Pairing a five-star setting with exceptional adventures and a distinctly French flair – from attentive service to fine dining – world-leading cruise line Ponant is the latest in small-ship luxury. Sleek, smaller vessels allow guests to explore far-flung ports in destinations as diverse as Antarctica and French Polynesia, forming truly authentic, unforgettable travel experiences, with a dedication to minimising their environmental impact as well.

The only French luxury cruise line

A voyage with Ponant is an insight into the French way of life – think fine dining, attentive service and unmatched expertise. As the only cruise company sailing under the French flag – with multilingual crew – gastronomy is, unsurprisingly, a true highlight, with talented chefs crafting high-end menus. Expect locally-sourced ingredients like lobster, truffle and langoustines, served onboard in one of the ship's contemporary, French brasserie-style restaurants, of course.

Small ship cruises

From secluded beaches to remote harbours, Ponant's smaller ships offer the chance to get off the beaten track, docking in private ports and stopping over in preserved, lesser-explored locations. What's more, with just a limited number of passengers, there's a private-yacht feel onboard, and a sense of exclusivity alongside the attentive, personalised service. Suites are all stylish, muted tones, a theme that's continued in the open-plan, floor-to-ceiling windows of the restaurant and lounge areas.

Panorama Suite, Ponant (credit: Tamar Sarkissian)

Ponant ships themselves are sleek and refined, with the exclusive sailing yacht Le Ponant home to just 17 cabins, while the largest, the new Le Commandant-Charcot, still features just 123 staterooms and suites. All ships are equipped with the latest technology, including sonar detection systems, a low-energy and low heat generating lighting system (LED and fibre optic based) and much more.

Unique itineraries, exceptional destinations

Ponant offer worldwide voyages from the Arctic to Antarctic, proving their prowess as one of the world leaders in expedition cruising – all in five-star comfort.

Ponant Expeditions

From Africa to Arctic to Antarctica, a cruise on Ponant allows guests to get up close and personal with some of the world's most remote regions in a blend of luxury, exploration and adventure, accompanied by experts and naturalists onboard. Made up of enthusiastic expedition leaders and naturalist guides, the Ponant expedition teams offer you an in-depth insight to the region, flora and fauna as you explore with Zodiac® trips and on-board lectures. If you'd rather stay closer to home, Ponant also offer unique cruises in Europe such as an authentic yacht voyage exploring Corsica.  Single travellers are well catered for, too, with an excellent selection of cruises with no single supplement.

French Polynesia, Le Paul Gauguin

Le Paul Gauguin

Le Paul Gauguin is specially designed for navigation in Polynesian waters to explore everything from well-known gems like Tahiti, Fiji and Bora Bora to the more unexplored Marquesas, Tuamotu and Huahine. What's more, with a shallow draft, the ship is able to get closer than ever to the region's shallow lagoons and isolated islands. There's no better way to explore this remote region, filled with crystal-clear lagoons, powder-white sands and famously verdant mountain peaks. Expect all the classic comfort and elegance of a Ponant ship alongside precious woods, antique engravings and tiki details in a nod to Polynesian culture.

Partnership with National Geographic

For adventurous guests, it's well worth opting for one of the new special cruises on offer through Ponant's new partnership with National Geographic. Combining their expertise, the two are now offering unique and enriching expedition cruises in the company of enthusiastic experts, Ponant's naturalist guides and a team of National Geographic specialists, from archaeologists to anthropologists, as well as renowned photographers.

Shore excursion, Antarctica, Ponant

Ponant has also partnered with Smithsonian Journeys, offering themed sailings that feature experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, environment, and wildlife, with onboard talks by world-class experts alongside authentic shore experiences.

Sustainable cruises

As well as its luxury cruises and remote locations, Ponant's dedication to sustainability is impressive; it aims to soon become the leader in the field of sustainable development in the cruising industry. Its dedication is clear throughout, from the regions and communities visited on its cruises to its partnerships with sustainable companies. Ponant was even selected as Most Environmentally Friendly Cruise Line by NABU Cruise Ship Ranking in 2020.

Whale watching from Zodiacs with Ponant, Antarctica

Le Commandant Charcot 

The world's very first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel, powered by liquefied natural gas, Le Commandant Charcot, is the only lPC2 ice-class luxury polar cruise ship in the world capable of sailing into the very heart of ice on seas and oceans which are inaccessible to ordinary ships. As the only cruise line that takes travellers to the geographic North Pole, guests will follow in the footsteps of the great polar explorers, with refined surroundings complete with the kind of luxury services never before offered in the farthest reaches of the southern and northern hemispheres and oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts.

Think indoor swimming pools, a panoramic restaurant and a 'Blue Lagoon' outdoor dining space, mixing in French-style luxury with the first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship, powered by LNG and designed with the greatest attention to detail on how to minimise environmental impact. 

You can read about Wexas cruise expert Meriel Lowe's experience aboard Le Commandant Charcot here