Uncharted territory - an ocean of discovery awaits you
Jessica Martyn
At the dawn of the 20th century, maritime leisure was transformed with the commissioning of the world’s inaugural purpose-built cruise ship, setting the stage for an era of opulent voyages for affluent travellers.
Since then, the industry has rapidly evolved, with many players competing with big luxury, and then there is the bespoke French company Ponant – when competitors went bigger, they went smaller. Their 14-ship fleet is making a global impact, constantly evolving to redefine what it means for luxury travel in an age where sustainability is paramount.
Ponant is about accessing experiences unavailable to others without forgoing the creature comforts of luxury. From exhilarating Zodiac rides along Australia’s Kimberley coast to diving the pristine subtropics of Japan, or Mediterranean island-hopping aboard the world’s first Relais & Châteaux accredited superyacht, Ponant offers a truly unique experience guided by industry-leading destinations experts.
Of course, visiting these destinations off the beaten track requires an innovation on the cruise liners of the past. The journey began in1988, aboard Le Ponant, a majestic three-mast yacht with 16 cabins and a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio complete with a dedicated onboard chef, offering guests a personalised experience reminiscent of their own private yacht.
Between 2010 and 2015, Ponant introduced four Sisterships with 122 to 132 staterooms and suites, their French-inspired design blends sophistication with sustainable innovations including waste heat recovery boilers for wastewater treatment. In 2015, Ponant expanded its fleet with the Ponant Explorers, a series of six expedition yachts each boasting 92 staterooms and suites and equipped with catalytic converters for reduced NOx emissions. These vessels prioritise elegant design, and cutting-edge technology to feature the world’s only underwater multi-sensory lounge, Blue Eye, situated in the hull. The purposeful design of these vessels offers access to ports inaccessible to larger liners, such as the Corinth Canal in Greece, the underside of London’s Iconic Tower Bridge and ports in destinations like Dubrovnik where guests can come and go at their leisure.
In 2021, Ponant reached a pinnacle of sustainability and innovation with the unveiling of Le Commandant Charcot, a groundbreaking polar exploration vessel featuring a hybrid electric Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion system. Notably, it became the first French ship to reach the Geographic North Pole, creating avenues for industry-leading polar expeditions without compromising on luxury. Le Commandant Charcot is specifically designed for polar exploration and scientific research, equipped with two dedicated laboratories and advanced equipment to support various research endeavours such as oceanography, glaciology, marine biology, and environmental monitoring during voyages to the polar regions.
With a reputation spanning more than 35 years, Ponant has redefined luxury exploration, leading the way in sustainable travel. Beyond gastronomy and champagne, it’s about immersive experiences, connecting with nature, and witnessing breathtaking environmental spectacles guided by passionate experts. Ponant is the first cruise line to be Green Globe Certified and continues to envision the future, by their announcement of the 14th ship under the Swap2Zero project, aimed at creating a new era of zero-emission vessels. Ponant’s participation in the European Union-funded POLARIN project, with 50 organisations and 79 infrastructures involved across both polar regions, Ponant offers a comprehensive network of resources for research and environmental stewardship, highlighting the company’s commitment to collaborative efforts in preserving polar ecosystems and providing commercial experiences unlike any other.
