Carol Leiby, Scripps Howard photos The little harbor at Raiatea, the "sacred island" of the ancient Polynesians.

By Luaine Lee
Scripps Howard News Service Imagine a vacation where you don't have to pack and unpack, you don't have to juggle timetables, carry heavy bags and learn to ask "How much?" in a new language.

	A Paul Gauguin crew member prepares an exotic elixir served in a coconut shell. Click photo for larger image. If you go: Tahiti There are nonstop flights via Air Tahiti Nui from New York and Los Angeles. Air New Zealand and Air France have flights from the West Coast. For details, visit www.orbitz.com, www.cheapflights.com or www.airtahitinui.com. For InterContinental reservations, e-mail reservations to pf@interconti.com.

That kind of vacation really exists if you decide on a cruise. There are all kinds of places to cruise. But as long as you're going, why not ship off to paradise?

The Society Islands, 118 bejeweled islands in French Polynesia, are floating gardens beyond the imagination. Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea are the crown jewels in this tropical coronet. It's no wonder that artist Paul Gauguin left his wife and five children for these volcanic gems, or that Marlon Brando insisted on commandeering his very own island.

And there's a way to see them close-up without ever leaving your stateroom. The Regent Seven Seas Paul Gauguin sails the pearlescent waters of these South Pacific isles with fewer than 400 guests. And a shallow draft enables the vessel to anchor that much closer to the coastline.

From your balcony stateroom (more than half of the rooms feature a balcony), you can smell the bonfires on land, watch the rainbows darting through the rain forest and hear the cocks crowing at dawn.

These cruises usually start in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, where you can rest up from your flight for a couple of days and take in the sights.

One of Paul Gauguin's several cruises is the eight-day, seven-night sail to Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora and Moorea, returning to Papeete.

Staterooms with balconies run $4,395 per person, based on double occupancy; and porthole cabins cost about $2,795. This includes all gratuities, wine with dinner, all meals, an in-room bar and water sports -- including wind-surfing, kayaking and water-skiing off the stern. Free snorkel equipment is provided.

There are a number of excursions you can arrange onboard while anchored off the islands. You can pre-book online at www.theregentexperience.com/ excursions, or request them once under way.

Raiatea is called the "sacred" island by the Polynesians. This used to be the center of worship for the sea people, and is thought to be the first island occupied by the Polynesians. Raiatea is known for its vanilla.

The breathtaking Bora Bora boasts a lagoon three times larger than the land itself. A flight aboard a helicopter reveals the riotous colors of the sea, which melt from ice-blue to almost inky-black. Flights are Mondays and Tuesdays, and are priced at $195 for a 15-minute bird's-eye view. From up here you'll see shrimp farms, emerald mountains and ivory beaches that stretch on and on.

The island of Moorea is only 11 miles from Papeete. The topography is a worthy spectacle, especially at dawn or sunset. And if you're lucky enough to encounter a shower, there are sure to be rainbows arcing across the sky like spent fireworks.

Honeymooners and others who'd rather not venture too far from the comforts of their cabins never even need to leave the ship. There are many activities onboard, including parlor games, demonstrations, workouts and guest speakers.

Three restaurants on the ship do their best to keep you full, but there's an afternoon tea that can tide you over if you get hungry between lunch and dinner.

The Paul Gauguin also offers 10-, 11- and 14-night sailings.