Here is everything you need to know about PONANT, a luxury cruise provider where guests can experience a truly exceptional voyage with unforgettable moments.
The cruise line has operated for 30 years, visiting both famous ports and lesser-known anchorages accessible to only smaller ships. Their themed luxury cruises offer unforgettable experiences designed with special interest in mind. Guests can also enjoy gastronomic cruises featuring cookery workshops hosted by renowned chefs, or a golf cruise in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. It’s latest offering, Paspaley Pearl by Ponant has undergone a multi-million-dollar refit and will emerge with fresh livery, new interiors and expansive open decks, featuring multiple dining, lounge and bar options. It will commence operations in East Indonesia in January 2025 with just 30 guests and 21 crew, including four expedition guides, her inauguration will mark the beginning of a new era of boutique expedition travel within the Asia Pacific region.
PONANT provides the opportunity to visit extraordinary locations on its many expedition cruises to discover multi-faceted continents and forgotten lands endowed with natural treasures, all while experiencing the refined atmosphere and comfort of life on board.
Ships
PONANT’s fleet consists of small-sized ships designed for expedition cruises or yachting, all fitted with cutting-edge equipment.
Sailing ships
- Le Ponant
A traditional French sailing ship that has only 16 cabins and suites. Guests aboard can set sail in a small group aboard the completely revamped three-masted sailing ship.
- Spirit of Ponant
The Lagoon 77 catamaran features a refined design and is built to accommodate just twelve passengers for a more intimate experience.
Expedition ships
- Paspaley Pearl by Ponant
Formerly Island Escape, Paspaley Pearl by Ponant has undergone a multi-million-dollar refit and will emerge with fresh livery, new interiors and expansive open decks, featuring multiple dining, lounge and bar options. The 54m Paspaley Pearl will operate locally year-round, offering 7-, 10-, 12- and 14-night journeys in the Kimberley, Indonesia’s Raja Ampat & the Spice Islands, plus Papua New Guinea.With just 30 guests and 21 crew, including four expedition guides, her inauguration will mark the beginning of a new era of boutique expedition travel within the Asia Pacific region.
- Le Boreal
This ship provides the unique feel and atmosphere of the PONANT fleet as it subtly combines luxury, intimacy, and serene well-being. It was designed to offer passengers both moments of conviviality and spaces conducive to peaceful tranquility.
- L’Austral
The ship features an innovative design, sleek shape and profile, refined interior decoration, and intimate atmosphere. French designers and decorators created a unique style and veritable signature of its own.
- Le Soleal
Like its two predecossors, the Le Boreal and L’Austral, the Le Soleal further reaffirms PONANT’s signature approach. Its elegant appearance and refined interior design combined with cutting-edge technology offers a new type of cruising.
- Le Lyrial
The fourth of the sisterships series, the Le Lyrial is the embodiment of the new generation of intimately sized cruise ships. It features an interior design made up of blues, from the tones of the polar ice to the turquoises of Mediterranean inlets and coves.
Ponant Explorers
- Le Laperouse
The ship is fitted with innovative equipment, complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior. It allows guests to experience the incomparable pleasure of cosily intimate cruises as they explore ever-increasing destinations.
- Le Champlain
The Le Champlain subtly combines the desire to explore remote regions with the comfort and privacy of an intimate ship. PONANT created a cosy atmosphere with an authentically genuine voyage experience and discreet luxury.
- Le Bougainville
The representation of the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury. This vessel features spacious common areas, a refined open-to-the-sea design, sleek exterior lines, an outdoor pool, and much more.
- Le Dumont-d’Urville
The Le Dumon-d’Urville is fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly. It comes equipped with largely open lounges, an outdoor swimming pool, and an underwater lounge.
- Le Jacques-Cartier
The modern ship features slender, tapered lines, is environmentally friendly, and is equipped with innovative technology. It reflects the PONANT’s views with light tones and its open-to-the-sea design that provides soft light and luminosity at every minute of the day.
- Le Bellot
Designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, the Le Bellot is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, a refined interior, and a softly muted and convivial ambiance together with a restricted number of cabins for an intimate adventure.
The World’s only luxury Icebreaker
- Le Commandant Charcot
The ship was designed to take guests in the footsteps of the great polar explorers, in an elegant setting with amenities which, until now, has never been offered in the furthermost areas of the northern and southern hemisphere.
The Polynesian specialist
- Le Paul Gaugin
An elegant vessel specially designed for navigation in Polynesian waters. It is designed to get in close to shallow lagoons and isolated islands, maximising stopover time.
Dining
PONANT pays special attention to the meals they serve throughout the day with talented chefs crafting high end menus for travellers to enjoy the delights of a refined table. They wish to develop sustainable and responsible tourism while sourcing food directly from places visited, while committing to respecting the local resources.
In January 2026, PONANT partnered with Ducasse Conseil, a catering centre of excellence run by Alain Ducasse Enterprise, continuing its route to excellence aboard their ships. The long-term project aims to ensure that the cruise line’s culinary standards are as high as possible to satisfy the tastes of all passengers.
Life onboard
Travellers aboard PONANT can enjoy various common areas that are designed in great detail and makes every moment special.
- Lounges and bars
The main lounge is the ideal place to relax with a drink and enjoy the various activities organised by PONANT such as dancing classes and theme evenings. The piano bar is also a panorama lounge with breathtaking views of the horizon, while the outside bar is a great space for relaxing and accessing the swimming pool and its solarium. - Theatre
This is the most unique meeting space on board and is also the largest space on the ship that regularly accommodates all the passengers. The venue hosts shows and entertainment events as well as conferences. - Shops
A shop is available on board all PONANT ships where travellers can choose from a selection of goods and souvenirs from clothing, jewellry, beauty products, accessories, and more. - The Blue Eye
Every PONANT ship features The Blue Eye, located in the hull just below the waterline. The unique multi-sensory lounge plunges travellers into the heart of underwater life. It is equipped with a bar, making it an exceptional place to share a drink in a unique atmosphere.
Theme cruises
Each season, PONANT designs voyages around four major themes to provide guests with new experiences. All itineraries rely on the expertise of the cruise line’s renowned partners represented onboard by inspiring personalities. The four themes are:
Culture
Guests set out to discover works of art and explore major museums on private visits, enjoy live music onboard, meet and talk with renowned artists, and celebrate special events. Highlights include:
- Art and museums
- Theatre, Literature, and Music
- Partnerships with Smithsonian, the Louvre, the Musee du Quai Branly, the Mucem, and Radio Classique
Planet
This theme involves travelling in the company of internationally renowned explorers, documentary makers, and naturalists to gain a fresh perspective of the challenges involved in protecting the oceans, studying polar ecosystems, and preserving local cultures.
- Tales of explorations
- Raising awareness about the need to protect the environment
- Partnership with well-known photographers, partnership with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation
Geopolitics
PONANT helps travellers understand each region visited and discover the cultural, civilisational, and geopolitical challenges they face with insights from experts.
- History and international relations
- Major societal challenges
- Partnerships with Le Figaro, Paris Match, and Tallandier Publishing
Lifestyle
Travellers can enjoy getting back to the basics and disconnecting from the everyday with a range of experiences that combines wellness, hedonism, and epicureanism. All of which are devised and put together by Michelin-starred chefs, professional sommeliers, naturopaths, and yoga teachers.
- Gastronomy and wine appreciations
- Wellness
- Partnerships with Le Tigre Yoga Club, Relais & Chateaux, and Cuisine et Vins de France
