The 3 Best Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines – Travel + Leisure

Cruise lovers couldn’t wait to get back out on the sea, and Travel + Leisure readers who prefer compact vessels have been delighted to find that the voyages have only gotten better. This year, T+L adjusted the World’s Best Awards cruise categories to reflect the industry and traveler experience. The particular ships in the small-ship ocean cruise lines category are now those with 150 in order to 299 cabins, while smaller ships (with fewer than 150 cabins) are in an all-new intimate-ship category.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — in order to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabin rentals and facilities, food, service, itineraries plus destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruiselines in six categories, including river cruising.

In the particular No . 2 spot is Windstar Cruises. The line’s 148- to 342-passenger sailing ships and 312-passenger, all-suite motor yachts received praise from voters. “It was great in order to be upon such a small ship with a high ratio of staff to guests, ” said the reader who sailed on the 312-passenger Star Legend .

Ultra-luxury line Seabourn is recognized in this category with regard to its 225-suite Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Quest, and Seabourn Sojourn . Said one reader that sailed on the Odyssey : “This was my first Seabourn cruise and I really loved it — the size of the suites, the particular attentive service, the wonderful food, plus the surprisingly terrific variety of entertainment. “

But it was Paul Gauguin Cruise trips, now owned by French cruise company Ponant, that emerged as the reader favorite among the best cruise lines for small ships. Below, find out what sets it apart.

1 . John Gauguin Cruise ships

On the Paul Gauguin, a sense of place permeates everything from the particular Polynesian-influenced décor and color palette to the local cuisine travelers sample onboard. Resident performers, known as Les Gauguines, share Polynesian culture through dance, music, and storytelling. In the spa, guests can indulge in a massage based upon Tahitian techniques. Passengers explore island history and enjoy watersports such as snorkeling, kayaking, plus paddleboarding, which includes from the beaches of two private motu. “Everything about this cruise was excellent, ” said one T+L reader. “Ship staff has been exceptional and always made you feel at home. inch

Score: 96. 59

More information: pgcruises. com

2. Windstar Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 94. 14

A lot more information: windstarcruises. com

3. Seabourn

WBA Hall associated with Fame honoree. Score: 93. 70

More information: seabourn. com