Paul Gauguin to resume cruises in July

Paul Gauguin Cruises, the Tahiti and French Polynesia specialist, is to resume cruises in July and implement an extensive “Covid-Safe Protocol”.

Paul Gauguin Cruises will offer its seven-night Tahiti & the Society Island voyages from July 11 for the local market. French Polynesia officially reopens for international tourism on July 15.

The cruise departs and returns to Papeete, Tahiti, and includes calls at Huahine and Motu Mahana (the line’s private islet off the coast of Taha’a), along with two days in Bora Bora (with daily access to a private beach), and two days in Moorea.

International guests will be able to sail with the line from July 29 on its 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage departing July 29, 2020, from Papeete, Tahiti.

Paul Gauguin Cruises, which is owned by Ponant, has implemented a new hygiene procedure created with the IHU (Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire) Méditerranée Infection of Marseilles, a centre of infectious diseases, and the Battalion of Marine Firemen of Marseilles.

The “Covid-Safe” protocol is built on the principle of “double protection”, according to a company statement: “100 per cent monitoring of people and goods before boarding, then once on board, strict health protocols are applied.”

Paul Gauguin Cruises’ new measures include:

Pre-Boarding

• Prior to boarding, all guests and crew members will have to present a signed doctor’s medical form, complete a health questionnaire and undergo a health check and screening by the ship’s medical staff.
• All luggage will pass through a disinfecting zone by sanitising mist or UV lamps.
• Surgical and cloth masks, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitiser bottles will be provided to guests.

 On-board experience

• 100 per cent fresh air in staterooms through non-recirculating air conditioning systems. Ventilated air will be renewed in the common areas at least five times per hour.
• Restaurant layouts have been redesigned and will only offer contactless a la carte dining options.
• Public spaces, such as the fitness room and theatre will be capped at 50 per cent occupancy.
• Hourly disinfecting of high-touch points, such as door handles and handrails, with EcoLab peroxide, which eliminates 100% of germs, bacteria and against biological contamination.
• Crew members are required to wear a mask or protective visor when in contact with guests. Guests will be asked to wear a mask in hallway corridors and this will be recommended in public spaces too.
• The Gauguin is equipped with advanced hospital equipment, including mobile laboratory terminals that enable testing on site for infectious or tropical diseases. Advanced diagnostic equipment such as ultrasound, radiology and blood biological analysis is available, and one doctor and one nurse are present on every sailing.

Shore excursions

• Zodiacs will be thoroughly disinfected after each stop-over.
• Re-boarding after shore excursions will only be permitted after temperature check and disinfection procedures (individuals and personal belongings).

The complete “Covid-Safe Protocol” manifesto that has been developed is available online here.