Le Champlain

The 2018-built MS Le Champlain cruise ship is the second of six Ponant-owned polar expedition vessels. Marketed as "expedition yachts," the "PONANT EXPLORERS-class" series also includes the sisterships Le Laperouse (2018), Le Bougainville (2019), Le Dumont d'Urville (2019, originally "Le Kerguelen"), Le Bellot (2020), and Le Jacques Cartier (2020, originally "Le Surville") — all named after famous French explorers.

The vessel (IMO number 9814038) is France-flagged (MMSI 578001100) and registered in Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna.

History - Construction and Ownership

Compagnie du Ponant (CDP) is a French cruise line founded in April 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers. All Ponant ships are France-flagged. The company specializes in luxury adventure cruises, primarily serving French-speaking markets with all-inclusive packages. Much of CDP’s fleet is deployed in Antarctica (December–March). These mega-yachts combine modern comforts, premium service by highly trained crew, and 5-star amenities, while sailing exotic, offbeat itineraries worldwide — including the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia.

On March 15, 2016, CDP signed a shipbuilding agreement with Vard Holdings Ltd (a Norwegian subsidiary of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri) to build four 184-passenger Explorer-class ships, scheduled for delivery in 2018–2019. This marked VARD Norway’s entry into the cruise shipbuilding market.

On March 6, 2018, CDP signed two additional orders with VARD (for delivery in 2020), expanding the fleet to 12 ships by the end of 2021.

Each of Ponant’s 10,000 GT superyachts measures 131 m (430 ft) in length and 18 m (59 ft) in width, accommodating 184 passengers and 110 crew. They feature 7 decks (4 with cabins), 92 staterooms, an aft Sundeck with swimming pool, a retractable Marina Platform for water sports, and a fleet of Zodiacs for landings in remote areas. The exterior was designed by Stirling Design International (France), while interiors were created by Jean-Philippe Nuel.

Decks and Cabins

Ponant Le Champlain staterooms (92 total, across 9 categories) include 40 Balcony Cabins (205 ft² / 19 m² plus 45 ft² / 4 m² veranda). The largest is the 2-room Owners Suite (485 ft² / 45 m² plus 320 ft² / 30 m² terrace). All staterooms have private balconies with luxury furniture (table and two rattan chairs) and premium amenities, such as smart HDTV, DVD-CD player, minibar, King-size bed, and contemporary furnishings.

All suites feature bathrooms with sliding panels in the shower, opening to reveal glass walls and sea views. The largest accommodations (Owners and Grand Deluxe Suites, located aft on Decks 5 and 6) include a bedroom (King bed), master bathroom (Balneo bathtub, dual-sink vanity), guest bathroom, lounge (double sofabed), dining area (4-seat table), and dual-access balcony. Prestige Suites are two-room units with 2 bathrooms (separate WC/sink, one with shower, one with bathtub), 2 dressing rooms, a lounge (double sofabed), and a double-width veranda.

The vessel has 7 decks, 6 accessible to passengers and 4 with cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

Dining venues onboard Le Champlain include:

• The Lido Grill (Deck 3 aft) with 70 seats, serving grilled meats, salads, and desserts in an alfresco setting.
• The main Restaurant (260 m² / 2800 ft², Deck 4 aft) with floor-to-ceiling windows, single-seating capacity, buffet stations for breakfast and lunch, and waiter service for hot dishes. Dinner is a 4-course à la carte meal. An outdoor terrace is also available, weather permitting.
• Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
• Afternoon Tea is served in the Panoramic Lounge (Deck 6 forward). Coffee and tea are complimentary and available 24/7.

Shipboard Entertainment - Fun and Sport

Entertainment and leisure facilities include:

• The Marina (water sports platform, used in calm seas at anchor, primarily for swimming)
• Atrium (2-deck-high space featuring a Swarovski crystal chandelier)
• Main Lounge (200 m² / 2153 ft², with LED screen and panoramic windows; hosts early breakfast, specialty teas, Afternoon Tea with gourmet pastries, evening entertainment with live music, and art auctions; outdoor aft terrace is the only designated smoking area)
• Boutique Shop (40 m² / 430 ft², offering designer clothing, jewelry, Ponant merchandise, and gifts)
• Theatre (188-seat venue for live music and dance shows)
• Wellness Centre (Spa, Balneo Room, Hammam, Massage Room, Beauty Corner, Hair Salon, Relaxation Room, terrace)
• Fitness Center (gym with panoramic views)
• Leisure Area (kids’ playroom, Photo Gallery, Internet stations)
• Swimming pool with sunbathing area and luxury loungers
• Panoramic Lounge and Bar (with Internet corner, grand piano, library, and terrace served by an outdoor bar; doubles as nightclub/disco)
• Blue Eye Lounge (below waterline, featuring 2 curved porthole windows shaped like whale eyes, projecting live footage of marine life and equipped with “body listening sofas” vibrating to ocean sounds)
• Sun Deck (open-air space with bar, loungers, chairs, showers, and games such as shuffleboard, golf net, and mini-golf)
• Zodiacs (inflatable boats for expeditions)

All decks are connected by stairs and elevators. The Navigation Bridge maintains an open-bridge policy, subject to weather and security conditions. A 24-hour medical center is available. Additional services include laundry (no dry-cleaning) and Wi-Fi throughout the ship. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.

"Blue Eye" Underwater Lounge

The world’s first underwater cruise ship lounge, “Blue Eye,” was designed exclusively for Ponant’s Explorer-class ships. This pioneering venue features vibrating sofas and an advanced sound system that captures ocean acoustics.

• The lounge is 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft) below sea level, integrated into the hull, with two whale eye-shaped portholes (1.6 x 3.4 m / 5 x 11 ft).
• Live marine footage is projected onto digital “wallpaper” screens.
• Hydrophones capture ocean sounds within a 5 km (3 mi) radius, transmitted through the sound system. Special “body listening sofas” vibrate subtly with the rhythms of the sea.
• Non-intrusive underwater projectors also allow marine observation from decks and balconies.

These ships also feature an infinity pool, expansive sundeck, and a 3-position aft marina platform.

Itineraries

MS Le Champlain offers unique itineraries to remote and lesser-visited destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, East Asia, Australia, Indian Ocean, Oceania, Canadian Arctic, the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, South America, and Antarctica. Voyages are enhanced by lectures and presentations from naturalists, focusing on regional wildlife and local cultures.

From December to March, most of Ponant’s fleet operates in polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica).

In May 2021, Abercrombie & Kent (USA) announced a charter deal with Ponant for Le Champlain’s “Iceland Circumnavigation Expedition.” The 11-day voyage, themed “Iceland Cruise: Circumnavigating the Land of Fire and Ice,” departed roundtrip from Reykjavik on September 11, 2021. The itinerary included:

• (Sept 11) Departure from Reykjavik
• (Sept 12) Westman Islands (Surtsey Island)
• (Sept 13) Hofn – coastal cruising
• (Sept 14) Seydisfjordur-Skalanes
• (Sept 15) Husavik
• (Sept 16) Grimsey Island
• (Sept 17) Strandir Peninsula – coastal cruising
• (Sept 18-19) Westfjords – coastal cruising
• (Sept 20) Grundarfjordur
• (Sept 21) Arrival in Reykjavik

Fares started at USD 12,000 (EUR 9,820) per person, based on double occupancy.