Ponant Cruises

Ponant Cruises (ponant.com) is a French passenger shipping company (Compagnie du Ponant/CDP) founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers. All Ponant ships are megayacht-type vessels and are France-flagged (in the Marshall Islands). The company specializes in premium adventure cruise travel, targeting the French-speaking market with all-inclusive deals.

Note: This CruiseMapper page also contains information (news, updates, itinerary changes, and ship deployments) about Ponant's fully-owned subsidiary Paul Gauguin Cruises (PGC, founded in 1998) and Aqua Expeditions (partially owned since 2025). On July 29th, 2023, PGC celebrated its 25th anniversary of French Polynesia operations with MS Paul Gauguin. The current CEO and General Director of Paul Gauguin is Jean-Marc Mocellin.

Most of CDP's fleet operates in Antarctica from December through March. Ponant's large superyachts offer modern amenities, premium service by highly trained staff and crew, and 5-star hotel accommodations onboard. Exotic, offbeat itineraries visit popular travel destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia. In the American cruising market, Ponant collaborates with the US travel companies Abercrombie+Kent (Illinois) and Tauck (Connecticut).

Ponant's growth in passenger capacity came under the new ownership of Artemis Group, the holding company of the billionaire Pinault family.

Company History

Compagnie du Ponant's first ship, Le Ponant, a 3-masted barque (1991-built sailing vessel), is still part of the CDP fleet. In 1999, the company acquired the yacht Le Levant (currently MV Clio). In 2012, Le Levant was purchased by Paul Gauguin Cruises Ltd and renamed "Tere Moana." In 2004, the company purchased the luxury liner Le Diamant (currently Ocean Diamond), which was transferred to Quark Expeditions in 2012 and renamed "Ocean Diamond."

Ponant Cruises gained international attention on April 4, 2008, when the Le Ponant yacht was seized by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The ship carried no passengers, but all 30 crew members were taken hostage and released on April 12 without incident. After the release, French helicopters tracked the pirates to Jariban (a village). When the pirates attempted to flee in the desert, French marine commandos and GIGN (gendarmerie) deployed from the frigate ships Jean Bart and Jeanne d'Arc moved in. The commandos captured six men. Local officials claimed three people had died in the raid, and eight were wounded, although France officially denied these claims. French troops recovered some of the ransom money paid by the ship's owner. The six captured pirates were flown to Paris to face trial.

In 2010, CDP launched Le Boreal, the first of four identical luxury ships. This was followed by the sister vessels L'Austral (2011), Le Soleal (2013), and the newest addition, Le Lyrial (2015).

Initially, CDP Ponant was based in Nantes, France. After 18 years, following its acquisition by CMA CGM (a container shipping company), CDP's headquarters were moved to Marseille, France in 2006. In 2012, Ponant was sold to Bridgepoint Capital (a European private equity investor).

In July 2015, CDP was sold to Groupe Artemis (Financiere Pinault), a holding company owned by French billionaire François Pinault (born 1936).

• François Pinault is the founder and majority shareholder of Kering (formerly Pinault-Printemps-Redoute), a French luxury goods retail company founded in 1963. Kering owns premium retail brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga. The Pinault Collection includes over 5,000 artworks (mainly contemporary art) displayed at the Bourse de Commerce (Commodities Exchange building) in Paris.
• Groupe Artemis is family-controlled and includes the Switzerland-based subsidiaries Franke Group (Franke Holding AG, an industrial manufacturer), Feintool Group (Feintool International Holding AG, specializing in fineblanking and metal stamping), Artemis Real Estate Group, Artemis Asset Management Group, Artemis Domaine (which includes vineyards such as Chateau Latour, Chateau Grillet, Clos de Tart, Domaine d'Eugenie, and Eisele Vineyard), Le Point (a news magazine), Christie's (a British auction house), Stade Rennes FC (a football club), and Ponant.
• Statistics for 2015 showed that CDP transported over 30,000 cruise passengers, predominantly to polar region destinations.

Under Bridgepoint ownership, CDP doubled its sales (up to EUR 140 million), and profits tripled, thanks to a combination of an enlarged and upgraded fleet (with a 11% increase in capacity), the opening of new sales offices in Australia and China, and the acquisition of another sales distribution channel (TDI) in the North American market.

In July 2017, CDP confirmed its title sponsorship of the CYCA's (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) PSNYR (Ponant Sydney Noumea Yacht Race), a 1064 nautical mile (1225 miles / 1970 km) long Category 1 yacht race. The race was scheduled to start in Sydney Harbour on June 2, 2018.

In late November 2018, Ponant contracted Global Eagle Entertainment Inc (a Los Angeles-based, Nasdaq-listed US company specializing in media technologies, content, and connectivity) to provide new technology, entertainment programming, and television services for Ponant's fleet, including the six newbuilds under construction. Ponant ships received the latest smart HDTVs, and all vessels now have 3.6-meter TVRO (television receive-only) antennas. Global Eagle's annual media content traffic exceeds 10,000 terabytes, delivered to over 1,000 vessels (cruise ships, ferries, commercial ships, and airplanes) and over 1 billion passengers. Among the company's clients are NCL-Norwegian, DCL-Disney, Pullmantur, and P&O FERRIES UK.

Company changes 2019

Since January 2019, all Ponant cruise passengers (regardless of cabin category and itinerary) enjoy free WIFI access. The complimentary service is available throughout the ship and during the full length of the voyage.

On August 8, 2019, Ponant officially acquired Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd (headquartered in Bellevue, WA, USA), along with its travel brand "Paul Gauguin Cruises"/PGC and the Papeete Tahiti-homeported liner MS Paul Gauguin. Following the acquisition, both companies retained their management teams, led by Navin Sawhney (Ponant USA's CEO and PG Cruises' CEO Americas) and Diane Moore (CEO of Paul Gauguin Cruises).

Company changes 2021

Since April 2021, Ponant's CEO has been Herve Gastinel, while the company remains owned by François Pinault (founder and manager of Artemis Group). Since 2022, Susan Robison has been Paul Gauguin's General Manager for North American Sales and Marketing, and Liz Coleman has served as VP of Sales. In July 2023, Ellen McIlvaine was appointed as VP of Sales for North America (USA and Canada), succeeding Theresa Gatta.

Company changes 2023

In June, Belinda Hindmarsh was appointed as Group Deputy CEO of Global Business, succeeding Herve Bellaiche (who served from 2013 to 2023). Belinda Hindmarsh previously held senior positions at Aer Lingus (Ireland's flag carrier), Expedia Group Inc, and CWT (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel).

On August 21st, Florence Courbiere (CFO of Pacific Beachcomber, representing Paul Gauguin Cruises) signed the "Taote Gauguin" partnership agreement with Cédric Mercadal (French Polynesia’s Minister of Health and Prevention). The agreement aims to provide essential medical services and assistance to residents on the islands visited by PGC.

Company changes 2024

On April 1st, Samuel Chamberlain was appointed Ponant Americas'/USA's CEO, succeeding Navin Sawhney. Before joining Ponant, Chamberlain served as VP of Business Development at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, Joint Owner and Operator at Four Seasons Yachts, and held various roles at Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.

In July, it was announced that Ponant, in partnership with the Paspaley Pearling Company (founded in 1932 and Australia's largest pearling company), will inaugurate the superyacht Paspaley Pearl (built in 2021, IMO 9903994, Marshall Islands-flagged, with a capacity of 30 passengers and 21 crew) in January 2025. The boat will be deployed year-round in the South Pacific, visiting destinations in Far North Australia, the Kimberley Coast, East Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Paspaley Pearl's Maiden Voyage will depart on January 10, 2025, from Timor Leste (Dili) to Bali (Benoa).

Company changes 2025

In January, Ponant acquired a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions/fleet, a travel brand and company specializing in river and ocean voyages in South America (Galapagos, Peruvian Amazon) and Southeast Asia (Mekong). The acquisition was backed by Groupe Artemis (Pinault’s investment company). Aqua Expeditions will continue operations under its brand name, with Francesco Galli Zugaro (Aqua Expeditions’ Founder and CEO) remaining a shareholder and continuing to manage the company with his team.

Ponant-National Geographic cruises

In August 2018, Ponant and National Geographic (NatGeo) signed a 4-year partnership deal (until 2022) for over 130 NatGeo-themed expedition itineraries. NatGeo has partnered with Lindblad since 2004. All NatGeo-themed Ponant expedition voyages include experts and photographers engaging with passengers and presenting lectures on the itinerary's destinations and wildlife.

Ponant-Smithsonian Cruises (2022-2025 Smithsonian Journeys)

Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846. It is the world’s largest group of museums, educational, and research facilities.

These unique sea travel vacations combine Ponant's high-quality cruising with Smithsonian's enriching onboard educational experiences, provided by notable experts. The sailings are themed around the region's or country’s history, culture, language, environment, wildlife, and cuisine.

Smithsonian Journeys Schedule 2022

The Ponant-Smithsonian partnership began in 2022 with Smithsonian Journeys-themed sailings onboard Ponant's ships:

• LE CHAMPLAIN (7-night "Southern Spain and Portugal" from Barcelona to Lisbon/Aug 10) - prices started from EUR 3810 per person
• LE BOUGAINVILLE (7-night "Greek Islands" roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens/Sept 1) - prices started from EUR 4870 per person
• LE BELLOT (7-night "Great Lakes" from Toronto to Milwaukee/Sept 18) - prices started from EUR 6320 per person
• LE PAUL GAUGUIN (8-night "French Polynesia: Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the Tuamotus" roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti/Sept 7) - prices started from EUR 4950 per person

Smithsonian Journeys Schedule 2023

The Ponant-Smithsonian partnership continued in 2023 with a new program that included a total of 19 voyages.

• LE BOUGAINVILLE (8-night "Arabian Coast" from Dubai to Muscat/January 6) - from EUR 6610 per person
• LE BELLOT (7-night "Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America" from Colon to Puerto Caldera/February 11) - from EUR 4920 per person
• LE LYRIAL (10-night "Antarctica: The White Continent" roundtrip from Ushuaia, with an overnight hotel stay in Buenos Aires and two roundtrip flights Buenos Aires-Ushuaia-Buenos Aires/February 20) - from EUR 10920 per person
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (8-night "Caribbean's Windward Islands" from Vieux Fort to Bridgetown/Saint Lucia to Barbados/Feb 25) - from EUR 4420 per person
• LE LAPEROUSE (15-night "Solar Eclipse 2023: Indonesia to Australia's Kimberley" from Benoa Bali to Broome, WA/April 9) - from EUR 16830 per person
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (7-night "Morocco to Spain’s Andalusian Coast" from Casablanca to Lisbon/April 20) - from EUR 4580 per person
• LE BOUGAINVILLE (7-night "Circumnavigation of Sicily" roundtrip from Valletta, Malta/May 4) - from EUR 5360 per person
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (8-night "Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea" from London to Greenock-Glasgow/May 5) - from EUR 4910 per person
• L'AUSTRAL (7-night "Arctic Norway: Glaciers, Ice Floes, and Polar Bears" roundtrip from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Island, inclusive of roundtrip flights Paris-Longyearbyen-Paris/June 4) - from EUR 8940 per person
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (7-night "Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage" from Bergen to Glasgow/June 17) - from EUR 5900 per person
• LE JACQUES-CARTIER (7-night "Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean" roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens/July 12) - from EUR 4370 per person
• LE CHAMPLAIN (8-night "Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea" from Stockholm to Copenhagen/August 10) - from EUR 6960 per person
• LE BELLOT (7-night "Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice" roundtrip from Reykjavík/August 13) - from EUR 6870 per person
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE (7-night "Voyage Along the Great Lakes" from Toronto to Milwaukee, WI, USA/August 28 & September 10) - from EUR 6100 per person
• LE LYRIAL (7-night "Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea" from Athens to Venice/September 17) - from EUR 4090 per person
• LE CHAMPLAIN (8-night "Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea" from Barcelona to Civitavecchia-Rome/September 8) - from EUR 4780 per person
• LE BELLOT (14-night "Symphony on St Lawrence: From Quebec to the Canadian Maritimes" from Toronto to Gloucester, MA, USA/October 16) - from EUR 10760 per person
• LE CHAMPLAIN (7-night "Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean" roundtrip from Athens/October 22) - from EUR 5220 per person

Note: Ponant-Smithsonian cruise prices are per person (based on double occupancy) and include all shore excursions, activities (both onboard and at each port of call), lectures by renowned experts, and land transfers.

Ponant Cruise Ships

In 2013, one of Compagnie du Ponant's ships, Le Soleal, became the first French commercial vessel to traverse the Northwest Passage. On August 26, 2013, Le Soleal departed from Kangerlussuaq in Greenland and arrived in Anadyr, Russia on September 16.

One distinction between Ponant and other premium passenger shipping companies is that CDP offers more à la carte pricing. Passengers can pay extra for cocktails (unless drink packages are included), shore excursions, gratuities, internet, and other services, depending on where they book their cruise. The policy varies by country (UK, France, Germany, USA, Australia-NZ), which can be confusing.

Compagnie du Ponant is dedicated to "soft adventure" cruising. Half of its fleet is based in Antarctica from December through March. The company offers unique itineraries around the world, particularly in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia. Beyond its French clientele, Ponant Cruises successfully appeals to travelers from the UK and North America. In early 2014, the company launched a program to promote the brand in Australia and New Zealand.

Shipboard internet and network/WiFi connectivity are provided through a partnership with Marlink Group (a French company specializing in maritime satellite communications). Marlink offers hybrid network solutions that combine dual C- and Ku-band VSAT connectivity (land-based equipment by Sealink International Inc.), GEO and LEO satellites (L-band terminals), and high-volume LEO storage (data stored on Low Earth Orbit satellites). The network uses SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network/cloud-delivered architecture) to optimize traffic, as well as Marlink's LTE/GSM service (Long-Term Evolution/mobile phone Wi-Fi communication).

New Ships

On March 15, 2016, Ponant signed a shipbuilding agreement with VARD Holdings Ltd (the Norwegian subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri) to build four 184-passenger Explorer-class expedition ships, outfitted with the latest environmental preservation maritime technologies. This agreement marked VARD's entry into the cruise shipbuilding sector.

On March 6, 2018, Ponant Cruises ordered two additional Explorer-class expedition vessels (megayachts) from VARD. By the end of 2021, the company is expected to operate a 12-ship fleet.

Each of the new 11,000 GT vessels has a length overall (LOA) of 128 m (420 ft) and a beam/width of 18 m (59 ft). They carry 110 crew members and have 92 cabins. The exterior design was created by the French company Stirling Design International (SDI).

The new yachts' delivery dates were scheduled between 2018 and 2020. The first two (Le Laperouse and Le Champlain) were launched in 2018. In 2019, Le Bougainville and Le Dumont d'Urville followed, and in 2020, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier (ex-Surville) were launched.

The new Ponant yachts were designed and planned for top-luxury expedition voyages in Oceania, South America, the Amazon's Orinoco River, Papua New Guinea, the Indian Ocean, and the polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica).

In December 2017, Ponant contracted VARD to build an ice-breaking cruise ship. The vessel (initially named Ponant Icebreaker, later Le Commandant Charcot) was built at the shipyards in Tulcea (Romania) and Soviknes (Norway), and delivered in August 2021. Its construction cost was USD 324 million (EUR 274 million).

The new ice-strengthened expedition ship has a GT tonnage of 30,000 tons, a length of 150 m (490 ft), a crew of 180, and a maximum capacity of 270 passengers, with a total of 135 cabins (68 of which have private patio balconies). It features 2 restaurants, 1 grill restaurant, a spa and fitness center, 16 Zodiacs (large inflatable boats), and 2 onboard helicopters. The hull is ice-classed PC2. The propulsion system is diesel-electric (hybrid), with onboard LNG fuel storage by GTT. The Azipod propulsion units are by ABB.

The hybrid vessel is LNG-powered (Wartsila Dual Fuel engines, with alternative battery power) and operates on polar cruise itineraries (Arctic and Antarctica).

On November 19, 2019, Fincantieri and Ponant signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) worth ~EUR 300 million for the design and construction of 2 new-class expedition ships (~EUR 150 million per unit), with the option for a third unit of the same design. The deal was signed by Jean Emmanuel Sauvee (Ponant's CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

Both new Ponant-owned ships were planned for delivery in 2022 and were to be operated by Paul Gauguin Cruises in the South Pacific Ocean. Both vessels will be built by Fincantieri's subsidiary VARD (Norway) and designed with a GT of 11,000 tons, a passenger capacity of 230, the latest marine systems, and LNG-powered (with a battery-power package).

Underwater Lounge "Blue Eye" on the new Ponant yachts

The world's first-ever underwater ship lounge was designed for Ponant's new series of all six Explorer-class yachts. The unique venue (named "Blue Eye Lounge") features vibrating sofas and an innovative sound system to capture sea acoustics.

The "Blue Eye Lounge" is located 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft) below water level and is integrated into the ship's hull. Underwater views are provided through giant curved portholes—cetacean-eye-shaped windows (1.6 x 3.4 m / 5 x 11 ft). Live footage of the surrounding marine life is projected onto digital screens, which "wallpaper" the room. Sound, transmitted through hydrophones, is captured across a 5 km (3 mi) radius of the ship. The high-tech lounge is fitted with "body listening sofas" that discreetly vibrate, allowing passengers to experience the ocean's rhythms. Non-intrusive underwater projectors also allow passengers to observe marine life from the ship's outdoor decks and cruise cabin balconies.

The 7-deck ships also feature a resistance swimming pool (also known as an "infinity pool"), a spacious sundeck, and a 3-position aft marina platform.

NEW Solidsail ship technology by Silenseas

In early March 2018, STX France revealed a carbon-free cruise vessel design (named Silenseas) using wind as the main power source. The new wind-power technology was trialed on the yacht Le Ponant, where one of the existing sails was replaced, and the new technology was tested.

STX France's project was groundbreaking. The carbon-free sailship design is an alternative to the popular hybrid-powered vessels. Hydrogen and fuel cells are still expensive, and hydrogen is not available in most ports.

The technology uses the company's patented "Solidsail" concept. The sails (with a total size of up to 1,200 m² / 12,900 ft²) are mounted on masts without any ropes or cables. The STX France design includes 3 masts and 3 rigs, with the masts rotating to adapt the sails to the wind. The new design also incorporates the latest hybrid propulsion technologies, combining wind with LNG, and potentially batteries, solar panels, and fuel cells.

The sailing ship can reach speeds of 12 knots (14 mph / 22 kph) under sail in 15-knot (17 mph / 28 kph) winds. In winds over 15 knots, the vessel's propellers will be used, acting as turbines that draw power from the sails. On Caribbean Sea routes, the new technology could reduce propulsion energy use by 60%.

STX France's Solidsail-ship design was developed for 3 vessel sizes, the largest being a 15,000 GT vessel with a LOA length of 190 m (620 ft) and 150 passenger staterooms. The French shipbuilding company started researching sail propulsion in 2009, and Silenseas holds technology patents (from 2009 and 2017) for the new sail. The unit is made from fiberglass, carbon, and epoxy-resin panels.

The Solidsail system debuted on October 31, 2018, on the yacht Le Ponant. The new Solid Sail (over 300 m²) was constructed at Chantiers de l'Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire) and installed in Marseille. As the three-masted Le Ponant departed from France to the Cape Verde Islands and then embarked on a Transatlantic crossing to Cuba, the new sail was tested for 1 year.

A similar concept is found in Peace Boat's new vessel Ecoship (built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Ponant suspended its fleet's passenger shipping operations (all vessels, including MS Paul Gauguin) by canceling all voyages scheduled between March 15, 2020, and mid-June 2021.

Operations were planned to restart on October 27, 2020 (Mediterranean), but instead, Ponant offered French coastal mini-cruises on select ships only.

All affected bookings were fully refunded in the form of future cruise credits (FCC), including pre-purchased packages and services.

Ponant's entire fleet (12 ships) was fully operational by May 28, 2022.

The following is a list of all Ponant ships, their scheduled first departure dates (in 2021), and operational regions:

• Le Dumont D'Urville (July 28) Iceland from Reykjavik
• Le Champlain (July 15) Iceland from Reykjavik, Canada-Caribbean
• Le Lyrial (June 15) Mediterranean
• L'Austral (Nov 18) Antarctica from Ushuaia, Argentina
• Le Bellot (Aug 6) Mediterranean
• Le Boreal (July 2) Arctic-Norway from Longyearbyen, Spitzbergen
• Le Bougainville (July 2) Mediterranean
• Le Jacques Cartier (Aug 24) Mediterranean
• Ponant's Australia and New Zealand program restarts in 2022 with two ships - Le Soleal (January 6, 2022) and Le Laperouse (January 7, 2022).
• Ponant's brand Paul Gauguin Cruises ceased operations between March 15, 2020, and August 28, 2021.

In early June, Ponant announced a "France homeporting" mini-season (July through September/mid-October) with scheduled roundtrips from the French ports Le Havre/Paris (Le Dumont d'Urville), Saint-Malo (Le Champlain, Le Jacques Cartier), Bordeaux (Le Bougainville), Marseille (L'Austral), and Villefranche-sur-Mer/Nice (Le Lyrial).

Since March 9, 2020, Ponant's WORRY-FREE BOOKING policy allowed penalty-free cancellations for any booking (fully refundable up to 90 days after confirmation). For bookings on any of the scheduled 2020 itineraries, Ponant required a 10% deposit, with final payment due 30 days before departure. Cancellations up to 30 days before departure were also fully refundable.

Ponant offers year-round voyages to destinations inaccessible to larger cruise ships. The company operates in the following regions:

• Southern Europe/Mediterranean (Italy, Corsica, Adriatic Sea, Black Sea, Aegean Sea)
• Northern Europe/Baltic, Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland
• Iberian Peninsula
• Indian Ocean (Maldives)
• Asia (Red Sea/Arabian Gulf)
• South and Central America
• Canada and New England USA
• Arctic and Antarctica
• French Polynesia – In August 2019, PONANT acquired Paul Gauguin Shipping Ltd (headquartered in Bellevue, WA, USA), along with its brand "Paul Gauguin Cruises"/PGC and the Papeete Tahiti-based ship MS Paul Gauguin.

PONANT's PAUL GAUGUIN cruise itineraries

For over 20 years, PONANT's brand "Paul Gauguin" has operated in French Polynesia, from the Society Islands to the Cook Islands, passing through Tahiti, the Tuamotus, and the Marquesas Islands. There are 5 main itineraries, offering complimentary activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The program also includes a visit to the private island of Motu Mahana (off Tahaa Island), where a traditional Polynesian barbecue is served. Acquired by PONANT in 2019, this brand operates a single vessel, MS Paul Gauguin, specially designed for navigation in Polynesia with a shallow draft that allows it to sail close to the lagoons.

In 2021, MS Paul Gauguin underwent a major renovation during a two-month drydock. Following PONANT's drydocking project, the vessel was upgraded with the latest maritime technologies, including environmentally friendly improvements. PONANT's entire fleet now uses LS-MGO (Low-Sulphur Marine Gas Oil), a more sustainable fuel that reduces carbon emissions by approximately 150%. Additional energy and water treatment optimizations were also made during the renovation of Paul Gauguin.

The 2024 season for PGC features 33 sailings (7 destinations) and includes new itineraries debuting in 2024:

• 7-night "More Society Islands & Tahiti" visiting Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Tahaa/Motu Mahana.
• 7-night "Pearls of the Society Islands" (5 sailings in 2024, prices starting at EUR 2560 per person) visiting Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa/Motu Mahana, Bora Bora, Moorea.
• The 14-night "Marquesas in Depth, Tuamotus and Society Islands" (5 sailings in 2024, prices starting at EUR 6310 per person) and the 14-night "Islands of the Marquesas & Tuamotus" both visiting Fakarava, Omoa/Fatu Hiva, Atuona/Hiva Oa, Hapatoni/Tahuata, Hatiheu/Nuku Hiva, Hakahau/Ua Pou, Rangiroa, Bora Bora, Tahaa/Motu Mahana.

All PGC voyages are round trips from Papeete and visit Motu Mahana.

New itineraries in PGC's 2025 schedule (2025 Boutique Crossing Collection) include three routes visiting destinations in Oceania, Indonesia, and Melanesia:

1. 14-night "Indonesia Immersive: Singapore to Australia" (departure April 1st), starting in Singapore and visiting Parai Beach Resort/Banghka Island (Sumatra, Indonesia), Benoa (Bali, Indonesia/overnight), Komodo Island (Indonesia, Loh Liang), Dili (Timor-Leste), ending in Darwin (NT, Australia/overnight).
2. 16-night "Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji" (departure April 15th), starting in Darwin and visiting Thursday Island (Australia), Alotau and Samarai Island (Papua New Guinea), Honiara (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands/overnight), Luganville (Espiritu Santo), Port Vila (Efate, Vanuatu), ending in Lautoka (Viti Levu, Fiji).
3. 20-night "Crossing Oceania: Fiji to Indonesia" (departure January 19th), starting in Port Vila and visiting Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu), Honiara (Guadalcanal), Alotau and Samarai Island (PNG), Dili (Timor-Leste), Komodo Island, ending in Benoa (Bali, Indonesia/overnight).

Prices for Paul Gauguin's 2025 voyages start at US$6210 per person (double occupancy).

PONANT Itineraries 2025

In June 2024, Ponant revealed newly launched itineraries showcasing the wonders of Australia:

Australia's West Coast Odyssey

Embark on an 11-day expedition aboard Le Soleal, exploring Australia's pristine wild west coast. The itinerary includes ancient rock art in Murujuga National Park, marine biodiversity in the Montebello Islands, and the coral reefs of the Ningaloo Coast. The journey concludes at Jurien Bay Marine Park, where guests can encounter rare Australian sea lions. This cruise is scheduled for August 11-21, 2025.

New Zealand’s Fiordlands Expedition

This 15-day expedition offers a rare opportunity to explore New Zealand's UNESCO World Heritage Fiordlands. The itinerary includes visits to Ulva Island, the Snares Islands, and Macquarie Island. Cruises are available from December 3-17 and December 17-31, 2024.

Ponant continues to provide unique and luxurious experiences, allowing guests to explore some of the world's most breathtaking and secluded destinations.

Ponant-Smithsonian cruises (Smithsonian Journeys)

Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846, which operates the world's largest group of museums, education, and research facilities.

These exclusive sea travel vacations feature onboard enrichment programming provided by world-class experts. The sailings are themed around the history, culture, language, environment, wildlife, and cuisine of the regions and countries visited.

The Ponant-Smithsonian partnership began in 2022 with Smithsonian Journeys-themed sailings and continued in 2023 with a new program of 19 voyages.

Ponant-Smithsonian Journeys Schedule 2025

This collaboration features 30 new trips, making it the largest offering in a single year. The expeditions aim to enrich the cruising experience, inspiring travelers to become "global citizens" through travel. These journeys provide access to a diverse range of experts and experiences, immersing travelers in local cultures, history, cuisine, and wildlife while offering luxurious accommodations.

One notable highlight is a two-week voyage from Lisbon to the Canary Islands aboard the Le Bellot. This expedition showcases the southern slopes of Iberia, the Algarve Coast of Portugal, Madeira's verdant valleys, and the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands. Travelers can also explore world heritage sites in Seville, Spain, and Morocco, guided by Allen Fromherz, a professor of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern history. The voyage is scheduled from October 26 to November 8, with prices starting at US$9,020 per person.

Another highlight is a 9-day journey to Sicily aboard Ponant's Le Bougainville, departing from Valletta, Malta. This adventure includes visits to Agrigento, Tunisia, Taormina, Syracuse, and the Aeolian Islands, offering volcano treks, winery visits, and slope-side lunches. Prices for this experience, available from June 2 to 10 and August 29 to September 6, start at US$7,420 per person.

Additionally, an 8-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the L'Austral promises memorable experiences. This voyage starts in Valletta, Malta, and ends in Tarragona, Spain, with stops in Sicily, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands. Highlights include shopping at Palermo's historic markets, exploring Cagliari's architectural wonders, and visiting Menorca's cultural landmarks. Scheduled for October 3 to 10, prices for this journey begin at US$5,340 per person.

In addition to the new itineraries, Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys are reintroducing popular trips from 2024, including voyages to Panama and Costa Rica, the Greek Islands, and various Mediterranean destinations.

Note: Ponant-Smithsonian cruise prices are per person (double occupancy) and include all shore excursions, onboard and port activities, and land transfers.