Paul Gauguin Cruises Helps Make New Discoveries About The Life Of Artist Paul Gauguin

BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 30, 2014 /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 88-guest m/v Tere Moana, helps make new discoveries about the life of Paul Gauguin, adding a new dimension to the world's body of knowledge of the artist.

Dr. Caroline Boyle-Turner, an art historian and expert on artist Paul Gauguin, has been a guest lecturer on The Gauguin since 1999. Paul Gauguin Cruises has facilitated Boyle-Turner's visits to Hiva Oa in the Marquesas to research the artist's life. Over the past five years, Boyle-Turner has expanded her research and is writing a book on Gauguin based on her research, entitled Gauguin and the Marquesas. With the permission of the island's mayor, Boyle-Turner was able to arrange for four teeth presumably belonging to Gauguin, found in a glass bottle in a well behind his house in Atuona on Hiva Oa, to be analyzed by scientists associated with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Ill. The scientists were able to extract DNA from the teeth, and a DNA sample was taken from Gauguin's grandson, Marcel Tai Gauguin, for the tests. 

The goal of the analysis was to determine if the teeth were positively Gauguin's and if they held additional information about his life. The scientists discovered with 90 percent certitude that the teeth were Gauguin's. When the ship was in Hiva Oa on January 9, a special ceremony was held aboard The Gauguin.  Boyle-Turner, along with dentist Dr. William Mueller, who helped arrange the tests and interpret the results, outlined the findings of the research for guests and local press aboard The Gauguin. Boyle-Turner then returned the teeth to the mayor of Atuona, Etienne Tehaamoan, who spoke about the economic importance of visits by The Gauguin to Hiva Oa and praised the ship as being one of the most regular visitors to the island. Following the ceremony, the Atuona dance group performed. 

Gauguin's teeth will be on display at the Centre Paul Gauguin, a cultural center in Atuona honoring the artist and showcasing exhibits and reproductions of his work.  The center can be visited when the ship is in Hiva Oa on The Gauguin's Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands itineraries which depart April 12 and October 25 in 2014, and August 29 and November 21 in 2015. Virtually undiscovered for centuries, the remote Marquesas afford a true glimpse of the Polynesia of old. On this one-of-a-kind itinerary, The Gauguin visits four islands in the Marquesas, the diving mecca of the Tuamotus archipelago, and the exquisite Society Islands. The voyages begin and end in Papeete, Tahiti, visiting Fakarava in the Tuamotus; and Omoa, Fatu Hiva; Atuona, Hiva Oa; Hapatoni, Tahuata; Tiaohae, Nuku Hiva, in the Marquesas; along with Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a (Motu Mahana), and Moorea in the Society Islands. Cruise fares start at $6,795 per person and include airfare from Los Angeles.

For 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, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia. 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's accolades include recognition as "Top Small-Ship Cruise Line for Families" in Travel + Leisure's 2013 "World's Best Awards" and one of the "Top 20 Small Cruise Ships" in 2013 for the 15^th year in a row by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

In December 2012, the m/v Tere Moana began sailing under the Paul Gauguin Cruises banner after completing a multifaceted renovation and offers voyages in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe.  At 330 feet long and 46 feet wide, The Moana has a draft of 11.5 feet and accommodates 88 guests with a staff of 62. In 2013, The Moana received "Best New Small Ship" and "Best Way to See the Greek Isles" in Cruisereport.com's Editors' Choice Awards.

Media Contact:
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Vanessa Bloy, Director of Public Relations
(425) 440-6255
[email protected]

SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises

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