© Studio PONANT/Juliette Leclercq

True expertise and French elegance: the PONANT cruise line has been traveling the world's oceans for more than 35 years. Whether polar expeditions or tropical tours of the Seychelles, journeys to remote New Caledonia or classic destinations such as the Mediterranean and Northern Europe: the variety of their routes is huge. And with the Paul Gauguin – a ship purpose-built for the South Seas – you can experience the wonders of the Pacific up close.

French Flair for an international audience

© Studio PONANT/Nicolas Matheus 

PONANT is one of the few cruise lines to sail under the French flag. On board, this means not only a certain “je ne sais quoi” in design, but also first-class service and exquisite gourmet cuisine. PONANT passengers can enjoy this French way of life, but also appreciate the pleasant mix of international guests. The languages spoken on board are English and French. Numerous services are already included with PONANT: Full board, brand-name beverages, wifi, 24-hour room service, access to the fitness area and much more. Additional services are included on expedition cruises: Zodiac rides, expert nature guides, all shore excursions, lectures on board – and, on polar expeditions, a cozy polar parka as a gift.

A fantastic time – for solo travelers as well

© Studio PONANT/Violette Vauchelle 

Reconnecting with the world and yourself, making new friends, the taste of freedom: there are many reasons to travel alone. On over 170 voyages, PONANT offers a single cabin supplement so that passengers traveling alone can enjoy a double cabin at no extra charge. This offer even applies on legendary routes with the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot to Greenland's east coast

Expeditions to the polar regions ...

© Studio PONANT/Violette Vauchelle 

The North Pole, Japan, Indonesia, Tahiti and Bora Bora, the Easter Islands - the list of destinations at PONANT is endless. The polar expeditions of the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot even go to the remotest parts of the Arctic, even when conventional expedition ships cannot pass through the ice. Other destinations include Greenland, the North Pole, as well as the Ross Sea and the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica. 

... and the tropics

© Studio PONANT/Laure Patricot

PONANT's numerous warm-water destinations show that expeditions need not head to icy climes: the Seychelles, Belize and Honduras, Madagascar, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic coast, or the fjords of Norway are all popular options. The magnificent lagoons of French Polynesia can be enjoyed on the Paul Gauguin Cruises. The eponymous cruise ship was specially built for the South Pacific and can navigate even the most remote bays, thanks to its shallow draft. All 165 cabins and suites have sea views and a cabin design that pays tribute to the Polynesian way of life.

Luxury and Comfort on the high seas

© Studio PONANT/Nicolas Matheus 

PONANT is one of the world's leading luxury expedition operators and prides itself on offering the highest level of comfort with a dash of French flair. A personal atmosphere, stylish design, top tier service and cuisine at the highest level are part and parcel, along with seafaring tradition and exclusive destinations. PONANT's 14 ships are designed to blend in perfectly with the landscape and offer an incomparable level of luxury and comfort. With a capacity of 16 to 165 cabins, the ships are deliberately designed for a small number of guests – and the very small size of the cruise yachts enables destinations that are inaccessible to other ships. Regardless of the destination, traveling with PONANT means a very special experience – and one undertaken with the greatest care for the environment.