Ponant - Cruising for the Discerning Traveller
Le Ponant Luxury Sailing Yacht at sea
Ponant Cruises
WHO ARE PONANT | PONANT SHIPS | DESTINATIONS | LIFE ONBOARD | WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A PONANT CRUISE?
What does luxury cruising mean to you? Small, intimate, sleek yachts, luxuriously appointed, where your every need is catered for in sumptuous surroundings, and with everything included in the cost of your voyage? That sounds very much like a Ponant cruise.
Who Are Ponant?
Ponant (Compagnie du Ponant) is the only French-owned cruise operator, with a fleet of luxury cruise ships and a world leader in polar expeditions, offering outstanding itineraries around the globe. Ponant was founded in 1988 by Philippe Videau, Jean-Emmanuel Sauvé, and fellow officers of the French Merchant Navy, who together launched the first French cruise ship. Acquired by luxury brand specialists Groupé Artémis in 2015, the company now operates thirteen ships, all sailing under the French flag.
The Ponant Fleet
The modern fleet include small ships designed either for yachting or expedition cruising.
The Ponant
The Ponant, a 1,489 GT, 88-metre-long and 56-metre-high iconic three-masted yacht, was built in 1991, and was completely revamped in 2019. This Traditional French sailing ship has just 16 cabins, so the experience is very much like sailing on your own luxurious private yacht. Emphasis is very much on sustainable sailing, gourmet dining and exciting itineraries.
Expedition Class Ships
Collectively referred to as “The Sisterships”, Ponant’s Expedition Ships include Le Boréal (2010), L’Austral (2011), Le Soléal (2012) and Le Lyrial (2015)l. With between 122-132 cabins and suites, and weighing between 10700-10900 GT, ‘The Sisterships’ offer an intimate experience in understated luxury and French style.
The Ponant Explorers
This series of six small, elegant ships, have luxury, sustainability and cutting edge technology and design at their core. Named after famous French explorers, the Ponant Explorers comprise: Le Lapérouse (2018), Le Champlain (2018), Le Bougainville (2019), Le Dumont d’Urville (2019), Le Bellot (2020) and Le Jacques Cartier (2020).
Polar Exploration Class
The 30,000 GT Le Commandant Charcot (2021), named after French polar scientist, Jean-Baptiste Charcot, is an ice-breaking cruise ship (Polar Class 2 rated), and has the capability of sailing remote itineraries such as to the North Pole. However don’t be distracted by her sturdy construction - Le Commandant Charcot is a luxury polar explorer vessel that even boasts a swimming pool, with padded loungers of course, and a spa.
Paul Gauguin
Ponant acquired luxury cruise line Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019. The 19,200 GT Le Paul Gauguin now sails in primarily in French Polynesia, as she has a shallow draft allowing her to sail the inlets and lagoons around the islands. Le Paul Gauguin is an elegant, luxury vessel which can accommodate 330 guests in 165 staterooms and suites.
Ponant Itineraries
With destinations around the world, you are sure to find your bucket-list voyage. Ponant sails in Asia; Africa and the Indian Ocean; The Red Sea, the Atlantic Coast of Africa; the Mediterranean; Northern Europe and Scandinavia; the Arctic; The Antarctic; North America and Canada; Alaska; Central and South America; the Caribbean; and Oceania and the Pacific Islands. If you enjoy sea days and soaking up some vitamin sea, Ponant also offer transatlantic and non-stop ocean crossings where the emphasis is in enjoying onboard life and ocean views. You can find more on the destinations on offer on the Ponant website.
Life Onboard a Ponant Cruise
A Ponant voyage offers an exceptional mix of luxury and adventure. Don’t expect the range of activities you would find on larger cruise ships, in fact that is exactly why guests choose a small yacht experience. When you are not ashore exploring new destinations on one of the many optional excursions, you can relax in style onboard the luxury yacht. If you are seeking tranquillity head to the Spa for a treatment or stretch out on deck beside the pool and take in those stunning ocean views. If you crave exercise, you can work out in the fitness room, or weather permitting, make use of the ships water-sports from the Marina. Being a French brand, gastronomy is a huge part of a Ponant cruise, and meals are events in their own right. Dinner is a 5-course affair and there are gala nights to look forward to. The ships have theatres offering concerts, shows by the ships performers, or a movie on the big screen. The cabin TV also offers a choice of 60 movies. If you are sailing on one of the Ponant Explorer ships, you can also use the Blue Eye, a unique multi-sensory lounge, the only one of its kind in the world, which is located in the hull, below the waterline.
What is included on a Ponant Cruise?
Each Ponant cruise fare includes all meals (three main meals plus snacks and canapés etc.); all beverages (an open bar excluding premium brands); a mini-bar in your cabin stocked with your preferences; wi-fi throughout the ship; use of the ships water sport equipment and 24 hour room service. Additionally, if you book one of the Ponant Explorer Class ships, you will receive a Polar Parka to keep out the cold, and a range of tours led by the Expedition Team, including those on the ships’ Zodiac boats.
How much does a Ponant Cruise Cost?
The cost of a Ponant cruise varies by ship and itinerary. The cruise only price ranges from around £400 ($500) per person per night to over £1000 ($1300) per person per night. Flights are generally only included for Arctic/Antarctic voyages, although there are exceptions. Worth noting for solo travellers, Ponant cruises do not incur a single person supplement on selected sailings.
To find out more or book your Ponant voyage visit the Ponant Website or contact your travel agent.