Le Dumont dUrville

The 2019-built MS Le Dumont d’Urville cruise ship (initially named "Le Kerguelen") is the 4th of six Ponant-owned polar expedition vessels. Marketed as "expedition yachts," her "PONANT EXPLORERS-class" sisterships are Le Champlain (2018), Le Laperouse (2018), Le Bougainville (2019), Le Bellot (2020), and Le Jacques Cartier (2020, originally "Le Surville")—all named after renowned French explorers.

The vessel (IMO 9814052) is France-flagged (MMSI 578001200) and registered in Mata-Utu/Wallis and Futuna.

History - Construction and Ownership

Compagnie du Ponant (CDP) is a French cruise company founded in April 1988 by former officers of the French Merchant Navy. All Ponant vessels sail under the French flag. The company specializes in premium adventure cruises, targeting primarily the French-speaking market with all-inclusive packages. Most of the fleet is deployed in Antarctica from December through March. These luxury yachts feature modern amenities, 5-star hotel-style service provided by highly trained staff, and exotic itineraries to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia.

On March 15, 2016, a shipbuilding contract was signed with Vard Holdings Ltd (a Norwegian subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri) for four Explorer-class ships with 184-passenger capacity, scheduled for delivery in 2018-2019. With this agreement, VARD Norway entered the cruise shipbuilding sector.

On March 6, 2018, CDP placed two additional ship orders with VARD (scheduled deliveries in 2020), expanding the fleet to 12 vessels by the end of 2021.

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

Decks and Cabins

Ponant Le Dumont d’Urville 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 Owner’s Suite (485 ft2 / 45 m2 plus 320 ft2 / 30 m2 terrace). All staterooms feature a private balcony with luxury lounge furniture (1 table and 2 rattan chairs) and 5-star amenities such as smart HDTV, DVD-CD player, minibar, King-size bed, and contemporary décor.

All suite categories have bathrooms with sliding panels that reveal a glass wall for unobstructed sea views. The largest accommodations (Owner’s and Grand Deluxe Suites aft on decks 5 and 6) include a bedroom (King bed), master bathroom (Balneo bathtub, dual-sink vanity), guest bathroom, separate lounge with double sofabed, dining area (4-seat table), and private balcony (dual access). Prestige Suites are also two-room units, each with 2 bathrooms (one with shower, one with bathtub), 2 dressing rooms, lounge with sofabed, and a double-width veranda.

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

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

Le Dumont d’Urville offers the following dining venues:

• The outdoor Lido Grill (aft on deck 3) seats 70 and serves grilled meats, salads, and desserts in an alfresco setting.
• The main Restaurant (260 m2 / 2800 ft2, aft on deck 4) has floor-to-ceiling windows, single-seating capacity, and an outside terrace. It features buffet stations for breakfast and lunch, with table service for hot meals.
• Special dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice.
• Breakfasts and lunches are buffet-style, while 4-course à la carte dinners are waiter-served. Weather permitting, meals can also be enjoyed outdoors on the aft terrace.
• Afternoon Tea is served in the Panoramic Lounge (forward on deck 6). Coffee and tea are complimentary and available 24 hours a day.

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

Le Dumont d’Urville offers a wide range of lounges, bars, and leisure facilities for all ages:

• The Marina (water sports platform, used only at anchor in calm seas)
• Atrium (2-deck open-floor space featuring a Swarovski crystal chandelier)
• Main Lounge (200 m2 / 2153 ft2, with LED screen and floor-to-ceiling windows; offers early breakfast, specialty coffees and teas, Afternoon Tea with gourmet treats; evening entertainment includes live music and occasional art auctions; outdoor aft terrace is the only designated smoking area)
• Boutique Shop (40 m2 / 430 ft2, featuring designer clothing, luxury jewelry, Ponant merchandise, and gifts)
• Theatre (188-seat venue for music and dance performances)
• Wellness Centre (Spa, Balneo Room, Hammam, Massage Room, Beauty Corner, Hair Salon, Relaxation Room, terrace)
• Fitness Room (gym with panoramic views)
• Leisure Area (kids playroom, Photo Gallery, Internet stations)
• Image and Photo Desk
• Swimming pool with sundeck and luxury loungers
• Panoramic Lounge and Bar (with Internet corner, grand piano, Library, and Panoramic Terrace with outdoor bar, also serving as nightclub/disco)
• Blue Eye Lounge (below waterline, with giant curved portholes shaped like whale eyes, digital wall projections, and hydrophone-transmitted ocean sounds experienced via vibrating sofas)
• Sun Deck (open-air relaxation with bar, loungers, showers, and games including Shuffleboard, Golf Driving Net, and 9-hole Mini-Golf)
• Zodiacs (inflatable boats for exploration)

All decks are connected by stairs and elevators. The Navigation Bridge has an open-bridge policy, accessible to passengers depending on weather and security. Additional facilities include a Doctor’s Office (Infirmary with 24-hour service), laundry (no dry-cleaning), and Wi-Fi throughout. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.

"Blue Eye" Underwater Lounge

The world’s first underwater cruise ship lounge was introduced on Ponant’s Explorer-class yachts. Named "Blue Eye," this innovative venue features vibrating sofas and a sound system that captures ocean acoustics.

• The Blue Eye Lounge is located 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft) below sea level and built into the hull. Views are provided through two giant curved windows shaped like whale eyes (1.6 x 3.4 m / 5 x 11 ft).
• Live footage of marine life is projected onto digital screens covering the lounge walls.
• Hydrophones capture underwater sounds within a 5 km (3 mi) radius, transmitted into the lounge. Passengers can "feel" the sounds through specially designed vibrating sofas.
• Non-intrusive underwater projectors allow guests to observe marine life from outdoor decks and private balconies.

The 7-deck ships also include a resistance swimming pool (infinity-style), spacious sundeck, and 3-position aft marina platform.

Itineraries

MS Le Dumont d’Urville’s itinerary program, like her Explorer-class sisters, features unique routes to remote ports and islands worldwide. Destinations include the Caribbean, Europe (Baltic and Mediterranean), East Asia, Australia, the Indian Ocean, Pacific islands (Oceania), the Canadian Arctic, Brazil’s Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, South America, and Antarctica. Voyages are enriched with expert-led lectures and multimedia presentations on regional wildlife and cultures.

From December through March, most of the CDP fleet is deployed in the polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica).