Ponant Cruises is great for:
- Travelers who want an intimate and peaceful vacation
- Those who want nothing but pure luxury, with top-tier staff and food
- Adventurers who want to experience some of the best and most unique polar expeditions in the world
Ponant Cruises is not ideal for:
- Those traveling with children
- Travelers who want to try a wide variety of excursions at different ports of call
Ponant is for those who want utmost luxury, great food, intimate spaces and a bit of French flair.
Ponant is part of a very select group of ultra-luxury cruise lines that focus on expedition cruises. By that, we mean their cruises go beyond just visiting a beach in Curaçao or stopping in Santorini for a quick tan. Since they operate small ships, they’re able to visit remote locations across the globe and explore in deep detail the history and culture of each destination.
If you want your cruise to be a bit more than just moving from place A to place B, then you’ll love Ponant. They even separate their cruises into different categories and call them Expeditions, Timeless Cruises and Discovery Cruises. Expeditions are mostly polar adventures in the Arctic and Antarctica, while Timeless Cruises are more traditional itineraries that visit several ports. Discovery Cruises focus on niche locations and the cultural significance behind them.
Do keep in mind that you can always click the Request a Quote button and send us a message with any questions related to Ponant. We can help you choose the perfect ship, itinerary, and cabin, and answer all your questions about the all-inclusive fare, onboard experiences, and more. Even better, booking through us doesn’t cost a dime more, and we might even help you secure some great deals!
Ponant’s fleet is composed of 13 ships, divided into classes like the Sailing Ships, the Explorers, the Sisterships and the Icebreaker. Each class is designed with specific destinations in mind, but they are all very luxurious and elegant, offering some of the best service and dining you can find at sea. These ships feel incredibly intimate, by the way. The Sailing Ships carry only between 12 and 32 guests, which is mind-blowing when you stop to think about it, while the larger Sisterships carry up to 264 guests. The crew-to-guest ratio is also exceptional, reaching almost 1:1 on the smaller ships, ensuring that there will always be a crew member ready to hand you a drink or lend a helping hand.
This is also a cruise line for those who want to see something new, rather than just focus on popular destinations like the Greek Isles, St. Thomas or Sydney. These cruises visit places like the Cook Islands, Canary Islands, Cabo San Lucas, Papeete and Madagascar. If you’re looking for destinations that are rarely visited by other cruise lines and offer some of the most peaceful (and luxurious) times of your life, then you might have just found your new favorite cruise line.
They are also one of the few (or maybe the only) cruise lines that get extremely close to the North Pole. Their icebreaker ship - Le Commandant Charcot - is a marvel of technology, known as the toughest passenger vessel in the world to visit the Arctic and Antarctica. This ship actually reaches areas where the sea is frozen (hence the name icebreaker) as it pushes through the ice and takes you to places no other cruise has ever been. Not only is it an incredibly strong ship, but it also offers some of the most spacious rooms among expedition ships and some of the finest restaurants at sea.
Ponant cruises are not cheap, as we’ll see in a bit, but they offer peace of mind and a level of luxury that’s hard to match. They’re also an all-inclusive cruise line, meaning that all meals and dining venues are included in your fare, most drinks are covered, and you also get at least one free excursion per port of call, 24-hour room service, and butler service in some of the higher-tier suites.
It’s great that at least one excursion is included at every port of call, but it’s a bit of a bummer that you have to pay for any additional or specialty tours. Excursions also aren’t exactly cheap and can quickly add up to the overall cost if you want to experience multiple activities in the same day.
So, do you want top-notch luxury and the chance to visit distant, isolated places untouched by most cruise lines? Then get ready to pack, practice your French, and say au revoir!
Ponant Cruises Reviews
The Good
Intimate and Peaceful: Ponant Cruises is for those who want to relax to the sound of the waves or enjoy a pianist at night with a cocktail in hand. Their ships are known for carrying fewer than 300 guests, with some accommodating as few as 13 passengers on board! Ponant ships are peaceful and serene, without any loud parties or over-the-top entertainment options. They’re perfect for families who want to relax, romantic couples, or anyone looking to escape the stress of daily life and recharge. If you want a setting that feels romantic and helps you reconnect with nature, you can’t go wrong with Ponant.
Great Service: Service onboard Ponant Cruises is top-notch. It helps that there are so few passengers on board, and the crew-to-guest ratio is spectacular — almost 1:1 on the small Sailing Ships. Waiters are always ready to bring you your favorite drink, answer any questions, and even the guides do an excellent job teaching you about the different locales you’ll be visiting. The staff is so attentive that the bridge is basically open 24/7, allowing you to stop by and exchange a few words with the captain whenever you like.
Food: Dining onboard Ponant Cruises is included in your fare, and it is fantastic. You can find dishes from all over the world with a touch of French flair added to each. The buffet alone is better than many specialty restaurants on mainstream cruise lines, and desserts are as amazing as you would expect. Complimentary French wines are excellent as well. Ponant also features The Nuna onboard their Icebreaker ship, the one and only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea, and one of the best cruise restaurants in the world.
Le Commandant Charcot: The only Icebreaker-class ship in the fleet is fantastic and a marvel of technology, one of the most impressive cruise ships ever built. Le Commandant Charcot focuses on polar expeditions and is the only cruise ship in the world that actually reaches the North Pole. It also has spacious and luxurious suites and the restaurant Nuna, which, as mentioned, is one of the best at sea. This is not a cheap cruise, since a four-day trip starts at 3,340 € per person, but it offers one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have on the water.
The Bad
The “problems” that come with (ultra) luxury: If you’ve been browsing Famvia for a while, you will know that ultra-luxury cruise lines are not for everyone. They are not only much more expensive than mainstream cruise lines, but entertainment onboard is minimal, and they are not ideal for families with children. That is also true for Ponant. Activities onboard are mostly lectures and piano lounges, and there is no entertainment aimed at children. As mentioned before, this cruise line is not for everyone, but you will love it if you simply want to relax and enjoy great food and drinks.
Fast Fingers for Booking: Ponant cruise ships have very limited capacity. While most of their ocean vessels accommodate around 260 passengers, the Sailing Ships take just 13 to 32 guests. That is amazing considering how intimate these cruises are, but it also makes booking more challenging, as itineraries fill up very quickly. On top of that, many Ponant cruises offer significant discounts, sometimes up to 30 percent off, when they first pop up online, but these discounts disappear fast. If you are planning to travel with Ponant, you should book as early as possible, and Famvia is here to help you secure your spot quickly.
How Much is a Cruise on Ponant Journeys?
Cruises onboard Ponant Cruises are not cheap, since we are talking about an all-inclusive cruise line with a limited number of passengers per ship and top-tier restaurants and service on every vessel. It is safe to say that you will pay at least 2,000 € per person for their entry-level cruises. Ocean voyages in the Mediterranean usually start around 3,500 € per person, and polar expeditions onboard Le Commandant Charcot are even more expensive.
Let’s take a look at starting prices for some of Ponant’s itineraries. We are going to show prices in euros and, later on when examining destinations, we will show them in US dollars. Keep in mind that prices fluctuate, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect. The first few cruises are new ocean voyages that were updated close to the time this guide was written, so they include some discounts:
- 3-Night Ocean Voyage: Kumamoto to Keelung (most affordable cruise): 810€ per person
- 7-Night Ocean Voyage: Cabo San Lucas to Puntarenas: 1,870€ per person
- 7-Night Pearls of the Caribbean Cruise: 3,860€ per person
- 7-Night Mediterranean Shores Cruise: 3,960€ per person
- 7-Night At the Heart of the Greek Islands Cruise: 4,350€ per person
- 7-Night History and Culture Visiting Caribbean Jewels Cruise onboard Le Ponant Sailing Ship: 7,730€ per person
- 8-Night Arctic Spring: A Journey Through Ice and Inuit Culture Cruise onboard Le Commandant Charcot: 16,350€ per person
What is included in your Ponant Cruises fare?
Since Ponant Cruises is all-inclusive, a lot is already included in your base fare. It includes:
- Your Room
- Wi-Fi
- All Food and Meals
- Water, beverages and a huge choice of alcoholic drinks (wines, spirits, beers, cocktails… some premium drinks do cost extra, though)
- 24-hour room service
- Butler service for certain suites
- Live Shows
- Fitness Center & Sauna
- Non-motorized water sports
- One-Excursion per person per port of call
What is NOT included in your Ponant Cruises fare?
Although a lot is included in your base fare, some things incur extra charges. Here is what is not included in your base fare:
- Gratuities (although they are optional)
- Specific Drinks
- Laundry
- Add-on shore excursions
- Charter flights
Ponant Cruises Fleet
Ponant Cruises divide their ships into four different categories:
- Sailing Ships: Three ships are part of this group: Le Ponant, Spirit of Ponant, and La Désirade. La Désirade is a ship that you can rent for a private trip and accommodates a maximum of nine guests. Prices for this ship are fully customized, since you are essentially renting a luxurious vessel for yourself. Le Ponant and Spirit of Ponant are more traditional, small cruise ships that focus on the Seychelles, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean.
- Sisterships: There are four ships in this category that are basically copies of each other, hence the name of the class. These are the largest ships in Ponant’s fleet, carrying up to 264 passengers. They focus on Antarctica, the Arctic, Oceania, and faraway destinations. Basically, they are the jack of all trades, offering a bit of everything with luxury.
- Explorers: The Explorers class is similar to the Sisterships but slightly newer, with a few surprises, and carries up to 184 guests. These ships are designed mostly to explore tropical destinations around the world and feature an amazing bar with glass windows below sea level that lets you actually see fish and coral outside.
- Icebreaker: There is only one ship in this class, the magnificent Le Commandant Charcot. This class focuses on polar expeditions and takes you closer than any other ship in the world to the North Pole as well as some of the most beautiful destinations on Earth.
Ponant Cruises Destinations
Ponant Cruises operates worldwide, with more than 300 itineraries available at any given time. Like most ultra-luxury cruise lines, they have a strong presence in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, but they are also prominent in the Arctic and Antarctica with their expedition ships. Other highlights include cruises to the Pacific Islands, such as Bali, East Timor, and Tahiti, as well as the Atlantic Coast, including Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.
Here are all the destinations that Ponant visits, along with the number of itineraries offered at the time of this writing. This time, we are also including the starting prices for each itinerary in US dollars.
- The Mediterranean (93 itineraries; 5-Nights start at $3,500 per person)
- Northern Europe & Scandinavia (46; 7-Nights start at $5,140 per person)
- The Arctic (35; 4-Nights start at $4,080 per person)
- Pacific Islands (28; 11-Nights start at $9,220 per person)
- Atlantic Coast (25; 4-Nights start at $4,080 per person)
- Caribbean (23; 7-Nights start at $4,760 per person)
- Asia (22; 10-Nights start at $3,770 per person)
- Atlantic Islands (17; 7-Nights start at $4,930 per person)
- Oceania (16; 7-Nights start at $2,320 per person)
- North America (15; 8-Nights start at $9,170 per person)
- Central America (13; 7-Nights start at $5,290 per person)
- Antarctica (11; 10-Nights start at $17,320 per person)
- Transatlantic Voyages (10; 5-Nights start at $1,590 per person)
- Maghreb and the Middle East (9; 8-Nights start at $5,080 per person)
- Indian Ocean (7; 8-Nights start at $6,610 per person)
- Southern Africa (7; 12-Nights start at $4,010 per person)
- South America (4; 10-Nights start at $6,760 per person)
Is Ponant Cruises for You?
Ponant Cruises is for those who want pure luxury and are comfortable paying thousands of dollars for a cruise of a lifetime. This cruise line attracts many guests in their 50s and older who want nothing more than to relax. It is an excellent choice for travelers who want to explore niche destinations, experience the small Sailing Ships, and enjoy some of the best restaurants at sea.
Ponant is also a top-tier choice if you want to visit the Arctic or Antarctica. Their polar cruises rank among the best in the world, and if you manage to secure a spot on Le Commandant Charcot, there is a good chance this will become your new favorite cruise of all time. Their polar expeditions feature spacious suites, delicious food, included guides, and visits to specific locations that other cruises simply cannot reach.
In short, this is a cruise line for travelers who are willing to pay a premium for an exceptional experience. Ponant earns an A+ in many categories, from food and service to itineraries. Who might want to avoid a Ponant cruise? Families traveling with children may have better options, as onboard entertainment is very limited. Activities are mostly lectures about destinations and relaxing evenings at the piano bar. If you are looking for a high-energy cruise with lots of onboard activities, Ponant is not the right choice.
Activities onboard Ponant Cruises
Activities onboard every Ponant cruise are rather limited. Remember, this is a cruise line designed for relaxation, and above all, the excellent service encourages you to drink and eat well while enjoying the different destinations and passing scenery. When you are sipping champagne and eating caviar, it is perfectly fine to just relax on the top deck, but many guests do want additional entertainment options to stay occupied.
The Sisterships and Explorers all have heated swimming pools, a theater where lectures take place or a movie plays on select nights, a spa, sauna, and fitness center. The Icebreaker has both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, which is incredible when swimming at 37°C while surrounded by ice. On the Explorers ships, you cannot miss the Blue Eye underwater lounge, which is located below sea level and provides an excellent spot to relax while watching marine life through large glass windows.
Sailing Ships have even more limited activities, as they are tiny vessels accommodating fewer than 40 passengers. These ships mainly feature a restaurant, a bar, and a sun deck for lounging.
Here is what is available on most Ponant cruises:
- Swimming pools
- Spa and fitness center
- Books and board games
- Piano bars
- Cooking demonstrations
- Blue Eye underwater lounge (Explorer class only)
Why book Ponant Cruises with us?
At Famvia, we are luxury cruise specialists. We proudly partner with some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines, including Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys, and of course, Ponant. We also have hundreds of guides and reviews on our website, the result of years of research and a strong commitment to bringing you valuable content completely free of charge.
Ponant Cruises is an excellent choice for a vacation, but the large number of itineraries and pricing options can feel overwhelming at first. That is where we come in. Famvia can help you secure the best deals as soon as new itineraries are released and save money by booking well in advance. Better yet, booking through us does not cost a dime more, and you might even save in the process, since we often have access to exclusive deals you will not find anywhere else.
With deep expertise in Ponant’s all-inclusive fares and luxurious ships, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Simply click the Request a Quote button to get in touch. Our personalized planning services are completely complimentary, and we look forward to crafting an unforgettable journey just for you.
Ponant Cruises Additional Info
Passport
Your passport is the most important item to bring on your vacation. Make sure it’s with you on every Ponant cruise and that it has at least six months of validity left. Depending on your itinerary, you might also need a visa, so it’s always a good idea to check entry requirements before you travel.
Gratuities
Gratuities are not included in your base fare and are optional. An anonymous envelope will be placed in your cabin at the end of the cruise, which you can then drop into a designated urn at reception. For reference, the average gratuity is about 10 to 12€ per person, per day.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is complimentary and available to all guests.
Language
Both French and English are spoken by the crew and used during official announcements throughout your cruise.
Dress Code
The dress code is casual during the day and more formal at night. Ponant recommends wearing smart casual or elegant outfits, cocktail attire for gala evenings, and white or black-and-white clothing for the Officers' evening. Shorts and Bermuda shorts are not permitted in the evening at gourmet restaurants.
Laundry
Laundry service is available onboard for an additional charge. It usually takes between 24 and 48 hours for your clothes to be washed and ironed. Limited Laundry service is free for some Ponant Loyalty Club members.
Carry-on Drink Policy
Ponant doesn’t have an official policy regarding alcohol brought onboard from port, but guests report that they’ve had no issues bringing wine, beer, or other drinks onto the ships.
Loyalty Club
Ponant’s loyalty program is called the Ponant Yacht Club and is divided into four tiers. Each cruise you take earns you points that help you move up to the next level. Perks include discounts on future cruises, onboard credits, and priority boarding.
Book your dream vacation with Ponant Cruises!
Now that you know a lot about Ponant Cruises… why not learn even more!? Yeah, our guides do not end here. We have guides about almost anything you can think of. How about the room options at Ponant? Or the list of restaurants you can find there? We have those too. Wait, now you want to know about the specific pH levels of the swimming pools during June on a rainy night? We don't have that guide yet, but don't tempt us!
Feel free to message us anytime for the best deals, more information about room options, activities, or anything else you need. Until the next one!
