Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest rated and longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announces its 2011 sailing schedule. To ensure that every sailing continues to be the cruise of a lifetime, Paul Gauguin Cruises will continue to focus on the exotic regions in which it specializes — Tahiti, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, the Society Islands, the Marquesas and Tuamotus — by adding even more sailings and offering a powerful incentive to come aboard: FREE airfare from Los Angeles, plus 2-for-1 cruise fares on all 2011 sailings.

The m/s Paul Gauguin’s 2011 voyages – all 40 of which are currently open for booking – will highlight the beauty of the South Pacific from the luxurious and spacious accommodations aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, which underwent a multi-million dollar enhancement in 2009. The ship’s staterooms, public areas and restaurants have been upgraded to reflect the luxurious standard that is characteristic of Paul Gauguin Cruises. Onboard each cruise, marine biologists, environmentalists, naturalists, historians, and special guest lecturers reveal secrets of islands visited, sharing their knowledge and insight to enhance the travel experience.

The 2011 m/s Paul Gauguin sailing schedule will include:

* Raiatea: the island was once the cultural, religious, royal, and political heart of Polynesia; and was, according to legend, one of Tahiti’s most significant archeological sites.

* Taha’a: adjacent to Paul Gauguin Cruises’ private Motu Mahana, featuring white sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters and gentle breezes, where guests can enjoy with a barbecue lunch serenaded by Polynesian singers.

* Bora Bora: immediately recognizable by the basalt tombstone of Mount Otemanu rising from the ocean, this half-atoll, half-mountain is surrounded by a spectacular lagoon and a series of smaller islands.

* Moorea/Tahiti: covered in an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, spectacular mountain peaks, peaceful multi-hued lagoons and palm-fringed beaches. Here guests can shop for local crafts, trek on the “Trails of the Ancients,” snorkel one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons, or embark on a dolphin-watching expedition with a marine biologist.

* Cook Islands: guests will marvel at the contrast of arid Aitutaki, where the ocean is always in view, and Rarotonga, an island of lush valleys and jagged peaks.

With more than 25 years of experience in French Polynesia, the team at Pacific Beachcomber and Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a wealth of knowledge on what to see and do while cruising aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin. The ship provides a myriad of once-in-a-lifetime experiences coupled with a luxurious vessel from which to explore the islands.

Aboard the 5+-star m/s Paul Gauguin —the most highly awarded small ship in the region – guests enjoy blue-ribbon service, spacious accommodations, luxurious amenities, gourmet dining, and Polynesian elegance in a relaxed atmosphere, while immersing themselves in the world’s most enchanting destinations.