Published on
October 8, 2025
Few honours are as important on this planet of luxurious cruising because the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. The French Polynesian cruise line Paul Gauguin Cruises has received the title of ‘Best Small Cruise‘ for the second year in a row in the 2025 edition. This accolade highlights the business’s steadfast dedication to offering unmatched experiences in one of the crucial standard journey locations on this planet.
A Commitment to Excellence
The Readers’ Choice Awards are decided by the discerning vacationers who take part within the annual survey, casting over 750,000 votes to judge their journey experiences throughout varied classes. Paul Gauguin Cruises’ constant top-tier efficiency in these rankings displays its dedication to excellence in each side of its operations. From the intimate luxurious of its vessel to the immersive cultural experiences supplied ashore, the cruise line has set a benchmark for what a small-ship voyage ought to entail.
The m/s Paul Gauguin: A Ship Designed for the South Pacific
Central to Paul Gauguin Cruises’ success is its flagship vessel, the m/s Paul Gauguin. This 330-guest ship is purpose-built to navigate the shallow waters and smaller isles of the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands, and the broader South Pacific. Its sustainable design permits it to entry ports that bigger ships can not attain, offering visitors with distinctive and intimate encounters with these idyllic locales.
Onboard, visitors are handled to all-oceanview lodging, with practically 70% that includes personal balconies. The ship boasts a crew-to-guest ratio of roughly 1.5:1, guaranteeing personalised service that enhances the general expertise. Dining choices embody three venues providing connoisseur delicacies, and the ship’s watersports marina offers complimentary actions akin to paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling. For these looking for additional leisure, the onboard spa gives a variety of remedies, and the PADI-certified dive program permits visitors to discover the underwater wonders of the South Pacific.
Cultural Immersion and Local Engagement
What actually units Paul Gauguin Cruises aside is its deep-rooted connection to French Polynesia. Many of the crew members have sailed with the corporate for over 15 years, with some hailing from the very islands the ship visits. This longstanding relationship fosters a real heat and hospitality that permeates each side of the cruise expertise.
The cruise line additionally emphasizes cultural immersion via its partnership with Te mana o te moana, the South Pacific’s main marine schooling and conservation basis. The Moana Explorer Program, designed for youngsters aged six to fifteen, engages younger vacationers with the native surroundings and tradition via crafts, excursions, and different hands-on actions. This initiative not solely enriches the journey expertise for households but in addition promotes environmental stewardship among the many subsequent era of explorers.
Sustainability Initiatives
In addition to its cultural endeavors, Paul Gauguin Cruises is dedicated to sustainability. The firm has carried out varied eco-friendly practices, together with the usage of low-sulfur marine fuel oil to scale back emissions. Furthermore, the “Taote (doctor) Gauguin” healthcare partnership with the French Polynesian authorities was acknowledged with Seatrade’s 2024 Sustainability Initiative of the Year award. This initiative underscores the cruise line’s dedication to preserving the pure magnificence and cultural heritage of the areas it visits.
Looking Ahead
As Paul Gauguin Cruises celebrates its continued success within the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, the corporate stays targeted on enhancing the visitor expertise. Plans for future itineraries embody expanded choices within the Marquesas and Cook Islands, offering vacationers with much more alternatives to discover the various landscapes and cultures of the South Pacific.
Setting the Standard for Luxury Small-Ship Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises‘ dedication to quality, cultural immersion, and environmentally friendly travel methods is demonstrated by its repeated selection as the Best Small Cruise in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Paul Gauguin Cruises offers an unmatched journey that retains elevating the bar within the luxurious cruise sector for vacationers searching for a non-public, opulent, and real exploration of French Polynesia and the South Pacific.
