The leader in luxury expeditions to polar regions and an expert in this region for over 20 years, Ponant lets you live your dream of adventure, with the dedication and ecological conscientiousness that characterises us. In Antarctica, set off to discover the icy vastness and the prolific fauna of the “white continent”: humpback whales, seals, penguins…

In the Arctic, fjords, glaciers, icebergs of changing colours and varied fauna await you: polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, orcas, whales without forgetting the special moments of interaction with the Inuit people.

With wide-open spaces, gigantic glaciers, jagged mountains and sparkling lakes, Alaska invites travellers to journey in the footsteps of the fur traders and gold prospectors. On this frontier land, nature is shaped by glaciers, coniferous forests and a myriad of islands and islets. A cruise provides the perfect opportunity to get as close as possible to this abundant fauna.

On the borders of inhabited lands, at high northern latitudes, where the sun merely brushes the horizon during the short summer, sail to Spitsbergen to encounter the polar bear, Lord of the sea ice. In Greenland, admire magnificent landscapes where the ice meets the greenery and exceptional marine and avian wildlife abound. Meet and learn from the Inuit, in their villages of brightly-coloured houses.

A tropical voyage the chance of an authentic encounter. These seldom visited destinations allow you to discover the ancient customs of many tribes and ethnic groups that continue their rituals on the lands of their ancestors. In isolated villages, whether the people are Papuan, Polynesian or Māori, you will gain vivid, first hand insight into their traditions and cultures. During visits to these villages, take time to interact with these warm and friendly people, ensuring rewarding encounter and priceless memories. You will also get the chance to experience local means of transport (dugout canoes, bush taxis, local buses) to reach essential sites for hiking, such as volcanoes and nature reserves. Disembark onto idyllic white sand beaches with crystal clear waters and coral gardens, where you will enjoy snorkelling under the supervision of our naturalist team.

From the Caribbean Sea, to archipelagos lost in the Atlantic Ocean, witness the exceptional beauty of the untamed wild. Visit remarkable natural attractions classed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Observe an extraordinary biodiversity and meet communities with ancient traditions, living in harmony with their environment.

A scattering of islands across the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles archipelago is nothing short of Heaven on Earth. Isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years, these coral and granite islands boast a unique, diverse fauna and flora unlike any other. National parks make up almost half of the territory and large marine reserves are home to an enormous, rich variety of animal species, including the iconic and long-lived giant tortoise.

PONANT IS EXPANDING ITS UNIQUE LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISE CONCEPT WITH THE ARRIVAL OF SIX NEW SHIPS : THE PONANT EXPLORERS.

This major expansion of the PONANT fleet will enable our guests to enjoy, a broader range of new adventures, including tropical and subtropical expeditions. Our hallmark remains unchanged: to offer a unique blend of discovery and exceptional comfort, even in the most remote corners of the world, is our hallmark.

LE LAPÉROUSE, LE CHAMPLAIN, LE BOUGAINVILLE, LE DUMONT-D’URVILLE, LE BELLOT & LE SURVILLE

These six new stars of our fleet are named in tribute to great French explorers and will carry guests in the wake of these courageous, pioneering men who, long ago, set off for adventure in search of new lands. Taking inspiration from history’s great navigators was a natural choice for PONANT, the only French cruise line to sail to little-known, remote lands that are inaccessible to larger ships. In keeping with our standards, each ship offers a carefully limited guest capacity, sleek design, cutting-edge technology, and passionate respect for the environment, allowing PONANT to access an ever-widening range of destinations.

L’AUSTRAL, LE BORÉAL, LE SOLÉAL & LE LYRIAL

These four elegant ships with 122 to 132 cabins and suites, reflect our philosophy: they boast a limited capacity, a unique atmosphere and a subtle combination of luxury, privacy and well-being. All of the staterooms and suites offer sea views and 95% of them have balconies. With large windows and exterior decks, guests can enjoy breath-taking views of the horizon. On board, there are no more than 260 guests, attentively looked after by 132 staff members. The atmosphere aboard the ship is refined yet convivial; unique in the cruise industry, the Captain may choose to invite guests to join him on the Bridge for the chance to spend a few moments experiencing what it’s like to navigate the ship by his side and to meet the officers.