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What is Ponant?

Posted: 7/19/2025

Author: Amelie de Moreau

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Discover Ponant’s luxury expedition cruises: small ships, true all-inclusive, polar adventures, and unique destinations worldwide.

Ponant: 37 Years of French Maritime Excellence

Since 1988, Ponant has been redefining luxury sea travel with its distinctively French approach. The company’s small, intimate ships – carrying a maximum of 300 guests – offer a refined alternative to the crowded mega-ships.

What is Included in a Ponant Cruise?

One of Ponant’s greatest strengths lies in its genuine all-inclusive formula. Unlike other cruise lines, here “all-inclusive” truly means:

  • All drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) in restaurants and bars

  • Gratuities included – no awkward tipping situations

  • Complimentary Wi-Fi to stay connected

  • Excursions included in most destinations

  • Expert-led lectures to enrich your journey

Only premium spa treatments and exceptional champagnes (such as Veuve Clicquot) incur an extra cost.

Solo Travellers Welcome - No Single Supplement

Ponant embraces modern travel trends with a wide selection of itineraries available without a single supplement, making luxury cruises accessible to solo travellers.

Exceptional Destinations Away from the Crowds

Thanks to their small size, Ponant ships can access secluded ports that are off-limits to larger cruise liners. Your stopovers become authentic discoveries, far from the tourist masses.

Ponant offers cruises in Japan departing from Osaka, Hong Kong, Naha, or even Busan in South Korea, as well as voyages to Greenland, the Arctic and Antarctic, the Greek Islands, Australia, Scotland, the Norwegian Fjords, Central and South America.

With a fleet of 12 ships, Ponant sails almost everywhere in the world, always with a particular focus on ports of call that hold historical or natural significance.

Ponant- A Leader in Polar Expeditions

The company particularly excels in expedition cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic. It even owns the only passenger icebreaker in the world: the legendary Commandant Charcot, a true technological gem powered by hybrid LNG engines. Ponant is also a member of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators), committed to preserving the Antarctic environment.

What Ships Does Ponant Operate?
12 Exceptional Vessels – A Guided Tour

12 Exceptional Vessels – A Guided Tour
Ponant’s fleet includes
3 sailing yachts (Le Ponant, Spirit of Ponant, and Le Désirade), 4 sister-ships (Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Lyrial, and Le Soléal), and 4 expedition ships, the Explorers (Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, and Le Jacques Cartier). It also operates a unique LNG-powered polar exploration icebreaker (Le Commandant Charcot) and a ship based permanently in French Polynesia (Le Paul Gauguin). Ponant is also the majority shareholder of Aqua Expeditions, a Singaporean shipowner with 5 vessels cruising the Mekong, Amazon, Galápagos, and Indonesia.

The Sisterships: Boréal, Austral, Lyrial, and Soléal

These four identical ships (122 to 132 cabins, 300 guests) embody French elegance, with a uniform architecture and individually designed interiors.

Top Deck: My favourite spot for a sunset drink! A panoramic bar, outdoor pool, and perfectly arranged loungers make for blissful relaxation.

Deck 6:
- Buffet restaurant open for all three meals – the quality has always impressed me.
- Panoramic lounge at the bow with huge windows – the perfect viewpoint!
- Piano bar in the evenings for a cosy, refined atmosphere.

Deck 5 – Your Well-being:
- Full spa with complimentary steam room (8am–10pm) – I spent countless relaxing hours here.
- Professional hair salon and massage rooms.
- Well-equipped
fitness centre with ocean views.
- Photo area and kids’ playroom.

Deck 4: Large theatre hosting information sessions, expert lectures, evening shows, and film screenings.

Deck 3 – The Heart of the Ship:
- Grand Salon – the social hub for excursions, champagne and caviar tastings (delightful!), and various activities.
- Reception, boutique, and excursion desk – always helpful staff.
- Medical centre at the bow, with a doctor and nurse available at all times – very reassuring!

Deck 2: Gourmet restaurant with elegant table service – open for all three meals.

Easy Access: 3 conveniently located lifts (1 forward serving decks 3-6, and 2 aft serving decks 2-6) – very handy when carrying luggage.

Outstanding Cabins

  • Superior Cabins (Deck 3, forward): 21m², spacious with no balcony – ideal for up to 3 guests.

  • Deluxe Cabins (Deck 3): French balcony plus a large side window.

  • Prestige Cabins (Decks 3, 4, 5, 6): Luxurious with large sliding glass doors leading to a private balcony.

  • Suites – One Owner’s Suite and two Deluxe Suites (Deck 6): Larger with a lounge area, two showers, dressing room, and butler service, plus fresh fruit and champagne on arrival. The Owner’s Suite includes a dining room, study, spa bath, and separate shower. Suite guests enjoy a daily spa treatment.

Common features of Superior, Deluxe, and Prestige Cabins: ultra-comfortable king-size bed, cosy lounge area, fully stocked minibar (replenished daily), Bose Bluetooth speaker, Nespresso machine, spacious dressing room with safe, and a unique panoramic-view shower (with privacy screen) – showering while gazing at the ocean is unforgettable!

The Explorers: Innovation for Expedition Cruising

Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, and Le Jacques Cartier (92 cabins, 184 guests) redefine maritime travel with modern architecture and spaces designed for exploration.

The Blue Eye Lounge – A World First (Deck 0): A technological marvel! Located below the waterline, this multi-sensory lounge immerses you in the marine world through underwater windows, external cameras, and hydrophones. The experience is mesmerising – with only 40 seats, it’s an intimate space to observe dolphins and marine life swimming around the ship – pure magic!

Explorers Tour Highlights:

Deck 7:
- Spa with panoramic ocean views, massage rooms, beauty salon.
- Fitness centre with ocean views.
- Outdoor terrace with sun loungers.

Deck 6:
- Observatory Lounge with library and outdoor terrace – perfect for a piano-bar aperitif or nightcap.
-Children’s area and photo desk amidship.

Deck 5: Cabins and the navigation bridge – a bridge visit is arranged during the cruise.

Deck 4:
- Main restaurant with elegant table service, plus
- Outdoor terrace for al fresco dining.

Deck 3: The action hub!
- The Marina for Zodiac launches,
- Infinity pool with sunbeds,
- Buffet & grill restaurant with daily specials (seafood, BBQ),
- Grand Salon with daily degustation, main bar, quiz and games,
- Reception, boutique, excursion desk in the middle of the ship
- Theatre for lectures and films
- Medical centre.

Explorer Cabins:

  • Deluxe Cabins (Deck 3, forward): French balcony plus a large side window.

  • Prestige Cabins (Decks 4, 5, 6): With large sliding glass doors to balcony.

  • Suites (Decks 3–6): Large balcony, separate dressing room, and generous lounge area.

All cabins feature: ultra-comfortable king-size bed, Bose Bluetooth speaker, Nespresso machine, daily replenished minibar, panoramic-view shower (with privacy screen), and 24/7 complimentary room service!

Is Ponant Suitable for Families?

What is the Average Age for a Ponant Cruise?

Ponant has no kids’ club or dedicated activities, but connecting cabins are available. During school holidays, teenagers often form their own groups. Recommended for teenagers 13+ who enjoy learning and exploring remote destinations. Families seeking all-day entertainment or waterslides may prefer other cruise lines.

Why Choose Ponant?

  • Intimate ships with boutique hotel-style service

  • True all-inclusive luxury (drinks, tips, excursions)

  • World-class lecturers and naturalists

  • Exceptional dining and French-inspired gastronomy

  • Unique itineraries in remote destinations

If you’re looking for calm, luxury, and discovery-focused cruising, Ponant is the perfect choice.

Book Your Ponant Cruise with an Expert

As a cruise specialist who has personally sailed with Ponant, I can help you find your ideal itinerary.

Contact me:
📞
+32 495 441 685 | +32 2 586 44 25
📧
a.demoreau@ifyoucruise.com

Article Tags: Expedition Cruise, Ponant,

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