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PONANT EXPLORATIONS

PONANT EXPLORATIONS

PONANT EXPLORATIONS

Exploration at Heart. Explore to better understand, learn, share and protect. PONANT EXPLORATIONS has been committed to more responsible tourism, and purposeful voyages for 38 years. Aboard a fleet of 12 French-flagged small ships, fitted with the latest environmental technologies, the journey of exploration is always elegant, authentic, and inspiring. Leader in luxury expedition, PONANT EXPLORATIONS offers voyages through the seven continents, infused with the vibrant art de vivre, the great art of French fine dining, and attentive service, whether it's an expedition to the polar regions, a tropical exploration through the Caribbean and Central America or a cultural enriched experience through the Mediterranean. Leader in luxury polar expeditions and winner of the Virtuoso 2025 Best Expedition Cruise Experience Award, PONANT EXPLORATIONS believes that travel, when approached with curiosity and care, has the power to transform not only the traveler, but the world. Whether tracing ancient trade routes, engaging with global experts, or immersing in natural and cultural wonders, journeys are designed to inspire, enlighten, and inform.

Insider Tip

Select voyages are enriched by the expertise of esteemed partners and alliances, such The Explorers Club, Smithsonian Journeys and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).

Virtuoso Preferred Supplier Since 01 Nov 2011

143
Reviews

Ships

One of PONANT's 4 "Sister Ships", L'Austral highlights PONANT's signature approach: to explore the heart of extreme landscapes in comfort and refined style. Her elegant and refined interior design combine with cutting-edge technology to offer a new type of cruising: adventure in a 5-star setting.


Launched in 2019, the fifth yacht in PONANT's Explorers series, the five star Le Bellot embodies PONANT's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed staterooms with 100% private balconies.


One of PONANT's 4 "Sister Ships", Le Boreal highlights PONANT's signature approach: to explore the heart of extreme landscapes in comfort and refined style. Her elegant and refined interior design combine with cutting-edge technology to offer a new type of cruising: adventure in a 5-star setting.


Launched in 2019 as the third yacht in PONANT's Explorer series, Le Bougainville embodies PONANT's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy & comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed staterooms with 100% private balconies.


The second yacht in PONANT's Explorer series launched in 2018. Le Champlain embodies the unique atmosphere that is PONANT's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy & comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed accommodations with 100% balcony.


Le Commandant Charcot is the world's first electric hybrid polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Launching summer 2021, she will explore extreme polar destinations such as the North Pole in sophisticated luxury never before seen at the very top or bottom of the globe.


Launched in 2019 as the fourth yacht in PONANT's Explorer series, the five star Le Dumont D'Urville embodies PONANT's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy & comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed staterooms with 100% private balconies.


Launched in 2020 as the sixth yacht in PONANT's Explorer series, Le Jacques Cartier embodies PONANT's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy & comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed staterooms with 100% private balconies.


Launched in 2018 as the first yacht in PONANT's Explorer series, Le Lapérouse embodies the unique atmosphere that is Ponant's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy & comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed staterooms with 100% balcony.


One of PONANT's 4 "Sister Ships", Le Lyrial highlights PONANT's signature approach: to explore the heart of extreme landscapes in comfort and refined style. Her elegant and refined interior design combine with cutting-edge technology to offer a new type of cruising: adventure in a 5-star setting.


Fully refurbished in 2020, Le Ponant emerges with 16 spacious cabins and suites for 32 or fewer guests, one crew member per passenger, a dedicated chef, and authentic and exclusive experiences to be enjoyed at every stop, designed for and with you.


One of PONANT's 4 "Sister Ships", Le Soleal highlights PONANT's signature approach: to explore the heart of extreme landscapes in comfort and refined style. Her elegant and refined interior design combine with cutting-edge technology to offer a new type of cruising: adventure in a 5-star setting.


Reviews and Recommendations

Ship

89%

of 19
guests
recommend


Virtuoso Traveler Reviewed

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Recommended

Outstanding cruise

By: Fishwife


Reviewed on: 19 Jul 2014

We loved the Austral and its crew. Conscientious, thoughtful and kind are only a few of the positive adjectives that describe them. Each individual we dealt with acted as if our comfort was his number one concern. We were impressed with the respect the crew and staff showed each other and the respect they had for the captain. 
Travel Advisor:  Pascale LeJeune
Recommended

Stockholm to Bergen, June 22-29

By: John


Reviewed on: 09 Jul 2016

Clean ship, professional crew, staff was very courteous and well organized. We enjoyed our sail and would highly recommend it.
Recommended

Fifty-fifty

By: Jackie


Reviewed on: 10 Oct 2017

Accomodations fine; dining and housekeeping staff all excellent. Naturalists were terrible—rude, unprofessional. Other travelers also complained. I spoke to head naturalist (Rafe) after only a few days and he admitted the deficiencies, said it was his fault for inadequately training staff and then nothing improved. Further, I filled out the survey at the end of the trip and nearly a month later have not received a reply.
Travel Advisor:  Timothy Krenzien
Recommended

L'Austral-Antarctica

By: Cotta


Reviewed on: 28 Mar 2019

Ship was nice and the crew superb. Loved the expeditions! And the talks. Entertainment was good, but didn't participate in a lot because of our full days. Food was generally good, not great. Breakfast buffet was good, breads, cheeses and desserts terrific! And service super...everyone so pleasant and attentive
Travel Advisor:  Kathy Brown
Recommended

Elegant and intimate

By: xlgm


Reviewed on: 30 Mar 2019

We loved L'Austral in the Antarctic. It was the perfect size for an expedition cruise. The rooms are elegant and ingenuous in their use of space. Our stateroom bed was very comfortable and we enjoyed having a King. We would love to return to this ship!
Not Recommended

Experience didn’t live up to the brand reputation

By: Miranda S


Reviewed on: 17 Oct 2024

I would summarize that this trip was amazing because of the people I brought and the destinations. Ponant really didn't live up to the reputation, in my opinion. A couple main categories: Food - The food was subpar to the point that many passengers inquired of one another, "what do you think of the food..." A woman I talked to traveled with them pre-COVID said this cruise's food paled in comparison. She chalked it up to a safety procedure change to load a lot of frozen items on board rather than load fresh at the different ports. Onboard Activities - The evening entertainment/activities were also lacking, which surprised me because I have taken other large & small lines (Sea Dream, NCL, etc) and Ponant easily could have offered some fun stuff like movie nights, games/casino and maybe a disco night. The music was very smooth jazz vibe. Background Information - We were also surprised there wasn't any 15-30 minute presentation (optional) about each port of call the day before.
Recommended

Greek Isles

By: Gary and Susie


Reviewed on: 16 Oct 2024

Wonderful cruise to an enchanted part of the world.
Travel Advisor:  Katie Schmit
Recommended

Greek trip

By: Chopper


Reviewed on: 23 Oct 2024

The ship and crew were great. The food was excellent. The Smithsonian experts were top notch and very informative. The excursions were also well done, but suggestions to follow. In terms of dining, it might be more fun to have more than one lunch featuring local cuisine, in this case Greek In terms of excursions, we were busy and saw a lot. I would be nice to build into the excursion 45 minutes to 1 hour to have lunch at a local suggested resturant. This happened on Amorgos, but we rocked in Santorini and we decided we were tired and headed back to the boat vs. finding a place to eat on the island.
Travel Advisor:  Katie Schmit
Recommended

French Cruise Line L’Austral

By: Bob B.


Reviewed on: 09 Jun 2025

FIrst time traveling on a French cruise ship and it was outstanding. Great food and excellent service from the cabin attendants, the excursion staff, to the dining room attendants. I would rebook with Ponant anytime.
Travel Advisor:  Paige Martins
Recommended

Ponant

By: Jerry


Reviewed on: 17 Jul 2025

Second cruise with Ponant who never fails to please. The ship was clean, well maintained and comfortable. The staff on all levels from the people who mechanically handle the daily duties to the people who load the shuttles to the kitchen staff are excellent. The food service should be bragged about. Only I think that some chaos occurred because of no reservations. I think that should be reconsidered. Our prior experience was on Le Jacques Cartier which was a smaller ship and somewhat better organized. Overall Ponant cannot be beat.
Travel Advisor:  Danielle Kelly
Recommended

Great experience

By: Jerry


Reviewed on: 16 Oct 2025

Wonderful time. Staff was attentive and always smiling. Ready to take care of any issue. The craft was always clean and tidy. Nothing out place. Very punctual and attentive staff. Dining was superb. Wine choices were excellent and this is coming from a wine snob. We were on the same vessel for a cruise several months before and he wine was not of the same caliber. Our only concern was that although clean the heads were malodorous. Perhaps some air fresheners in the heads would be advantageous. This was a common observance with other clients. Small problem overall. Great experience. Looking forward to our next adventure in Feb in the Panama Canal and Costa Rica.
Travel Advisor:  Danielle Kelly
Recommended

L’Austral

By: Pi


Reviewed on: 24 Oct 2025

Ponant is a high end cruise line that delivers. The L’Austral is larger than our previous experience on the Jacques Cartier, and frankly, I prefer the smaller ship.
Travel Advisor:  Danielle Kelly
Recommended

Nice ship -- great rooms good food

By: Steve R


Reviewed on: 16 Oct 2025

Great cabins. Smaller French cruise ship with mostly English speakers. Tended to an older crowd due to Smithsonian Journeys. The entertainers were good. The food was very good. The tours were mostly too long and too much walking for older people. The lighting in the bathroom was poor.
Travel Advisor:  Wayne Muhlstein
Not Recommended

South America 2025

By: Michael


Reviewed on: 16 Nov 2025

This was not the compnay we used. Wrong ship/compnay
Recommended

Small but Luxurious

By: Martha


Reviewed on: 20 Nov 2025

This was my 4th Ponant cruise and I have 6 more booked in the next two years. I love the size of the ships along with the general informality on board. The expeditions are always interesting with great guides.
Travel Advisor:  Marsha Souders
Recommended

REVIEW OF AQUA MEKONG SHIP- NOT L'AUSTRAL

By: Kathleen Reynolds


Reviewed on: 30 Dec 2025

Aqua Mekong was not an option on the list of Ponant Explorations ships to select, but this review is for the Aqua Mekong 4-night cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. We absolutely loved this cruise. We will definitely be taking more Aqua cruises and will recommend Aqua and the Aqua Mekong to friends. Highlights included the excellent food, beautiful interior, and on-board spa. The service we received from all crew members was impeccable. We really enjoyed this ship's programming and took advantage of almost all bicycle journey options. My favorite thing about the cruise was the combination of Vietnamese and Cambodian crew members aboard who educated us on both cultures.
Travel Advisor:  Lenni Nagler
Recommended

Ponant cruise around the Greek Islands

By: Jenny


Reviewed on: 22 Jan 2026

This was my first European Cruise and I loved it. With my Travel Agents suggestion it turned into a fabulous way to celebrate a big birthday. I’d recommend Ponant to anyone.
Recommended

Ship

By: Colorado


Reviewed on: 23 May 2026

The room was very nice and comfortable. All of the staff we encountered were courteous and helpful. We did NOT like that the toilet was separate from the sink. The gym area was quite small and too crowded. No other excersize options. The entertainment in the lounge was not a good idea as many of us weren’t able to attend due to lack of seating. As soon as it was over more than half the people departed. Entertainment should occur in the theater. The bar on the top deck wasn’t staffed. )when we complained the MGR replied that it is open, but not staffed??? It should be staffed without complaining. There should be a larger selection of BEERs!!! Not everyone drinks wine and liquor. The food was just ok. For the price point it could be much better.
Travel Advisor:  Mary Provost
Recommended

Iceland

By: Casto1


Reviewed on: 02 Jul 2026

Besides being inundated with French, the cruise was very good. Great staff and great day tours. Dinner meals were exceptional. The only negative is the fct that Ponant has a very limited selection of Gluten free meals and dessert options for this day and age.
Travel Advisor:  Samuel Spencer

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    Our Commitment Our Credentials

    Sustainability

    Our Commitment

    PONANT EXPLORATIONS is leading the way in sustainable travel, setting the standard for eco-conscious practices and groundbreaking scientific research. With a fleet of 12 energy-efficient, environmentally advanced ships, the line is at the forefront of minimizing the ecological footprint through cutting-edge technologies, emissions reductions, and innovative waste management systems. The commitment goes beyond travel—PONANT EXPLORATIONS is dedicated to protecting marine wildlife, promoting sustainable community development, and honoring cultural traditions across the fleet and worldwide explorations.

    Beyond the Group's commitment to promoting more sustainable tourism, the PONANT Foundation supports concrete initiatives contributing to the preservation and restoration of ecosystems, the acquisition and sharing of scientific knowledge, and the development of local communities.

    PONANT SCIENCE supports scientific research, and enables researchers to travel to some of the most inaccessible regions of the planet to learn more about the ocean, the least-known ecosystem on our planet. On select voyages, guests also may have the opportunity to engage in real-world scientific discovery.

    To learn more, read the activity report: Rapport Science 24