Ponant, a luxury yacht cruise and expedition company, continues to broaden its presence in the niche small-luxury cruise market with fresh, distinctive itineraries and singular onboard features. The line’s expansion includes the introduction of the four Ponant Explorers, a series of ships that spotlight one of the brand’s most remarkable attractions: The Blue Eye.
The Blue Eye lounge delivers an intimate underwater experience that brings guests face-to-face with the marine environment at each destination. Located below sea level, the lounge is designed with two large portholes evoking whale eyes, live projections fed by underwater cameras, and recorded sea sounds captured via an underwater microphone, creating a multi-sensory connection to life beneath the waves.
Seating in the lounge—referred to as “body listening sofas”—enhances immersion by gently vibrating in synchrony with the underwater audio feed, allowing guests to feel the ocean’s rhythms as well as hear them.
Ponant’s new itineraries reach remote, pristine regions that larger ships cannot access. Among these is a voyage through the wild Kimberley region, offered in July and August. The Kimberley is regarded as one of the world’s last largely untouched areas, and small expedition ships provide the only practical way to explore its hidden bays, river gorges, and coastal wilderness.
Highlights of the Kimberley itinerary include excursions into dense mangrove forests, visits to the dramatic King George River, and the chance to witness Twin Falls—some of the highest coastal waterfalls in Western Australia. These excursions are designed to combine natural spectacle with expert-led exploration, promising an adventurous and enlightening experience for travelers who value remote landscapes and immersive discovery.
By focusing on purpose-built small ships, innovative onboard amenities like The Blue Eye, and specialized routes to remote destinations, Ponant positions itself to offer upscale travelers a blend of comfort, discovery, and uniquely intimate encounters with the natural world.