What type of cruising does Ponant offer and what makes them stand out?

PONANT is a French luxury expedition and cruise line with over 35 years of expertise, operating intimate ships with just 6 to 165 staterooms. They sail under the French flag, representing the highest level of safety, and are one of the few companies offering voyages to both polar regions and tropical destinations. Their fleet includes Le Commandant Charcot, the only luxury expedition cruise ship capable of reaching the Geographic North Pole.

What destinations does Ponant sail to and what itinerary lengths are available?

PONANT sails to a remarkable range of destinations including the Arctic and North America, the Caribbean, the Atlantic and Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Indian Ocean, Oceania and Polynesia, and Antarctica. Their Summer 2026 season covers Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, and French Polynesia. Itineraries range from 5 to 20+ nights, including Grand Voyages for extended exploration.

What is included in Ponant's cruise fare?

PONANT cruise fares typically include refined dining created in partnership with Ducasse Conseil, an open bar with selected beverages, onboard entertainment and lectures, use of spa and wellness facilities, expedition equipment (such as parkas and rubber boots on expedition voyages), and Zodiac excursions led by expert naturalist guides. Port taxes and certain excursions are also included depending on the itinerary. PONANT also offers no-single-supplement options on select cruises for solo travellers.

What dining, entertainment, and wellness options are available on Ponant?

PONANT's dining is created with Ducasse Conseil and features delicious breakfasts, a la carte dishes, diverse buffets, home-made pastries, bread baked on board, and afternoon teas with luxury product tastings including pata negra and caviar. Le Commandant Charcot also features Nuna, the only Alain Ducasse gastronomic restaurant at sea. Onboard wellness includes spas with treatments by Clarins, Biologique Recherche, Sothys, and Algotherm, plus fitness rooms, hairdressing salons, swimming pools, and a theatre for films, lectures, and performances.

What shore excursions does Ponant offer and are they included in the fare?

PONANT offers a wide range of excursions including Zodiac landings, hiking, sea kayaking, diving, dogsled rides (in Greenland), and cultural community visits. Many expedition voyages include excursions led by expert naturalist guides as part of the fare. Additional curated excursions designed around themes of Planet, Culture, Lifestyle, and Geopolitics are available for purchase. Trips are designed with the support of passionate onboard experts including historians, researchers, and artists.

Who is Ponant best suited for?

PONANT is ideal for culturally curious, well-travelled adults who appreciate French elegance, refined gastronomy, and meaningful expedition experiences. It suits solo travellers (with no-single-supplement options on over 150 cruises), couples, and small groups seeking intimate ships and expert-led explorations. It is particularly appealing to those interested in polar exploration, music and arts partnerships (Opera national de Paris, Radio Classique), and sustainable, responsible travel.

Does Ponant have a loyalty program or special promotions?

PONANT offers the PONANT Yacht Club loyalty program, which rewards repeat guests with escalating benefits including priority booking, onboard credits, suite upgrades, and exclusive invitations to events. They also run seasonal promotions such as no-single-supplement offers on select cruises, early booking discounts, and combination voyage savings. Guests should visit ponant.com for the latest promotional offers.

Does Ponant include Wi-Fi, and what is their cancellation policy?

PONANT provides Wi-Fi access onboard their ships, though connectivity may vary in remote expedition regions such as polar areas. Their cancellation policy follows a tiered penalty schedule based on the time before departure, with full details available in the General Terms and Conditions of Sale at ponant.com. Travel insurance is recommended, and specific terms may vary by voyage type and destination.

Ponant

About

The only French cruise line, Ponant is an integral part of France’s great shipping tradition. Established in 1988, Ponant is owned by the CMA CGM Group, the world’s third largest container shipping group and heir to the renowned Compagnie Générale Transatlantique French Line. Each of the five ships, have their own individual personality and symbolize the art of cruising “à la française” in line with our company philosophy. The fleet of 5 vessels allows for choice. Le Ponant: 32 staterooms, a refined and efficienthree-masted sailing yacht. Le Levant: 45 staterooms, a sleek thoroughbred private yacht. Le Diamant: 113 staterooms, get carried away onboard this expedition ship. Entering service in 2010/2011 two new state of the art ships Le Boréal and L’Austral: 132 staterooms and suites vessels offering a range of new itineraries. Ponant offer chic cruising without the crowds, experience the comfort of a private cruise onboard vessels of an intimate size: exclusive to between 64 to 226 guests. Interiors are elegant and uncluttered, delight in the fun and casual elegance onboard without the formalities. Discover exceptional sites and come closed to landscapes so often inaccessible to large ships. The french registry allows us to visit destinations often not visited by other lines including Cuba and Libya. Enjoy onboard seminars with international experts, passionate about their subjects, giving a further dimension to the sights you see. Exquisite dining with French and international cuisine, with complimentary wines included at lunch and dinner. Crew members, all versed in elegant discretion, will see to it that you enjoy a welcome that will make your cruise a unique experience. Ponant offer an alternative to many other traditional cruise line, discover with French chic and elegance. Many extras included: all meals while onboard, mineral water, tea, coffee, wines served during lunch and dinner, evening entertainment and events, baggage handling from pier to ship and vice versa