Ponant

The French Touch

The French Touch is above all a French crew, there to welcome you and ensure your well-being during your cruise.

It’s also the French art of living that travels with them, where discreet service and excellent cuisine naturally take pride of place. Each day, French chefs will introduce you to fragrant flavours, cheeses carefully selected by expert cheese affineurs, delicious specialty breads and sweet pastries. All of this is accompanied by a selection of fine wines to complement your meal, or you may choose from a superb “à la carte” list of grand cru wines and our on-board sommelier will be only too happy to advise you.

The French Touch is also evident in their choice of partners, whose expertise and passion for their work matches PONANT’s own quest for excellence: interior design by Jean-Philippe NUEL, beauty treatments by Sothy’s, fabrics by Pierre FREY, travel beauty kits by L’Occitane, a range of boutiques including Lacoste and Façonnable…

Finally, the French Touch is perhaps simply the subtle blend of relaxed elegance and conviviality, that certain je ne sais quoi that passengers so appreciate, buoyed by the elegant authenticity of their trips and the personality of our ships.

Care for the Environment

PONANT’s concern for the health and well-being of the planet is demonstrated by their active involvement in organisations dedicated to the promotion of ecologically responsible tourism and to the sharing of best practices. They are a proud member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and a signatory of La Charte Bleue d’Armateurs de France, both of which bind them to follow the most stringent rules and regulations governing safety and environmental protection.

Above and beyond participation in these organisations, PONANT have taken the additional step of having all of their ships certified “Clean Ship” by the French classification society, Bureau Veritas, one of the world’s major ship classification societies. This coveted and seldom-awarded certification recognises that the PONANT fleet—from initial design and construction to seagoing operations—has adopted the most environmentally responsible materials, equipment, and management procedures possible.

Discover a fleet of 5 vessels which allows for choice. Le Ponant: 32 staterooms, a refined and efficient three-masted sailing yacht; Le Boréal, L’Austral and Le Soléal: three sublime 132 staterooms and suites yachts; and our last vessel, Le Lyrial: fourth sister-ship of 122 staterooms and suites.

PONANT offers to you chic cruising without the crowds: experience the comfort of a private cruise onboard vessels of an intimate size, exclusive to between 64 to 264 guests.

Each of their cruise ships has elegant and uncluttered interiors, delight in the fun and casual elegance onboard without the formalities. Crew members, all versed in elegant discretion, will see to it that you enjoy a welcome that will make your cruise a unique experience. You will savour an exquisite dining with French and international cuisine, with complimentary wines included at lunch and dinner.

During your cruise aboard one of their ships, discover exceptional sites and come closed to landscapes so often inaccessible to large ships. Enjoy seminars with international experts, passionate about their subjects, giving a further dimension to the sights you see.

PONANT offers to you an alternative to many other traditional cruise lines: discover the world with French chic and elegance.

Ponant Yacht Club

Major, Admiral or Grand Admiral, Members of the Ponant Yacht Club get more benefits with the new enriched program.

Discover the new formula of their loyalty scheme. As a member of the Ponant Yacht Club you benefit from exclusive services and amenities onboard. Now for the first time, you are also eligible for exclusive offers in the shop, wine cellar or open bar package depending on your membership level.

When you confirm your 2nd cruise you become a MAJOR. Your benefits are:

The opportunity to join the PONANT Yacht Club’s private cruises.
Complimentary laundry service aboard.
€ 50 / $ 55 / AUD 70 off the shore excursion of your choice. (1)
1 hour free Wi-Fi Internet access onboard

When you confirm your 4th cruise, you become an ADMIRAL. Your benefits are:

The opportunity to join the PONANT Yacht Club’s private cruises.
Complimentary laundry service aboard.
€ 100 / $ 110 / AUD 140 off the shore excursion of your choice. (1)
Complimentary upgrade subject to availability. (2)
4 hours free Wi-Fi Internet access onboard.
20% discount in the shop.
20% discount off beverages listed on the bar menu.
5% cruise discount from the reservation of your 2nd cruise in the same year- excluding back to back cruises. (3)

When you confirm your 7th cruise you become a GRAND ADMIRAL. Your benefits are:

The opportunity to join the PONANT Yacht Club’s private cruises.
Complimentary laundry service aboard.
€ 150 / $ 165 / AUD 210 off the shore excursion of your choice. (1)
Complimentary upgrade subject to availability. (2)
5% cruise discount will automatically be applied upon reservation of your cruise. (3)
10% cruise discount from the reservation of your 2nd cruise in the same year-excluding back to back cruises. (3)
10 hours free Wi-Fi Internet access onboard.
20% discount in the shop.
30% discount off beverages listed on the bar menu.
30% discount on one spa or hair treatment.
Make changes to your cruise without incurring charges, up to 90 or 150 days before departure. (4)

The PONANT Yacht Club card is presented to each adult passenger aged over 18 and eligible for the PONANT Yacht Club programme. The benefits and status for all persons eligible to the PONANT Yacht Club program are acquired only when the booking is confirmed, unless it is cancelled before departure. Benefits may be changed at any time and without notice.

(1) The excursion-credit is not exchangeable, refundable or transferable. It is not valid for pre-sales programmes and is not transferrable to other services, even during cruises where no excursions are organised.
(2) See variables onboard.
(3) Valid only for the cruise port to port, excluding onboard discretionary expenses and transfers or services. Excluding back to back cruises.
(4) No penalty charges will be applied for the first alteration to the tourist package providing that the request is made 90 days or more before the cruise departure date; this time period increases to 150 days for Expedition cruises.