Cruising with French Flair: Ponant Cruise Review
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And while I can’t say that a 14-day cruise from Toronto to Boston has otherwise ever been on my radar, PONANT manages to make this legitimately interesting. The reason I’m most interested in PONANT, though, is because of the amazing journeys they offer. PONANT really seems to have the philosophy that I’m looking for, offering cruises to places you can’t otherwise easily reach.
Cross the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge by bike — California
Most passengers on a Le Lyrial cruise are French, with a smattering of cruisers from English speaking-countries (mostly U.K. and Australia) as well as other European countries and occasionally Asia. You might also find yourself on a sailing in which part of the ship has been chartered by an American tour operator (such as Tauck). Cruises during school holidays will attract young French families, though not in large numbers.
Service was exemplary
Based on Lagoon’s Seventy 7 model, the newcomer was built in Bordeaux, France. The cat features six generous staterooms for up to 12 guests and cabins for four crew. Ponant says seafarers can expect personalized service, including a private chef, tailored activities, and other high-end touches.
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On our return to France, we would like to say how completely satisfied we were with the smooth running of our PONANT cruise aboard Le Boréal between Argentina and Chile from 3 to 20 March 2017. In the meantime, where I do increasingly see appeal with taking a cruise is in order to visit a destination that one couldn’t otherwise visit in comfort. For my own travel style, I don’t see the appeal of taking a cruise that visits destinations that I could otherwise easily travel to. The concept of cruising to Cozumel or Nassau just doesn’t interest me, especially on a mega-ship, where you constantly feel like you’re part of an assembly line. Several passengers were traveling in extended family groups, and kids ranged from 7 or 8 years old to teenagers. All the children were well behaved, and the teens certainly livened up the dance floor at night.
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Meanwhile when I look at the itineraries of most other cruise lines, I’m a little less inspired, to put it mildly. Equally interesting to me are the cruises to the Arctic, including Iceland and Greenland, since these are places that can otherwise be tough to explore, at least with any level of comfort or ease. When I’ve written about luxury cruises in the past, several readers have mentioned positive experiences with PONANT. Over the weekend I was doing some browsing on PONANT’s website, and I’m now kind of obsessed.
Included with your cruise fare:
Le Lyrial sails primarily in Europe, South America and around Africa. When in Europe, it offers culturally rich itineraries throughout the Mediterranean. During the rest of the year, it sails expedition journeys to Antarctica, around the coast of South Africa and to the African islands (Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, etc.). The onboard marina is stocked with kayaks and Zodiacs for use on these more exotic sailings. PONANT cruises aren’t cheap, and pricing is comparable to what you’ll find with many other luxury cruise lines.
Le Ponant Review
A cascade of glittering Swarovski crystals glistens in the small atrium. Whether or not the passengers are mostly French depends on the itinerary. Ponant has been targeting a more international market with considerable success and also does a booming charter market. Announcements on the ship are made in both French and English, and the menu is designed to accommodate all tastes. In the north of Toronto, on Lake Huron, Georgian Bay is stunning with its landscapes of cliffs and rocks that emerge from the transparent waters.
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Spirit of Ponant will be the smallest and most intimate vessel in the lineup. Itineraries are tailored based on the Captain's recommendations and guests' preferences. PONANT's culinary delights, extensive wine cellar, signature cocktails, room service, and a plethora of nautical activities such as paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and snorkeling are all inclusive.
How much does it cost to go on Le Lyrial (Ponant)?
Passengers on regular sailings tend to be French or European, though charter cruises through American operators attract a North American and English-speaking crowd. The intimate onboard spaces create a convivial atmosphere among guests, and the crew offer friendly and personalized service. This January (2018) I undertook the Sub-Antarctic expedition aboard L'Austral from Dunedin to Wellington via the Sub-Antarctic islands. We were blessed with almost perfect weather and certainly the most perfect team of scientists and researchers led by Mick Fogg. They were just so thrilled to share their knowledge and their enthusiasm for their subjects that the cruise was more than I could have expected.
The ship, Le Soleal, was very comfortable, with choice of casual or formal restaurants. The expedition leaders and all of the science experts were accessible, friendly and helpful. We learned so much on each of the daily expeditions.
The line was the top winner in the “Best Small Ship” category in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. And it made Travel + Leisure’s list of “10 Best Intimate-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines” (2022). Part of the reason Ponant is so green is that they have the youngest fleet afloat. We use sonar – if we come across a pod of whales, we turn the engines off so we don’t disturb them. On all of Ponant’s power yachts, the gyms are large and inviting. The sounds of the sea are also transmitted into the lounge through hydrophones.
When the cruise line was first announced, there were some really interesting sailings, including up the coast of Canada, and even around Iceland. However, after significant delays, I’m finding that most of the itineraries just don’t appeal to me much. What distinguishes the ship from other upscale vessels is its adventurous itineraries. The ship carries a fleet of Zodiac landing crafts for getting ashore and for sightseeing in remote locations.
Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. Even some of the cruises in North America look awesome. There’s a cruise from Iceland to Canada via Greenland and Saint Pierre and Miquelon, which is another place that has been on my radar (mainly due to the cool transatlantic flight from there). Want to book a PONANT cruise at the best rate possible while also getting additional perks?
Ponant’s a la carte pricing is widely considered to provide good value. Note that gratuities for the crew are not included in your fare; and, the onboard currency is the euro. Le Boreal's interiors are like those of a minimalist boutique hotel. Everything is taupe, cream and white, with an emphasis on luxurious textures, from leather-fronted white drawers in the cabin to taupe silk cushions on the bed. Black-and-white Philip Plisson photo art lines the corridors.
We took a cruise on Le Lyrial this year - what can we say? All cruises with PONANT include meals, an open bar (including champagne!), unlimited Wi-Fi, and activities during expedition cruises. Based on what I’ve heard from OMAAT readers, the food is also very good, with French influences. For example, I’ve written about how I’d like to take a cruise to Antarctica.
Pricing varies wildly based on the itinerary, and cruises seem to start at $600-1,500 per person per night, depending on the routing, season, etc. The 64-passenger Le Ponant is a three-masted sailing ship that sails for Ponant. It cruises the Mediterranean from May through October and visits the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, with cruises to the Maldives and Seychelles, from November through April. The ship has four passenger decks with outside cabins, a sun deck, indoor and outdoor restaurants serving French cuisine, and several lounges. Depending on where and how you purchase a Ponant cruise, pricing may be more “a la carte” than you expect from a luxury line.
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