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Welcome Aboard the Paul Gauguin [top]
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has earned a leadership role in the Six-Star cruise
industry because each luxury ship provides a limited number of guests the
highest standard of cruising excellence combined with exciting opportunities
for discovery around the world. Twice chosen as the World's Best Small Cruise
Line by the readers of Travel & Leisure in 2001 and in 2003 by the
readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Regent Seven Seas has also been
awarded the Best Luxury Line 2002 by Porthole Magazine; Six Stars by Stern's
Guide to the Cruise Vacation, 2002; and 2003 Ship of the Year for its
Seven Seas Mariner by World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society. And your
ship, the Paul Gauguin, has received its own litany of awards: Best
Cruise Ship by Condé Nast Traveler, 2003; Best Food by Cruise Critic,
2003, 2004; Top Romantic Ship by Cruise Critic, 2004; Best Spa by CruiseMates,
2002, 2004; Best Staterooms by CruiseMates, 2003; and Best Quality Award
by Cruise Reports, 2000.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) offers an incomparable program of exploration
and discovery to over 300 ports on six continents, including Antarctica. Their
luxury vessels are designed for guests numbering in the hundreds rather than
the thousands, so the ambiance on board is personal, individual,
accommodating... upscale but not uptight. And all Regent Seven Seas ships share
certain distinctions in accommodations, service, dining, and amenities that
elevates RSSC to their lofty vantage point of an enviable Six-Star rating.
It is Regent Seven Seas' objective to provide an ultra-luxury cruise experience
that also represents true value. In keeping with this philosophy, voyages
feature many enhancements, benefits, or special events on a complimentary basis
or at a minimal cost. And fares also include many features normally considered
"extras," such as gratuities, non-alcoholic beverages and complimentary fine
wines and spirits throughout your voyage, wines at dinner, and an in-suite
minibar stocked once with soft drinks and bottled water, replenished daily.
Regent Seven Seas is proud of their success and the fact that World Ocean &
Cruise Liner Society has awarded to Regent Seven Seas the "Best Cruise Value"
in the ultra-deluxe category for 11 years in a row!
You will be sailing on the chartered, award-winning, Five-Star Paul Gauguin.
Specifically designed for sailing French Polynesia year-round, she is the most
deluxe cruise ship ever to be based there year-round and offers an extension of
the informal, relaxing environment of the islands, with Regent Seven Seas'
interpretation of Six-Star service, comfort, and luxury. Spacious staterooms
(50% with private balconies), a choice of three single-seating dining venues,
cuisine inspired by Le Cordon Bleu, complimentary watersports, her own
retractable marina, and an extensive spa are among her many attributes. The
atmosphere aboard the Paul Gauguin radiates warmth and informality, and
the ship's beloved troupe of Gauguines - part cruise staff, part entertainers,
part storytellers - add the unique personality of French Polynesia to every
cruise.
Dining Information [top]
All meals are included on board, and dining aboard the Paul Gauguin is
unhurried and relaxed - you may enjoy the pleasures of the table without the
regimentation of assigned seating or having to rush through your dessert.
Country club casual (resort casual dress) is always appropriate. Complimentary
wines are served with dinner. During normal dining hours, you may choose from
the restaurants' menus and enjoy dinner in your stateroom or suite. A special
24-hour room service menu is also available. The three onboard restaurants, all
with single, open seating, are:
L'Étoile
Enjoy the international cuisine amid the classic furnishings and fluted shell
lighting reminiscent of one of the refined dining establishments in Paris. Here
delectable cuisine is artfully presented and guests receive the most diligent
attention. L'étoile is only open for dinner.
La Veranda
This restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a setting whose
sun-infused ambience might recall leisurely dining on a yacht club terrace on
the Côte d'Azur. The menus are inspired by Le Cordon Bleu and offer signature
dishes and fresh creations, from Shrimp and Leek Terrine to Fresh Mahi-Mahi on
a Mousseline of Bacalao.
Le Grill
Greet the sun with a buffet breakfast at Le Grill. Or enjoy lunch by the pool
on a choice of grilled favorites, salads, and fresh tropical fruits. At night
Le Grill is transformed into a cozy indoor/outdoor restaurant serving grilled
specialties in a more casual atmosphere.
Dinner Attire
Evenings on board are elegant, yet they are not formal. "Country club casual" or
elegant resort wear are appropriate for all evenings on board. No ties are
required at any time, although gentlemen may wish to bring one blazer to wear
on the evening of the Captain's Welcome Reception. For ladies, pantsuits or
informal cocktail attire are recommended. Please note that jeans, shorts, and
tee-shirts are not appropriate for evening wear on board.
Cruise Line Special Meal Requests
The ship may be able to accommodate special dietary requirements, provided
requests are received one month prior to your sailing date. This is
particularly important if specially purchased food items are required. Please
confirm any dietary requests with your Vantage Program Manager once on board.
Money Matters While On Board [top]
The official currency aboard ship is the U.S. dollar. At the time of
embarkation, Regent Seven Seas requests a confidential registration of an
accepted credit card. The night prior to your final disembarkation from the
ship, a detailed statement of your shipboard charges for onboard services and
products will be delivered to your suite or stateroom. All such charges must be
paid in full by cash, travellers' check, or accepted credit card (Visa,
MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Diners Club).
Currency Exchange
The U.S. dollar is the standard currency aboard the Paul Gauguin. The
currency in French Polynesia is the French Pacific franc (XPF). The ship does
not handle currency exchange on board. U.S. dollars are accepted for exchange
at most ports-of-call, as are travellers' checks and major credit cards.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included in the cruise fares.
NOTE: There is no Vantage Program Manager aboard the M/S Paul Gauguin.
A Vantage local representative will assist you in Papeete and Fiji.
General Information About Your Ship [top]
Air Conditioning
All cabins and public rooms on board are fully air-conditioned. Individual cabin
temperature can be regulated by passengers.
Electrical Current
The standard electrical voltage on board is 220 volts. In the bathrooms you will
find a 110-volt AC outlet to accommodate most U.S. standard shavers. There are
both 220 and 110-volt AC outlets in the stateroom beside the dressing table
mirror. Hair dryers are provided in all staterooms.
Keeping in Touch
The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art worldwide communications systems. You
may make telephone calls directly from your stateroom using a major credit
card. Faxes can be sent from the Reception Desk. Please note that charges for
maritime satellite communications are significantly more than land systems.
E-mail can be sent for a nominal fee, 24 hours a day, through onboard
workstations located on Deck 5.
E-mail: E-mail services for sending and receiving messages are available for a
fee, 24 hours a day.
Telephone/Fax: Ship-to-shore phone calls and fax transmissions are available at
standard tariffs. Fax reception is complimentary; fax messages are received and
sent through the reception desk. Should your friends, relatives, or business
associates wish to reach you aboard ship, they can. The most economical way for
someone to contact you by phone when the ship is sailing is to call
1-800-MARISAT. A satellite telex will be delivered to your cabin, and you can
then call the party via satellite. At a more expensive rate, you may be
contacted direct via the High Seas Operator 1-800-SEA-CALL.
Laundry
Laundry and valet services including pressing and dry cleaning are available
with charge and may be arranged through your Stewardess.
Medical Facilities
The ship has a licensed and registered doctor and nurse for professional and
emergency services, which are available at customary charges. The ship's
medical center is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary
illnesses and accidents, and are not intended or capable of providing on-going
treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. For guests requiring oxygen
equipment, an oxygen concentrator is the only form of oxygen equipment allowed
aboard ship, and it must be provided by the passenger. RSSC wheelchairs on
board are for emergency purposes only.
Please note that Medicare and U.S. health insurance are generally not accepted
on board ships or in foreign destinations. Claims made upon return to the USA
should be filed through your health insurance provider or through the Travel
Protection Plan if you have purchased it. All receipts and doctors reports are
required to process claims.
Smoking Policy
Certain public areas have been designated as non-smoking areas. Generally, the
portside (left side) of the ship is non-smoking and the starboard side (right
side) allows for smoking. There are no restrictions concerning smoking in
stateroom/suites.
Special Cabin Requests
Although the special group rate you have taken advantage of on your Vantage
cruise does not guarantee cabin selection, we will be happy to advise the
cruise line of any special requests. We must receive your request at the time
of booking.
Special Occasions At Sea
If you will be celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon during your
cruise, the cruise line will be happy to celebrate the event with you. Please
advise Vantage of such occasions at time of booking, and we will forward the
information to the cruise line. Please verify the arrangements with the cruise
director onboard.
Watersports and Dive Program
Sea and weather permitting, Paul Gauguin's self-contained Marina offers
many complimentary options for watersports enthusiasts including windsurfing,
waterskiing, and kayaking. Snorkel gear is provided at no charge for use on
optional shore excursions or for your own enjoyment once on shore. An optional
full scuba dive program, accommodating all levels of expertise, is available
for a fee.
Shore Excursions [top]
Regent Seven Seas' "Shore Excursions" booklet will be provided in a mailing
prior to your departure. This booklet will provide detailed descriptions of the
excursions offered by the cruise line including degree of difficulty, meals,
and tour highlights. You will have the opportunity to purchase these tours
while on board ship through your Vantage Program Manager.
Regent Seven Seas passengers may pre-request shore excursions on the cruise
line's website. This
user-friendly site allows passengers to login or set up a personal account by
clicking on the "My Cruises" tab. Next, locate your sailing by either clicking
through "My Cruises" to the "My Booked Cruises" section, or searching in the
"Plan a Voyage" section for the sailing and clicking on the "Ports &
Excursions" tab, then the "Request Excursions" button. Please note that the
pre-request option is not operational until 60 days before departure.
Passengers are then asked to confirm their ship, booking number, last name, and
departure date. A confirmation e-mail is then sent to you, and you'll find your
shore excursion tickets in your stateroom/suite upon embarkation. Charges are
put on shipboard accounts.
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