CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS NAME PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES 'BEST SMALL CRUISE' FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2025 -- For the second year in a row, Paul Gauguin Cruises has been voted Best Small Cruise in Condé Nast Traveler's2025 Readers' Choice Awards. French Polynesia's destination expert received the top honor based on more than 750,000 votes by readers who rated their recent travel experiences across various categories.

The award underscores Paul Gauguin Cruises' commitment to delivering culturally enriching experiences, all-inclusive luxury, and personalized service on m/s Paul Gauguin—a ship purpose-built to explore Tahiti and the South Pacific.

"Being named Best Small Cruise by Condé Nast Traveler readers, once again, reflects the deep connection and loyalty our guests feel toward The Gauguin and her crew," Samuel Chamberlain, CEO, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP Americas said. "Our goal has always been to showcase French Polynesia in a way that preserves its otherworldly beauty and cultural heritage, while giving back to local communities. Many of our crew members have sailed with us for more than 15 years, and some were born and raised on these islands. Their deep connection to the destination inspires a genuine warmth, pride, and hospitality that define The Gauguin Experience. We celebrate this honor with our m/s Paul Gauguin family and look forward to introducing Paul Gauguin Cruises to even more travelers in the year to come."

The intimate, 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin is an elegant yet relaxed ship, evoking the feel of an overwater "bungalow" that sails. Its sustainable design features a limited draft that allows it to explore the shallow waters and smaller isles of the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands, and South Pacific. While the culture is palpable throughout the destination, it comes to life on board through the music, storytelling, and other activities led by Les Gauguines, a troupe of Tahitian hosts who live on the ship.

A recent multimillion-dollar refurbishment introduced an elevated design of Le Grill restaurant, a reimagined pool deck with shaded cabana areas, new connecting staterooms to accommodate the rise in multigenerational travel, an updated livery, and sustainable technology upgrades such as a new seawater filtration system. More than 70 percent of the ship's staterooms feature private balconies, while select staterooms and all suites come with butler service.

Bringing guests even closer to the sea is the ship's watersports marina, offering complimentary paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkel gear. The Gauguin is also the only passenger ship in French Polynesia with a PADI certification dive program onboard.

Families will appreciate the line's complimentary children's program for ages six to 15 on select summer and holiday voyages. In partnership with Te mana o te moana, the South Pacific's leading marine education and conservation foundation, the Moana Explorer Program engages kids with the local environment and culture through crafts, excursions, and other hands-on activities.

About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a luxury cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of French Polynesia and the South Pacific. In addition to being voted the Best Small Cruise in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards for 2024 and 2025—an accolade that follows the line's recognition as a Top 2 Small Cruise Line in the same publication in 2023, 2022, and 2021—Paul Gauguin Cruises received Seatrade's 2024 Sustainability Initiative of the Year award for its "Taote (doctor) Gauguin" healthcare partnership with the French Polynesian Government. A perennial favorite in French Polynesia for more than 27 years, the line's notable travel and lifestyle awards also include the World's Best Small-Ship Ocean Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2022, and four "Best French Polynesia Cruises" in the AFAR Travelers' Choice Awards. In 2019, Paul Gauguin Cruises joined PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, a designer of inspiring voyages on board small exploration ships.

PHOTO LIBRARY
Link to images HERE.
Photo credits: Noted in the file name.