Ponant

Ponant is France's luxury yacht cruise line and was founded in 1988 in Saint-Malo by former naval officers as Compagnie du Ponant. Today the company belongs to the Artémis Group of the French industrial family Pinault (Kering, Christie's). Its headquarters are in Marseille. The concept is consistently small and exclusive: not a single ship is larger than 150 meters, and not a single ship carries more than 264 guests.

The fleet comprises twelve ships. Four yachts of the Boréal class (Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal, Le Lyrial — each ~10,700 GRT, 264 guests) form the classic premium segment. Seven yachts of the Explorer class (Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont-d'Urville, Le Bellot, Le Surville, Le Jacques-Cartier — each 9,976 GRT, 184 guests) are smaller expedition yachts featuring an underwater observation lounge. The flagship is Le Commandant Charcot (2021) — the only luxury cruise ship in the world with ice class PC2, capable of reaching the geographic North Pole; powered by hybrid LNG plus electric battery.

On-board language: French and English. On-board currency: Euro. Scientists (glaciologists, biologists) work on board and share their knowledge through lectures. Routes: polar regions (Antarctica, Arctic, Patagonia), remote island groups, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse has curated the main restaurant on Le Commandant Charcot.