Paul Gauguin Cruises Reveals Exciting 2015 Line-Up Of Special Guests

Featuring Experts in the Culinary Arts, Wine, Photography, Fine Art, History, Music, Astronomy, and the Ocean

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Dec 04, 2014, 01:35 ET

BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 4, 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, proudly presents its 2015 line-up of special guests who are experts in the culinary arts, wine, photography, fine art, history, music, astronomy, and the wonders of the deep.

Gary Eberle is the founder of Eberle Winery, one of the highest award-winning wineries in the United States and which was singled out as "Winery of the Year" by the Sommelier Challenge in 2011. He will offer a lecture, Q&A session, and tasting of his estate's award-winning wines on the January 17, 2015, Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing.

A mainstay of Hawaii's music scene for more than 30 years, Jamie Lawrence has appeared on Grammy Award-nominated works, recorded CDs of his own, and delighted audiences around the globe. This talented singer will be aboard The Gauguin's January 24, 2015, sailing to the Cook Islands & Society Islands and the October 17, 2015, sailing to Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands, to perform some of his trademark songs.

World-famous oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau joins several sailings aboard The Gauguin in 2015: February 4 and July 29 to the Society Islands & Tuamotus Marquesas; April 11 to the Cook Islands & Society Islands; and November 21 to the Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands. In addition to presenting lectures and videos of his work, he will accompany several dives from the ship.

An expert on the effects of Western exploration and expansion on the cultures of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, historian Dr. Robert Gallacher offers a series of five fascinating lectures on The Gauguin's February 4, 2015, Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage.

Dan Benedict, a journalist and speaker specializing in astronomy, has been introducing cruise passengers to the wonders of the night sky since 1998. He joins The Gauguin for the March 7, 2015, sailing to the Cook Islands & Society Islands; the March 18, 2015, sailing to the Society Islands & Tuamotus; and the March 28, 2015, sailing to Tahiti & the Society Islands, and will offer a series of presentations and lead nighttime star watches.

Chef Proprietaire of one of the finest restaurants in Paris, the 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 Gauguin's April 29, 2015, Society Islands & Tuamotus voyage and will provide culinary demonstrations featuring his gastronomic techniques.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is pleased to welcome Catherine Cook and Kristin Clayton, two distinguished musicians who have performed on prestigious stages around the world. The opera singers will perform two live concerts on The Gauguin's July 29, 2015, sailing to the Society Islands & Tuamotus.

A popular guest lecturer aboard The Gauguin, art history professor Caroline Boyle-Turner returns for the January 24, 2015, sailing to the Cook Islands & Society Islands, and the August 29 and November 21, 2015, sailings to the Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands. An acclaimed expert on Paul Gauguin and his circle of artists, she enriches the appreciation of The Gauguin's namesake through a series of lectures.

Another returning favorite is Nancy Gregory, a contemporary artist who has exhibited widely in the United States and Europe. She will conduct lectures and workshops during The Gauguin's November 21, 2015, sailing to the Marquesas, Tuamotus, & Society Islands and the December 5, 2015, sailing to the Cook Islands & Society Islands.

Diane Moore, President of Paul Gauguin Cruises, will host a special cocktail party and "town hall" meeting for guests on The Gauguin's February 28, 2015, Tahiti & the Society Islands voyage. Moore will also host an August 1, 2015, Reunion Cruise for past guests on The Moana, showcasing a unique Roundtrip Venice itinerary and a variety of special events.

Photographer Jesse Kalisher's work is in the permanent collections of many of the world's leading museums. This celebrated photographer shares his expertise during onboard lectures and hands-on photo-expeditions during The Gauguin's October 17, 2015, sailing to Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands.

For the full list of 2015 special guests, please click here. 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, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. The Gauguin's accolades include recognition as one of the "Top 20 Small Cruise Ships" in 2013 for the 15^th year in a row by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. The m/v Tere Moana offers voyages in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe, accommodating 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. This year, Paul Gauguin Cruises was voted "#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line" and "#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line for Families" in Travel + Leisure's 2014 World's Best Awards.