On February 19, the French luxury expedition cruise company, Ponant Cruises, and the prestigious National Geographic brand, in partnership with StarClass, presented their alliance agreement and new travel collection. The event took place at the magnificent National Geographic exhibition commemorating its 130th anniversary, which is on display until this Sunday at the Telefónica Foundation in Madrid.
The presentation featured Robert Hernandez, a National Geographic expert, who enlightened the audience with an explanation of the origins and current work of the esteemed National Geographic Society worldwide. He also recounted several of his experiences as a researcher, photographer, and documentary filmmaker in some of the most remote destinations on the planet, including his travels circumnavigating the Pacific in a sailboat and living at a base in Antarctica.
The agreement signed between National Geographic and Ponant reaffirms their shared values: a spirit of adventure, a passion for exploration, and respect for the environment. Ponant also emphasizes that this alliance with National Geographic reinforces its expeditionary spirit combined with a focus on responsible tourism. During these voyages, Ponant guests will be able to explore some of the most remote destinations on the planet alongside National Geographic experts. On each cruise, an expert and a photographer will travel on board to share their knowledge and enrich these journeys with high-level lectures and more informal encounters. Ponant's luxurious ships are characterized by their small size, allowing them to access unique locations inaccessible to larger vessels. Furthermore, the itineraries are designed to provide an authentic experience of the destinations visited and to foster interaction with local communities.
Ponant passengers will be able to see the world through the lens of a National Geographic photographer while enjoying the luxury of their ships, and will benefit from their knowledge; it will be an opportunity to learn new techniques.
National Geographic will donate a portion of its profits to the National Geographic Society (a non-profit organization), which supports researchers and experts dedicated to protecting and preserving the planet, its diverse species, and populations.
StarClass Cruises, Ponant Cruises' representative in Spain and Portugal, offers a diverse range of cruises through travel agencies, with up to 130 destinations including Antarctica, the Arctic, Oceania, the Indian Ocean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean. Departures begin in September 2019.
Over the past year, Ponant Cruises has launched two of its newest expedition ships, Le Champlain and Le Laperouse, adding to its existing fleet of five vessels. During 2019 and 2020, it will welcome four more expedition ships, which, along with the revolutionary hybrid icebreaker (powered by natural gas and electricity) arriving in 2021, named Le Commandant Charcot, will make Ponant Cruises the most innovative and modern expedition cruise fleet in the world.
