PONANT, the only major French-owned cruise line with a global itinerary, is intensifying efforts to attract more North American travelers after opening new offices in New York and Miami. Ponant combines small-ship luxury and refined French hospitality with access to a wide variety of remote and exotic ports around the world.
Renowned for polar expeditions, Ponant’s itineraries also include Northern Europe, Russia and the Mediterranean, as well as Oceania, Asia, Africa, Alaska, and Central and South America. The 2019–2020 program features 114 departures, including 23 sailings to Antarctica and 33 voyages in Latin America. The fleet of nine vessels ranges from the classic three-masted sailing yacht, the 64-passenger Le Ponant, to the four yacht-like ships Le Soléal, Le Boréal, L’Austral and Le Lyrial, each carrying 244–264 guests and offering spa and fitness facilities. French crews and chefs are a hallmark across the fleet, and both French and English are official onboard languages.
Expanding its exploration offering, Ponant introduced a new series of 184-passenger expedition ships, including Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Champlain and Le Dumont-d’Urville. These yacht-like vessels bring a distinct French approach to upscale exploration cruising and introduce Blue Eye, the world’s first underwater passenger lounge. Blue Eye allows guests to observe and experience the ocean through dedicated “body listening” sofas. The ships also feature private balconies and terraces, moveable marinas for easy water access, heated seawater pools and solariums, and multiple dining venues with menus developed by Ducasse Conseil. Champagne selections include Veuve Clicquot, while onboard theaters host lectures and performances. Wellness offerings include spa treatments from Paris-based Sothys alongside a fully equipped fitness center.
Members of Ponant’s small-ship luxury fleet, such as the elegant Le Soléal, are frequently chartered for specialized cruises. For example, travel company Abercrombie & Kent regularly charters Ponant ships for its Wonders of Japan all-inclusive journeys, with upcoming sailings scheduled for June 13–26, 2020.
Ponant’s itineraries often visit uncommon and environmentally significant destinations. The new Le Dumont-d’Urville operated a cruise to the Bijagós Archipelago from Oct. 8–16, 2019, departing from Dakar, Senegal, to explore an 88-island UNESCO Biosphere Reserve off Guinea-Bissau. The same ship is scheduled for a nature-focused voyage Jan. 6–16, 2020, to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal with naturalist Paul Donahue. That itinerary highlights Costa Rica’s conservation achievements and includes a call at Corcovado National Park, noted for its extraordinary biodiversity.
Environmental responsibility is part of Ponant’s identity. The line partners with the UK-based Aldabra Clean Up Project in the Seychelles, offering passengers the opportunity to participate in shore excursions that support cleanup efforts on the Aldabra Atoll.
From tropical jungles to polar ice, Ponant enables travelers to experience the full range of the planet’s natural and cultural diversity across seven continents, all while delivering a distinct French touch to expedition and luxury cruising.