Following what French luxury small ship cruise line Ponant is describing as a "complete refit," its namesake, three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant will re-start service beginning next month.
With just 16 staterooms and suites, accommodating a maximum of 32 guests over three decks, Le Ponant offers a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio—making guests feel like they’re aboard a private yacht. Each room has large windows overlooking the sea, while the muted color palette lends an air of understated elegance.
A true form of "slow travel," guests can relax on the sun lounge looking up to the billowing white sails, order a drink from the outdoor bar, and enjoy organic dishes at the gastronomic dining destination Le Diamant. The wellness space offers Biologique Recherche treatments, and daily yoga sessions are held on the deck. With glass-bottomed kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, diving and snorkeling equipment, and a saltwater pool, there’s no shortage of activities as the yacht sails off-the-beaten-path routes in favourite yachting destinations around the world.
The cruise line highlights its commitment to the latest environmental innovations and responsible tourism, including a filter system that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%, non-motorized water-based activities, individual and small-group disembarkations only, an emphasis on local, organic products, and periods of sailing using just wind power.
The intimate-size vessel offers access to less-traveled sites and new ports of calls. Each journey is an immersion into the destination to learn about the local culture as well as connect with the vibrant flora and fauna - in the Mediterranean with 10 departures and three new itineraries this summer and fall, followed by winter 2022-23 in the Seychelles and summer 2023 in western Australia’s Kimberley region.
Summer 2022 in the Mediterranean
The first voyage will depart on 14AUG with a seven-night itinerary along Croatia’s coastline, from Dubrovnik through the Bay of Kotor, then to the Adriatic islands of Mljet, Korčula, Vis, Hvar, Brač, Šipan, and Lopud. Activities include wine tasting, traditional sword dance performances, visits with local artists, diving excursions to World War II shipwrecks, and a tour of the oldest fishing port in the Adriatic. Prices start at USD $10,890 per person.
In AUG, Le Ponant will depart on a seven-day island-hopping journey around Greece. Beginning in Dubrovnik, the yacht will set sail toward the Ionian and Aegean Seas, stopping in the islands of Paxos, which is only available to smaller ships; Kefalonia, characterized by limestone cliffs and white sandy beaches; the fortified peninsula of Monemvasia, in the southeastern Peloponnese; and Kythnos, one of the region’s lesser-known islands with over 100 beaches. Prices start at USD $9,980 per person.
The following month, the ship will circle around Greece’s Cycladic islands on an eight-day itinerary beginning and ending in Athens. Guests will enjoy unique access to exclusive ports of call on Tinos, Polyaigos, Folegandros, Monemvasia, Kythnos, and Spetses, due to the intimate size of Le Ponant. Prices start at USD $13,110 per person.
Please find all Summer 2022 departures linked here.
Winter 2022-23 in the Seychelles
New for this year is “The Seychelles Under the Trade Winds” itinerary, with 11 departures on Le Ponant during the 2022-2023 season.
Sailing roundtrip from Mahé, the nine-night itinerary explores a new island each day, including two new ports of call for the cruise line —the African Banks north of the Amirante Islands and Thérèse Island, both of which are uninhabited and will be available to guests for the day.
An on-board expedition leader, a trio of naturalist guides, and a free dive instructor will be on hand to lead excursions and shine light on the spectacular flora and fauna of the Seychelles. Activities include scuba diving, free diving initiation, sunrise and sunset yoga, meditation, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and outings in glass-bottomed kayaks. Rates start from USD $10,890 per person.
Please find all Winter 2022-23 departures linked here.
Summer 2023 in Australia
In summer 2023, Le Ponant will set sail for Australia’s northwest with 26 departures to Kimberley’s coast, which is often referred to as the “Antarctica of the tropics.”
The Kimberley is a vast, remote region with rushing waterfalls, white sandy beaches, dense mangrove forests, rugged sandstone gorges, and the largest population of migrating humpback whales on the planet.
State-of-the-art Zodiac boats will enable guests to reach hard-to-access points, while an exclusive partnership with the prestigious Paspaley Group will offer private scenic flights onboard one of the brand’s vintage Grumman Mallard flying boats to whisk guests to or from their embarkation or disembarkation point. Guests can opt to explore the Northern or Southern Kimberley Coast, with rates starting at USD $12,930 per person.
Please find all Summer 2023 departures linked here.
