Ponant cruises – From the pack ice of the North Pole to the hidden islands of the Indian Ocean, small-ship luxury is redefining the expedition cruise.
When the goal is to reach the corners of the map that remain stubbornly inaccessible to the rest of the travel industry. the approach requires more than just a ticket—it requires a specialized ship. For those seeking to venture off the beaten path without sacrificing the comforts of luxury travel. the 13-vessel fleet operated by Ponant has carved out a distinct niche.
At the heart of the experience is the company’s focus on small, polar-rated expedition ships. Among them is the 200-passenger *Le Commandant Charcot*. a vessel that debuted in 2021 as the world’s toughest passenger ship. holding the distinction of being the only one capable of navigating solid ice to reach the North Pole.
Antarctica serves as a primary hub for this specialized travel. The line frequently deploys five ships to the continent. including four 264-passenger sister vessels—*Le Soleal*. *Le Boreal*. *Le Lyrial*. and *L’Austral*—all carrying a 1C ice class rating from Lloyd’s Register. These sailings range from 10-night trips focused on the Antarctic Peninsula to 30-night expeditions traversing the distance between the southern tip of South America and Australia. For travelers looking to engage with the landscape. these ships carry kayaks and Zodiac boats for shore landings to visit penguin colonies. Prices for a 10-night Antarctic voyage start at approximately $18,000 per person, based on double occupancy.
In the Arctic, the itineraries are equally rugged. The line centers much of its activity around the Svalbard archipelago. a sanctuary for polar bears. walruses. whales. and massive colonies of Brunnich’s guillemots. Greenland and Iceland also feature prominently in their schedules. By the summer of 2027. the line intends to dedicate four polar vessels to the region. supplemented by the 184-passenger *Le Bellot*. While some of these Arctic sailings are chartered by luxury partners like Abercrombie & Kent and Tauck. others are marketed under the Ponant brand. A seven-night Svalbard voyage begins at roughly $11,000, while the 17-night journey to the North Pole exceeds $50,000 per person.
Beyond the poles. the fleet tracks through Oceania and the Pacific Islands. including Micronesia. Melanesia. Polynesia. Papua New Guinea. Australia. and New Zealand. The Kimberley region of northwestern Australia remains a standout. defined by its massive crocodiles and natural phenomena like ‘horizontal waterfalls.’ For 2027. the 184-passenger *Le Jacques-Cartier* and 264-passenger *Le Soleal* are slated for these waters. with 10-night Kimberley sailings starting at $13. 000.
The expedition model extends into the Indian Ocean and Africa. with stops at volcanic islands like Nosy Komba—famed for its black lemurs—and Assumption Island. a breeding ground for sea turtles in the Seychelles. Other routes include the ghost town of Kolmanskop in Namibia and the elephant populations of Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Fares for an eight-night Seychelles sailing start around $7,500.
Even within familiar regions like the Mediterranean. the line utilizes its small-ship advantage to reach ports inaccessible to larger cruise liners. These summer sailings often span seven to 10 nights. focusing on coastal towns in Croatia or circumnavigating Sicily. with stops including the historic temples of Agrigento and wine tours near Mount Etna. The 32-passenger sailing yacht *Le Ponant* is often used for these coastal explorations, with seven-night Mediterranean trips starting at $7,000.
The technical capability of these vessels is what dictates their reach; by utilizing ships that carry their own landing craft and possess the structural integrity for polar waters, the line maintains a rare, consistent access to some of the planet’s most isolated ecosystems.
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