M/S Paul Gauguin Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
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Cruising French Polynesia
 The sun had not even begun to rise over the lush tropical peaks of Bora Bora, when at 5:30AM; I heard the knock on my stateroom door. With a smile of anticipation, I rose to welcome my pre-dawn visitor, knowing full well the pure, unadulterated pleasure I was about to experience. With my terry cloth robe, emblazoned with the Radisson Seven Seas insignia, loosely tied around my waist, I threw open the door!
 ThePaul Gauguin's Head Baker had kept his word. With a room service waiter in tow, he was personally delivering the promised "hot from the oven" first batch of the most delectable, fragrant and buttery croissants. The steam rose from the basket overflowing with the authentic, piping hot French breakfast rolls. Seated at my balcony table, which was set with fine table linen and a silver coffee service, I greeted the French Polynesian dawn with freshly brewed coffee and (I won't tell you how many!) of those flaky, freshly baked creations. Not since my first morning in Paris, more than 30 years before, had I savored such a perfect rendition of this classic French indulgence!
Why such an unusual wake-up call? One morning at breakfast, I merely commented the croissants were so good that I would be willing to get up early to enjoy them right out of the oven. When the Head Baker heard that, he considered it such a compliment that he notified me that he would be happy to comply, if I didn't mind the early hour.
That is what the Paul Gauguin is all about... personal attention, service, fine dining, and, of course, the Islands of French Polynesia.
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Paul Gauguin's Deluxe Cabins layout
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The destination alone, I found fascinating. The Tahitian culture was so foreign to Western ways, the early missionaries made every attempt to eradicate a simple yet complex native society. According to Mark Eddowes, an archaeologist and destination lecturer onboard the Paul Gauguin, they were unsuccessful for the most part and many original native customs are still apparent in today's Tahitian society.
He also added an interesting twist to the legendary Mutiny on the Bounty. It seems Captain Blye had more of an interest in Mr. Christian than he had in finding breadfruit to take back to England. A falling out between them ensued and that is what really precipitated the mutiny. Certainly makes Hollywood's version pale by comparison!
 The physical beauty of the Tahitian islands, at times was astonishing. Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea and Tahiti afforded palm studded beaches, majestic volcanic peaks and some of the most beautiful "blue" lagoons anywhere in the world. The snorkeling and diving was fantastic. I tickled an octopus, came face to face with a moray eel and fed manta rays.
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