As PONANT celebrates company's 30th anniversary in 2018, it announces building order for 2 additional ships in PONANT Explorer series. By 2021 the only French cruise ship owner will boast a fleet consisting of 12 ships.
With 460 departures scheduled for 2021, PONANT will cover all the world's seas. The two new expedition ships in the series will be named Le Bellot and Le Surville.
The delivery of the two additional sister ships is scheduled for the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2020. Just like the 4 previous ships, the construction of the two new vessels will be entrusted to Norwegian shipyard Vard, which is part of Fincantieri Group.
Combining moderate size (92 staterooms and suites, all with private balconies), cutting-edge technology, respect for the environment and refined design, they will comply with international CLEANSHIP label (Bureau Veritas).
The 6 PONANT Explorers will be all fitted with the "Blue Eye", which is a world first. The multi-sensorial underwater lounge is an innovation allowing passengers to discover and experience the underwater world through two portholes like a cetaceous eye, looking out on to the sea bed, along with non-intrusive underwater lighting, hydrophones integrated into the keel and Body Listening sofas, offering sensorial listening experience by corporal resonance.