Here's advice I give almost everyone who books the Paul Gauguin through me: don't fly home the day you disembark. You've come a very long way to French Polynesia, and the ship gives you a taste of several islands without letting you linger on any one. A few nights afterward fixes that. I've done post-cruise stays on Moorea and Bora Bora myself, and the slower pace at the end of the trip is when the place really lands for people. The cruise shows you the map, the post-cruise days let you settle into one corner of it.
Which island to add at the end
What a post-cruise stay actually looks like
After a week aboard with the marina deck and the daily excursions, most people want the post-cruise days to be slow, snorkelling, a lagoon tour, an unhurried dinner, not a packed schedule. I usually book a couple of nights minimum so you're not unpacking just to repack. The flight home almost always leaves late in the evening, so I plan a day-room or a relaxed last day rather than a frantic dash to the airport.Letting me handle the logistics
Frequently asked questions
How many nights should I add after the cruise?
I'd suggest at least two, three if you can. One night barely lets you settle before the long flight home. Two or three turns it into a proper second leg of the trip.
Is Bora Bora worth the extra cost post-cruise?
If an overwater bungalow is a bucket-list thing for you, yes. If it's not, Moorea gives you more variety for less. I'll talk it through honestly for your budget.
When do flights home usually leave?
International flights out of Papeete tend to depart late evening. I plan your last day around that so you're not stuck at the airport for hours.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.