PONANT, the pioneering French cruise company and leader in polar expedition cruises, is developing a unique concept of luxury expedition cruises with the arrival of 6 new ships, the PONANT EXPLORERS.
PONANT passengers will be able to experience new travel experiences, especially through the tropical expedition, finding once again this unique alliance of discovery and the exceptional comfort conditions that characterize the company, even in the most remote areas of the planet.
The first two, Le Lapérouse and Le Champlain, joined the fleet in 2018, followed by Le Bougainville and Le Dumont-d'Urville in 2019, and then Le Surville and Le Bellot in 2020. True to the company's philosophy, these ships combine intimate size, design, cutting-edge technology, and respect for the environment . They will offer passengers an ever-expanding range of destinations for greater discovery and wonder.
Equipped with innovative equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious glass-enclosed suites, and lounges open to the outside, these six new ships with 92 suites offer, due to their design and small size, a unique cruise experience.
The six PONANT EXPLORERS ships will feature a world first: the “Blue Eye.” This spectacular multisensory lounge will allow passengers to discover and experience the underwater world through two portholes, open to the seabed, non-intrusive underwater projectors, and hydrophones integrated into the keel, which will transmit the natural symphony of the seabed. Passengers will also be able to experience sensory listening through body resonance while seated on the sofas.
PONANT launched its new ship, Le Lapérouse, on July 11th , and it visited Barcelona for the first time last week . On an 8-day circumnavigation voyage from Rome to Rome in collaboration with Radio Classique, the ship will sail along the Italian coast and then the Spanish coast via Corsica and the Balearic Islands. Under the leadership of Alain Duault, the voyage will pay tribute to Chopin.
RESTAURANTS
As an essential component of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have a special place on board this new ship. At the rear of deck 4, there is a 260 m² panoramic restaurant that can accommodate all passengers in a single service. With a design unlike those on the other ships, this open-air space will offer a buffet of salads, desserts, and cheeses. And the Ponant team, with their usual discretion and attentiveness, will provide table service for hot dishes. In a more casual setting, an open-air grill located on deck 3 will serve grilled meats, as well as a variety of salads and desserts.
COMMON AREAS
The Lapérouse has many spaces designed to meet all your needs, while preserving the privacy of each passenger.
A 140 m² reception area ; a new height-adjustable hydraulic platform system that allows easier access on board than any other cruise ship; Zodiac-assisted disembarkations and embarkations during expeditions; swimming in the sea; and various water sports, such as kayaking and paddleboarding. It also features a deck with a panoramic swimming pool and a counter-current swimming system . Inside, there is a 200 m² lounge that can accommodate all passengers, a place to share moments and attend events day or night. And finally, an 188-seat theater with state-of-the-art sound and lighting technology . Of course, it also boasts the new " Blue Eye " system—the first ship in the world to have it.
In addition, Ponant Cruises will welcome the first and revolutionary hybrid icebreaker (powered by Natural Gas-Electric) arriving in 2021 under the name Le Commandant Charcot, making Ponant Cruises the most innovative and modern expedition cruise fleet in the world.
