Last summer we went to Alaska, on the Radisson Seven Seas Mariner. The cruise exceeded my expectations in just about every way. This summer we again chose Radisson to cruise the South Pacific. Because I'd already experienced Radisson, my expectations were higher, but I was not disappointed. Bali Hi called us and we were enchanted.

The Paul Gauguin is a small ship - 320 passengers, less than half the size of the Mariner. As a result, it is friendlier - both passengers and crew get to know you and you see the same people frequently. I had a conversation with the waiter at breakfast the first morning about my experiences in Manila [his home town], and by the next day most of the waiters on the boat knew I had been to Manila. We were not traveling with friends, so when we went to dinner the first night, we asked to share a table. The host remembered that for following nights, and we got to know several of our fellow passengers over dinner.

One of the features of the Paul Gauguin is the Gaugin's, a troop of seven Tahitian young ladies who entertain and assist in public activities [checking people in for excursions, teaching classes, etc.] They are charming, and provide a real opportunity to meet Tahitians and learn about their culture. They were among the highlights of the cruise. Read more