BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, and the 90-guest m/v Tere Moana, proudly presents an array of 2013 itineraries with special guests appealing to a variety of interests—from the culinary arts to astronomy and marine biology.

Kicking off the new year, Herbert Nitsch, Champion Freediver, will be on board The Gauguin's January 12, 2013, Cook Islands & Society Islands voyage; the January 23, 2013, Society Islands & Tuamotus sailing; and the February 2, 2013, cruise to the Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.  Hailed as the "Deepest Man on Earth," Herbert Nitsch has set 32 world records in freediving and is the recognized master of the sport. During each voyage, Nitsch will provide lectures and demonstrations.

World-famous oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau joins several sailings aboard The Gauguin in 2013: February 2 to the Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands; June 26 to the Society Islands & Tuamotus; September 21 to the Australs & Society Islands; and November 2 to the Cook Islands & Society Islands. In addition to presenting lectures and videos of his work, he will accompany several dives from the ship.

Extreme artist Jean Francois Detaille will be aboard The Gauguin's February 2, 2013, sailing to the Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands. Detaille is a classically trained fine artist with a flair for performance art combining stand-up comedy, speed painting, and audience participation. He will deliver original, one-of-a-kind, one-man shows during the voyage.

Diane Moore, President of Paul Gauguin Cruises, will host a special cocktail party and "town hall" meeting for guests on The Gauguin's February 23, 2013, Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing. Richard Bailey, Chairman of Paul Gauguin Cruises, will host the May 11, 2013, Rome to Venice voyage aboard The Moana. Moore and Bailey will be available for informal conversations with guests throughout each cruise.

From the vineyards of California's Sonoma County and Central Coast to the great estates of Bordeaux, France, Daniel Baron has learned the importance of the pursuit of excellence in winemaking. Today, he serves as winemaker for Napa Valley's prestigious Silver Oak Cellars.  Baron will be aboard The Gauguin's March 9, 2013, Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing for a lecture and wine tasting, cocktail party, and more.

Dr. Chris Roelfsema has traveled the world studying coral reefs and imparting his knowledge to students at The University of Queensland in Australia. Joining Dr. Roelfsema is Diana Kleine, a project manager for CoralWatch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and education about these vital yet delicate ecosystems. They will deliver on-site lectures at the islands' beautiful coral reefs and will also accompany dives from the ship on The Gauguin's March 16, 2013, sailing to the Cook Islands & Society Islands.

Guy Buffet is famous for his whimsical portraits of chefs, waiters, and restaurant scenes. Several itineraries on The Gauguin will feature this renowned artist in 2013: May 18 and November 23 to the Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands; June 1 and 8 to Tahiti & the Society Islands; November 2 to the Cook Islands & Society Islands; and November 13 to the Society Islands & Tuamotus. Buffet will conduct lectures and art demonstrations, and offer the opportunity to purchase his signed artwork while onboard.

The sky above us, the seas that surround us, and the volcanoes that created the islands of French Polynesia: all are featured on a special thematic voyage to Tahiti & the Society Islands aboard The Gauguin. A series of special presentations of the complexities of our universe will be presented by astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy, marine ecologist Cecile Gaspar, and marine geologist Yves Lancelot on the May 4, 2013, "Sky, Ocean & Volcanoes" voyage.

Chef Proprietaire of one of the finest restaurants in Paris, the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Apicius, Jean-Pierre Vigato has inspired signature menus for Paul Gauguin Cruises for several years.  This celebrated chef will be aboard The Moana's June 1, 2013, Roundtrip Istanbul voyage, and will provide culinary demonstrations featuring his gastronomic techniques.

James Beard award winner and critically acclaimed chef Alan Wong has made a highly successful career out of marrying elements of different ethnic cooking styles using the finest Island-grown ingredients. As his Asian roots combine with his French culinary background, east and west cuisines do not merely meet—they meld.  This master of Hawaii regional cuisine will be aboard The Gauguin's July 27, 2013, Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing, for a lecture, question-and-answer session, and cooking demonstration.

From July to October, humpback whales teem in the waters off the Australs island of Rurutu, delighting divers with their graceful antics and haunting songs. This special sanctuary will be visited on The Gauguin's September 21, 2013, sailing to the Australs & Society Islands. Paul Gauguin Cruises Chairman Richard Bailey and renowned whale and dolphin expert Michael Poole host this special voyage.

For rates or more information on Paul Gauguin Cruises, please contact a Travel Professional, call 800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com.

About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia's leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. The Gauguin was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship, 513 feet long and 71 feet wide, has a draft of 16.9 feet, and can accommodate 332 guests with a staff of 217. It is one of the top Exclusive Charter and Incentive Group venues in the industry and has completed more than 570 South Pacific cruises, serving more than 176,250 guests, including more than 15,000 honeymooners, since its inaugural sail in 1998. The Gauguin has undergone more than $25 million in enhancements, with an additional $7 million completed in January 2012. The Gauguin received second place for small-ship cruise lines in Travel + Leisure's "2012 World's Best Awards" and was recognized as one of the "Top 20 Small Cruise Ships" by readers of Conde Nast Traveler in 2012.

The cruise line's second ship, the m/v Tere Moana, will begin sailing under the Paul Gauguin Cruises banner in December 2012 after completing a multifaceted renovation. The ship, which will sail Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America, is 330 feet long and 46 feet wide, has a draft of 11.5 feet, and can accommodate 90 guests with a staff of 60.

Media Contact:
Vanessa Bloy, Director of Public Relations, Paul Gauguin Cruises
(425) 440-6255 / vbloy@pgcruises.com

SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises