A global presence with a French heritage

A tradition of excellence with over 30 years’ experience, that stems from a love of the sea, a dream of adventure and a taste of sophistication. Expeditions are blended with French-inspired luxury – PONANT’s French Touch, which guests can enjoy in the service and gastronomy, decor, and design.

One of the world’s youngest, most modern fleet

With no more than 240 guests on board, PONANT’s luxury small ships have all been expedition purpose built within the last 10 years, 50% of them built since 2018. Building and operating innovative small capacity ships offers a human dimension and a unique atmosphere, akin to sailing on your own private yacht.

A passionate expedition team

Specialists in extreme regions, PONANT’s expedition teams are passionate, knowledgeable, and committed. As recognised professionals, they always make scouting missions in the field whilst crafting your itinerary to provide rich cultural, scientific, or historical insight during shore excursions and on board.

A conscious and responsible approach

PONANT’s ‘zero footprint’ philosophy means all their itineraries are subject to social and environmental studies. PONANT’s landing protocols respect and are inclusive of the local communities visited, and their fleet exceeds the highest global maritime standards.

"Specialists in extreme regions, PONANT's expedition teams are passionate, knowledgable, and committed."

PONANT, Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

Safety protocols

Whether on land or onboard, your safety is paramount and PONANT’s primary concern. As the rules and regulations change and evolve, PONANT will continue to adapt and optimise its already robust protocol integrating all the technological, human, and material measures to ensure the provision and maintenance of a hermetic “Anti COVID” sanitary bubble. This reinforced protection is based on three “shields” designed to guarantee drastic on-board access conditions, strict on-board sanitary protocols, daily control, and monitoring (guests, equipment, ships).

Shield One: Anti COVID zone access conditions

Prior to boarding, all persons (guests and crew members) are subject to the mandatory “Anti COVID”-zone access control measures described in detail in PONANT’s health protocol.

Shield Two: Maintenance of the Anti-COVID zone

All PONANT’s onboard spaces are regularly cleaned and treated to ensure total disinfection. To preserve and maintain this sanitary bubble, shore/land excursions will only take place in regions where the epidemic is under control

Shield Three: Checking and monitoring of the Anti-COVID zone

To ensure PONANT can provide you with a Anti COVID zone throughout your voyage, they have designed and developed a fully-fledged checking and monitoring system with respect to the health protection situation onboard their ships.

Whether on land or onboard, your safety is paramount and PONANT’s primary concern.

Booking flexibility

In this uncertain period, PONANT have implemented a flexible SERENITY Policy with softened booking conditions, valid for any new cruise booked between 1 October 2021 and 28 February 2022 and departing before 31 December 2023.

PONANT’s relaxed booking conditions:

Only pay a 25% deposit to secure your booking.
Final payment due 30 days before departure.
+30 days before departure – Postpone or cancel your booking free of charge and for whatever reason.
-30 days before departure – If due to a positive Covid-19 test you will be able to postpone or cancel your booking for free.
If your cruise cannot be operated – Postpone or cancel your booking free of charge.

Australian State Borders:

If you are unable to travel due to Australian interstate border closures, lockdowns, and restrictions, you will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit to be used on a future booking.

These booking conditions are non-retroactive, non-applicable to existing bookings (bookings made before 1 September 2021). These cancellation and rebooking conditions apply to the cruise service only. For other services, cancellation incurs the costs requested by our suppliers. This information is an extract from the terms & conditions and is non-contractual. Please see our terms & conditions for more information: General terms & conditions of sale. Non-contractual document.