ponant river cruise

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

• Request a quote
•  Contact
• Your luxury cruise with PONANT
• Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean
• Atlantic Coast
• Central America
• North America
• Northern Europe & Scandinavia
• Ocean Voyages
• Oceania & Pacific Islands
• South America
• The Mediterranean
• Transatlantic
• Show all destinations
• See all cruises
• Loyalty Cruise
• Gastronomy & Wine
• Polar Expedition
• Tropical Expedition
• Art & Museums
• Smithsonian Journeys
• Theatre & Literature
• The Explorers Club
• Show all themes
• Back-to-back offers
• Free Ocean Voyage
• No single supplement
• Flight credit
• L'AUSTRAL
• LE LAPÉROUSE
• LE CHAMPLAIN
• LE BOUGAINVILLE
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
• LE JACQUES-CARTIER
• LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
• Expeditions
• Life on board
• A different way to cruise
• Our Guests and Speakers
• A tailor-made voyage
• Why choose PONANT ?
• PONANT benefits
• Our Pavilions
• Our 360-degree destinations
• A more sustainable tourism
• PONANT Foundation
• Certifications and distinctions

Where would you like to travel with PONANT?

Which period?

What are you looking for?

• Gastronomy & Wine
• Art & Museums

Le Ponant , the company's iconic three-master and the first sailing ship in the world to be awarded the Relais & Châteaux label in 2023, symbolises our commitment to a more sustainable form of travel.

Up to 32 Guests

16 staterooms & suites, 33 crew members, 1 restaurant.

• View all cruises

This legendary yacht offers a uniquely exclusive voyage experience. An invitation to sail, revitalise oneself, share, contemplate and respect the world around us. An ode to freedom and the treasures of nature.

With its common areas open extensively to the horizon, you will have never felt such communion with the elements. With one crew member per passenger and just thirty-two guests on board, you will have never enjoyed so much attention. With navigation under sail the moment conditions allow, you will have never savoured each second that passes to such an extent. 

Latitude : 43.20422 Longitude : 5.53305 View on the map

Le Ponant Live View the webcam

Le Ponant in pictures

The three-master joins the large family of Relais & Châteaux establishments as a new member. It is the first sailing yacht in history to obtain the label and be included in its catalogue of the finest travel addresses in the world. Due to its small size Le Ponant offers exclusive ports of call. With only sixteen elegantly decorated staterooms and suites and a dedicated chef, the travel experience is as if you are on your own private yacht.

Both our firms are committed to sharing expertise and promoting the inimitable French lifestyle to design meaningful voyages. Aboard Le Ponant , the jewel of our fleet, everyone can reconnect with nature and their own inspirations and live out their desires under sail.

Hervé Gastinel, CEO of PONANT.

A movement with meaning

Relais & Châteaux, established in 1954, is an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants throughout the world, owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs – most often families – who are passionate about their craft and deeply committed to forging warm, lasting relationships with their guests.

Relais & Châteaux members protect and promote the wealth and diversity of the world’s culinary and hospitality traditions, to ensure they continue to thrive. They are equally dedicated to preserving local heritage and the environment, as articulated in the association’s Vision presented to UNESCO in November 2014.

Visit Le Ponant

360° virtual tour of Le Ponant

Discover Le Ponant

Our ship specially designed for navigation in Polynesian waters

Where will you travel next aboard: Le Ponant ?

• Discover all destinations

Common areas

The striking lines, the quality of the materials, the sophistication of the way they’re combined: the common areas, designed by French design studio Jean-Philippe Nuel, exude a sense of timelessness and offer a genuine connection with the exterior scenery and landscapes. Their design offers a blend of purity, excellence and a sense of easy living through the prominent use of stylish plain tones: off-white, taupe and caviar grey. No flourishes or embellishments here, but instead a unity between the common areas and the staterooms .

Exterior bar - Sun Deck

• Sun Lounge area
• Exterior bar

The Marina - Alizés Deck

• Two standard kayaks and two glass-bottomed kayaks
• Four stand up paddleboards
• Snorkelling equipment
• Fishing equipment
• Scuba diving equipment (for a group of four people)
• Saltwater swimming pool
• Small equipment for children (noodles, rings, armbands and safety equipment)

The lounge and Bar Emeraude - Alizés Deck

• Interior surface : 92 m²
• Seats 35 guests
• Exterior surface : 85 m²
• Seats 24 guests

The wellness space - Alizés Deck

• Spa / massages (18.5 m²): one cabin offering massages and Biologique Recherche treatments
• Gym (16 m²)

The panoramic restaurant

The gastronomic symphony on board Le Ponant celebrates the enjoyment of food and the riches of nature, and sublimely showcases products from the lands visited. The restaurant, extensively turned towards the exterior with its large openings and its terrace offering 34 seated places, welcomes you morning, noon and evening for exceptional moments of gastronomic delight.

The Le Diamant panoramic restaurant - Zéphyr Deck

• Seats 34 guests
• Fine gastronomic cuisine made using exceptionally high quality organic and local products
• Veuve Clicquot champagne
• Wines from French artisan wine producers and the regions visited.

16 high-class staterooms and suites

Distributed across three decks, the staterooms and suites of Le Ponant are wonderfully spacious. Each benefits from a soft luminosity afforded by wide picture windows and portholes. Tastefully decorated, they offer luxurious surroundings conducive to peace and relaxation.

See Staterooms

A unique concierge service

To assist you in all the steps related to your cruise, our Concierge Travel team is at your dispposal at any time. Our experts help you plan and develop your tailor-made trip. Before embarking Le Ponant , rest assured our team had handle every details.

Information & reservations +33 (0)4 91 26 62 20 [email protected]

Spécificités techniques

Services provided

• Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
• Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
• Individually-controlled air conditioning
• Dressing room with shelves and closet
• Dressing table and hairdryer
• Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
• Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
• Electronic safe
• Direct line telephone
• Bose Bluetooth speaker
• Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
• 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
• No lift, not suitable for people with reduced mobility

Your stateroom category

Stateroom size

• - than 269 ft²
• + than 269 ft²

Mistral Stateroom

Mistral Prestige Stateroom

Alizés Stateroom with balcony

Mistral Junior Suite

Alizés Prestige Stateroom with balcony

Mistral Prestige Suite

Alizés Privilege Suite with balcony

Grand Privilège Alizés Suite with balcony

Owner Suite with balcony

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Lines

Ponant Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
•   News

Ponant Cruises fleet

Le jacques cartier, le commandant charcot, le bougainville, le dumont durville, le champlain, le laperouse, paul gauguin, review of ponant cruises.

Ponant Cruises (ponant.com) is a French passenger shipping company (Compagnie du Ponant/CDP) founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers. All Ponant ships are megayacht-type vessels and France- flagged (in the Marshall Islands ). The company specializes in premium adventure cruise travel, targeting the French-speaking source market with all-inclusive deals.

Note: This CruiseMapper page also contains information (news, updates, itinerary changes/ship deployment) of PONANT's fully-owned subsidiary Paul Gauguin Cruises (1998-founded). On July 29th, 2023, Paul Gauguin celebrated the brand's 25 Anniversary of French Polynesia operations with MS Paul Gauguin . Paul Gauguin's current CEO and General Director is Jean-Marc Mocellin.

Most of CDP's fleet is based in Antarctica (December through March). All these large superyachts offer modern amenities, premium service by highly-trained staff and crew, 5-star hotel amenities onboard. Exotic, offbeat itineraries visit popular travel destinations worldwide, including Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, Australia. On the American cruising market, Ponant works in partnership with the US travel companies Abercrombie+Kent (Illinois) and Tauck (Connecticut).

Ponant's growth in passenger capacity came under the new ownership by Artemis Group (holding of the billionaire Pinault family).

Company History

Compagnie du Ponant's first ship - Le Ponant , is a 3-masted barque (1991-built sailing vessel) is still in the CDP fleet. In 1999, the company acquired the yacht Le Levant (currently MV Clio) . In 2012, Le Levant was purchased by Paul Gauguin Cruises Ltd and renamed "Tere Moana". In 2004, the company purchased the luxury liner Le Diamant (currently Ocean Diamond) , which was transferred to Quark Expeditions in 2012 and renamed "Ocean Diamond".

Ponant Cruises gained international attention on April 4, 2008, when in the Gulf of Aden Le Ponant yacht was seized by Somali pirates. The ship carried no passengers but all 30 crew were taken hostage and released on April 12 without incident. Following the release, the pirates were tracked to Jariban (village) by French helicopters. When the pirates tried to flee in the desert, French marine commandos and GIGN (gendarmerie) deployed from the frigate ship Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc moved in. The commandos captured 6 men. Local officials claimed that 3 people had died in the raid, with a further 8 wounded, which France officially denied. French troops recovered some of the ransom money paid by the shipowner. The 6 captured pirates were flown to Paris to face trial.

In 2010, CDP put into service Le Boreal , the first of 4 identical luxury ships. Followed the sister-vessels L'Austral (2011), Le Soleal (2013) and the newest (last) from this series - Le Lyrial (2015).

Initially, CDP Ponant was based in Nantes France . After 18 years, following its acquisition by CMA CGM (container shipping company) , in 2006 CDP's headquarters were moved to Marseille France . In 2012, Ponant was sold to Bridgepoint Capital (European private equity investor).

In July 2015, CDP was sold to Groupe Artemis (Financiere Pinault) - a holding company owned by the French billionaire Francois Pinault (1936-born).

• Francois Pinault is the founder and a majority shareholder of Kering (fka Pinault-Printemps-Redoute) - 1963-founded French luxury goods retail company that owns the premium retail brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga. The Pinault Collection includes 5000+ artworks (mainly contemporary art) displayed at Bourse de Commerce (Commodities Exchange's building in Paris City ).
• Groupe Artemis is family-controlled and includes the Switzerland-based subsidiaries/divisions Franke Group (Franke Holding AG/industrial manufacturer), Feintool Group (Feintool International Holding AG/specializing in fineblanking/metal stamping), Artemis Real Estate Group, Artemis Asset Management Group, Artemis Domaine (vineyards Chateau Latour, Chateau Grillet, Clos de Tart, Domaine d'Eugenie, Eisele Vineyard), Le Point (news magazine), Christie's (British auction house), Stade Rennes FC (football club), Ponant.
• Statistics for 2015 showed that CDP transported over 30,000 cruise ship tourists, and predominantly to polar region destinations.

Under Bridgepoint ownership, CDP doubled its sales (up to EUR 140 million). Profits were tripled thanks to a combination of an enlarged and upgraded fleet (increased capacity by 11%), opening new sales offices (in Australia and China) and the acquisition of another sales distribution channel (TDI) in the North American market.

In July 2017, CDP confirmed its title sponsorship of the CYCA's (abbrev "Cruising Yacht Club of Australia") PSNYR event (abbrev "Ponant Sydney Noumea Yacht Race"), due to take place in 2018. The 1064 nautical mile (1225 ml / 1970 km) long Category 1 yacht race was scheduled to start in Sydney Harbour on June 2, 2018.

In late-November 2018, Ponant contracted Global Eagle Entertainment Inc ( Los Angeles -based, Nasdaq-listed US company specializing in media technologies, content, and connectivity) to provide new technology, entertainment programming and television for Ponant's fleet, including the 6 newbuilds under construction . Ponant ships received the latest smart HDTVs as all vessels now have 3,6-meter TVRO (television receive-only) antennas. Global Eagle's annual media content traffic is 10,000+ terabytes, delivered to 1000+ vessels (cruise ships, ferries, commercial ships, airplanes) and 1+ billion passengers. Among the company's clients are NCL-Norwegian , DCL-Disney , Pullmantur , P&O FERRIES UK .

Company changes 2019

Since January 2019, all Ponant cruise passengers (regardless of cabin category and itinerary) enjoy free WIFI access. The complimentary service is available shipwide and during the full length of the voyage.

On August 8, 2019, Ponant officially acquired Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd (headquartered in Bellevue, WA USA), together with its travel brand "Paul Gauguin Cruises"/PGC and the Papeete Tahiti -homeported liner MS Paul Gauguin . Following the acquisition, both companies kept their management teams, led by Navin Sawhney (Ponant USA's CEO and PG Cruises' CEO Americas) and Diane Moore (Paul Gauguin's CEO).

Company changes 2021

Since April 2021, Ponant's CEO is Herve Gastinel, while the company is owned by Francois Pinault (Artemis Group's founder and manager). Since 2022, Susan Robison is Paul Gauguin's General Manager (North American Sales and Marketing), while Liz Coleman is VP of Sales. In July 2023, Ellen McIIvaine was appointed as VP of Sales North America (USA and Canada) who succeeded Theresa Gatta.

Company changes 2023

In June, Belinda Hindmarsh was appointed as Group Deputy CEO of Global Business, who succeeded Herve Bellaiche (2013-2023). Belinda Hindmarsh previously held senior positions at Aer Lingus (Ireland's flag carrier/principal airline), Expedia Group Inc, and CWT (fka Carlson Wagonlit Travel).

On August 21st, Florence Courbiere (Pacific Beachcomber's Group CFO/representing Paul Gauguin Cruises) signed with Cédric Mercadal (French Polynesia’s Minister of Health and Prevention) the “Taote Gauguin” partnership. The agreement is for providing essential medical services and assistance to residents on the islands visited by PGC.

Company changes 2024

On April 1st, Samuel Chamberlain was appointed Ponant Americas'/USA's CEO, who succeeded Navin Sawhney. Before his PONANT job, Chamberlain served Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd (VP Business Development), Four Seasons Yachts (Joint Owner and Operator), Wheels Up, as well as the hospitality corporations Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.

Ponant-National Geographic cruises

In August 2018, Ponant and National Geographic (NatGeo) signed a 4-year partnership deal (until 2022) for over 130 NatGeo-themed expedition itineraries. NatGeo partners with Lindblad since 2004. All NatGeo-themed Ponant expedition voyages include experts and photographers engaging with passengers and presenting lectures on the itinerary's destinations and wildlife.

Ponant-Smithsonian cruises (2022-2025 Smithsonian Journeys)

Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the 1846-founded Smithsonian Institution - the world's largest group of museums, education and research facilities.

The unique sea travel vacations feature Ponant's high-quality cruising and the Smithsonian's enriching onboard educational experiences provided by notable experts. The sailings are themed on the region's/country's history, culture, language, environment, wildlife, cuisine.

Smithsonian Journeys schedule 2022

The Ponant-Smithsonian partnership started in 2022, with the Smithsonian Journeys-themed sailings onboard the Ponant's boats:

• LE CHAMPLAIN (7-night "Southern Spain and Portugal" from Barcelona to Lisbon/Aug 10) - prices started from EUR 3810 pp
• LE BOUGAINVILLE (7-night "Greek Islands" roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens/Sept 1) - prices started from EUR 4870 pp
• LE BELLOT (7-night "Great Lakes" from Toronto to Milwaukee/Sept 18) - prices started from EUR 6320 pp
• LE PAUL GAUGUIN (8-night "French Polynesia: Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the Tuamotus" roundtrip from Papeete Tahiti/Sept 7) - prices started from EUR 4950 pp

Smithsonian Journeys schedule 2023

The partnership between Ponant Cruises and Smithsonian continued in 2023 with a new program grouping a total of 19 voyages.

• LE BOUGAINVILLE (8-night "Arabian Coast" from Dubai to Muscat/January 6) from EUR 6610 pp
• LE BELLOT (7-night "Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America" from Colon to Puerto Caldera/February 11) from EUR 4920 pp
• LE LYRIAL (10-night "Antarctica: The White Continent" roundtrip from Ushuaia, with included overnight hotel in Buenos Aires and two roundtrip flights Buenos Aires-Ushuaia-Buenos Aires/February 20) from EUR 10920 pp
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (8-night "Caribbean's Windward Islands" from Vieux Fort to Bridgetown/Saint Lucia to Barbados/Feb 25) from EUR 4420 pp
• LE LAPEROUSE (15-night "Solar Eclipse 2023: Indonesia to Australia's Kimberley " from Benoa Bali to Broome WA/April 9) from EUR 16830 pp
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (7-night "Morocco to Spain’s Andalusian Coast" from Casablanca to Lisbon/April 20) from EUR 4580 pp
• LE BOUGAINVILLE (7-night "Circumnavigation of Sicily" roundtrip from Valletta Malta/May 4) from EUR 5360 pp
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (8-night "Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea" from London to Greenock-Glasgow/May 5) from EUR 4910 pp
• L'AUSTRAL (7-night "Arctic Norway: Glaciers, Ice Floes, and Polar Bears" roundtrip from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Island/inclusive of roundtrip flights Paris-Longyearbyen-Paris/June 4) from EUR 8940 pp
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (7-night "Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage" from Bergen to Glasgow/June 17) from EUR 5900 pp
• LE JACQUES-CARTIER (7-night "Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean" roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens/July 12) from EUR 4370 pp
• LE CHAMPLAIN (8-night "Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea" from Stockholm to Copenhagen/August 10) from EUR 6960 pp
• LE BELLOT (7-night "Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice" roundtrip from Reykjavík/August 13) from EUR 6870 pp
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (7-night "Voyage Along the Great Lakes" from Toronto to Milwaukee WI USA/August 28 & September 10) from EUR 6100 pp
• LE LYRIAL (7-night "Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea" from Athens to Venice/September 17) from EUR 4090 pp
• LE CHAMPLAIN (8-night "Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea" from Barcelona to Civitavecchia-Rome/September 8) from EUR 4780 pp
• LE BELLOT (14-night "Symphony on St Lawrence: From Quebec to the Canadian Maritimes" from Toronto to Gloucester MA USA/October 16) from EUR 10760 pp
• LE CHAMPLAIN (7-night "Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean" roundtrip from Athens/October 22) from EUR 5220 pp

Note: Ponant-Smithsonian cruise prices are per person (with double occupancy) and inclusive of all shore excursions, activities (onboard and in each call port of the itinerary, lectures by renowned science experts) and land transfers.

Ponant cruise ships

In 2013, one of Compagnie du Ponant's ships, Le Soleal, became the 1st French commercial vessel to traverse the Northwest Passage . On August 26, 2013, Le Soleal left Kangerlussuaq in Greenland and arrived in Anadyr Russia on September 16.

One difference between Ponant and other premium passenger shipping companies is that CDP offers a more a la carte pricing. Passengers could pay extra for cocktails (unless drink packages are included), shore excursions, gratuities, Internet and other services, depending on where they buy their cruise. As the policy varies by country (UK, France, Germany, USA, Australia-NZ) it can be confusing.

Compagnie du Ponant is dedicated to "soft adventure" cruising. Half of the fleet is based in Antarctica (December through March). It offers offbeat itineraries around the world, especially in Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia. Beyond its French customers, Ponant Cruises successfully appeals to travelers from UK and North America. In early-2014 was started a program promoting the brand in Australia and New Zealand.

Shipboard internet and network/WiFi connectivity are provided via partnership with Marlink Group (a French company specializing in maritime satellite communications). Marlink provides hybrid network solutions that combine dual C- and Ku-band VSAT connectivity (land-based equipment by Sealink International Inc), GEO and LEO satellites (L-band terminals), and high-volume LEO storage (data stored on Low Earth Orbit satellites). The network employs SD-WAN (Software-defined Wide Area Network/cloud-delivered architecture for optimizing the traffic) as well as Marlink's LTE/GSM service (Long-Term Evolution/mobile phones WiFI communication).

On March 15, 2016, a shipbuilding agreement was signed with VARD Holdings Ltd (Norwegian subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri) to build four 184-passenger Explorer-class expedition ships outfitted with the latest environmental preservation maritime technologies. The agreement marked VARD company's entrance into the cruise shipbuilding sector.

On March 6, 2018, Ponant Cruises signed with VARD the shipbuilding orders for 2 more Explorer-class expedition vessels (megayachts). By the end of 2021, the company will operate a 12-ship fleet.

Each of the new 11,000 GT vessels has LOA length of 128 m (420 ft) and beam / width 18 m (59 ft). They carry 110 crew and have 92 cabins. The exterior was created by the French company Stirling Design International (SDI).

The new yachts' delivery dates were scheduled between 2018 and 2020. The first two ( Le Laperouse and Le Champlain ) were launched in 2018. In 2019 followed Le Bougainville and Le Dumont d'Urville , and in 2020 - Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier (ex Surville) .

The new Ponant yachts were designed and planned for top-luxury expedition voyages in Oceania, South America, Amazon's Orinoco River, Papua New Guinea, Indian Ocean, as well as in the polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica).

In December 2017, Ponant contracted VARD to built an ice-breaking cruises ship . The vessel (initially named Ponant Icebreaker , then Le Commandant Charcot) was built at the shipyards in Tulcea (Romania) and Soviknes (Norway), and delivered in August 2021 Spring. Its building cost is USD 324 million (EUR 274 million)

The new ice-strengthened expedition ship has GT tonnage 30,000 tons, length 150 m (490 ft), crew 180, max capacity 270 passengers, with a total of 135 cabins (of which 68 with private patio balconies), 2 restaurants, 1 grill restaurant, spa and fitness, 16 Zodiacs (large inflatable boats), 2 onboard helicopters. The hull is ice-classed PC2. The propulsion is diesel-electric (hybrid). The onboard LNG Fuel storage is by GTT. The Azipod propulsion units are by ABB.

The hybrid vessel is LNG-powered (Wartsila Dual Fuel engines, with alternative battery power) and operates on polar cruise itineraries (Arctic and Antarctica).

On November 19, 2019, Fincantieri and Ponant signed a MoA (worth ~EUR 300 million) for design and construction of 2 new-class expedition ships (~EUR 150 million per unit), with the option for a 3rd unit (of the same design). The deal was signed by Jean Emmanuel Sauvee (Ponant's CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

Both new Ponant-owned ships were planned for deliveries in 2022, and to be operated by Paul Gauguin Cruises in the South Pacific Ocean. Both vessels will be built by Fincantieri's subsidiary VARD (Norway) and designed with GT 11.000 tons, passenger capacity 230, latest marine systems, LNG-powered (plus battery-power package).

Underwater Lounge "Blue Eye" on the new Ponant yachts

World's first-ever underwater ship lounge was designed for Ponant's new series of all six Explorer-class yachts. The unique venue (named "Blue Eye Lounge") features vibrating sofas and an innovative sound system to capture sea acoustics.

"Blue Eye Lounge" is located 2-3 m (6,5-10 ft) below water level and is integrated into the ship's hull. Underwater views are via giant curved portholes - cetacean eye-shaped windows (1,6 x 3,4 m / 5 x 11 ft). Live footage of the surrounding marine life is projected onto digital screens which "wallpaper" the room. Sound, transmitted through hydrophones, is captured across a 5 km (3 mi) radius of the ship. The high-tech lounge is fitted with "body listening sofas" vibrating discreetly to allow passengers to experience the ocean rhythms. Non-intrusive underwater projectors allow observing marine life from the ship's outdoor decks and the cruise cabin balconies.

The 7-deck ships also feature a resistance swimming pool (aka "infinity pool"), spacious sundeck and 3-position aft marina platform.

NEW Solidsail ship technology by Silenseas

In early-March 2018, STX France revealed a carbon-free cruise vessel design (named Silenseas) using wind as the main power source. The new wind-power technology was trialed on the yacht Le Ponant, on which one of the existing sails was replaced and the new technology tested.

STX France's project was something never done before. The carbon-free sailship design is an alternative to the popular hybrid powered vessels. Hydrogen and fuel cells are still expensive, plus hydrogen is not available in most ports.

The technology uses the company's patented "Solidsail" concept. The sails (total size up to 1200 m2 / 12900 ft2) are mounted on masts but without any ropes or cables. The STX France design has 3 masts and 3 rigs, with masts rotating in order to adapt the sails to the wind. The new design also includes the latest hybrid propulsion technologies, combining wind with LNG, and potentially batteries, solar panels, and fuel cells.

The sailing ship can reach speeds of 12 knots (14 mph / 22 kph) under sail in 15 knots (17 mph / 28 kph) winds. In winds over 15 knots, vessel's propellers will be used, acting as a turbine that draws power from the sails. On Caribbean Sea routes, the new technology could reduce propulsion energy by 60%.

STX France's Solidsail-ship design was developed for 3 vessel sizes, the biggest being 15,000 GT tons vessel with LOA length 190 m (620 ft) and 150 passenger staterooms. The French shipbuilding company started research in sail propulsion in 2009, Silenseas has technology patents (2009 and 2017) for the new sail. The unit is made from fibreglass, carbon and epoxy-resin panels.

Solidsail system debuted on October 31, 2018, on the yacht Le Ponant. The new Solid Sail (sized over 300 m2) was constructed at Chantiers de l'Atlantique ( Saint-Nazaire ) and installed in Marseille . As the three-masted Le Ponant departed from France to Cape Verde Islands, then embarked on Transatlantic crossing to Cuba, testing the new sail for 1 year.

Similar is the concept of Peace Boat's new vessel Ecoship (built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland ).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Ponant suspended its fleet's passenger shipping operations (all vessels, including MS Paul Gauguin) by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 15, 2020, through mid-June 2021.

Operations were planned to restart on October 27, 2020 (Mediterranean) but instead were offered French coastal mini-cruises on select ships only.

All affected bookings were fully refunded in FCC (future cruise credit), including on prepurchased packages and services.

Ponant's entire fleet (12 boats) was fully operational by May 28, 2022.

Next are listed all Ponant ships, their scheduled first departure dates (in 2021) and operational regions.

• Le Dumont D'Urville (July 28) Iceland from Reykjavik
• Le Champlain (July 15) Iceland from Reykjavik, Canada-Caribbean
• Le Lyrial (June 15) Mediterranean
• L'Austral (Nov 18) Antarctica from Ushuaia Argentina
• Le Bellot (Aug 6) Mediterranean
• Le Boreal (July 2) Arctic-Norway from Longyearbyen Spitzbergen
• Le Bougainville (July 2) Mediterranean
• Le Jacques Cartier (Aug 24) Mediterranean
• Ponant's Australia and New Zealand program restarts in 2022 with two ships - Le Soleal (January 6, 2022) and Le Laperouse (January 7, 2022).
• Ponant's brand Paul Gauguin Cruises ceased operations between March 15, 2020, and August 28, 2021.

In early-June, Ponant announced a "France homeporting" mini-season (July through September/mid-October) with scheduled roundtrips from the French ports Le Havre/Paris (Le Dumont d'Urville), Saint-Malo (Le Champlain, Le Jacques Cartier), Bordeaux (Le Bougainville), Marseille (L'Austral) and Villefranche-sur-Mer/Nice (Le Lyrial).

Since March 9, 2020, Ponant's WORRY-FREE BOOKING policy allowed penalty-free cancellation for any booking (fully refundable up to 90 days after confirmation). For booking any of the scheduled for 2020 itineraries, Ponant required 10% deposit and final payment due 30 days prior departure. Also fully refundable were cancellations up to 30 days prior departure.

Itinerary of Ponant Cruises

Ponant offers all-season voyages, in places that are inaccessible to larger cruise liners. The company operates in the following regions/destinations:

• Southern Europe/Mediterranean (Italy, Corsica, Adriatic Sea, Black Sea, Aegean Sea)
• Northern Europe/Baltic, Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland
• Iberian Peninsula
• Indian Ocean (Maldives)
• Asia (Red Sea/Arabian Gulf)
• South and Central America
• Canada and New England USA
• Arctic and Antarctica
• French Polynesia - In August 2019, PONANT purchased Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd (headquartered in Bellevue, WA USA), its brand "Paul Gauguin Cruises"/PGC and the Papeete Tahiti -based ship MS Paul Gauguin .

PONANT's PAUL GAUGUIN cruise itineraries

From the Society to the Cook Islands, passing through French Polinesya's Tahiti, Tuamotus , and Marquesas islands, PONANT's brand "Paul Gauguin" operates in the region for 20+ years. There are 5x basic itineraries and multiple activities offered complimentary - swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling. Paul Gauguin's program also includes visiting the private island Motu Mahana (off Tahaa Island ), where a traditional Polynesian barbecue is prepared. The 2019-acquired by PONANT brand has only one boat ( MS Paul Gauguin ) specially designed to sail in Polynesia - with a shallow draft allowing navigation as close as possible to the lagoons.

In 2021, MS Paul Gauguin completed a major renovation (2-month drydock). Following PONANT's drydocking project, the vessel is now equipped with the latest maritime technologies including for environmental preservation. Instead of HFO (heavy fuel oil/eliminated fleetwide since 2019) all PONANT-owned boats now une LS-MGO (Low-Sulphur Marine Gas Oil) - a more environmentally friendly fuel, reducing the fleet's carbon emissions by ~150%. Optimizations relating to energy and water treatment have also been carried out during Paul Gauguin's renovation.

PGC's season 2024 features 33x sailings (7x destinations) and the following new itineraries (debuting in 2024).

• 7-night "More Society Islands & Tahiti" visits Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Tahaa/Motu Mahana.
• 7-night "Pearls of the Society Islands" (5x in 2024/prices from EUR 2560 pp) visits Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa/Motu Mahana, Bora Bora, Moorea.
• The 14-bight "Marquesas in Depth, Tuamotus and Society Islands" (5x in 2024/ prices from EUR 6310 pp) and the 14-night "Islands of the Marquesas & Tuamotus" both visit Fakarava, Omoa/Fatu Hiva, Atuona/Hiva Oa, Hapatoni/Tahuata, Hatiheu/Nuku Hiva, Hakahau/Ua Pou, Rangiroa, Bora Bora, Tahaa/Motu Mahana.

All PGC voyages are roundtrips from Papeete and visit Motu Mahana.

In PGC's 2025 schedule (2025 Boutique Crossing Collection) were included three new itineraries visiting destinations in Oceania, Indonesia and Melanesia.

• 14-night "Indonesia Immersive: Singapore to Australia" itinerary (departure April 1st) starts in Singapore, visits Parai Beach Resort/Banghka Island (Sumatra Indonesia), Benoa (Bail Indonesia/overnight), Komodo Island (Indonesia, Loh Liang), Dili (Timor-Leste) and ends in Darwin (NT Australia/overnight).
• 16-night "Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji" itinerary (departure April 15th) starts in Darwin, visits Thursday Island (Australia), Alotau and Samarai Island (Papua New Guinea), Honiara (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands/overnight), Luganville (Espiritu Santo) and Port Vila (Efate) in Vanuatu, and ends in Lautoka (Viti Levu, Fiji).
• 20-night "Crossing Oceania: Fiji to Indonesia" itinerary (departure January 19th) starts from Port Vila and visits Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu), Honiara (Guadalcanal), Alotau and Samarai Island (PNG), Dili (Timor-Leste), Komodo Island, and ends in Benoa (Bali Indonesia/overnight).

Paul Gaugin 2025 voyages' prices started at US$6210 per person (with double occupancy).

PONANT Itineraries 2024-2025

In November 2022 was announced Commandant Charcot's 2024 Arctic program (5 different itineraries, 8 sailings).

• 10-night "Inuit Spring of Ammassalik" roundtrip from Reykjavik Iceland (3x sailings between April 16-May 6, 2024) prices from AUD 24240 pp
• 12-night "Inuit spring at the edge of Scoresby Sund" roundtrip from Reykjavik (May 16-28, 2024) prices from AUD 18230 pp
• 15-night "The Geographic North Pole. Objective: 90° North!" roundtrip from Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island (Svalbard Norway) - July 11-26, 2024, prices from AUD 52930 pp
• 14-night "Northeast Greenland's Unexplored Sea Ice" roundtrip from Reykjavik (2x sailings between May 28-June 11, 2024) prices from AUD 33940 pp
• 16-night "In the ice of the Arctic, from Greenland to Svalbard" from Reykjavik to Longyearbyen/Spitsbergen (June 25-July 11, 2024) prices from AUD 40770 pp.

In December 2022, the company launched its Northern Hemisphere Summer 2024 program. Highlights include Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic. 50 new sailings opened, from the Greek islands to Ireland, Algeria, and the Canary Islands. Ponant offers 28 cruises to Mediterranean destinations and another 22 to the Atlantic and Northern Europe. 4 itineraries are brand new, including "Islands and Cities of the Mediterranean" (out of Athens).

Le Bougainville visits Greece's Paros , Hydra , Monemvasia , and Pylos , heading to Taormina prior to Valletta Malta. The new "Landscapes and Culture of the Adriatic" leaves from Venice-Marghera. Le Bougainville is heading to the Rovinj prior to Primosten, Split, Hvar, Brac Island, Brijuni, and Pula. The vessel will also visit Piran Slovenia and will then return to Venice.

Other new itineraries include "The Mediterranean: In the Footsteps of the Great Civilisations" (11-day from Valletta to Antalya aboard  L’Austral ) and 11-day "British Archipelagos and Celtic Shores" (from Saint-Malo to Dublin aboard Le Lyrial and Le Boreal ).

From Edinburgh, Le Dumont-d’Urville and Le Bellot visit Kirkwall/Orkney Islands , then Norway's Egersund , Arendal , Oslo , Sweden's Gothenburg , and Denmark’s Copenhagen , prior to Stockholm .

In August 2023, Ponant opened for booking the scheduled for 2025 (January-February) voyages of Le Commandant Charcot (4x departures, 13-day itineraries) featuring cruising on Canada's St Lawrence River . Two voyages (Jan 17th and Feb 10th) depart from St Pierre Island (Pierre & Miquelon France) and visit Sydney NS, the Magdalen Islands , Gaspe, Sept-Iles, Saguenay River (cruising), and La Baie, ending in Quebec City. The other two are on the reverse route.

Ponant-Smithsonian cruises (Smithsonian Journeys)

The unique sea travel vacations feature the Smithsonian's onboard enrichment programming provided by world-class experts. These sailings are themed on the visited by the ship region's/country's history, culture, language, environment, wildlife, cuisine.

The Ponant-Smithsonian partnership started in 2022, with the Smithsonian Journeys-themed sailings. The partnership continued in 2023 with a new program grouping a total of 19 voyages.

Ponant-Smithsonian Journeys schedule 2025

Featuring 30 new trips, this is the duo's largest offering in a single year. Drawing upon the museum's rich history, the expeditions aim to enrich the cruising experience, inspiring guests to become "global citizens" through travel. These journeys offer access to a diverse range of experts and experiences, allowing travelers to immerse themselves fully in local cultures, history, cuisine, and wildlife while enjoying luxurious accommodations.

One notable highlight is a two-week voyage from  Lisbon  to the Canary Islands aboard the  Le Bellot cruise ship . This expedition showcases the scenic southern slopes of Iberia, the picturesque Algarve Coast of Portugal, the verdant valleys of Madeira, and the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands. Travelers can also explore world heritage sites in  Seville, Spain , and Morocco, guided by Allen Fromherz, a professor of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern history. Scheduled from October 26 to November 8, prices for this voyage start at US$9,020 per person.

Another standout itinerary is a 9-day journey to Sicily aboard Ponant's  Le Bougainville liner , departing from  Valletta, Malta . This adventure includes visits to  Agrigento ,  Tunisia ,  Taormina ,  Syracuse , and the  Aeolian Islands , offering volcano treks, winery visits, and slope-side lunches. Prices for this experience, available from June 2 to 10 and August 29 to September 6, start at US$7,420 per person.

Additionally, an 8-day cruise through the Mediterranean aboard the  L'Austral liner  promises memorable experiences. This voyage, starting from Valletta, Malta, and ending in  Tarragona, Spain , includes stops at Sicily, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands. Highlights range from shopping in  Palermo 's historic markets to exploring  Cagliari 's architectural wonders and Menorca's cultural landmarks. Scheduled from October 3 to 10, prices for this journey begin at USUS$5,340 per person.

In addition to the new itineraries, Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys are reintroducing popular trips from 2024, including voyages to Panama and Costa Rica, the Greek Islands, and various destinations in the Mediterranean.

Note: Ponant-Smithsonian cruise prices are per person (with double occupancy) and inclusive of all shore excursions, activities (onboard and in each call port of the itinerary), and land transfers.

Ponant Cruises related cruise news

PONANT unveils Spirit of Ponant: a luxury maxi-catamaran cruise ship

PONANT introduces its newest vessel - Spirit of Ponant, a 24-meter-long catamaran ship with only 6 passenger staterooms. Accommodating up to 12...

Bridgeman Services Group adds to its Floatel fleet Ocean Diamond cruise ship

Canada-based Bridgeman Services Group has expanded its portfolio of "floatel" accommodations with the acquisition of a retired cruise ship, aiming to...

PONANT and Farwind Energy partner to pioneer renewable hydrogen in maritime industry

In its ongoing commitment to advancing decarbonization efforts within the maritime sector, PONANT has announced a partnership with Nantes-based...

PONANT announces Antarctic Expeditions for 2025-2026 season

The French ultra-luxury cruise travel company PONANT presents an opportunity to voyage to the Antarctic from October 2025 to March 2026, as Ponant's...

Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys unveil 2025 cruise itineraries

Ponant, the French cruise line, and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel arm of America's Smithsonian Institution, have revealed their captivating new...

Ponant becomes the first cruise line certified by Green Globe for sustainable tourism

The French company and luxury travel brand Ponant has recently achieved certification under the esteemed Green Globe International Standard for...

PONANT's 2025 Kimberley season unveiled

PONANT, a major luxury expedition cruise company, has unveiled its 2025 Kimberley season, featuring 18 available departures from May through...

PortsToronto achieves record cruise season with 45 visiting ships

The Port of Toronto Cruise Ship Terminal witnessed an unprecedented cruise season, welcoming 45 ships and hosting 18,000 guests in the Canadian city...

PONANT Cruises signs with Syroco EfficientShip for innovative Swap2Zero project

Leading the charge in sustainable maritime development, PONANT has chosen the Syroco EfficientShip platform to drive the design and digital modeling...

Bookings open for Le Ponant yacht's 2024-2025 cruises

Ponant's 3-mast sailing yacht Le Ponant now has its Summer 2024 and Winter 2024-2025 voyages open for booking. The program groups 46...

•   show more news

All About the Ponant Smithsonian Journeys Cruises (as of August 2022)

By AussieBoyTX , August 8, 2022 in Ponant

Recommended Posts

AussieBoyTX

Now that we’ve completed our first Ponant Smithsonian Journeys cruise, we can share our thoughts on the Smithsonian Journeys experience:

The tl;dr is that the experience is very good and probably worth the premium price if you are excited about the speakers, like to be around Americans, or want some hand-holding for your first Ponant cruise. Otherwise, Ponant usually offers a similar cruise without the Smithsonian experience for a lower price.

The Ponant Smithsonian Journeys cruises are a partnership (not a charter like e.g. Tauck, A&K, Backroads, et al ) that offers cruises targeted towards an English-speaking audience and differentiating itself through experiences that provide a deeper understanding of the places explored . As of now, those differentiated experiences are mostly through the Smithsonian Journeys speakers. The excursions offered on this Smithsonian cruise appear to be the same as those offered on regular Ponant cruises on a similar itinerary.

Our Reaction to the Differences in the Smithsonian Journeys Experience:

• Transfers to / from ship — because of the missed / cancelled flight risk, we never arrive on the day of the cruise and will not use this benefit.  
• All Excursions Included — I suppose they are worth $100-150 each ($600-$900 per week). We took an excursion each day more-or-less because we felt they were paid for. Generally, we would take one or two of the excursions offered by the ship and would organize something on our own for the other days. This remains our preference and on the Smithsonian Journeys cruise we did, we would have purchased only one, maybe two of the six days. As on a regular Ponant cruise, the excursions would benefit from a more detailed presentation with some intelligence on why or why not one would want to select any specific excursion.  
• The Smithsonian Journeys speakers — the speakers are renowned, have experience in the area visited and are very interesting. You also have the possibility of joining each of them at a small table over dinner, or at pre-dinner cocktails. If you’re a particular fan of one of the speakers, this is an opportunity to get tremendous access. To be honest, we were very pleased with the expedition leader and naturalists on the one Expedition cruise we’ve done and don’t need better / more speakers on Expedition cruises. On regular Ponant cruises, where the speakers are great in French, but “also speak English,” we’d enjoy an upgrade but don’t require the full Smithsonian experience.  
• The Tour Director — our Tour Director described herself as a “fixer” and offered to serve as liaison between passengers and crew in the event of any need. She did quite a bit more than that, was very visible, very helpful and appeared to have resolved some passenger issues. She was a native English speaker and likely was more approachable for someone uncomfortable dealing directly with the French crew. We’ve never had an issue that the Cruise Director or Hotel Manager couldn’t resolve for us, but we certainly agree that the Tour Director added value.  
• The Ponant Experience — at least as far as dining, shipboard activities and entertainment go, the Smithsonian experience was very similar to the regular Ponant experience (we were concerned these would be modified and were very pleased they were not). All announcements and presentations are in English and almost all passengers are Americans, changing the shipboard community part of the experience substantially. Aside from the Americans on our cruise, there were two or three German couples, a Spanish family with a cute 14 month-old and inexplicably a French couple.

As far as pricing goes, from a brief survey, as of August 2022, the Smithsonian cruises appear to have a slight price premium over regular cruises:

Here are two on Le Lyrial with 12 days & 10 nights including transfers from Buenos Aires:

• Regular cruise w/ 15% Ponant Discount starts at $11,910 (un-discounted is $13,610)
• Smithsonian cruise w/ 10% Ponant Discount starts at $13,270

And here’s another Caribbean cruise on Le Dumont-d’Urville with 8 nights in Feb/Mar 2023 (both cruises are also offering No Single Supplement):

• Regular cruise w/ 25% Ponant Discount  starts at $3,840
• Smithsonian cruise w/ 20% Ponant Discount starts at $5,160 (excursions are offered on six days and are included)

In summary, this is a low-risk way for English-speakers to experience Ponant, in the company of other (mostly) Americans, and with the Tour Director to ensure things go smoothly. As for us, it’s not that we won’t go on another Smithsonian Journeys cruise — and it’s not about the money — but we aren’t ones that get really excited about the celebrity speakers and included excursions. And, you know, we miss the French guests.

Link to comment

Share on other sites, schnapperin.

Feels like it’s an American market offering compared to the NatGeo cruises only marketed outside of the US

have you looked into booking one of those via an European or Australian agent? 

• 2 weeks later...

highplanesdrifters

Thanks so much. Very helpful!

• 5 months later...

Thanks for directing me to your Smithsonian  review.   Very informative as usual. 

Since we intentionally chose not to take the Smithsonian to get a more authentic introduction to Ponant I think we made the right decision.   We often prefer doing things on our own.

One thing I'm not yet clear on is how you arrange things on your own with the limited information Ponant has supplied so far.   Most of the time they only say we will arrive in the Morning or afternoon without any times.    Do you plan a side trip on your own in advance or do you wait until you are in port?

On the Great Lake cruise some of the ports are so small we will probably do the ships tours -  at this time they only say will be over $250 pp. 

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 50 minutes ago

LauraS · Started 2 hours ago

LauraS · Started 4 hours ago

LauraS · Started May 3

LauraS · Started May 1

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

10 Luxury Cruise Lines That Will Make You Want to Ditch Plane Travel Forever

Posted: May 9, 2024 | Last updated: May 9, 2024

Thinking about booking your next dream vacation? As stunning as land-locked adventures and beautiful hotels can be, there’s something to be said about sailing the seas. Fortunately for us, nowadays, there are cruise ships that far exceed the family-fun agenda of the classic companies so often advertised on TV. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those cruise liners, there’s something special about not only traversing the ocean but doing so decked out to the nines. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best luxury cruise lines of 2023. Ahead, uncover the company that best aligns with your idea of the ultimate water-bound getaway.

Silversea is the “jewel in the crown” of the Royal Caribbean Group, not to mention the original luxury cruise line, first entering the space in 1994. The company touts 12 all-inclusive ships with destinations all over the world. Whether you want to explore the American West Coast, South America, Northern Europe and the British Isles, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, or even Antarctica, Silversea has a cruise to fit your fancy.

Speaking of fancy, the most luxurious cruise that Silversea offers is its 125-Day Chile to Norway sail, which rings up at $94,700. You don’t have to invest that much to enjoy a Silversea cruise, though. No matter which type of suite you book, you can expect butler service, optional 24/7 in-suite dining, endless access to premium beverages and craft cocktails, and complimentary caviar around the clock.

Explore Silversea Cruises

Paul Gauguin

Paul Gaugin stands out for its single-ship escapade into the luxury cruise space. With a variety of cruises that explore French Polynesia and the South Pacific, Paul Gauguin is a small-ship cruise line with 7-, 10-, 11-, and 14-night itineraries that focus on intimate experiences, delectable cuisine, stunning stateroom balcony views, butler service, and more. With a 1:1.5 crew-to-guest ratio, you can rest assured knowing that all of your needs will be met aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin.

Explore Paul Gauguin Cruises

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Scenic is unique in that it not only offers luxury ocean cruises but river cruises, too. The brand prides itself on operating and innovating with guest experience in mind. As such, all of its cruises have so much to offer voyagers, from extensive dining, leisure, and wellness options to striking design elements that will make you want to stay aboard for much longer than your itinerary.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has nine ships with oceanic destinations spanning from the Arctic and Europe to the Caribbean and Australia. Meanwhile, if you find yourself in France, you may want to check out Scenic’s beloved river cruises, in which you can tour the Seine in the utmost style.

Explore Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Ponant has a fleet of 13 luxury cruise ships with destinations dotting the globe. The award-winning French cruise line is beloved for its tailor-made voyages, in which guests have access to myriad bespoke experiences both on and off board, from in-room dining to once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions.

Since Ponant ships offer smaller capacity—more akin to a private yacht experience—they’re able to navigate private ports and preserved locations that large-scale cruise ships are unable to access. While aboard Ponant’s all-inclusive ships, you can anticipate exceptional French cuisine, delicious fine wines, complimentary Champagne and spirits, room service, and more.

Of course, if you need further inspiration to look into the cruise line, perhaps the fact that three-mast yacht, Le Ponant, is part of the Relais & Châteaux portfolio will do the trick.

Explore Ponant Cruises

Crystal is renowned for its personalized voyages all over the world, not to mention its palatial suites that will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor. In addition to well-appointed design, the cruise line offers an impressive dining experience, with authentic cuisines from all over the world. So whether you’re in the mood for American, Italian, Peruvian, or Japanese food, you’ll have ample options to choose from.

It’s also worth mentioning that the luxury cruise line took it to the next level with its spa, Aurora Spa. The gorgeous, sea-view spa offers a variety of face, body, salon, and healing treatments, including massages, facials, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and even IV drip therapy—so you won’t have to worry about feeling hung over at sea (especially considering the cruise line offers complimentary Champagne, fine wines, and premium spirits).

Explore Crystal

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet dedicated to extraordinary sailing experiences. With small ships that carry less than 350 passengers, Windstar prides itself on offering guests intimate, aesthetic, unforgettable voyages spanning from Asia and Australia to Italy and Iceland.

While the staterooms and suites are stunning and the shore excursions are aplenty, it’s the food that really stands out aboard Windstar. As the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar offers a number of themed culinary cruises with food and bev from some of the most notable chefs of today, including Maxime Bilet (The Cooking Lab) and Jose Mendin (Pubbelly Noodle Bar, Habitat, Baja Bao).

Explore Windstar Cruises

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury, so it’s no surprise that the company extended into oceanic adventures with a fleet of three superyachts. Where the Evrima was built in 2021, the Ilma and Luminara yachts are forthcoming in 2024 and 2025.

While classic cruise lines have a capacity in the thousands, often edging upward of 4,000, the Ritz-Carlton superyachts offer a more curated experience to 500 passengers or less. From the outside, the yachts are sleek and serene, fitting in beautifully with the sea. Within Evrima’s walls, though, moody modern interiors with magnificent ocean views await.

Guests can look forward to soaking tubs, expansive private balconies complete with sun beds and a whirlpool, walk-in wardrobes, and more. As far as destinations are concerned, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection embarks on oceanic adventures in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Explore The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Cruises

Seabourn is a luxury cruise line that speaks to our soul—and for more reasons than the simple fact that it touts a “Veranda Suite Upgrade.” The luxury cruise line sets sail in the Arctic, Canada and New England, the Amazon, Arabia, Africa, and India, and more.

Each of the fleet’s yachts, which carry between 458 and 600 guests, is outfitted with ocean-view suites only, so no matter what excursion you book, you can anticipate traveling in luxury style with a picturesque backdrop. You can also look forward to mouth-watering cuisine courtesy of renowned chef Thomas Keller.

Explore Seabourn Cruises

Cunard is known for its iconic black funnels, yes, but more so for its unparalleled large-scale onboard experiences. Although each of the cruise line’s ships carries upwards of 1,500 passengers, the four-ship fleet is adored for its luxury itineraries, stylish design, tranquil spa offerings, delectable cuisine, and unmatched comfort at sea.

Truly, if your goal is to book an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy cruise, Cunard is the way to go. From the stunning suites (decked out in pops of rich color, sumptuous textiles, and spectacular lighting) to the picturesque destinations, Cunard has it all.

Explore Cunard Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

If you want to get the most bang for your buck when booking a luxury cruise, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a prime pick. The all-inclusive cruise line crafts a new definition of the category with complimentary roundtrip airfare, free unlimited shore excursions, include 2- to 3-night land programs, on-the-house bar and lounge experiences, and more.

The six-fleet cruise line is also known for its gorgeous interiors, complete with modern aesthetics, Art Deco embellishments, stunning chandeliers, and more. When traveling with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, guests can traverse the seven seas, with destinations in Africa and Arabia, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean and more. And if you don’t want to pick a single destination, there’s always the option to book a grand voyage or world cruise, which can last up to 168 days and cost upwards of $100,000.

Explore Regent Seven Seas Cruises

More for You

Jason Kelce reveals the 1 person he 'wouldn't allow' on stage if he was roasted

18 Signs You Have More Wealth Than the Average American

Video Shows Massive Tornado Roaring Through Tennessee: 'Extremely Violent'

15 Boxed Cake Flavors That Are Probably Gone Forever

Trump lashes out at Paul Ryan after ex-House speaker declares he ‘lacks character’ for being president

How To Safely Remove A Tree Stump Without Calling In The Professionals

10 best Netflix shows with more than 5 seasons, ranked

I spent 5 years interviewing 233 millionaires—here are 5 things they never waste money on

I've been offered every job I've interviewed for. Here are 5 questions I ask interviewers.

The Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in Every State

Best Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cookies

This humanoid robot currently holds the world record for speed

12 Hidden Treasures In Costco's Frozen Food Aisle

The 32 Most Dazzling Red Carpet Beauty Looks Ever

Trump’s fraud trial judge faces probe after hotshot attorney claims he tried to advise him in $454m case

The world's 9th biggest country is an undiscovered marvel with 'jaw-dropping' scenery

22 Movies So Intense We Never Want to Watch Them Again

I moved from the US to Ireland. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

13 Menu Items McDonald's Employees Refuse To Order

The best lake town in the Great Lakes, according to data—and find out the rest of the top 50

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

• Request a quote
•  Contact
• Your luxury cruise with PONANT
• Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean
• Atlantic Coast
• Central America
• North America
• Northern Europe & Scandinavia
• Ocean Voyages
• Oceania & Pacific Islands
• South America
• The Mediterranean
• Transatlantic
• Show all destinations
• See all cruises
• Loyalty Cruise
• Gastronomy & Wine
• Polar Expedition
• Tropical Expedition
• Art & Museums
• Smithsonian Journeys
• Theatre & Literature
• The Explorers Club
• Show all themes
• Back-to-back offer
• Free Ocean Voyage
• No single supplement
• Flight credit
• L'AUSTRAL
• LE LAPÉROUSE
• LE CHAMPLAIN
• LE BOUGAINVILLE
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
• LE JACQUES-CARTIER
• LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
• LE PAUL GAUGUIN
• Expeditions
• Life on board
• A different way to cruise
• Our Guests and Speakers
• A tailor-made voyage
• Why choose PONANT ?
• PONANT benefits
• Our Pavilions
• Our 360-degree destinations
• A more sustainable tourism
• PONANT Foundation
• Certifications and distinctions
• Cruises and destinations

Where would you like to travel with PONANT?

Which period?

What are you looking for?

• Gastronomy & Wine
• Art & Museums

The Amazon Cruises

Your criteria

Delete all criteria

The name of Amazonia has an almost mythical ring to it. This extraordinary natural reserve and its mighty river are best explored on water. From encounters with the Amerindian communities, to a voyage through the mangrove to lush natural surroundings filled with wildlife…an Amazonian cruise is an enlightening and rewarding experience.

All about cruises The Amazon

We're sorry, there are no results matching your search.

You should get more results by changing your search or selecting another destination . You can also request a quote and be inspired by one of our experts.

Need some inspiration? You might like these cruises...

Northeast Greenland's Unexplored Sea Ice

The Southern Adventure

New Guinea Odyssey

The Essential of the Caribbean

Tropical Odyssey between North East Australia and Indonesia

+33 (0)4 91 36 41 60 (or contact your travel agent)

Must-Sees - Amazonia

From the tropical jungle and the multicoloured birds, to the houses on stilts by the ever-present river…below is a list of what you will see in Amazonia . Mention this iconic region, which covers half of Brazil, and your mind conjures up a multitude of images. Watching the wildlife, sailing down the Amazon and coming face-to-face with the Native Americans are just some of the highlights.

The Essentials - Amazonia

Meeting the native populations, adventures on the Amazon and nature-watching are all highlights of an Amazonian cruise . Here are a few tips and some practical info to help you prepare for your expedition to the tropics .

Explore Amazonia

The People of the Amazon

Ponant Discovery: the story of a scouting voyage to Guyana

Sailing down the Amazon

The Amazon is the river of all records, topping the statistics in terms of flow rate, basin, and its hydrographic network of over a thousand tributaries. In fact, it alone drains almost half of Latin America. A cruise in Amazonia is thus a chance for adventure on its legendary waters. Discover the tropical forest from the river, with enough distance to admire its splendour and scale.

Explore Belém

Founded in 1616, Belém is now the second largest urban centre in Amazonia after Manaus. Heritage from the colonial era includes the baroque Santa Maria de Belém cathedral . The Teatro de Paz , built in 1878, is one of the most opulent theatres and one of the most important monuments in the country. The city itself is like a continuation of Amazonia. Palm trees line the estuary and fruit trees border most avenues, earning Belém the nickname of “mango tree city.” Finally, the vast Ver-o-Peso market , inaugurated in 1901, teems with buyers who come for the bountiful wares from across the country. Fish, exotic fruit and vegetables, and medicinal herbs deck the stalls with their enticing colours and fragrances.

Travel the Aquiqui River

The Aquiqui River is one of the Amazon's many tributaries. Embark on a Zodiac® boat and explore every last creek as you look for birds such as the cocoi herons, roadside hawks, anhingas and toucans who nest in this lush environment. You may also spot monkeys and iguanas in this great game of hide and seek, for which the vegetation provides the ideal backdrop.

Bask in the sunshine on Alter do Chao beach

This spot is popularly known as the Brazilian Carribbean. And Alter do Chao certainly offers some very different landscapes from what we expect in Amazonia. Located on the banks of the Tapajos , a tributary to the Amazon, this small town of 2,000 inhabitants is bathed by a lagoon watered by underground springs . They form a natural lake that recedes down the river's banks during the dry season. The sandy banks that emerge then seem to form an island. The fine sandy beaches, clear waters, and little fishermen's huts with woven palm leaf roofs form the ideal haven in which to relax and get away from it all.

Be amazed by the Strait of Breves

The Amazon's waters are the best way to explore the region and to travel the "green corridor" of the Strait of Breves , one of the high points of a cruise in Amazonia . Here, the tropical forest merges into the muddy waters. It is teeming with life, harbouring a wealth of animal life and an array of birds. And in the midst of it all, there are the people. Deep in the characteristic villages along the canal on the shores of the Amazon, small houses stand on stilts against the lush green backdrop. Laundry dries outside on lines stretched above the timber decks, to which gently swaying dugout canoes are tied. Here and there, children frolic in the water.

Essential phrase guide*

Hello/good evening: Bom dia/Boa noite Goodbye: Tchau/até logo Welcome: Bem-vindo Excuse-me/please: Com licença/Por favor Thank you: Obrigado (a) Yes/no: Sim/Não How are you? : Como você está/vai ? Very well, thanks, and you?: Muito bem, obrigado e você ? My name's…: Meu nome é…/Eu me chamo...

*40% of Amazonia is in Brazil so we have selected Portuguese, which is spoken there.

A typical Amazonian dish, Tacacà is found on most menus in Belém's eateries. Before you start to enjoy the soup, there is a special serving ritual to be observed. First a ladle of tucupi, wild manioc root broth, is poured in to a calabash then covered in tapioca, then more tucupi is poured over. Next, jambu leaves (which tingle in the mouth ), prawns , a pinch of chili and garlic are added.

Myths & legends

Other parts of the world have the yeti, but Amazonia has the Mapinguari . According to legend, after discovering the secret to immortality, a powerful shaman was turned into a giant bear-like creature with red fur, enormous claws and a mouthful of sharp teeth on its belly. It apparently has a taste for human flesh.

In the spotlight

Land grabbing, access to healthcare and misogyny have all been issues since the election of President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, with native people seeing their rights diminished. Faced with decisions that have jeopardised their daily lives, many indigenous women and political leaders meet regularly to make their voices heard. Every year, thousands of representatives of the indigenous tribes hold the "Free Land Camp" on the plaza in Brasilia where the government, congress and supreme court are located, to assert their rights. In April 2019, the police presence was particularly dissuasive and misinformation on the movement profuse.

Books. An expert on Amazonia, which he has been exploring for the last 30 years, Serge Guiraud has published Amazonie, l’ordre du monde , a wonderful collection of legends told by some of the most isolated tribes in the region. Illustrated with 300 photographs, these age-old stories testify to the Amerindians attachment to their environment and their belief that visible and invisible worlds exist side by side, in total harmony. State of Wonder , Ann Patchett. Doctor Marina Singh, a scientist and researcher for a pharmaceutical company in Minnesota, is sent to Brazil to track down her former mentor, Doctor Annick Swenson. Swenson has apparently vanished in the Amazonian jungle while working on a highly important new drug (a pill that would extend fertility for a number of years), while a colleague and friend of Marina's, who previously visited the area, died under mysterious circumstances.

Music While there is a real melting pot of musical styles in Brazil, the Carimbó is particularly emblematic of Latino rhythms. Its exhilarating beats have their origins in the music brought over by the Portuguese and the Africans to the Nordeste region of Brazil. In 2014, it was added to Brazil's immaterial cultural heritage list.

Film. The Dead and the Others by Brazilian film-makers Joao Salaviza and Renée Nader Messora (2019) is a successful mix of genres. It is both a documentary and a mystical drama, telling the story of Ihjac, a young Amerindian. When his father dies, he is called by his totemic animal, the parrot, to become a shaman. He first refuses but finally accepts his role as "forest warden", a function recognised by the UN in 2007. The film received the "Un certain regard" prize from the jury at Cannes in 2018.

According to a study by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics in 2010, 274 indigenous languages are spoken in the country. Linguists, for whom certain languages are similar, quote a number ranging from 160 to 180 .

Ponant brochures

Want to find out more about our unique and exceptional destinations?

What will your next trip look like The Amazon ?

• Discover all destinations

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

The one thing cruise ship passengers do that drives crew mad

Share this with

Cruise ships have their own set of rules , and a holiday at sea isn’t like your average getaway.

Lucy Southerton, 28, from  Birmingham , has been working on cruise liners for the past nine years, meaning she knows all the tips and tricks to get the most from your time aboard .

On her YouTube channel, Cruising as Crew , she shares her knowledge to ensure first-time passengers avoid common pitfalls – and the mistake cruise newbies make most can end up ruining your break.

According to Lucy, ‘treating a cruise like an all-inclusive holiday’ is the main faux pas she notices at work.

She said: ‘If some people have solely done all-inclusive holidays, they make the mistake of thinking a cruise vacation is very similar to that.

‘So a lot of people do not budget for extra expenses while they are on board because they have the misconception that most things will be free.’

The crew member says that although things like buffet meals will be included in the price of your trip, dining at certain restaurants on board or going on excursions often costs extra.

Forgetting to factor this into a budget can ‘really ruin people’s vacation’, Lucy says, as they have to miss out on things they perhaps looked forward to.

Gratuities are a big deal on a cruise too, so it’s recommended to set aside some cash to tip staff at the end of your holiday.

She said: ‘With a lot of cruises, you get hit with the gratuity bill at the end, which I have also seen a lot of people not budget for.’

Want to win a cruising holiday for 2?

Do you love cruising? Are you an intrepid traveller? Maybe you just like looking at pictures of luxe ships. No matter which, we want you to vote!

Metro has partnered with the Sailawaze Excellence Awards , highlighting the very best in cruising when it comes to sustainability, wellness, entertainment and beyond.

And we need YOU to simply select what you’ve been most impressed by.

The best bit? By voting you’ll automatically be in with a chance of winning a cruise for two worth £2,500.

Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of 'best large ship' or 'best luxury cruise line' and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.

Vote for your favourite here .

Nominations in the Sailawaze Excellence Awards 2024:

Food & beverage.

Virgin Voyages

Aqua Expeditions

TUI River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

P&O Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Amawaterways

Swan Hellenic

Princess Cruises

MSC Cruises

Royal Caribbean

SUSTAINABILITY

AE Expeditions

The Majestic Line

Portsmouth International Port

Hurtigruten

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises

Havila Voyages

Pandaw Expeditions

Holland America Line

CroisiEurope

Celebrity Cruises

VIVA Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Saga Cruises

A- Rosa Cruises

ENTERTAINMENT

Carnival Cruise Line

Marella Cruises

COLLABORATIONS

Ambassador Cruise Line

A-Rosa Cruises

Alongside this, Lucy claims first-time ‘cruisers’ can struggle with the tight timings ships have to adhere to and miss their departure after a stop.

She said: ‘They get off at the port, go off and explore by themselves, which is part of the fun – but what they don’t allow for is time to get back. It obviously makes things very difficult for the cruise line and it is just an all-around mess.

‘So, when you’re on a cruise, it is very different from a hotel that is going to stay stationary. You absolutely have to make it a priority to get back to the ship on time and ask crew members what the traffic is like at each port if you’re getting a taxi to a certain destination.’

Her next warning is around travel insurance, which is particularly vital to get at the time of booking because cruises can get cancelled or flights to your starting destination can be delayed.

Lucy said: ‘Unlike a land holiday, where if your flight is eight hours late and the hotel stays where it is, the cruise ship moves so if your flight is eight hours delayed that’s going to mean you’ll miss it.

‘You absolutely have to get travel insurance as soon as you book the cruise.’

Overbooking excursions is another no-no, so try to balance ‘some exciting days but some relaxing days’ when planning out your itinerary to avoid ending up exhausted.

Lucy also advises pre-booking activities or excursions rather than leaving it to the last minute, ensuring you pack essentials (including medication), researching ports ahead of time, and listening carefully to safety briefings so you’re prepared for emergencies.

And, last but not least, she urges first-timers to always consider where their cabin is – particularly if they might be prone to seasickness.

She says: ‘You want to be in the centre of the ship. You don’t want to be in the back, you definitely don’t want to be in the front, because that’s where you’re going to feel the movement the most.

‘So when you book a cabin, make sure it is in the centre of the ship, and make sure the cabin you book is surrounded by other cabins.’

Your Daily Horoscope

Daily horoscope today: May 9, 2024 astrological predictions for your star sign

Lucy adds: ‘The cheaper cabins will have a restaurant or a gym above them and it’s going to be noisy, so cabin location is really important.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

MORE : The ‘grim’ thing you should avoid doing on your holiday this summer

MORE : Hawaii set to remove major attraction after tourists defy ban

MORE : Lake Como’s little sister is ‘most underrated’ spot to visit in Italy with £27 flights

Get need-to-know travel news, inspiration and advice from Metro every week.

Sign up here....

Privacy Policy

To the Nigerian mistaken for a Ghanaian traveling from Woolwich to…

To the guy with blond, shoulder-length hair wearing a greyish-black,…

Enter your birthday for your free daily horoscope sent straight to your inbox!

Get us in your feed