such as Princess, Celebrity and Holland America for the foreseeable future.

I'm sorry to see a mid-level line leaving this market simply because French Polynesia is one of my favorite place on earth. It doesn't suffer the tourist overload that Hawaii's development over the years has created, maintaining much more of its pristine beauty and low impact tourism. The water there is so incredibly beautiful, and with the lagoons surrounding these ancient islands, it's accessible for a variety of activities, from snorkeling, swimming, great beach days, magnificent sightseeing on the mountains, and of course my passion scuba diving. It's the most romantic place I've ever been.

Obviously, this is not a budget destination. But for a trip which is truly extraordinary for the senses, it's absolutely worth it. Have a special anniversary coming up? Second (or first) honeymoon? A "I've dreamed about it" trip? Contact me for more information. I am a Tahiti Tiare Specialist, so can help you with all your arrangements and match you up with an idyllic trip to this tropical paradise. Believe me, you'll fall in love with it too.

Regent Continues Paul Gauguin Management!

For all of us who love the Paul Gauguin comes the exciting news that Regent has extended its management contact of this wonderful ship through January, 2010. Since the Paul Gauguin was sold to PGSL a couple years ago, it's been an ongoing question as to how long RSSC would continue to manage her, and in fact how long she would stay in French Polynesia. With this announcement, we can breathe easily for at least two more years.

French Polynesia (Tahiti) is one of the most beautiful places in the world to cruise. For anyone looking for what I believe to be the ultimate South Pacific experience, I'd highly recommend sailing this ship while you can.