Sailing on voyages from Tahiti, the 330 passenger, 6-Star m/s Paul Gauguin is an extension of the informal, relaxing environment of Polynesia. With American attention to luxury and comfort and a French flair for casual sophistication, the ship radiates warmth, informality, and openness. No wonder the readers of Condé Nast Traveler selected the m/s Paul Gauguin the "World's Best Small Ship" in 2004. Here, the constraints of formal wear, tuxedos, and ties are forgotten and the only dress code is relaxation. Excellent wines from France, California, and other vineyard-dotted domains flow freely at lunch and dinner in three restaurants. There is a specially designed, retractable watersports platform, where guests may conveniently launch a kayak, try windsurfing, or set out for a scuba diving expedition.