Ponant Cruises

387 Reviews
Le Lyrial (Photo: Ponant Cruises)

About Ponant Cruises

European and Americans who have sailed on the cruise line's intimate, upscale ships love the line for its social atmosphere and Mediterranean and exotic itineraries. Good value for money for an upmarket experience with a strong French influence.

Loading...
We found you 245 cruises

We found you 245 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Le Boreal
Le Boreal

9 Night
World Cruise

60 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
Le Boreal
Le Boreal

9 Night
World Cruise

60 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
Le Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot. (Photo: Nicolas Dubreuil)

12 Night
Arctic Cruise

9 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
Le Jacques Cartier
Le Jacques Cartier (Image: Ponant)

14 Night
Southeast Asia Cruise

3 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews

7 Night
Southeast Asia Cruise

3 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews

10 Night
Antarctica Cruise

60 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews

21 Night
Antarctica Cruise

78 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews

7 Night
Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

113 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews

7 Night
Baltic Sea Cruise

10 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews

7 Night
Alaska Cruise

78 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews

14 Night
Antarctica Cruise

78 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews

9 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

54 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
Cruise Critic Favorite

11 Night
Indian Ocean Cruise

22 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews

5 Night
World Cruise

9 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
Cruise Critic Favorite

8 Night
Mediterranean - Western Cruise

22 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Reviews

Ponant Cruises Tips, Activities, and Overview

Who goes on Ponant cruise ships?

With the bilingual staff fluent in French and English, the passenger mix is strongly French and European, although a small, but growing number of North Americans are finding the line. The average age on a Ponant cruise is early 60s, and most passengers are married and college educated. There are some designated family-friendly cruises, and the line does offer special rates for kids up to age 17 traveling with their parents, but, in general, you will not find many kids onboard.

Do I have to dress up on a Ponant cruise?

We'd say yes. Though there isn't a specific dress code, you'll be uncomfortable if you don't show up for dinner in country club casual dress at the bare minimum. The French passengers generally wear chic designer clothing, high heels for women and jackets and ties for men. The dress code by day is casual, but you won't see shorts, jeans or T-shirts in the evening. Each sailing also hosts one or two gala dinners, where the line recommends a formal cocktail dress or dark suit.

Is everything free on Ponant cruises?

No. One difference between Ponant's cruises and those of other upscale lines is that the onboard pricing is more a la carte. You will pay extra for shore excursions, gratuities, spa and beauty services and other amenities and services, with varying policies for people booking in different countries.

The cruise fare includes all dining on board, beverages at all times (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, Henri Abele Brut Champagne, spirits, coffee, tea), unlimited Wi-Fi and port taxes.

What are Ponant’s most popular activities?

As elegant as it is, Ponant is an expedition line, so the destination is the center of activities, with presentations from naturalists and various experts enhancing the shore excursions. Lectures are offered separately in French and English.

While sailing, passengers choose their own activities as they feel moved. Many head for the heated seawater pool or the solarium and relax in the hammam. Ponant ships have no casinos but do have comfortable lounges where cruisers often sit to read and chat. In the evenings there is music or cabaret in the theater.

Why go with Ponant?

  • Intimate ships with elegant, yet casual onboard atmosphere.
  • Authentic French cuisine cooked by French chefs.
  • Offers sailings to exotic destinations around the world.

Best for: Luxury expedition travelers, Francophiles and those who would like to sail their own yachts to exotic destinations

Not for: Those who don't enjoy traveling with an international crowd or who adore casinos and a wide choice of entertainment and dining

Ponant Cruises Cruiser Reviews

Exploring the Chilean Fjords on Ponant L’Austral

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024—EL BRUJO GLACIER The Zodiac group order was reversed again today, so we were first to go and already up when the Captain alerted us to the gorgeous sunrise over El Brujo Glacier.FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024—GARIBALDI GLACIER & GLACIER ALLEY During the night, the ship traveled west through the Strait of Magellan, out into the open sea, and back east through the Beagle Channel.Read More
User Avatar
cboyle

many10+ Cruises

•

Age 74s

Terrific!

While in the Antarctic our weather was mostly good to terrific.Well informed, good presenters.Read More
User Avatar
Soars-55

few6-10 Cruises

•

Age 82s

Amazing Ultra luxurious Polar Cruise in an Icebreaker

The way this icebreaker ship sails on Sea Ice, Fast Ice , Ice Floes and the way it navigates in between gigantic icebergs is amazing and it can reach farthest corners of Antarctica ( and Arctic upto North Pole).We booked in The commandant Charcot in 2019 , for summer of 2020 to North Pole , as soon as we had heard about its Polar Class 2 Ice breaking capabilities.Read More
User Avatar
DrKP

many10+ Cruises

•

Age 66s

Lovely ship but some disappointments.

Entertainment was impressive for a small ship and we thoroughly enjoyed the pianists, singers and dancers.It is a lovely ship!Read More
User Avatar
Golfgirl canada

many10+ Cruises

•

Age 70s

Related Cruises

Le Ponant

Le Ponant

9 Reviews
Ponant Le Boreal

Ponant Le Boreal

60 Reviews
L'Austral

L'Austral

113 Reviews
Ponant Le Soleal

Ponant Le Soleal

78 Reviews
Le Lyrial (Ponant)

Le Lyrial (Ponant)

54 Reviews
Le Laperouse

Le Laperouse

22 Reviews
Ponant Le Champlain

Ponant Le Champlain

10 Reviews
Le Bougainville

Le Bougainville

11 Reviews
Le Dumont d'Urville

Le Dumont d'Urville

10 Reviews
Le Jacques Cartier

Le Jacques Cartier

3 Reviews
Le Bellot

Le Bellot

4 Reviews
Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot

9 Reviews

Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages, per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings. Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only. Fuel supplement may apply. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. In addition, average cruise prices are updated nightly.

Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions.

Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites.

Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of March 28th, 2024.


Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.