FTB50: Ponant's French Revolution

ISSUE 50 SUMMER 2016/17

bridge from the

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to the frontier The changing face of world cruising

C’est chic

Ponant takes on expedition cruising PRESENTED WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF:

Sirena sets sail

Explore alluring Europe in style

F

Small Ship | FROM THE BRIDGE

rench PONANT’S

REVOLUTION

Ponant will cruise the Kimberley in 2018

Chic small ship cruise line Ponant dedicates its next vessels to the world of expedition cruising. WORDS: RODERICK EIME

W

hen the world’s only Frenchflagged cruise line launched the first of its new-generation ships in 2010, the cat was thrown firmly among the pigeons. The arrival of the revolutionary Le Boréal set the rest of the world’s small-ship operators back on their heels.

Well before the vessel’s launch, artist renderings had industry observers and commentators swooning at her sleek, ultramodern lines. At 10,000 tons, she was substantially larger than most contemporary expedition yachts and boutique small ships, but still catered to a maximum of 264 passengers, served by 136 staff and crew.

Once Le Boréal started to cruise commercially, media reports and guest comments began building her reputation for chic design, smart decor and superior cuisine, serving to create a new genre of boutique cruising. A clever mix of decent expedition ability mixed with onboard luxuries such as fine dining, great wines, spa treatments, entertainment and comparatively lavish public spaces ensured her entree was well patronised.

The subsequent arrival of her sister L’Austral in 2011 left no doubt that Ponant > SUMMER 2016/17 19

Wine and dine in absolute luxury

BALTIC SEA THE GREAT LAKES

CELTIC SEA

MEDITERRANEAN SEA CUBA BIJAGOS

OCEANIA

MALDIVES

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PANAMA CANAL SEYCHELLES ORINOCO

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

AMAZON KIMBERLEY

NEW CALEDONIA

Enjoy delicious French desserts

NEW ZEALAND

Ponant’s expedition cruises will explore Oceania’s lagoons and secret islands, the Amazon’s Orinoco River, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, the Indian Ocean and much more. was serious about shaking up the expedition and boutique cruise market. Further sister ships Le Soléal and Le Lyrial, in 2012 and 2015 respectively, ensured the French line was here to stay. Now, Ponant is preparing to drive a stake into the heart of the competition with the recent announcement of four brand-new vessels expected to grace the world’s oceans beginning 2018.

The names of this new generation of ships—Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville and Le Kerguelen—leave no doubt about the express purpose of these vessels. Each is named after a famous French maritime explorer and is set to revive the oftenoverlooked accomplishments of these brave men in a world that reveres British navigators at the expense of all others.

A glance at preliminary images of the new vessels reveals ships that conform to Ponant’s distinctively graceful style, with sweeping lines and streamlined superstructures. But beneath the familiar exterior is a new breed of vessel altogether, one that demonstrates a more purposeful design.

At 131 metres in length, the new ships are some 10m shorter than Ponant’s current vessels, each with 92 oceanview staterooms and suites, down from 132. This makes them better suited to polar voyages, especially Antarctica, where international agreements 20 SUMMER 2016/17

limit numbers on ships wishing to take guests ashore. Maximum guest numbers are now 184, down from 264. Crew numbers are down from 140 to 110, but achieving a higher guest-to-crew ratio (1.9 versus 1.7).

Four 45m2 luxury suites will be located at the stern, each with large private verandahs and bay windows positioned to overlook the infinity pool and marina.

Ponant, ever committed to the highest possible environmental standards, will leverage advances in technology in the new

With sumptuous suites like these you’ll never want to go home

ship’s designs. These include ‘dynamic positioning’, which eliminates the need to drop anchor in sensitive environments; and silent, fuel-efficient electronic propulsion with stabilisers. Diesel engines run on light marine fuel oil, as specified for ecologically delicate locations. Low-energy lighting and advanced wastewater management are also part of the suite of technological features.

Dining will maintain the line’s high standards, laid down through years of experience with Ponant’s expert French chefs, >

Preliminary designs show a revolutionary underwater lounge where guests can enjoy a cocktail while watching marine life swim by.

Each of Ponant’s new vessels has a three-position marina deck

Ponant’s Zodiac fleet makes exploration easy

offering distinctly Gallic cuisine as well as themed local fare.

Any expedition ship worth its salt needs to provide ready passenger access to its Zodiac fleet for excursions. The ease with which you can board these sturdy, rigid inflatable runabouts is often a feature that separates the better ships from the rest. Ponant’s new vessels will employ a three-position marina deck that is designed to afford comfortable and stress-free access to the Zodiacs in a variety of conditions. Ponant’s new transom design allows the marina to cater for Zodiac operations and watersports, then be converted to a sundeck, by raising or lowering the horizontal deck above or below the waterline as required.

No expedition is complete without enrichment to complement the experience, Take it easy by the pool

22 SUMMER 2016/17

Witness the wildlife at some of the world’s most pristine sites

and Ponant will employ a team of experts in their respective fields on every excursion to ensure guests are thoroughly briefed on the destinations and natural wonders they’ll witness. Marine mammals, birds, geology and glaciology are just some of the topics that will be covered in the purpose-built auditorium.

Preliminary designs also show a revolutionary underwater lounge where guests can enjoy a cocktail or two while watching marine life swim by.

Typically, with expedition cruising, prospective passengers choose destinations first, then seek out the most suitable vessel. With such comfortable, modern, luxurious ships, Ponant is set to challenge that norm by offering an array of itineraries, from polar to tropical. It seems entirely likely that once enamoured by the Ponant way,

guests will be reluctant to jump ship, so to speak.

Those embarking on Ponant’s tropical and subtropical expedition cruises will be able to discover Oceania’s lagoons and secret islands, access some of the most pristine sites in South America, and explore the Amazon jungle’s Orinoco River, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, the Indian Ocean and more.

Once the four vessels are in operation and working with the existing fleet, it will be no exaggeration to say you could explore the world in absolute comfort with Ponant— and why would you look elsewhere? n

FACT FILE Cruise line: Ponant Vessels: Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Kerguelen Star rating: Not yet rated Maximum guest capacity: 184 GRT: Unknown Entering Service: 2017/2018 Facilities: Restaurant, lounges, bars, auditorium, swimming pool, three-position marina deck, 8 Zodiac craft