Ponant

Overall Editor Rating

Fodor’s Expert Review

Cruise StyleLuxury

Ponant operates three designer ships for all-season premium yet unpretentious yacht cruising in places inaccessible to larger cruise ships. At this writing, a fourth ship was expected for delivery in July 2013. With distinctively French flair, the cruise company strikes an appealing balance between destination choice and price point on luxuriously refurbished modern sailing vessels that feature French gastronomy, elegant styling, and unique voyages with all-inclusive packages. Travel is privileged yet unpretentious aboard a small majestic three-masted sailing yacht or larger megayacht.Read More

For experienced cruisers or newcomers, the fantasy of having one’s own private yacht to sail the seven seas comes closer to reality with exotic itineraries on upscale, uncrowded ships operated by Ponant, which was begun in 1988 by CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company. In 2008, Ponant made international headlines when its smallest sailing yacht was hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. That incident had a very positive ending, and the company has since offered solid years of safe, luxury maritime travel and good reviews from discerning passengers, most of whom are European, American, and Australian globetrotters. Expectations for substantial entertainment, perfect service, and regal accommodations should be kept realistic since these ships are limited in size. Nevertheless, Ponant’s ambitious agenda is to provide impeccable, five-star cruising to its affluent clientele. The ships offer fine dining, outstanding attention to interior design, expedition-style cruising on eco-friendly, state-of-the-art vessels, and a sophisticated feel reminiscent of a hip boutique hotel, and these expectations are more than met for offbeat journeys draped in contemporary prestige.

Top Reasons to Cruise

1
Exotic Locales.Ponant provides yacht cruises to inaccessible worldwide locations and remote ports of call.
2
Luxurious Comforts.Ultracomfortable cabins, excellent food, and facilities with designer furnishings and elegant French atmosphere are the norm.
3
Intimacy.Ships have limited passenger capacity, ranging between 64 and 226 guests.
4
Special-Interest Cruising.Themed cruises (culinary, golf, classical music, jazz, bridge, wellness) featuring expert lecturers and special venues on board and ashore are common.
5
Eco-friendly.“Green label” ships are outfitted with the latest technology to protect the oceans and marine life.

Is This Line Right for You?

Choose this Line If
Don’t Choose this Line If
You’ve always dreamt of sailing on your own private yacht.
Destinations in remote ports of call and inaccessible landscapes are a priority.
You appreciate open-air cruising (large sundecks, terraces, sea-level platforms, and cabins with private balconies) and discreet elegance.
You seek a no-frills holiday with loud parties and prefer sandwiches for dinner.
You like to dress up in ostentatious glitz and glamorous eveningwear.
Luxury travel with refined French elegance, sophistication, and language just isn’t your cup of tea.

What to Expect on Board

Food
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Food

Gastronomy is taken pretty seriously on Ponant ships.

Buttery croissants and artisanal baguettes with confiture, fruit, yogurts, coffee, and juices are available for breakfast; eggs and specialty dishes can be ordered à la carte. International buffets for lunch and dinner lay out a high-quality spread of cold and hot appetizers, entrées, salads, and desserts. Fresh ingredients and skilled preparation by resident French chefs and bakers keep culinary standards at an outstanding level for grilled and roasted meat, fish, vegetarian meals, and desserts. In more formal dining areas, most dinner menus offer a choice between two soups, three appetizers/salads, two main courses, a cheese tray, and a couple of sumptuous desserts. While oenophiles may be disappointed with the free table wine served for lunch and dinner, premium bottles can be ordered for a supplementary cost. Back by popular demand, the Food & Wine Cruise pleases passenger palates with Flavors of the Riviera. All lunches and dinners include complimentary mineral water, tea, coffee, and wines. Twenty-four-hour room service is available.

Entertainment

Special events including the Captain’s cocktail party and farewell dinner spice up the rather unimaginative entertainment program that does not promise to be grandiose and theatrical.

Instead, most passengers simply relax while watching small groups of performers and dancers. Guest speakers lecture on geography, conservation, and wildlife in the cabaret-style theater on larger ships, which is also used for evening shows. On smaller vessels, piano bars and chic lounges offer opportunities to make new friends from around the world.

Fitness & Recreation

Passengers burn off calories in a fully equipped gym, outdoor heated swimming pool, or spa equipped with sauna and steam rooms.

Plenty of lounges, sundecks, panoramic promenades, bars, reading rooms, library, casino, and shops satisfy early birds and night owls. Shore excursions upon landing perhaps constitute the most fun activity. Some of these include spectacular terrain hikes and Zodiac cruises across frozen vistas, turquoise horizons, or historic coastlines. Themed cruises offer comprehensive activities, including demonstrations, classes, performances, and well-planned excursions. On larger ships, Wi-Fi stations offer gaming consoles. All vessels have Internet rooms and Wi-Fi—which costs €5 per half hour.

Key cruising tips

In summer 2012, Ponant announced a new all-inclusive pricing structure that includes meals, drinks, minibars, tips, and port charges.
Select itineraries offer air-inclusive pricing.
Open dining allows you to eat meals when you want and with whom you want, though you can still expect group settings for special occasions and lunchtime sightseeing excursions.
Select itineraries allow kids 8 to 18 to sail for free when they stay with their parents in a Superior cabin or Prestige suite.
With direct access to the sea from an open deck, ships offer the chance to swim in the surrounding crystalline waters.

Your Shipmates

Ponant cruisers are a sophisticated group consisting of affluent adventurers and sportive globetrotters. Families with kids are not uncommon on the larger vessels, but the general age ranges between 40 and 70. A multicultural blend of primarily French, Australians, and North Americans comprise the passenger list. The common language heard on board is French, although English is widely spoken and understood by the experienced crew and most of the well-traveled guests.

Dress Code

There is no strict dress code, and ships are relatively informal. During the day, smart leisurewear is recommended. For excursions and shore leaves, bring practical clothes and comfortable shoes. Expeditions to the Arctic and Antartica using Zodiacs require waterproof parkas (provided on board), flexible trousers, boots, gloves, and fleece hats. Sunglasses are highly advised. Evening attire is at your discretion, but men are required to wear a jacket.

Junior Cruisers

Children over the age of 8 are allowed on board. The good life begins early for young sailors privileged to tag along on Ponant yachts. Outfitted with facilities and amenities catering to both young and old, the four vessels offer flexible “communicating” cabins, children’s menus, tea parties, games, and piano and cooking lessons, Wii game consoles, Internet stations, reading areas, and the Ponant Kid’s Club on deck 5 (free for one child, age 8–12, sharing a cabin with two adults) that has a carpeted area with sofas, assorted toys, TV, and play zone. Themed family cruises are sometimes offered, and these provide a more child-friendly atmosphere and babysitting service.

Service

Building a strong reputation for personalized, friendly service, the four cruise ships have multilingual crew and staff that understand the demands and expectations of an international traveler. Attention to detail with food service, cabin maintenance and cleanliness, overall ship hygiene, spa services, and special requests is handled with discretion and satisfactory efficiency. Announcements are made in both French and English.

Tipping

The cruise line changed its tipping policy in 2012. All gratuities are now included for restaurant, hotel, and ship staffs as well as local guides and drivers.

Past Passengers

The Ponant Yacht Club loyalty program has Major, Admiral, and Grand Admiral levels. As members, cruisers benefit from exclusive services and amenities on board. They are also eligible for exclusive offers in the shop, wine cellar, or open-bar package depending on membership level.

CRUISE LINE INFO
888/400–1082 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada) or (033) 488–66–64–00 in France

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