Learn more about Ponant

Already know Ponant and how to sell it? You can find sales and marketing resources, plus contact details for the sales team, at the bottom of this page.

Q&A: Anthony Daniels, general manager for the UK and Ireland, Ponant

We asked Anthony Daniels to share expert insight into recognising when a client is right for Ponant, understanding the product and what makes it unique, plus his own tips for closing a Ponant sale.

Finding the right client

Who is a typical Ponant guest? 

A typical Ponant passenger is a traveller with an average age of 65+, who is passionate about nature and culture, history and is sensitive to environmental issues and committed to sustainable practices. They often travel to destinations such as Alaska, Arctic, Central America or the Indian Ocean.

What budget does this typical Ponant guest have?

Prices for Ponant cruises generally range from £3,000pp (seven nights in the Mediterranean) to £47,000pp for a 28-night cruise onboard Le Commandant Charcot to explore Antarctica. There’s also a £2,300 cruise in Polynesia aboard Le Paul Gauguin. The variation depends on a number of factors such as the destination, the length of the voyage and the experiences offered onboard, from exclusive polar expeditions to more accessible journeys in the Mediterranean. Each cruise is designed to offer a unique experience, tailored to the expectations and desires of each traveller.

What will make or break this client’s expedition cruise holiday?

The quality of services, the originality of experiences and the discovery of new things. In terms of gastronomy, the variety and quality of meals, inspired by the advice of Alain Ducasse, will offer a highly appreciated culinary experience. When it comes to accommodation, passengers will prefer superior cabins or suites with sea views or private balconies, some offering butler service for optimum comfort. Guests can also expect a wide range of unique activities and excursions, highlighting natural gems and hidden treasures. The presence of renowned guests onboard, bringing enriching knowledge, is an essential element of this experience. What’s more, the wellness areas on every ship allow guests to relax to the full. For this voyage to be a success, every detail must be carefully designed to offer an unforgettable experience that lives up to their expectations.

Getting to know the product

How many expedition ships does Ponant have?

Ponant has 14 modern and intimate ships:

Le Commandant Charcot: The world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar expedition vessel, inaugurated in 2021, offering 123 staterooms and suites, and staffed by 215 crew members.

Les Sisterships: Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial are four ships embodying Ponant’s true spirit. Inaugurated between 2009 and 2015, each ship features 122 to 132 staterooms and suites, with a dedicated crew of 145 members.

Les Ponant Explorers: Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont-d’Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques-Cartier are six ultra-modern expedition ships, launched between 2018 and 2020. Each ship has 92 staterooms, all with private balconies, and is staffed by a crew of 118.

Le Paul Gauguin: The specialist of the Pacific was renovated in 2021 and 2023. This ship has 165 cabins and suites, with 209 crew members dedicated to its passengers. Le Paul Gauguin has its own identity, offering passengers an international and relaxed atmosphere.

Sailing Ships: The iconic Le Ponant, a three-masted sailing ship renovated in 2022, offers an intimate experience with just 16 staterooms, including one Owner’s Suite and one crew member for each guest. The new Le Spirit of Ponant, inaugurated in 2024, is a catamaran that provides a taste of exclusivity with only six cabins.

What destinations do these ships visit?

• Les Sisterships: Explore Arctic, Antarctica, Japan, the Mediterranean, Oceania and the Pacific.
• Les Ponant Explorers: Explore the Americas, Australia, Bali, The Caribbean, Madagascar, Persian Gulf and Scandinavia.
• Le Commandant Charcot: Explores the Noth Pole, Greenland, the Northwest Passage and Antarctica
• Le Ponant: Explores Australia, the Mediterranean, or the Seychelles
• Le Spirit of Ponant: Explores the Seychelles

What excursions and experiences does Ponant offer in these destinations?

There are two types of expeditions: polar and tropical. The destinations for polar expeditions include the Arctic, Alaska, and Antarctica. The destinations for tropical expeditions cover Central America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, Oceania and the Pacific Islands, as well as South America.

All excursions are included in the price of expedition cruises, whether polar or tropical, allowing passengers to fully enjoy each experience without additional cost.

Ponant offers a variety of excursions. In Antarctica, guests can observe whales, seals and other animals on Zodiac excursions led by naturalist guides. In the Arctic, they can explore fjords and glaciers, discover wildlife including polar bears, while interacting with Inuit populations. These are unique and flexible itineraries, with unusual stops to allow passengers to enjoy the surprises that nature has in store.

In the tropics, they’ll visit traditional cultures and enjoy idyllic beaches. In Oceania, encounters with local tribes and spectacular landscapes are on the programme. Age and mobility restrictions vary according to the activity.

What’s onboard a Ponant Expedition ship to keep guests entertained when they’re not exploring destinations?

All ships are equipped with areas dedicated to relaxation and wellbeing, including a spa, fitness room, sauna, hammam and hair salon. All ships, except Le Ponant and Le Spirit of Ponant, also feature an outdoor pool, while Le Commandant Charcot also offers an indoor pool. Some ships offer destination-specific treatments, such as the snow cabin on Le Commandant Charcot and the seawater pool on our sisterships.

Ponant also offers themed cruises, which focus on various topics such as the planet, culture, lifestyle and geopolitics. These cruises can include conferences held in the theatre by naturalist guides, conference speakers and guests of honour, which enriches the passenger experience. What’s more, some cruises feature a Kid Explorers Club, offering activities tailored to the youngest travellers.

Does Ponant provide any Citizen Science opportunities onboard its expedition ships or in its expedition destinations?

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot Ponant offers opportunities for citizen science, where scientists are onboard. The ship is equipped with laboratories and research instruments for in-depth study of the polar regions. Passengers have the opportunity to attend lectures by researchers, offering unique opportunities to learn more about the polar regions and their protection.