Le Ponant

Launched in 1991, the Le Ponant yacht is a charming and intimate luxury sailing cruise ship. The 64-passenger vessel is a luxury yacht managed by Compagnie du Ponant. The three-masted sail ship has 32 cabins. Built in France, the ship entered service in 1991. It was designed for French vacation travelers, as well as for North American under charter operations (cultural and expedition-style cruises).

History - construction and ownership

Compagnie du Ponant (CDP) is a French cruise shipping company founded in April 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers. All Ponant ships are France-flagged. The company specializes in premium adventure cruise travel targeting the French-speaking source market with all-inclusive deals. Most of CDP's fleet is based in Antarctica (December through March). All these mega-yachts offer modern amenities, premium service by highly-traned staff and crew, 5-star hotel amenities onboard. Exotic, offbeat itineraries visit popular travel destinations worldwide, including Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, Australia.

Somali pirate attack April 4, 2008: On this date Le Ponant sailing only with the crew was attacked by Somali pirates. All people on board were taken hostage. The incident happened in the Gulf of Aden while the yacht was sailing from the Seychelles to the Mediterranean. Despite being in pirate hands, Le Ponant was under constant surveillance by the French forces and a Canadian CH-124 helicopter from HMCS Charlottetown. Hopefully the pirates decided to release the hostages 8 days later after a paid ransom. French helicopters did not abandon the yacht and tracked the pirates to a village. The bandits made an attempt to escape in the desert but a sniper disabled their vehicle and all 6 attackers were captured.

Cruise itinerary program

Le Ponant itinerary program is based on luxury Mediterranean cruises with departures from Nice. The itineraries offer calls at smaller ports on the French Riviera coast and Corsica.

Cabins

The ship has 4 passenger decks, including a sun deck, with 32 outside staterooms (all staterooms are Oceanview, 3 triple, 29 with king size bed) in 2 grades.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Le Ponant cruise ship features two restaurants on board. Karukera Dining Room offers French cuisine. The outdoor restaurant Le Diamant (Diamond Room) is suitable for more informal meals.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Le Ponant is registered in France and her sails are taking 16,140 sq ft. The number of the crew members (French and Filipino nationality) is 30. This unique luxury yacht has two lounges: the Emeraude Lounge (main entertainment lounge), and the Saphir Lounge (a lecture hall that provides internet computers). Other public spaces include the Sick bay and Observatory. Why choose Le Ponant for sailing? At first - because of luxury. The yacht is designed with respect to traditions and French style.

• Le Ponant yacht is a 3-masted, commercially operated luxury cruise yacht, also available for private charters. Her passengers tend to be European (mostly French), though charter cruises through North American operators appeal to English-speaking crowd (USA and Canada).
• Le Ponant cruise ship offers intimate onboard spaces with convivial atmosphere. Reflecting the vessel's luxury rates, service on board is superior, and highly personalized. The yacht boasts a vast Sun Deck area from which guests can observe its 1500 sq.meters of sails. There is a platform above sea level for water sports.
• (April 4, 2008 accident) The ship was seized by Somali pirates during its relocation from Seychelles to Europe/Mediterranean. At the time of capture, the yacht carried no passengers, but the 30 crew members were taken hostage.

Cuba cruise itineraries 2017-2018

Compagnie du Ponant in 2017 and 2018 will offer cruises to Cuba in the period January through April (2017 and 2018). Operated by the Le Ponant yacht, the Cuban itineraries are themed "People-to-People Cultural Exchange". Le Ponant yacht cruises to Cuba leaving from Miami Florida, with ports of call Havana and Santiago de Cuba.