Hebridean Island Cruises vs Paul Gauguin

The core difference

Hebridean Island Cruises and Paul Gauguin Cruises are among the most specialised cruise lines in the world — each devoted entirely to a single region, each impossible to replicate with any other line. The comparison is unusual because these lines will never compete for the same holiday. Nobody chooses between Scotland’s Hebrides and Tahiti’s lagoons on a whim. But for Australian travellers building a lifetime of travel, understanding both helps clarify when each fits.

Hebridean is a floating Scottish country house. Hebridean Princess carries just 50 guests through Scotland’s remote islands — the Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, the Summer Isles, St Kilda. A former MacBrayne car ferry converted to what Queen Elizabeth chartered twice for family holidays, the ship features tartan furnishings, a coal fire in the lounge, a well-stocked library, and a single dining room where the chef personalises menus to guest preferences. Everything is included: meals, champagne, single malts, shore excursions, expert guides, bicycles, and gratuities. Lord of the Highlands (38 guests) operates on inland waterways. The fleet sails Scotland exclusively.

Paul Gauguin is the definitive South Pacific luxury cruise. The m/s Paul Gauguin has sailed year-round from Papeete since 1998 — purpose-built with a shallow draft to navigate the lagoons and small harbours of French Polynesia that no other cruise ship can access. Under Ponant ownership since 2019, the 332-guest ship features included drinks, a retractable watersport marina, Tahitian cultural hosts and entertainers, a private island day on Motu Mahana, French cuisine with Polynesian flavours, and the Algotherm spa. Itineraries cover the Society Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Marquesas, and Tuamotus.

For Australian travellers, the accessibility difference is decisive. Paul Gauguin sails from Papeete — eight hours from Sydney on Air Tahiti Nui. Hebridean requires 22-plus hours to reach Scotland. Both reward the journey, but one is significantly easier.

What is actually included

Both lines deliver genuinely all-inclusive experiences — a rarity even in luxury cruising.

Hebridean includes: all meals from Scottish produce, champagne, wines, spirits (including single malt whiskies), shore excursions with entrance fees, expert guides, bicycles, fishing equipment, all gratuities, and tender transport to remote landings. No bill at voyage end. The only extras are personal purchases.

Paul Gauguin includes: all meals, wines, beer, spirits, cocktails, and soft drinks, watersport marina access (kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, windsurfing), onboard entertainment including Tahitian cultural performances, and the Motu Mahana private island experience. Select shore excursions are included; premium excursions carry supplements. Gratuities are discretionary.

Both lines deliver the psychological freedom of an all-inclusive voyage — guests focus on the destination rather than calculating costs. Hebridean’s inclusion of every shore excursion gives it a slight edge on total completeness; Paul Gauguin’s inclusion of watersports from the ship’s marina platform is unique.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines serve food that reflects their regions — and both take the culinary commitment seriously.

Hebridean’s single dining room serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner prepared from Scottish produce. Loch Fyne oysters, Highland venison, fresh langoustines, properly made porridge, homemade scones for afternoon tea. With 50 guests, the chef personalises menus — dietary requirements, favourite ingredients, and special requests are accommodated with a flexibility impossible on larger ships. The wine list is curated but modest.

Paul Gauguin’s dining programme spans L’Etoile (main restaurant with French and Polynesian menus), La Palette (casual indoor/outdoor bistro), and Le Grill (poolside). Under Ponant ownership, culinary standards have risen — the wine selection has improved, bread and pastry quality has elevated, and the French culinary heritage is more pronounced. Polynesian ingredients — mahi-mahi, vanilla, tropical fruits — feature prominently. Room service is 24-hour.

The comparison: Hebridean offers more personalised dining with Scottish character. Paul Gauguin offers more variety across three venues with French-Polynesian fusion. Neither line will disappoint food-focused travellers, but they deliver entirely different culinary identities.

Suites and accommodation

Both ships reflect their heritage and purpose rather than modern luxury conventions.

Hebridean Princess has 30 cabins varying in size and character — some compact with portholes, others more generous. Tartan soft furnishings, antique-style furniture, brass fittings. No balconies. The charm lies in the country house character. This is not a modern cruise ship — it is a floating lodge.

Paul Gauguin offers 165 staterooms and suites from 200-square-foot Category C staterooms with portholes to the 588-square-foot Grand Suite with private balcony. Approximately 70 per cent of staterooms have private balconies or verandas. The 2025 refurbishment under Ponant brought updated furnishings, improved bathrooms, and elevated finish quality. The design is resort-tropical — light woods, island motifs, ocean views.

Paul Gauguin wins on cabin size, modernity, and balcony availability. Hebridean wins on character. For travellers who want to wake to a lagoon view from a private balcony, Paul Gauguin delivers. For those who want to feel like a guest in a Highland lodge, Hebridean is irreplaceable.

Pricing and value

Both lines sit at the upper end of their respective markets, but total cost for Australians differs substantially.

Hebridean’s per-diem runs approximately GBP $500–$900 per person per night, all-inclusive. A 7-night voyage costs roughly GBP $4,000–$7,000 per person. For Australian travellers: add business-class flights to Scotland (AUD $10,000–$18,000 per couple), pre-cruise hotel, and incidentals. Total per couple: approximately AUD $25,000–$40,000.

Paul Gauguin’s per-diem runs approximately AUD $500–$900 per person per night including drinks. A 7-night Society Islands voyage costs approximately AUD $5,000–$9,000 per person. Add return flights from Sydney to Papeete (AUD $2,000–$5,000 per couple economy or AUD $6,000–$12,000 business), pre-cruise hotel. Total per couple: approximately AUD $14,000–$28,000.

Paul Gauguin is significantly more affordable for Australians — the flight cost alone creates a gap of AUD $5,000–$10,000 per couple. The South Pacific sailing is also more accessible as a repeat holiday; Hebridean is typically a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Spa and wellness

Both ships offer modest spa facilities proportionate to their size and destination focus.

Paul Gauguin’s Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm offers treatment rooms using Polynesian-inspired botanicals — monoi oil, coconut, and tropical flower extracts. The spa is compact but appropriate for a 332-guest ship. A small fitness centre and outdoor pool complete the facilities. The real wellness experience is the destination: snorkelling in crystal lagoons, paddleboarding at sunrise, swimming from the watersport marina.

Hebridean’s wellness offering is minimal — the ship’s scale precludes a dedicated spa. The wellness is environmental: walking on deserted island beaches, cycling through Hebridean villages, breathing clean Atlantic air, and the restorative calm of Scotland’s most remote landscapes.

Neither line is a spa destination. Both deliver wellness through destination immersion rather than facilities.

Entertainment and enrichment

Both lines let the destination dominate — and resist the temptation to manufacture entertainment.

Paul Gauguin’s enrichment includes Tahitian cultural hosts (Les Gauguines and Les Gaugains) who perform traditional dance and music, teach Polynesian crafts, and serve as cultural ambassadors throughout the voyage. Guest lecturers cover Polynesian history, marine biology, and navigation. The watersport marina provides daily activity. The Motu Mahana private island day is a highlight — a beach barbecue, snorkelling, and Tahitian entertainment on a private motu.

Hebridean’s enrichment comes from expert guest speakers covering Scottish history, archaeology, wildlife, geology, and culture. Shore excursions visit ancient castles, Neolithic sites (Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar), whisky distilleries, and seabird colonies. Evening entertainment is conversation by the coal fire with a single malt — perhaps a visiting musician or storyteller.

Both lines understand that their destination is the entertainment. Neither attempts production shows or structured evening programmes.

Fleet and destination coverage

Both lines are regional specialists — the antithesis of global cruise lines.

Hebridean operates two vessels sailing Scotland exclusively. Hebridean Princess (50 guests) covers the islands and coastline. Lord of the Highlands (38 guests) covers the Caledonian Canal and lochs. No international deployments. Themed voyages cover wildlife, whisky, walking, art, and history.

Paul Gauguin operates one ship sailing French Polynesia and the wider South Pacific year-round from Papeete. Itineraries cover the Society Islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine), Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Marquesas, and Tuamotus. Seven to fourteen-night voyages with occasional longer sailings. Under Ponant ownership, Le Jacques Cartier joins for the 2026–2027 season with expanded itineraries.

Neither line offers global breadth — both sacrifice breadth for depth. This is their shared strength: unmatched knowledge of their respective regions.

Where each line excels

Hebridean excels in:

• Ultra-intimate scale. Fifty guests means the most personalised cruise experience in the world.
• Scottish exclusivity. Access to lochs, islands, and anchorages no other ship can reach.
• Complete inclusion. Every drink, excursion, and gratuity covered with zero exceptions.
• Heritage atmosphere. A country house experience at sea that has no equivalent.
• Royal endorsement. Queen Elizabeth’s two private charters validate the standard.

Paul Gauguin excels in:

• French Polynesia mastery. Purpose-built for lagoons and small harbours. Year-round from Papeete.
• Australian accessibility. Eight hours from Sydney — comparable to Bali.
• Watersport marina. Kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, and windsurfing from the ship.
• Cultural immersion. Tahitian hosts, Polynesian performances, and Motu Mahana private island.
• Ponant integration. Cross-brand loyalty, improved culinary standards, and expanded itineraries.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Hebridean Island Cruises

Scottish Islands Discovery (7 nights, Hebridean Princess, May–September) — Roundtrip Oban visiting Mull, Skye, the Outer Hebrides. All-inclusive with expert guides. The essential Hebridean experience.

Orkney & Shetland (7–10 nights) — Northern archipelagos with Neolithic sites, seabird colonies, and Viking heritage.

Whisky-themed voyages — Islay, Speyside, and Highland distilleries with tastings. All whisky included in the fare.

Paul Gauguin

Society Islands & Tuamotus (10 nights, roundtrip Papeete) — Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa, and Fakarava. The definitive French Polynesia cruise. Air Tahiti Nui direct from Sydney.

Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands (14 nights, roundtrip Papeete) — The extended voyage adding the remote Marquesas — Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa (Gauguin’s burial site) — with exceptional snorkelling in the Tuamotus.

Cook Islands & Society Islands (11 nights) — Adding Aitutaki and Rarotonga to the Polynesian circuit. Extended range beyond French territorial waters.

Fiji, Tonga & Cook Islands (14 nights) — The wider South Pacific voyage visiting multiple island nations.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Hebridean

Hebridean Princess (50 guests) — The only choice for the island experience. A unique vessel with no global equivalent.

Lord of the Highlands (38 guests) — Choose for the Caledonian Canal and inland lochs. Even more intimate.

Paul Gauguin

m/s Paul Gauguin (332 guests) — The only year-round dedicated French Polynesia cruise ship. Purpose-built shallow draft. Recently refurbished under Ponant ownership.

For Australian travellers specifically

The accessibility comparison overwhelmingly favours Paul Gauguin — and this matters enormously for Australian travel planning.

Paul Gauguin from Australia: Air Tahiti Nui operates direct Sydney–Papeete flights approximately three times per week (eight hours). No connecting flights, no overnight layovers, no visa complications (French Polynesia permits Australian passport holders for up to 90 days). The time zone difference is manageable. A Paul Gauguin voyage can fit into a two-week holiday from Sydney without the exhaustion of long-haul European travel. Pricing in the Ponant booking system accommodates Australian travel advisers.

Hebridean from Australia: Flights to Glasgow or Edinburgh require approximately 22–24 hours via Dubai, Singapore, or Hong Kong with at least one connection. Jet lag is significant (10–11 hours difference). A pre-cruise hotel night in Scotland is essential. The voyage itself is typically 7 nights — meaning a minimum two-week commitment including travel. This is destination travel requiring genuine planning and investment.

The recommendation: Paul Gauguin is the easier and more accessible holiday for Australians — a natural extension of the Australia-Pacific travel corridor. Hebridean is the more ambitious journey, rewarding travellers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience that no Pacific cruise can replicate. For Australians with Scottish heritage, the pull of the Hebrides may justify the journey. For those drawn to the South Pacific, Paul Gauguin offers the definitive experience within easy reach.

The onboard atmosphere

Both lines create intimate, destination-focused atmospheres — but the cultural tone is entirely different.

Hebridean’s atmosphere is a Highland house party. Conversation over single malts by a coal fire. Fifty guests forming a close-knit group over the week. The passenger base is predominantly British with a devoted Anglophile following. Smart casual dress — tweed and comfortable shoes. Quiet, reflective, and deeply social in the way only a tiny group can be.

Paul Gauguin’s atmosphere is a South Pacific island resort. Polynesian music drifts from the pool deck. Les Gauguines perform traditional dance at sunset. The mood is tropical, relaxed, and celebratory. The passenger mix is international — American, French, Australian. Resort casual dress. Many guests are on honeymoons, anniversaries, or bucket-list holidays. The atmosphere is warm, unhurried, and infused with island joy.

The contrast could not be sharper: one is fireside whisky in the Scottish rain; the other is sunset cocktails in a Polynesian lagoon. Both are perfect — for different moments and different moods.

The bottom line

Hebridean Island Cruises and Paul Gauguin Cruises are both destination specialists that deliver experiences impossible to replicate on any global cruise line. The choice between them is not about quality — both are excellent — but about which destination calls.

Choose Hebridean if Scotland is on your wish list — the islands, the history, the whisky, the wild Atlantic coast, and the most intimate cruise experience in the world. Accept the long journey from Australia, the compact cabins, and the modest facilities. What you receive is a week aboard a floating country house with 50 guests, every drink and excursion included, and access to a Scotland that even most Scots have never seen.

Choose Paul Gauguin if French Polynesia draws you — Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoons, Moorea’s volcanic peaks, the Marquesas’ ancient culture, and the simple joy of swimming from a ship’s marina platform into warm Pacific waters. Choose it for the accessibility from Sydney (eight hours), the included drinks, the Tahitian cultural hosts, and a ship purpose-built for these waters. Accept that 332 guests is intimate but not Hebridean-level exclusive.

For Australian travellers, Paul Gauguin is the easier, more affordable, and more repeatable experience. Hebridean is the rarer, more ambitious voyage — a pilgrimage to be savoured once or twice in a lifetime. Both belong on a well-travelled Australian’s wish list.