Paul Gauguin Cruises – Islands https://www.islands.com The world's most beautiful island travel to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Tahiti and Mexico with expert reviews of resorts, snorkeling and the best islands to live on. Mon, 26 Jun 2023 06:21:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://www.islands.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/favicon-isl-1.png Paul Gauguin Cruises – Islands https://www.islands.com 32 32 Paul Gauguin Cruises: Let Us Show You Paradise https://www.islands.com/paul-gauguin-cruises-let-us-show-you-paradise/ Fri, 15 Dec 2017 04:40:32 +0000 https://www.islands.com/?p=40050 Aboard this elegant vessel, experience the ultimate in all-inclusive luxury and service, for memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. You’ll also enjoy exclusive extras such as an onboard watersports marina, private retreats, and our own troupe of Tahitian hosts. Learn more at pgcruises.com.

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Paul Gauguin Cruises: Let Us Show You Paradise Paul Gauguin Cruises
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Aboard this elegant vessel, experience the ultimate in all-inclusive luxury and service, for memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. You’ll also enjoy exclusive extras such as an onboard watersports marina, private retreats, and our own troupe of Tahitian hosts.

Learn more at pgcruises.com.

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Best Cruise Trips 2015: Editors’ Picks https://www.islands.com/best-cruise-trips-2015-editors-picks/ Sat, 24 Jan 2015 07:23:23 +0000 https://www.islands.com/?p=41269 We’ve now ranked these from No. 26 (Iceland cruise) to No. 1 (?), based on cruise itineraries with the most must-see islands. For passionate island travelers, island-hopping cruises are the best way to see the islands on your travel bucket list. We’ve researched hundreds of 2015 cruise itineraries for these suggestions on great island cruises. […]

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We’ve now ranked these from No. 26 (Iceland cruise) to No. 1 (?), based on cruise itineraries with the most must-see islands. For passionate island travelers, island-hopping cruises are the best way to see the islands on your travel bucket list. We’ve researched hundreds of 2015 cruise itineraries for these suggestions on great island cruises.

See more ideas in our Best Caribbean Cruises Travel Guide and 10 Cool Features on the New Carnival Vista

Winstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Ship: Wind Surf
Itinerary: Rome to Venice
Region: Europe
Nights: 8
Islands: Capri, Sicily, Venice The iconic islands on the list miss an important aspect of this cruise that essentially circles Italy. You get to cruise along Croatia, which the average traveler often doesn’t realize is full of coastal islands, some of which have been featured on our Best Islands to Live On list. Dates: Departs May through October, 2015
Price: from $2,999 See more about this cruise on Windstar’s website.
Winstar Cruises
Silversea
Silversea
Ships: Silver Discoverer, Silver Spirit, Silver Whisperer
Itinerary: Melbourne, Australia, to Auckland, New Zealand
Region: Pacific and Australia
Nights: 10-16
Islands: Australia (if you consider it an island); New Zealand Start in Melbourne, then see up to eleven ports of New Zealand, from Milford Sound to Port Chalmer to Wellington and, of course, Auckland. Dates: Departs all year, except from June – November (winter in Australia)
Price: $6,950 See more about this cruise on Silversea’s website.
Silversea
Tauck
Tauck
Ship: L’Austral
Itinerary: Iceland – Land of Fire and Ice
Region: Atlantic
Nights: 7
Island: Iceland Some of these cruises have a quantity of great islands; this cruise goes deep on just one island. And Iceland, as relatively small as it is, both in geography and profile, is worth extensive exploration. The last time ISLANDS editors were there, they saw much of the southern side but knew there was still much to see.This cruise with Tauck, known for authentic experiences, takes you to fishing villages, up to the Arctic Circle, and to the Blue Lagoon. Dates: Departs throughout July and early August
Price: from $6,690 See more about this cruise on Tauck’s website.
Tauck
Sea Cloud Cruises
Sea Cloud Cruises
Ship: Sea Cloud II
Itinerary: Canary Islands
Region: Atlantic
Nights: 7
Islands: Canary Islands – Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, La Gomera To really see the Canary Islands, doing a cruise like this lets you flit to all of the highlights. Dates: Nov. 2, 2015
Price: N/A See more about this cruise on Sea Cloud’s website.
Sea Cloud
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Ship: Disney Wonder
Itinerary: 14 Night Hawaii Los Angeles Cruise
Region: Hawaii
Nights: 10
Major ports: Vancouver, Canada; Kahului, Maui; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; Hilo, Hawaii Disney Cruise Line and some of the other major cruise ships featured on this list may not offer the usual Islands sense of immersion in a local culture. But those of us Islands editors with children see the value in making the trek from Vancouver to Hawaii not a daunting airplane ride but the ultimate family-friendly vacation on its own. There are no “are we there yet?” complaints aboard the Disney Wonder. Once you get to Hawaii, you can enjoy a truly authentic taste of the islands. Dates: Departs Sep. 7 and Sep. 17, 2015
Price: from $4,402 See more about this cruise on Disney Cruise Line’s website.
Disney Cruise Line
Carnival Cruises
Carnival Cruises
Ship: Carnival Legend
Itinerary: 10-15 Days Hawaii from Vancouver or Los Angeles
Region: Hawaii
Nights: 11
Major ports: Vancouver, British Colombia; Los Angeles, Califorinia; Hilo, Hawaii; Kahului, Maui, Hawaii; Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Hilo, Hawaii. You can start this trip with your own exploration of Vancouver Island or Los Angeles, then enjoy five days crossing the Pacific. Rest up for the whirlwind tour of the Hawaiian Islands, then rest for five days back. And as Carnival points out, the starting cruise rate averages to about $80 a night, an amazingly cheap Hawaii vacation. Dates: Departs May through November, 2015
Price: from $879 See more about this cruise on Carnival’s website.
Carnival Cruises
Cunard
Cunard
Ship: Queen Victoria
Itinerary: Canary Islands Celebration
Region: Atlantic
Nights: 14
Major ports: Southampton, England; Lisbon, Portugal; Spain; Lanzarote, Spain; Gran Canaria, Canary Islands; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; La Palma, Canary Islands; Madeira, Portugal; La Coruña, Spain. Yes, the Canary Islands are worth seeing. Combine that with enjoying the famous White Star Service of the Cunard cruise line — imagine donning your tuxedo and evening gown and socializing as if you were British nobility. That’s priceless. Dates: Leaves Nov 16, 2015
Price: from $2,197 See more about this cruise on Cunard’s 2015 Voyages Calendar.
Cunard
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions
Ship: National Geographic Explorer
Itinerary: Along the Viking Trail: From Iceland to Greenland
Region: Atlantic
Nights: 12
Major ports: Rekyjavik, Iceland; Greenland Islands intrepid contributor Jad Davenport did this cruise several years ago and actually commandeered the ship to go deeper into the Greenland coast as he wanted to solve a mystery (read Jad’s Greenland cruise story about Viking ghosts). You don’t have to go to that extreme; just relax and see two majestic islands that few U.S. travelers ever see, let alone explore. Dates: Departs July 19, 2015
Prices: From $10,580 See more about this cruise on Lindblad’s website.
Lindblad
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International
Ship: Voyager of the Seas
Itinerary: Xiamen, Jeju and Nagasaki Cruise
Region: Asia
Nights: 7
Islands: Hong Kong, China; Xiamen, China; Jeju South Korea, Nagasaki Japan, We highly recommend that any island traveler visit Japan, and not just for the sushi, though we love that. We also love seeing Jeju on a cruise itinerary, ever since Islands ran a memorable photo essay on the Jeju mermaids. Really. This cruise also stresses how Royal Caribbean is making more of a push into Asia, far from its namesake Caribbean. Dates: August 19, 2015
Price: $766 See more about this cruise on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Royal Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Itinerary: 12-Day Grand Mediterranean from Venice
Region: Europe
Nights: 11
Key islands: Venice, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Piraeus, Greece Some of our most memorable trips of recent years have been to Italy and Greece. Each has the iconic sites you expect, but they also offer richer cultural experiences, welcoming people and more warmth than you’d expect. Dates: Departs May through October, 2015
Price: from $1,479 See more about this cruise on NCL’s website.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Variety Cruises
Variety Cruises
Ship: Pegasus
Itinerary: Cruises in the Garden of Eden (Mahe to Mahe)
Region: Indian Ocean
Nights: 7
Islands: Seychelles The Seychelles are fascinating not just for their reputation as a luxury getaway, but for their time-forgotten villages, their bird paradises, their shores that are like nowhere else on Earth. Dates: Departs December through October, 2015
Price: from $2,170 See more about this cruise on Variety Cruises’ website.
Variety Cruises
SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club
Itinerary: Malaga – Civitavecchia
Region: Europe
Nights: 7
Islands: Spain – Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca; Sardinia, Italy; Corsica, France These are practically all of the must-see islands of the Mediterranean in one efficient cruise that makes a bouncing beeline from Malaga, Spain, to Rome. Dates: May 1-8, 2015
Price: from $4,199 See more about this cruise on SeaDream’s website.
SeaDream Yacht Club
Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie & Kent
Ship: Eclipse
Itinerary: Wonders of the Galapagos 2015
Region: Pacific
Nights: 9
Major ports: Guayaquil, Ecuador; the Galapagos Islands Islands contributing editor Jad Davenport went on a Galapagos cruise aboard the Eclipse for an incredibly memorable trip to these must-see islands. See Jad’s Galapagos cruise travel guide. Dates: Departs February through November
Price: from $7,995 See more about this cruise on Abercrombie & Kent’s website.
Abercrombie & Kent
Blue Lagoon Cruises
Blue Lagoon Cruises
Ship: MV Mystique Princess
Itinerary: 7 Day “Escape to Paradise” Cruise
Region: Pacific (Fiji)
Nights: 6
Major ports: Lautoka, Fiji; Yasawa Islands, Fiji We’ve partnered with Blue Lagoon Cruises in the past on prizes in our annual Photo Contest. A week cruise here is a terrific way to see the scenery and culture of Fiji as you hop through the Yasawa Islands, seeing traditional Fijian villages, dining on “East Indian Delights,” snorkeling above reef gardens and much more along the way. Dates: Throughout 2015
Price: from $2,478 See more about this cruise on Blue Lagoon Cruises’ website.
Blue Lagoon Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Ship: Crystal Serenity
Itinerary: Indian Ocean Explorer
Region: Australia/Africa
Days: 21
Major ports: Perth, Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa Amazing islands along the journey — Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar — bookended by fascinating land programs in South Africa. You truly do enjoy the best of both worlds. Dates: March 13-April 3, 2015
Price: from $7,520 See more about this cruise on Crystal Cruises’ website.
Crystal Cruises
Regent Seven Seas
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Ship: Seven Seas Voyager
Itinerary: Singapore to Hong Kong
Region: Asia
Nights: 18
Islands: Singapore; Ko Samui, Thailand; islands of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam; Hong Kong You get the full range of urban and natural islands here, from sparkling Singapore to beachy Ko Samui to the limestone marvels of Ha Long Bay. And then there’s Hong Kong, which combines the best of both urban and nature. Dates: Departs Jan. 18, 2015
Price: from $14,299 See more about this cruise on Regent’s website.
Regent Seven Seas
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Itinerary: Greek Isles Getaway – Istanbul to Athens
Region: Europe
Nights: 8
Islands: Santorini, Mykonos, Thodes, Patmos, Crete Starting in Istanbul, hop along the Adriatic and Ionian Sea where some ISLANDS hidden gems are. Namely Patmos, Mykonos, Rhodes and, of course, Santorini, which ISLANDS readers love to take photos of for our annual Photo Contest. Dates: Sep 27-Oct 5, 2015
Price: from $2,999 See more about this cruise on Oceania’s website.
Oceania Cruises
Star Clippers
Star Clippers
Ship: Royal Clipper
Itinerary: Transatlantic Westbound
Region: Europe, Africa, Atlantic
Nights: 28
Islands: Corsica; Menorca; Ibiza; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Barbados It’s not that the mainland is invisible to we ISLANDS editors. We certainly appreciate that this itinerary also has stops along the coasts of Spain and Morocco. But these featured islands just give you more of that seafaring rush while on a cruise. And to really ramp that up, after Tenerife, you cross the Atlantic, Columbus style. This cruise is actually two legs: a 12-night Rome to Lisbon “Grand Voyage,” then a 16-night Lisbon to Barbados crossing. Dates: Oct. 24-Nov. 21, 2015
Price: from $5,200 See more about this cruise on Star Clippers’ website.
Jon Whittle
Azamara Club Cruises
Azamara Club Cruises
Ship: Azamara Quest
Itinerary: 10 Night Temples Dragons and Beaches Voyage
Region: Asia
Nights: 10
Major ports: Singapore; Semarang, Indonesia; Lombok, Indonesia; Bali; Komodo; Celukan Bawang, Indonesia; Singapore This is an all-islands dream trip, starting from the island of Singapore and hopping along the best of Indonesia, including the must-do islands of Bali and Komodo. Bali, Komodo, Singapore Dates: Dec. 12-22, 2015
Price: from $2,499 See more about this cruise on Azamara’s website.
Azamara Club Cruises
Costa
Costa
Ship: Costa neoRiviera
Itinerary: United Arab Emirates, India, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa
Region: Indian Ocean
Nights: 34 This itinerary is really like a ride through ISLANDS’ Greatest Hits in the Indian Ocean. Very efficiently, and for an amazing price, you get to experience many of our editors’ favorite destinations, from the Maldives to the Seychelles to Mautirius (see the ISLANDS Travel Guide: Mauritius for our editor-in-chief’s recent visit there). Dates: Departs Feb. 8, 2015
Price: from $4,839 See more about this cruise on Costa’s website.
Costa
Seabourn
Seabourn
Ship: Seabourn Sojourne
Itinerary: 40-Day Southeast Asia Exploration
Region: Asia
Nights: 39
Islands: Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, China This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza cruise, tracing an adventurous route through iconic mainstays like Phuket, Thailand and Halong Bay, Vietnam, as well as fresh getaways like Myanmar and Cambodia. Plus, you spend five days exploriing the Philippines, a region comprised of over 7,000 islands. Dates: Leaves Feb. 3, 2015 (a great way to start the year with a bang)
Price: $21,499 See more about this cruise on Seabourn’s website.
Seabourn
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises
Ship: Crown Princess
Itinerary: Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa
Region: Pacific
Nights: 27
Islands: Maui, Hawaii; Oahu, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii; Kauai, Hawaii; American Samoa; Western Samoa; Bora Bora, Islands of Tahiti; Moorea, Islands of Tahiti; Papeete, Tahiti Consider this two island vacations in one. First, you get to see the greatest hits of Hawaii, then the greatest hits of the Islands of Tahiti. Everyone asks us ISLANDS editors about all these islands, especially Kauai and Bora Bora. Now’s your chance to see them all in one epic journey, plus days at sea on the open Pacific to enjoy the ship. Dates: Oct. 17, 2015
Price: from $3,399 See more about this cruise on Princess’ website.
Princess Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Ship: Paul Gauguin
Itinerary: Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands
Region: Pacific
Nights: 14
Islands: Tahiti, Fakarava, Fatu Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha’a, Moorea Yes, you must see Bora Bora at least once (though preferably many times). But on this cruise, Paul Gauguin assures you will see all the wonders of the Islands of Tahiti, the places that live in the shadow of Bora Bora but are absolutely spectacular in their own right. No one knows Tahiti like Paul Gauguin. Dates: April 29 and November 21, 2015
Price: from $6,995 See more about this cruise on Paul Gauguin’s website.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Ship: Celebrity Solstice
Itinerary: Tahitian Treasures Cruise
Region: Pacific
Nights: 18
Major ports: Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii; Lahaina, Maui; Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Papeete, Tahiti; Auckland, New Zealand; Bay of Islands, New Zealand Granted, the $2,259 may sound a little steep, but this cruise departs in 2016. Plenty of time to save up. Plus, this cruise visits three iconic island paradises: Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand. For those who have yet to visit any of these islands, that’s a three-for-one deal. All of ’em ISLANDS favorites. Book before we do. Dates: Leaves Apr. 9, 2016
Price: from $2,259 See more about this cruise on Celebrity’s website.
Celebrity Cruises
Orion Expedition Cruises
Orion Expedition Cruises
Ship: Nat Geo Orion
Itinerary: Palau to Solomon Islands – Along the Pacific Equator
Region: Pacific
Nights: 18
Islands: Papua New Guinea, Palau, Yap, Solomon Islands When ISLANDS teamed up with Orion a few years ago, we called this itinerary the “Trip of a Lifetime.” It starts in one of the island destinations near the top of our wish list: Palau. Then this small-ship cruise takes you to islands you’ve only heard of, and many you haven’t. See our photo gallery of this Orion cruise from our trip. Dates: Leaves in September and October
Price: from $17,390 See more about this cruise on Orion’s website.
Orion Expedition Cruises
Holland America
Holland America Line
Ship: ms Prinsendam
Itinerary: 57-Day Grand Africa and Mediterranean Voyage
Region: Caribbean, Europe, Africa
Nights: 56
Major ports: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; St. Thomas, USVI; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Santa Cruz, Tenerife, Spain; Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain; Madeira, Portugal; Cadiz, Spain; Malaga, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; Castellon de la Plana, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Gozo, Malta; Crete, Greece; Jerusalem, Israel; Isanbul, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Naples, Italy. This isn’t an epic round-the-world cruise, but it’s close. We love that you start simply in Fort Lauderdale, then see some favorite Caribbean destinations – St. John and St. Maarten – before going more exotic into the Atlantic with Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. Once you’ve hopscotched along Africa, the Mediterranean, Greece, Italy and beyond, you will have seen some of the most beautiful regions and islands of the world. Dates: Departing March 12, 2015
Price: from $5,999 See more about this cruise on Holland America’s website.
Holland America

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20 Best Caribbean Cruises for 2016 https://www.islands.com/20-best-caribbean-cruises-2015/ Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:43:20 +0000 https://www.islands.com/?p=42784 From the big cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney and Princess to the smaller luxury ships, these are the cruise trips with the best vacation itineraries for seeing the Caribbean in 2016. We reviewed every Caribbean cruise itinerary from 20+ cruise lines to create this list of cruise ideas for your next vacation. Best […]

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From the big cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney and Princess to the smaller luxury ships, these are the cruise trips with the best vacation itineraries for seeing the Caribbean in 2016. We reviewed every Caribbean cruise itinerary from 20+ cruise lines to create this list of cruise ideas for your next vacation.

Best Island Cruises Guide | Favorite Exotic Cruises | Best Luxury Ship Staterooms

20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Barbados to Barbados, 6 nights
Ship: Windstar
Terminal: Barbados
Stops: St. Lucia; Grenada; Mayreau, Grenadines; Tobago Cays, Grenadines; Bequia, Grenadines
Starting dates: January through March, December 2015
Starting price: $1,599 This is an easy way to hit Grenada and see the Grenadines. Find out more on the Windstar Cruises website about this cruise trip.
Courtesy Windstar Cruises
Best Caribbean Cruises Holland America
Holland America
Western Caribbean Holiday, 6 nights
Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Terminal: Fort Lauderdale
Stops: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico; Key West, Florida
Dates: January-March 2015
Starting prices: $399 See Half Moon Cay, Cozumel, plus totally unwind on Key West. All for a great starting price! Find more on the Holland America website for this cruise trip.
courtesy Holland America
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises
St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, 7 nights
Ship: MSC Divina
Terminal: Miami
Stops: St. Maarten, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Tortola, BVI, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Dates: January-March 2015
Starting price: From $449 The Caribbean’s mainstay ports are popular for a reason. And this cruise hits ’em, with ample sailing time on a ship inspired by Sofia Loren. Find more on the MSC Cruises website about this cruise trip.
Shutterstock
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Costa Cruises
Costa Costa
Florida – Mexico, 10 Nights
Ship: Luminosa
Terminal: Miami
Stops: Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Honduras
Date: January-March 2015
Starting price: $424.50 On the Costa cruise line, this itinerary is a quick greatest-hits circular tour. Find out more on the Costa website for this trip.
Courtesy Costa Cruises
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Mayan Mystique, 10 nights
Ship: Riviera
Terminal: Miami
Stops: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Guatemala, Roatan, Costa Maya, Mexico, Key West
Dates: January-April 2015
Starting price: $2,499 Interesting mix of classic and coastal Caribbean, including Guatemala. Find out more on the Oceania Cruises website about this cruise trip.
Shutterstock
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Seabourn
Seabourn
Exotic Caribbean In-Depth, 13 nights
Ship: Seabourn Spirit
Terminal: Bridgetown, Barbados
Stops: St. Vincent and the Grenadines; St. Lucia; Guadeloupe; Antigua; Saba; Prickly Pear, BVI; Jost Van Dyke BVI; St. Barts; St. Kitts; Guadeloupe; Martinique; Grenadines
Dates: Jan – Mar, 2015
Starting price: $5,699 This cruise lives up to the itinerary’s name, hitting a lot of memorable islands off the beaten path. Find out more on the Seabourn website about this cruise trip.
Courtesy Seabourn
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Regent Seven Seas
Regent Seven Seas
Miami to Miami, 10 nights
Ship: Seven Seas Navigator
Terminal: Miami
Stops: Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Gustavia, St. Barts; Tortola, BVI; La Romana, Dominican Republic; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Dates: February 6, 2015
Starting price: $5,299 Hits Nassau and other popular stops, but then have a full day with midnight departure in St. Marteen, plus a full-day stop in the Dominican Republic. Sweet. Find out more on the Regent Seven Seas website about this cruise trip.
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20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Cunard
Cunard
The Caribbean, 20 nights
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Terminal: New York
Stops: St. Thomas, USVI; Antigua; St. Kitts; St. Maarten; Tortola, BVI
Dates: Nov. 5-25, 2015
Starting price: $3,198 It’s a sweet experience to be on the famous Queen Mary 2, especially if you pack your tux and evening gown for a high-class 20-day experience on the high seas. Find more on the Cunard website for this cruise trip.
Shutterstock
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Celebrity
Celebrity
Bermuda and Caribbean, 8 Nights
Ship: Summit
Terminal: San Juan to New Jersey
Stops: St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Bermuda
Dates: April 25, 2015
Starting price: $549 Start in Puerto Rico to explore there, then to St. Maarten and a fairly rare itinerary that goes on up to Bermuda. Find out more on the Celebrity Cruises website for this trip.
Courtesy Celebrity
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Azamara Club Cruises
Azamara Club Cruises
10 Night Temple, Jungles and Beaches Voyage
Ship: Azamara Journey
Terminal: Miami
Stops: Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Falmouth, Jamaica; Labadee, Haiti
Date: March 26, 2015
Starting price: $2,699 This cruise itinerary is unusual all the way around, from rare stops in Haiti and Guatemala to welcome mainstays like Jamaica and Cozumel. Find out more on the Azamara Club Cruises website for this trip.
Shutterstock
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - SeaDream
SeaDream Yacht Club
San Juan to St. Thomas, 6 nights
Ship: SeaDream I
Terminal: St. Martin
Stops: Anguilla; Saba; St. Barts; Virgin Gorda, BVI; Jost Van Dyke, BVI; San Juan, Puerto Rico
Dates: Jan. 31-Feb. 7, 2015
Starting price: $2,399 Significant time in BVI and out to Anguilla and Saba, all uncommon cruise stops. Find out more on the SeaDream website about this cruise trip.
Courtesy SeaDream
Nonstop Flights from Philadelphia to Caribbean | Direct Flights to Caribbean | Bermuda

Philadelphia to Bermuda

Airlines: American Airlines | Flight Time: 2:04 | Availability: Daily Shutterstock
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Sea Cloud
Sea Cloud
Santo Domingo to Bridgetown, 10 nights
Ship: Sea Cloud
Terminal: Santo Domingo
Stops: La Romana, Dominican Republic; Virgin Gorda, BVI; Jost Van Dyke, BVI; St. Barts; Iles de Saintes, Guadeloupe; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and Grenadines; Barbados
Date: Feb. 16-26, 2015
Starting price: N/A Great-looking itinerary, with time in the DR, the BVI and Iles des Saintes. Find out more on the Sea Cloud website about this cruise trip.
Courtesy Sea Cloud
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Gems of the Caribbean, 14 nights
Ship: Crystal Serenity
Terminal: Miami
Stops: Grand Cayman; Aruba; Porto Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; Santa Maria, Colombia; Cartagena, Colombia; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 12, 2015
Starting price: $4,520 Great mix of classic and new, including Crystal’s fresh stop in Santa Maria, Colombia. Plus mainstays like Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman. Find more on the Crystal Cruises website for this cruise trip.
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20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Star Clippers
Star Clippers
Windward Islands, 7 nights
Ship: Royal Clipper
Terminal: Barbados
Stops: St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Iles des Saintes, Martinique
Dates: January through March, monthly; Nov. 21, Dec. 5, 19, 2015
Starting price: $3,120 These islands off beaten path are must-sees. Find out more on the Star Clippers website about this cruise trip.
Courtesy Star Clippers
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Princess Cruises
Princess
Eastern Caribbean, 6 nights
Ship: Regal Princess
Terminal: Fort Lauderdale
Stops: Princess Cays, Bahamas; St. Maarten; St. Thomas, USVI; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Dates: January, February, March, April, November, December 2015
Starting price: $574 Includes Princess Cays plus popular St. Maarten, St. Thomas and editor favorite Grand Turk. Find out more on the Princess website about this cruise trip.
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20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Western Caribbean Itinerary B, 7 nights
Ship: Magic
Terminal: Port Canaveral
Stops: Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Cozumel; Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Dates: January through March
Starting price: $1,448 Gets you to Cozumel and Disney’s own Castaway Cay for the most family-friendly vacation you can imagine. Find more on the Disney Cruise Line website for this trip.
Courtesy Disney Cruise Line
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Norwegian Cruises
NCL
Eastern Caribbean, Round-trip from New York, 10 nights
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Terminal: New York City
Stops: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Maarten; St. Thomas, USVI; Tortola, BVI
Dates: January-March, October 2015
Starting price: $699 For U.S. northerners, you get four total days at sea to enjoy the ship, plus you hit two Caribbean meccas: Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Find out more on the NCL website about this cruise trip.
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20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Carniva
Carnival
7 Days Western Caribbean Ship: Carnival Legend
Terminal: Tampa
Stops: Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman
Dates: January through March, 2015
Starting price: $644 Make the most of Carnival’s “fun days at sea” with popular spots and Islands favorites Belize and Roatan. Find out more on the Carnival website for this trip.
Courtesy Carnival
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean
Western Caribbean Cruise, 6 nights
Ship: Independence of the Seas
Terminal: Ft. Lauderdale
Stops: Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Haiti
Dates: January through April 2015
Starting price: $442 See Grand Cayman and Jamaica at an unbeatable price. Find out more on the Royal Caribbean website about this cruise trip.
Shutterstock
20 Best Caribbean Cruises - Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin
Roundtrip St. Martin, 7 nights
Ship: Tere Moana
Terminal: St. Martin
Stops: Tortola, BVI; Jost Van Dyke, BVI; Virgin Gorda, BVI; Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; Les Saintes; St. Barts
Starting dates: March 28, 2015
Starting price: $4,745 Luxury cruise line Paul Gauguin, known for its epic itineraries across the Islands of Tahiti, has recently brought its newest ship and its world-class know-how to the Caribbean. Find out more on the Paul Gauguin website about this cruise trip.
Courtesy Paul Gauguin Cruises

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Editors’ Picks: Top 10 Luxury Cruises https://www.islands.com/editors-picks-top-10-luxury-cruises/ Mon, 24 Nov 2014 05:02:34 +0000 https://www.islands.com/?p=39275 A round up of the best cruises — from cruising around the world to sailing the Italian coast — all with a focus on unique island itineraries. Best Island Cruises Guide | The Newest Luxury Cruise Ship | 20 Best Caribbean Cruises

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A round up of the best cruises — from cruising around the world to sailing the Italian coast — all with a focus on unique island itineraries.

Best Island Cruises Guide | The Newest Luxury Cruise Ship | 20 Best Caribbean Cruises

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1. Windstar, Italian Coast
No bullet trains to catch. No connecting flights or long layovers. Just lounging on the top deck, cocktail in hand, gliding effortlessly through the open ocean. It’s like the islands come to you — in style.
No ship fits this bill more so than Windstar’s Rome-to-Rome itinerary aboard Wind Surf. The intriguing quiet experienced while visiting the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon will follow you back to the ship. Only 312 guests board this ship, so by the end of the cruise, you’ll feel like you’ve chartered a private yacht with your friends and family. And with help from engines, you’ll hit many of the less traveled Italian and French islands at a steady, relaxed pace. First island stop: Ischia for secluded beaches. Then the Blue Grotto of Capri and the nature reserve on Corsica. Between ports, indulge in the onboard spa, and gorge on the Le Plateau de Fruits de Mer, a tower of seafood delicacies. Stuffed? Go to sleep. Tomorrow, the Amalfi Coast will magically appear.
Rates from $2,649
windstarcruises.com
Jon Whittle
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2. Adventure Associates, Galápagos
One day you crouch on a grassy hillside watching a 100-year-old giant tortoise meander past. The next you walk through a field of daisies — as big as trees. Every day, you come face to face with natural selection in progress. This doesn’t feel like an ordinary cruise. A ship gets you to islands you can’t reach any other way. And the 48-guest La Pinta is one of the best-appointed ships in the Galápagos fleet — great chefs, spacious staterooms and oversize portholes with the same views Darwin saw. Walk among marine iguanas on the lava shore. Snorkel with penguins, turtles and sea lions. The real luxury is witnessing this dynamic ecosystem firsthand and seeing the source for the theory of evolution.
Rates from $4,935
adventure-associates.com
Courtesy of Adventure Associates
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Yachts of Seabourn, Around the World
In one-third of the year, you could spend about five hours at red lights, make your bed 100 times and grow your hair 1½ inches. Or you could cruise the world. Board the Yachts of Seabourn’s Sojourn maiden world cruise in Los Angeles and say goodbye to the States for the next 111 days. Cross the equator to explore Nuku Hiva, Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora. And then, while relaxing in one of the 225 suites, let it sink in — you have 45 more ports to explore. On land, Seabourn’s staff will set up everything for you — take three nights from Auckland to Akaroa, New Zealand, to visit the Southern Alps, and four nights from Hong Kong to Cai Lan, Vietnam, to see giant pandas. It will be the most productive year of your life, even if you stay in bed for the remaining 254 days.
From $49,955
seabourn.com
Courtesy of Seabourn
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4. Oceania, Caribbean
What’s better than taking a relaxing cruise through the Caribbean? Being the first to do so on a brand-new ship. Join the 625-room Oceania Marina during its inaugural season on the Caribbean Pearls itinerary to visit the classic islands (St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, Antigua) and some of our favorites off the beaten path (Dominica, Grand Turk, St. Barts). Between ports, dine at master chef Jacques Pepin’s first restaurant at sea and try your hand in the Culinary Center, where you can prepare your own meal from fresh ingredients bought that day in local markets. Whatever you choose, you’ll be setting the pace for cruisers to come.
Rates from $2,499
oceaniacruises.com
Courtesy of Oceania
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5. Paul Gauguin, Tahitian Islands
The sun sets between the twin peaks of Otemanu and Pahia on Bora Bora as you sit down at L’Etoile for French cuisine served a la carte (no buffet). And you don’t have to make a reservation or sign a check. It’s included, as is your Irish whiskey nightcap served by Abner, your suite-deck butler. The ship sails as you sleep, and when you open the curtains in the morning, the green hills of Moorea fill the windows. The shallow-draft, 332-guest M/S Paul Gauguin can anchor inside the reefs. And that means, for once, you’re inside those postcard-perfect views — in Raiatea, Taha’a and Tahiti too. That’s right. You have arrived. Champagne?
Rates from $3,145
pgcruises.com
Courtesy of Paul Gauguin
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6. Seadream, Caribbean
Kayak the bioluminescent bay off the coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Sail on a catamaran to the Tobago Cays. Eat brick-oven lobster pizza on Bequia. Meet a local ceramic potter on Nevis. When aboard the SeaDream II, you don’t just pick a few excursions on your nine-day trip. You do them all, because every island on this off-the-beaten-path itinerary is worthy of deeper exploration. Depart Puerto Rico and hopscotch south through the Lesser Antilles, hitting Culebrita, Guadeloupe and even Mayreau, to name a few, with plenty of time on each for exploring. But don’t call it cruising — this is yachting on a 112-passenger ship. You just may be able to check everything off your Caribbean bucket list on this one trip.
Rates from $3,699
seadreamyachtclub.com
Courtesy of Seadream
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7. Cruceros Australis, Tierra Del Fuego
Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego — your itinerary reads like Admiral Byrd’s wish list. But whereas Byrd had a dogsled and lived on pemmican for six months, you have the brand-new, 210-passenger Stella Australis (launching in December for Cruceros’ 20th anniversary), a luxury expedition ship with picture windows, satellite phones and a pastry chef. Visit one of the most extreme regions on the planet in extreme comfort. Weave through icebergs as you land in a Zodiac on the Magdalena Islands to visit Magellanic penguins and regal cormorants. Zip up your parka as you stroll to the southernmost tip of South America on Cape Horn. Then head back to the lounge and relax with a cup of cocoa.
Rates from $2,520
australis.com
Courtesy of Cruceros Australis
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8. Regent Seven Seas, New Zealand
Take your time. Do it right — from dry-aged prime beef and fine wines to indulgent spa treatments and 16 days to explore just two countries. Take in five of New Zealand’s cities, from Auckland to Dunedin. Aboard the 350-room Voyager, cruise past the fjords of Milford Sound and across the Tasman Sea to Hobart, Tasmania (Australia’s cute little sister). Some itineraries hurry you from island to island and country to country. Not this one. By the time you dock in Sydney, you’ll be an honorary Kiwi/Aussie. $12,499
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Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas
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9. Silolona Sojourns, Indonesia
A Silolona Sojourns cruise is straight out of the history books — and you get to jump right in. Pretend you’re Columbus, Magellan and Drake sailing in search of cinnamon, ginger and turmeric. It won’t be too far a stretch, since Silolona is an authentic replica of the Indonesian sailing ships that used to troll the Spice Route for flavorful booty. Depending on the time of year, be one of only 10 guests to sail the Banda Islands, Raja Ampat, Sulawesi and Komodo. You might be retracing the past, but gliding past these remote islands, you’ll never want to forget the present moment.
Rates vary.
silolona.com
Courtesy of Silolona
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10. Silversea, Mediterranean
Cruising and eating are almost synonymous. Luckily, aboard the Silver Spirit, fresh local food is the specialty every day — and on a cruise, local is different every night. Sail through the Italian islands eating air-dried ham from Parma and Ligurian ravioli on board at La Terrazza. Savor a six-course meal (including Perigord truffles) at Le Champagne after exploring Corsica. Then retreat back to your ocean-view suite (one of only 270) to watch as the islands that just fed you so generously begin to fade out of sight.
Rates from $5,308
silversea.com
Courtesy of Sliversea

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5 Reasons to take a Paul Gauguin Cruise to Tahiti https://www.islands.com/5-reasons-cruise-tahiti-islands-and-paul-gauguin/ Thu, 01 May 2014 02:20:38 +0000 https://www.islands.com/?p=40098 The Paul Gauguin cruise around the Tahitian Islands is one of the best travel experiences in the world. Here are five reasons why it’s on our list of best travel itineraries ever.

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The Paul Gauguin cruise around the Tahitian Islands is one of the best travel experiences in the world. Here are five reasons why it’s on our list of best travel itineraries ever.

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One price: $4,995.

It includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, accommodations and meals (including select wine and spirits). Tips are included too! Courtesy Paul Gauguin
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Tahiti’s water 24/7.

All of the m/s Paul Gauguin‘s accommodations sport an ocean view. Think giant screen saver, except this one you can step into. Courtesy Paul Gauguin
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No claustrophobia

There are just 332 guests on each sailing and a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5, the lowest of any luxury cruise ship. Courtesy Paul Gauguin
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Tahiti’s islands

Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Taha’a — get off the beaten path without ever having to pack and repack. Courtesy Paul Gauguin
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Wall art

We came away from the weeklong cruise with some of our best vacation photos ever. This water and those green mountain peaks bring back the relaxing vibe that’s so unique to these islands. Courtesy Paul Gauguin

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Paul Gauguin Cruises: Voyages to the Soul of the South Seas https://www.islands.com/paul-gauguin-cruises-voyages-soul-south-seas/ Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:42:34 +0000 https://www.islands.com/?p=42045 Scattered like emeralds across the turquoise waters of the South Pacific, the islands and atolls of French Polynesia are unmatched in their allure. Here await sun-kissed beaches, lush rain forests, and barrier reefs teeming with Technicolor sea life, as well as intriguing cultures immortalized by novelist James Michener, songwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein, and artist Paul […]

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Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises: Voyages to the Soul of the South Seas Courtesy of Paul Gauguin

Scattered like emeralds across the turquoise waters of the South Pacific, the islands and atolls of French Polynesia are unmatched in their allure. Here await sun-kissed beaches, lush rain forests, and barrier reefs teeming with Technicolor sea life, as well as intriguing cultures immortalized by novelist James Michener, songwriters Rodgers and Hammerstein, and artist Paul Gauguin.

The m/s Paul Gauguin takes its name from the French painter who spent the last years of his life in Tahiti. The intimate 332-guest vessel was specifically designed to cruise the South Pacific and sails these storied isles year-round, navigating shallow waters as nimbly as a yacht.

The ship’s informal ambience reflects the relaxed nature of the region. A much-loved troupe known as Les Gauguines — Tahitians who serve as staff, entertainers and storytellers — add a uniquely South Pacific touch to life on board. Best of all, The Gauguin offers an all-inclusive experience, with airfare from Los Angeles, gratuities, 24-hour room service, bottled water, soft drinks, and select wines and spirits all included in the cruise fare.

All suites and staterooms feature ocean views, and nearly 70 percent have private balconies. Guests who book category B suites or higher receive in-suite bar service, an iPod® music system, and the service of a butler who can unpack your bags, make appointments for you at the spa, or arrange a private car or lunch reservation in port.

A crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5 ensures the highest level of personal attention. The maitre d’ will remember your favorite table, and your stateroom stewardess will fill your fruit basket with the ripe fruits you prefer.

The exclusive treatment continues ashore. Guests enjoy a day on the cruise line’s private isle, Motu Mahana, complete with snorkeling, full bar service, and a barbecue with Polynesian entertainment. The ship also features a retractable watersports marina from which you can kayak or windsurf. Or set out in the Zodiac® for an optional diving excursion; The Gauguin is the only luxury ship in French Polynesia to offer PADI certification onboard.

In 2012, Paris Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, Chef Propriétaire of the world-renowned, two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius will continue to create signature dishes and menus to be featured aboard ship. The three dining venues range from elegant traditional to casual al fresco, and all offer open seating.

Nightly entertainment in Le Grand Salon draws upon the traditions of the South Pacific. Listen to the a cappella harmonies of himene — formal Tahitian choral songs — or watch a riveting performance of the otea, a complex line dance accompanied by drums. Singers croon as couples take a spin on the dance floor in La Palette, the observation lounge at the top of the ship, while a casino and piano bar round out the options for evening diversions.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is also pleased to welcome special guest hosts representing a wide variety of special interests aboard upcoming sailings. Whether you’re interested in art, wine, cuisine, Polynesian life and culture, or the wonders of the deep, we have arranged for an experts to join us on designated cruises, to offer insights, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and more. Perhaps you’ll have dinner with one of these special experts, view a demonstration of their craft, enjoy a wine tasting, and more.

Some of these special sailings you may enjoy include a whale watching cruise to the untouched Austral Island of Rurutu which is a sanctuary for humpback whales, Astronomy buffs behold the last Transit of Venus to occur in our lifetime, or join Celebrity Chef and renowned humanitarian Art Smith and enjoy cooking demonstrations and the opportunity to meet one of America’s most celebrated chefs in person.

We also frequently feature limited-time exhibits of paintings and photography by respected Polynesian artists, so you can see up close and firsthand how the singular qualities of light and beauty here inspire the creative imagination.

Voyages of 7 to 14 nights are available aboard The Gauguin in 2012 and encompass the Society Islands of Tahiti, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, and the private island of Motu Mahana, as well as select islands in the Tuamotus, Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Australs and Marquesas archipelagos.

Special section brought to you by Paul Gauguin Cruises

Recent Awards for The Gauguin include:

One of the World’s Top-Rated Luxury Cruise Ships

“Top 5 Small Luxury Cruise Ship,”_
Condé Nast Traveler_, Readers’ Poll (2011)

“Best Small Ship – 3rd Overall, #1 in Dining”_
Cruise Critic_, Cruisers’ Choice Awards (2011)

“Best South Pacific Itineraries,” Porthole,
Readers’ Choice Awards (2010, 2007, 2006)

Gold Magellan Award, Small Cruise Ship Category,_
Travel Weekly_ (2010)

6-Star Rating, Stern’s Guide to the Cruise Vacation (2011)

5+-Ribbon Rating, Cruise Critic (2011)

Top-Rated for Romance

“Best for Couples,” Cruise Critic,
Editor’s Pick Awards (2011)

“Best for a Second Honeymoon,” Cruise Critic,
Editor’s Pick Awards (2010)

All sailings in 2012 aboard The Gauguin boast 50% off standard cruise fares and include roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles. In addition, Paul Gauguin Cruises is having a** phenomenal 2-Week Sale. Book by October 8, 2011 and save up to $4,220.** For details visit www.pgcruises.com/offers, or call 877-495-0865.** **

Special section brought to you by Paul Gauguin Cruises

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