PONANT
Ponant’s elegant, intimate ships bring French joie de vivre to the world of luxury cruising, combining exceptional service and authentic French cuisine with a range of sailings to exotic destinations all around the world.
From secluded ports to secret seas, from forgotten beaches to remote islands, Ponant itineraries take you away from major tourist routes to enjoy shorelines that few have seen before. Ships are more akin to private yachts than giant cruise liners, their small size allowing them access to quiet little harbours and out-of-the-way places larger vessels cannot reach.
Life onboard
Whether you choose a Mediterranean cruise or an expedition journey, you can be assured of exceptional comfort aboard a Ponant ship. Limited guest numbers and excellent, attentive crew create the feeling of sailing aboard private yacht. The destinations themselves are the stars of show, with lectures offered in French and English and presentations from naturalists and other experts enhancing the frequent shore excursions. While on board, you can relax at the spa or around the pool, work out in the fitness room, take in a show after dinner or chat to new friends in comfortable lounges. As for dining, expect the highest of French standards, with baguettes baked daily and high-end menus from Ducasse Conseil.
Accommodation
Distributed across three decks, the 16 staterooms and suites of original ship Le Ponant are wonderfully spacious and tastefully decorated. Each offers wide picture windows or portholes, plenty of storage space and top-of-the-line Dyptique Paris bath products, plus over half of the categories have private balconies. Sister ships L’Austral, Le Boréal and Le Soléal are larger with 132 equally luxurious cabins. Slightly newer Le Lyrial boasts 122 staterooms and suites, while the new yachts of the Ponant Explorers series offer just 92 cabins and suites, each with a private balcony or terrace. Finally there’s Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker, whose 123 cabins include four stunning split-level suites with private terraces and jacuzzis.
