The Ponant fleet began with the 32-guest sailing ship, Le Ponant, which was followed by four sleek and elegant sister ships - Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial - each carrying between 224 and 264 guests (depending on the configuration of the cabins - some can be joined to create larger suites).

Ponant are now in the process of rolling out their six 'Explorer' class yachts, each named after a famous French explorer and carrying 184 guests. If that's not exciting enough, the world's first hybrid-powered luxury icebreaker, the remarkable Le Commandant Charcot, is set to join the fleet in 2021.

All ships sail under the French flag, but the company aims for a truly international clientele, attracted by gastronomic excellence and a sophisticated ambience. On certain sailings, large groups will change the balance of languages spoken, but the ships operate bilingually throughout the year.

They offer a stylish and luminous décor, with some beautiful artworks and furnishings in leather, suede and fabric, and in nautical colours that evoke the natural world.

Classic cruise itineraries are interspersed with voyages and expeditions way off the beaten track. Sailing in pristine waters, Ponant's 'clean ship' awards make complete sense, as does the state-of-the-art dynamic positioning system, which means that there is no need to drop an anchor that might damage a fragile ecosystem.

Sustainability

Awarded 'most environmentally friendly cruise line' by the Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in 2020, Ponant have made a commitment to minimise the environmental and social impact they have on the areas they visit, and are the first international cruise line to join the Green Marine environmental certification programme for the marine industry.

Developments across their fleet include a commitment to introducing shore-to-ship power to reduce fuel consumption, eliminating the use of heavy fuel regardless of destination and working towards a zero plastic waste policy which includes measures such as no single-use plastics.

New itineraries are only introduced after the potential impact upon ecosystems has been minimised following environmental impact studies. CO2 emissions have been offset by 150% by contributing to several projects including reforestation programmes in Pará in northern Brazil and wind power production in Maharashtra, western India.

Ponant are members of AECO (the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), who support responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic, complementing their membership of IAATO (the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators), who advocate for and promote safe and environmentally responsible private sector travel to the Antarctic.