Le Ponant

The 1991-built MS Le Ponant is a tall-sailing cruise yacht owned and operated by Ponant Cruises and marketed as a "luxury sail yacht." The 3-masted vessel carries 1212 m² (13,050 ft²) of sails and was constructed in France at the SFCN Shipyard in Villeneuve-la-Garenne.

The ship (IMO number 8914219) is France-flagged (MMSI 227186000).

With Le Ponant, Ponant primarily targets the French-speaking market, though the yacht is frequently chartered by North American operators for expedition-style and family-friendly voyages.

Charters usually feature tailor-made itineraries focused on specific interests. Weather permitting, the yacht often sails under wind power, in which case guests receive a fuel rebate credited to their onboard accounts. Dining is a gourmet experience, led by a Michelin-starred chef with a dedicated pastry chef also onboard.

History – construction and ownership

Compagnie du Ponant (CDP) was founded in April 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers. All Ponant vessels are France-flagged. The company specializes in premium adventure cruises with all-inclusive packages, focusing mainly on the French-speaking market. Most of the fleet operates in Antarctica (December–March). Ponant’s mega-yachts offer 5-star hotel amenities, highly trained staff, and exotic itineraries worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia–New Zealand.

Le Ponant was drydock-refitted and fully refurbished, resuming operations on August 14, 2022, after a ~2.5-year pause due to the COVID crisis.

The yacht became world-famous in 2008 when, on April 4, she was attacked and seized by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden (CruiseMinus). Throughout the incident, the vessel was under French military surveillance supported by a Canadian Navy helicopter. Eight days later, the pirates released the hostages after a ransom was paid.

Decks and Cabins

The ship has 5 decks (4 accessible to passengers), including a Sundeck, and a total of 16 staterooms (all outside, spread over 3 decks), including 5 with private balconies and 11 with windows. Before the 2020–2021 refurbishment, all staterooms had windows only, in 2 types – Triple (3 cabins) and Double (29 cabins, with King-size beds).

Today, Le Ponant offers 8 cabin categories, including Balcony Suites, Balcony Cabins, and Oceanview Cabins (with windows). By occupancy, staterooms are either double or triple. Sizes range from 10 m² (Alizé Balcony Stateroom) to 49 m² (Grand Privilege Alizé Suite). The Grand Privilege Suite and Owner’s Suite accommodate up to 5 guests and are suitable for families. Connecting staterooms are also available.

All cabins are equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, a double bed (180x200 cm) or two singles (90x200 cm), mini-bar/fridge, LCD TV with satellite channels, Bose Bluetooth speaker, writing desk with chair, dressing table with hairdryer, direct-dial phone (intercom and satellite), electronic safe, lifejackets (in the closet), Dyptique Paris bath products, power outlets (110/220 V), 24-hour room service, and free unlimited Wi-Fi.

The yacht is staffed by 32 crew members (French officers, Filipino service staff).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The ship currently has one restaurant – Le Diamant (Diamond Dining Room) – and one main bar lounge, Emeraude Lounge & Bar. During the 2020–2021 refit, Saphir Lounge (lecture hall with computers) and Karukera Restaurant were removed.

• Karukera Restaurant (Deck 2, forward) was the main dining room (86 m² / 925 ft², 64 seats).
• Saphir Lounge (Deck 2, midship, 24 m² / 260 ft²) served as a lecture hall for enrichment programs and was equipped with a large HDTV and Internet-connected computers.

Mistral Deck

Houses oceanview staterooms, crew cabins (forward), the Sickbay/Infirmary, and machinery rooms (aft).

Alizés Deck

Forward is the wellness complex, with a Spa (19 m² / 205 ft²) for Biologique Recherche treatments and a Fitness Room (16 m² / 170 ft²) supervised by a licensed instructor. Outdoor activities (aerobics, yoga, meditation) are held on the Sundeck.

Midship is the Lobby/Welcome Lounge (26 m² / 280 ft²) with the Reception Desk (24-hour services, excursions, purser). This space replaced the former Saphir Lounge.

The Emeraude Lounge & Bar (117 m² / 1260 ft²) has 59 seats (35 indoors, 24 outdoors) and features a stage, dance floor, grand piano, bar (24 m² / 260 ft²), and terrace. Before 2021, it was smaller (74 m² / 795 ft² indoors) but with a higher seating capacity (64).

The aft Marina Platform supports water sports (snorkeling, diving, surfing, fishing, 2 glass-bottom kayaks, 4 paddleboards, bicycles, saltwater pool). It also provides Zodiac access for tendering and shore landings. Children’s water toys are also available.

Zéphyr Deck

Forward is the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse with the Captain’s Suite and officers’ quarters. Aft is Le Diamant Restaurant (61 m² / 660 ft², 34 seats), a panoramic venue with alfresco terrace serving buffet-style meals. Cuisine is French and international, paired with Veuve Clicquot champagne and artisan wines (by the glass, complimentary at lunch and dinner).

Note: Before 2021, Le Diamant was larger (116 m² / 1250 ft², 64 seats).

Sun Deck

The Sundeck features Sun Lounge & Bar, sunbathing area with loungers, and space for group activities (yoga, aerobics, meditation, deck parties). The indoor Observatory Lounge was removed during the 2020–2021 refit to enlarge the sundeck.

Itineraries

Le Ponant operates luxury voyages in the Mediterranean, visiting small ports along the French and Italian Rivieras, Dalmatian Coast, Greece, and the Greek Isles.

The yacht was paused ~3 years (November 2019–August 2022) due to drydocking and the COVID crisis.

In December 2021, Ponant announced her redeployment in the Aegean/Eastern Mediterranean from June 2022. Initially scheduled for 20 departures across 3 itineraries, the program was later reduced to 10 departures (August relaunch) covering the Ionian and Aegean Seas.

For winter 2022–2023 (November 22–February 20), she was deployed in Seychelles for 11 roundtrips from Victoria (Mahe Island). Fares started at EUR 10,200 per person (double occupancy) for the 9-night "Seychelles under the Trade Winds" itinerary, visiting African Banks, Alphonse, Poivre, Therese, Curieuse, Aride, Grande Soeur, Praslin, and La Digue.

In July 2022, Ponant opened bookings for the yacht’s inaugural Kimberley Coast, Western Australia season (April 6–September 30, 2023). The program included 24 sailings to Rowley Shoals, Northern and Southern Kimberley, with charter flights via Pearl Aviation’s amphibious Grumman G-73 Mallard seaplanes. Fares started at EUR 9,490 pp.

The renovated yacht was "inaugurated" on August 14, 2022, with a 7-night Adriatic roundtrip from Dubrovnik visiting Mljet, Korcula, Vis (Komiza), Hvar (Stari Grad), Brac (Pucisca), and the Elaphiti Islands (Sipan, Lopud). Prices started at USD 10,890 pp (double occupancy).