French Luxury Expedition Cruises · Polar to Tropical

Ponant

Discover the art of French luxury expedition cruising aboard intimate yacht-style ships, where refined elegance meets authentic exploration of the world’s most remote destinations.

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French-Inspired Luxury Exploration

Founded in 1988 by French merchant navy officers, Ponant is the world’s only French-flagged cruise line and a leader in luxury expedition cruising. With a fleet of elegant small ships carrying no more than 264 guests, Ponant combines the sophistication of French art de vivre with the spirit of authentic exploration. Every voyage is designed to bring you closer to the world’s most extraordinary destinations — from the polar ice caps to tropical archipelagos — with the intimacy and refinement that only a boutique fleet can deliver.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Ponant – French Luxury Expedition & Cruise Line

Fleet: [INSERT NUMBER OF SHIPS] intimate luxury ships carrying 92 to 264 guests, including polar-class expedition vessels

Destinations: Over 400 destinations across all seven continents, including polar regions, tropical islands, and iconic coastlines

Service: French-inspired hospitality with an attentive crew and a warm, elegant onboard atmosphere

Signature Feature: The only French-flagged cruise line in the world, offering yacht-style cruising with a distinctly Gallic sense of style, cuisine, and joie de vivre

  • Ocean-view staterooms and suites, many with private balconies
  • Open bar with select wines, champagne, spirits, and beverages throughout the voyage
  • Gourmet French-inspired cuisine across multiple dining venues
  • 24-hour room service
  • Onboard expedition excursions and Zodiac outings on expedition voyages
  • Expert naturalist guides and lecturers on expedition itineraries
  • Entertainment, enrichment programs, and onboard activities
  • Port taxes and gratuities

*Inclusions may vary by fare type and itinerary. Contact our expert advisors for details on your specific voyage.

  • Uniquely French experience — from the gastronomy and wines to the refined yet relaxed atmosphere onboard
  • Small ship intimacy allows access to hidden harbors, secluded bays, and remote polar regions inaccessible to larger vessels
  • State-of-the-art expedition vessels with Polar Class ratings, Zodiac fleets, and underwater observation lounges
  • Commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism with the Ponant Foundation dedicated to ocean preservation

Le Gastronomique: The signature fine dining restaurant offering French haute cuisine with multi-course menus crafted by talented chefs

Le Grill: Casual poolside dining with grilled specialties and panoramic ocean views

Le Bistrot: Relaxed dining with a menu inspired by French brasserie traditions

Blue Lagoon: Open-air casual dining available on select ships

Every meal features exceptional French wines carefully selected by onboard sommeliers, along with locally inspired dishes that reflect each voyage’s destinations. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

Ponant is a pioneer in luxury expedition cruising, operating purpose-built Polar Class vessels including Le Commandant Charcot — the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). This groundbreaking vessel can navigate deep into Arctic and Antarctic waters, reaching the Geographic North Pole.

Ponant’s expedition fleet also includes the Ponant Explorers series — six identical sister ships designed for expedition voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, and beyond. Each carries a fleet of Zodiacs, a team of expert naturalists, and advanced exploration equipment.

On expedition voyages, Zodiac excursions and guided expedition activities are included in your fare.

At a Glance

French Luxury

Yacht-Style

Intimate ships, extraordinary destinations

  • Ocean-view staterooms & suites
  • French-inspired gourmet cuisine
  • Open bar with premium wines & spirits
  • Zodiac excursions on expedition voyages
  • Expert naturalist guides
  • Port taxes & gratuities included
  • 24-hour room service

*Inclusions vary by fare type

Explore

Discover Ponant

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The Art of French Cruising

What sets Ponant apart is an unmistakable French sensibility that permeates every aspect of the voyage. From the moment you step aboard, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere of understated elegance — beautifully designed interiors inspired by the world of yachting, exceptional gastronomy crafted with the finest ingredients, and a crew that delivers warm, personalised service with effortless grace. With no more than 264 guests on any ship, the experience feels less like a cruise and more like a private voyage aboard your own luxury yacht.

Exceptional French Gastronomy

Dining aboard Ponant is a celebration of French culinary artistry. Talented chefs prepare exquisite multi-course menus using the freshest seasonal ingredients, with dishes inspired by both classic French traditions and the destinations you visit. An onboard sommelier curates an exceptional wine list featuring fine French vintages alongside international selections. Whether you choose the refined ambiance of the gastronomic restaurant or the relaxed open-air poolside grill, every meal aboard Ponant is a memorable occasion. The open bar ensures premium wines, champagne, and spirits flow throughout your voyage.

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Le Commandant Charcot: A World First

Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot is a true game-changer in expedition cruising — the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). With a Polar Class 2 ice rating, this remarkable ship can venture deep into the most extreme polar regions, including voyages to the Geographic North Pole. Carrying just 245 guests, she features an underwater multi-sensory lounge called Blue Eye, a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, a team of expert naturalists and scientists, and all the refined luxury Ponant is known for. It’s the ultimate fusion of cutting-edge technology, environmental responsibility, and French elegance.

Experience

The Ponant Experience

Intimate Yacht-Style Ships

Ponant’s fleet of small luxury ships carries between 92 and 264 guests, creating an intimate atmosphere that feels more like a private yacht than a cruise ship. Every vessel features refined interiors, open-air decks, and direct access to remote ports and hidden coves.

French Art de Vivre

Experience the French way of living at sea — from exquisite gastronomy and carefully curated wine lists to sophisticated interiors and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. Ponant brings the elegance and joie de vivre of France to every ocean and every destination.

Pioneering Expedition Voyages

From the Geographic North Pole to the heart of Antarctica, from tropical Polynesia to the Norwegian fjords, Ponant’s expedition fleet reaches the world’s most extraordinary and untouched destinations — guided by expert naturalists and scientists.

Images

Gallery

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Ponant is the world’s only French-flagged cruise line, offering luxury expedition and coastal cruises aboard intimate yacht-style ships carrying no more than 264 guests. Founded in 1988 by French merchant navy officers, Ponant combines the sophistication of French art de vivre — exceptional cuisine, fine wines, elegant interiors — with authentic exploration of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Their fleet ranges from classic coastal vessels to state-of-the-art polar expedition ships.

Ponant’s fares typically include ocean-view staterooms or suites (many with private balconies), gourmet French-inspired cuisine across multiple dining venues, an open bar with select wines, champagne, and spirits, 24-hour room service, onboard entertainment and enrichment programs, port taxes, and gratuities. On expedition voyages, Zodiac excursions and guided activities with expert naturalist teams are also included. Specific inclusions may vary by fare type and itinerary. When you book through Cruise Help, you also benefit from our exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no booking fees — ever.

Le Commandant Charcot is Ponant’s flagship and the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). With a Polar Class 2 ice rating, she can navigate deep into the most extreme polar environments, including voyages to the Geographic North Pole. Carrying just 245 guests, she features the Blue Eye underwater multi-sensory lounge, a team of expert naturalists and scientists, Zodiac and kayak fleets, and all the refined luxury Ponant is known for. She represents the pinnacle of sustainable luxury expedition cruising.

Ponant offers a range of accommodations across their fleet, from comfortable Staterooms with portholes to Deluxe Staterooms and Prestige Suites with private balconies. Higher categories include Privilege Suites, Grand Deluxe Suites, and the expansive Owner’s Suite. All staterooms feature elegant French-inspired decor, premium bedding, and modern amenities. Suite layouts and categories vary by ship, with some vessels offering interconnecting staterooms ideal for families or groups.

Ponant operates one of the most advanced expedition fleets in the world. In addition to Le Commandant Charcot, the fleet includes six Ponant Explorers sister ships — Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont-d’Urville, Le Bellot, and Le Jacques-Cartier. These vessels carry approximately 184 guests each and are equipped with Zodiac fleets, expert expedition teams, and the innovative Blue Eye underwater multi-sensory lounge. They sail to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Amazon, Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, and many other remote destinations.

Ponant visits over 400 destinations across all seven continents. Their classic coastal voyages cover the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic, and the Atlantic coast. Expedition itineraries explore Antarctica, the Arctic (including the Geographic North Pole aboard Le Commandant Charcot), Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, the Amazon, Alaska, the Kimberley coast of Australia, and many more remote regions. With their small ship size, Ponant can access hidden harbors and secluded ports that larger vessels simply cannot reach.

Dining aboard Ponant is a true celebration of French gastronomy. The main gastronomic restaurant offers refined multi-course menus prepared by talented chefs using the freshest seasonal ingredients. The Grill provides a relaxed poolside alternative with grilled specialties and panoramic views. An onboard sommelier curates an exceptional wine list featuring fine French vintages and international selections. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The open bar includes select wines, champagne, spirits, and beverages throughout your voyage.

Blue Eye is Ponant’s groundbreaking underwater multi-sensory lounge, found on the Ponant Explorers ships and Le Commandant Charcot. Located below the waterline, this unique space features large windows that look directly into the ocean, along with hydrophones and Body Listening technology that allows you to hear and feel the sounds of the underwater world. It’s an extraordinary and immersive experience — watching marine life pass by while enjoying a cocktail in a luxurious setting unlike anything else at sea.

Ponant maintains an elegant yet relaxed dress code. Daytime is casual and comfortable, while evenings invite smart casual or elegant attire depending on the occasion. On select evenings, a more formal dress code may apply — cocktail attire for women and jackets for men. Expedition voyages maintain a more relaxed standard appropriate for adventure travel. The overall atmosphere is sophisticated and refined without being overly formal — very much in the French tradition.

Ponant is deeply committed to responsible and sustainable tourism. Le Commandant Charcot is powered by LNG and hybrid-electric propulsion, representing a significant step toward reducing environmental impact. The Ponant Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of oceans and polar regions. All expedition voyages adhere to strict environmental protocols, and Ponant works closely with local communities to ensure tourism benefits rather than disrupts the destinations they visit.

When you book Ponant through Cruise Help, you get access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares — with just one room. Our team of 23+ expert advisors, many with real cruise ship experience, provides personalized cabin selection advice, itinerary planning, and destination guidance. We perform weekly price monitoring on every booking and automatically adjust your rate if the price drops. Plus, we never charge booking, consultation, or change fees — ever. With 365-day support, you’re never on your own from the moment you inquire to the moment you disembark.

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Ready for a French Luxury Expedition?

Experience the elegance, gastronomy, and spirit of exploration that only Ponant can deliver. When you’re ready for a truly extraordinary voyage to the world’s most remarkable destinations, speak with our expert advisors at Cruise Help. With exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no fees — ever — your luxury expedition begins with us!