Refinement, curiosity, authenticity… Our unique travel philosophy reinterprets cruising and invites you to discover or rediscover iconic destinations. Our Culture and Relaxation cruises offer you a new way to travel, by combining cultural enrichment with time to unwind in a luxury setting and sites that only insiders know about.

Theme cruises
Classical music and opera, food and wine, art and museums, theatre and literature, photography... take advantage of our theme cruises to combine your taste for travel with your hobbies. You will have unique opportunities on board and on land, with moments of true cultural enrichment and exchanges with artists and passionate specialists.

Culture

• Art and museums
• Theatre, Literature and Music
• Partnerships with Smithsonian, the Louvre, the Musée du Quai Branly, the Mucem and Radio Classique

Savour the emotion of discovering a work of art; explore major museums on private visits; experience live music on board; meet and talk with renowned artists, well-known philosophers and museum and gallery curators, and celebrate special events.

Planet

• Tales of exploration
• Raising awareness about the need to protect the environment
• Partenership with well-knowned photographers, partnership with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation

Travel in the company of internationally renowned explorers, documentary makers and naturalists and gain a fresh perspective of the challenges involved in protecting the oceans, studying polar ecosystems and preserving local cultures.

Geopolitics

• History and international relations
• Major societal challenges
• Partnerships with Le Figaro, Paris Match, Tallandier Publishing

Understand each region visited and discover the cultural, civilisational and geopolitical challenges it faces with the help of insights from expert specialists.

Lifestyle

• Gastronomy and wine appreciation
• Wellness
• Partnerships with the Le Tigre Yoga Club, Relais & Châteaux and Cuisine et Vins de France

Look after your wellbeing, get back to the basics and disconnect from the everyday with a range of experiences combining wellness, hedonism and epicureanism devised and put together by Michelin-starred chefs, professional sommeliers, naturopaths and yoga teachers.

Our distinguished guests
Each year, our ships host no fewer than 50 guests of honour from different fields. Artists, writers, journalists, scientists… they are all experts in their fields who bring their insights and knowledge to shed light on specific topics. Thus, each cruise marries the pleasure of travelling with the thrill of discovery, whether cultural, historic or scientific.

Prestigious partners
We have teamed up with prestigious partners ‒ cultural institutions and media outlets ‒ to complement your experience. Smithsonian Journeys, The Explorers Club, Radio Classique, Cuisine et Vins de France, Paris Match, Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and the Louvre Museum invite you to partake in exceptional discussions with members of their writing staff or renowned lecturers.

Designing a luxury Culture and Relaxation cruise
PONANT has always sought to combine passion for travel with passion for learning. The company's staff approach each cruise as a whole to which the itinerary, lecturers and partners contribute unsurpassed cultural enrichment. Interview with Christel Hancy, Director of Themes and Partnerships, and German Amaya, Cruise Designer, to learn more about designing these unique cruises..

Life on board our ships is an intrinsic part of the PONANT cruise experience.

Whether you choose a Mediterranean cruise or an expedition journey to the heart of icy Antarctica, you can be sure of exceptional comfort on board our ships. Our bespoke, attentive, excellent service will make you feel like you're travelling on a private yacht.

Leisure and well-being
Enjoy a moment of tranquillity at the spa or around the pool, work-out in the fitness room, enjoy a theatre show with your travel companions. Our ships have a variety of well-designed spaces to offer you space for relaxation or shared enjoyment to enhance your journey.

Fine cuisine
We take care to instil the French 'art of living' even on the other side of the world. We respect the highest standards of cuisine and offer a varied menu, created by our chefs using superior quality ingredients, beautifully presented and flavoursome.

Good times together
During your stay you can enjoy a sophisticated ambiance. Each area has been considered down to the last detail and tastefully decorated. You're invited to enjoy good times with other passengers or to relax in total tranquillity.

Luxury takes many forms
Our aim is to offer you a bespoke cruise, so we work hard every day to offer you first class, intuitive service. Our staff is attentive and experienced, they will ensure you are comfortable and respond to all your requests, whether while in your stateroom, lounges or in our various dining areas.

Excursions
Our desire to create exceptional trips is demonstrated in the quality of excursions we offer on each itinerary. Planned, tested and approved by our team of experts, they'll enrich your cruise and make your trip unique.

Health and safety
On land or on board, your safety is one of our main concerns. This means we uphold strict safety measures. Doctors and nurses are present on all our ships.

Crews
Whether Hospitality or Expedition staff, take a look at the teams that will accompany you throughout your cruise, dedicated experts who will know how to meet your needs.

Our ships* have many spaces designed to offer guests privileged moments of relaxation and comfort.

Leisure and wellness
Because a cruise offers the ideal environment in which to take time for yourself, our ships offer special spaces dedicated to wellness and relaxation.

The spa
All our ships feature an onboard spa. Equipped with massage cabins, a Turkish bath (Sisterships, Le Paul Gauguin), a sauna (Explorers, Le Commandant Charcot), or a Snow Room (Le Commandant Charcot), the spas offer a wide choice of top-of-the-range treatments provided in association with SOTHYS™, CLARINS (Le Bellot and Le Jacques-Cartier only), BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE (Le Commandant Charcot, Le Ponant) and ALGOTHERM (Le Paul Gauguin), leading French spa and wellness centre brands.

The Hairdressing Salon
Provided in partnership with KÉRASTASE®, L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL® or DAVINES®, our hairdressing salons offer a complete range of top quality treatments designed to strengthen, nourish and reinvigorate hair's shine and brilliance. Our stylists are available to serve all your styling, highlighting, colouring, cutting and tailored hair advice needs.

The Gym
The gyms on our ships are equipped with the very latest equipment and machines. Treadmills, exercise bikes, strength training machines and many other types of equipment are all provided in a laid-back relaxing environment. The wide floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the sea add undeniable charm to the exercise sessions. Each day also begins with organised morning workout sessions, either out in the open air or in the theatre. These are supplemented by water aerobics in the pool, or in the sea off the beach for PONANT passengers, when the situation allows it.

Leisure area
Dedicated to leisure and relaxation, the libraries onboard all our ships stock a range of books and board games. This space is also equipped with Wi-Fi connected computers. The Sisterships and The PONANT Explorers have a special area for children onboard known as the Kids Club. Books, television, board games and consoles (PS4 or Wii™) are all provided for their use and enjoyment.

The Pool
The outdoor areas on our ships, comfortable and conducive to relaxation, have been designed to merge into the sublime scenery and surroundings of the sea and horizon. There is a heated seawater pool featuring its own sun lounge on the top deck of our Sisterships (Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial), on the third deck of the PONANT EXPLORERS (Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont-D’Urville, Le Jacques Cartier and Le Bellot) and on deck 8 of Le Paul Gauguin. On Le Commandant Charcot, you can enjoy the Blue Lagoon on deck 9 and on Le Ponant, a solarium on the 400 m² (4,300 ft²) Sun deck.

The Theatre
Settle comfortably into your seat and enjoy a range of different shows, concerts and performances organised by the professional dancers and musicians onboard. Special musical evenings, dance evenings and culture and music quizzes are held In the Grand Salon lounge onboard Le Ponant. Additionally, traditional local music concerts, featuring styles such as Corsican polyphony and Caribbean steel band music, are performed out on deck in the open air by bands specially invited onboard for the purpose.

PONANT Studio
A photography and videography team escort you throughout your trip. These professionals capture the most beautiful moments of your cruise, which you can share with family and friends upon your return.*

* As Le Ponant is laid out differently due to its smaller size, it may not have all facilities.

Faithful to our commitment to spreading the French way of life around the world, we always pay special attention to the meals that we serve throughout the day. Our talented chefs craft high end menus so you can enjoy the delights of a refined table. They share their passion for premium produce with passengers, enriched with the inspiring flavours from the stopovers that we make. As we wish to develop sustainable and responsible tourism, we source our food directly from the places we stop at, while committing to respecting the local resources.

The advice and expertise of Ducasse Conseil
In January 2016, PONANT announced it had joined forces with Ducasse Conseil, a catering centre of excellence run by Alain Ducasse Entreprise, continuing its route to excellence aboard our ships. From the conception of the culinary offering to the training of the company’s Chefs, this long-term project aims to ensure that PONANT’s culinary standards are as high as possible and to satisfy the exacting requirements of our passengers.

Grill restaurant
The atmosphere is more casual at the grill restaurant with its set buffet menu. From breakfast to dinner, there is a range of healthy, gourmet, hearty and sophisticated buffet options to satisfy all tastes.

Gastronomic restaurant
A la carte meals are served at the table in the gastronomic restaurant. At lunch, a selection of dishes inspired by contemporary French brasseries will be offered. At dinner, it is time to sample the grand traditions of French fine dining, with menus to go with one of the best wines from our cellar, as recommended by our sommelier.

On board Le Ponant
It's at Le Diamant, a panoramic restaurant serving delicate cuisine featuring the flavours of the sea accented by ingredients from the coastal areas sailed to and visited, that you'll have the pleasure of dining on board Le Ponant.

On board Le Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot's onboard restaurant, Le Nuna, is the first-ever shipboard restaurant by celebrated French chef Alain Ducasse. It's here that you'll have the pleasure of enjoying breakfast, lunch, à la carte dinners and a selection of special signature dishes, all accompanied by the kind of service you'd expect to find at a luxury hotel on land.

Special diets
And so that everyone's tastes are catered to, special menus are available on request for guests with specific dietary requirements (low-fat, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc).

Every day, our French baker makes your bread and then bakes it on board. Organic baguettes, sandwich breads and special breads are available as a buffet option with your breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

The common areas on board have been designed in great detail to make every moment something special. While the private nature of each of these spaces has been preserved, they have also been laid out to let you enjoy some wonderful times together with other passengers and team members throughout the day.

Lounges and bars
The various different lounges allow passengers to meet up and share quality time together.

The main lounge is the ideal place to relax with a drink and enjoy the various activities that have been organised such as dancing classes or theme evenings.

The cosy piano bar is a panorama lounge with breathtaking views of the horizon.

The outside bar is a great space for relaxing and is handy for accessing the swimming pool* and its solarium.

The Theatre
The Theatre* is the most unique meeting space on board. It's the largest space on the ship and regularly accommodates all the passengers. It plays host to shows and entertainment as well as conferences from our experts, naturalist guides and guests of honours. The Theatre makes every cruise unique and enriching thanks to its constant and very accessible events.

On-board events

• There are performers on board all of our ships. Recruited for their talent in Paris and Rome, they star in multiple shows at the Theatre, after dinner. Throughout your voyage, they host the various entertainment events in the Grand Salon, with the support of our on-board musicians.
• During Tea Time or before dinner, our musical duos consisting of a singer and an accompanying musician play classical repertoires for you. In the evening, they play in concert at the Theatere or invite you to show off your dance moves. Dance evenings are thus co-led by performance dancers who know just how to keep you in step, under the direction of the Cruise Director.
• There's plenty of themed entertainment to enjoy in the evenings. Both a soirée blanche (dress-in-white party) and an officers' evening are held on all long cruises. Other types of parties or evening events may also be on the programme, such as karaoke parties, a Casino parties or games evenings.
• Films are regularly shown at the Theatre on giant screens. National Geographic features, documentaries related to our expedition route and feature films contribute to the cultural enrichment that is part of our cruise philosophy.

Shop
On board all our ships, a shop is open during sailing. It offers a selection of presents and souvenirs: clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and accessories.

Excursion reception and office
On board the sisterships (Le Boreal, L'Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial) and PONANT EXPLORERS, the reception desk and the excursion desk are arranged side by side to facilitate all your requests.

Reception: our receptionists can accommodate you 24 hours a day on all our ships (from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Le Ponant) to answer all your needs, such as room service, etc.

The excursion office: the excursion team is available at all times to tell you about the onshore programmes, organise group or private excursions and to manage transfers at the start or end of the cruise.

On Le Ponant, the receptionist will answer all your questions about excursions.

The Blue Eye
Every ship** in the PONANT EXPLORERS series features the Blue Eye. Located in the hull, below the waterline, this unique multi-sensory lounge that is unique to Ponant cruises plunges you into the heart of underwater life. Sight, hearing, and sensations... With digital screens, hydrophones and Body Listening sofas, you can experience the complete and unprecedented spectacle offered by the seabed.

Accessible to all passengers and equipped with a bar, the Blue Eye is an exceptional place to share a drink in a unique atmosphere.

"Solo" passengers
Whether you're enjoying a cruise in peace or to get to know other passengers, our ships are designed to offer you the right framework for your needs.

At the restaurant, our head waiter will sit you at a table with other guests and introduce you so you can share your meals in a friendly atmosphere. Our English-speaking crew members always make themselves available, attentive and approachable.

*As Le Ponant has a different layout due to its smaller size, it cannot accommodate certain equipment.
** Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont-D'Urville, Le Jacques Cartier and Le Bellot.

Whatever your tastes, our attentive and professional staff are at your service to ensure your cruise will be one to be remembered. Even under the most extreme climatic conditions, you can be sure of great comfort and an exceptional service which are the hallmark of our line.

The French way of life
We want to make sure the French way of life voyages across all of the world's oceans. As part of our ongoing search for excellence we associate with partners who share the same policy.

In terms of gastronomy take advantage of a sweet snack with Pierre Hermé Paris macaroons, taste a selection of bread, baguettes and Vienese bread and clink glasses of champagne at gala dinners. Dyptique bath products embalm the cabins while Fragonard environment scents diffuse a pleasant fragrance around the ship.

Butler service
Our butler service is reserved for passengers travelling in one of the suites situated on Deck 6 aboard Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal or Le Lyrial, as well as all the Owner suites, Deluxe Suites, Privilege Suites and the Prestige Suites situated on Deck 6 aboard the PONANT EXPLORERS.
Attentive and discreet, your butler will provide a fully personalized service. Throughout your cruise, he will be at your service. You will benefit in this way from a bespoke, carefree voyage.

Laundry service
For optimal comfort, a laundry service* is offered on each of our ships. You will find laundry pricing, bags and slips inside your stateroom. During your entire cruise, your steward or stewardess will be available to take care of washing and ironing** your clothing within 48 hours.

*Dry cleaning is not available.
**These are paid-for services and will be directly charged to your stateroom's account.

Room service
Whether you wish to have breakfast in the privacy of your stateroom, savour a snack in the middle of the day or enjoy your dinner in an intimate setting, our Room Service is available for you. Have a gourmet interlude and treat yourself from a varied menu at any time of day or night *.

Pillow Menu
All of our teams are available to help ensure your ultimate comfort onboard. That means paying attention to the smallest details. That’s why, you can select the pillow that best suits you from our "special menu".

Open Bar
From the moment you board and throughout your cruise, your unlimited drinks are included*, at any time of the day. A drink with friends at the bar, refreshments on your return from an excursion or in the calm of your Stateroom’s balcony: enjoy a large selection of beverages (mineral waters, cold drinks, cruise wines, beer, champagne, spirits, coffee, tea).
 A selection of premium alcoholic drinks is also available "à la carte".

*It doesn't include premium alcoholic drinks indicated in the Bar Menu. It is valid only for individual personal consumption, without limitations.

Free & unlimited Wi-Fi
Whatever their cabin class, all our passengers have access to Wi-Fi free of charge everywhere on board and on all the vessels in our fleet. By means of a satellite link, Wi-Fi is accessible in most of the regions we sail to, even the most isolated.

Postal service
You can send family and friends your news at any time during your cruise. Thanks to our onboard postal service you can dispatch your mail by handing it to reception*. Postal cards are on sale in the boutique and in every cabin there are writing pads and envelopes placed at your disposal.

*The cost of stamps will be debited from the cabin account.

Special polar cruise service
In order to facilitate the preparation for your stay in very cold regions, a polar parka is given to all passengers sailing on a polar cruise.

You can also rent boots for Antarctic and Arctic cruises. Inform your travel consultant of your shoe size before your departure date and the boots will be delivered directly on board.

Because our cruises combine exploration with elegance, we offer exceptional services, worthy of the highest standards of luxury, whether it's on board our ships or during your excursions or outings and landings. Enjoy a refined atmosphere throughout the day which complements the exotic nature of the programmes on land.

Morning

Breakfast
Get off to a good start every day on board.
- Hot drinks and pastries are served from 6:30 to 10:30 for early risers and late risers.
- Enjoy your breakfast in the cabin with room service, in the restaurant or outside if weather permits
- Enjoy pastries cooked on board, bread made daily by our French baker, home-made cakes and muffins, pancakes, waffles, eggs, cheeses and cold cuts, detox juices, and more.

Departure alert for excursions or trips
Because we want your activities to go smoothly, your cruise director alerts you before departure for any excursions you have booked if you are on a Yachting cruise, or for Zodiac® trips, if you have opted for an Expedition cruise.

Midday

Lunch
On board, enjoy our varied buffet. Among the wide choice of salads, vegetables, meat and fish, desserts and pastries, choose a starter, a main dish and a dessert that have been specially cooked for you based on the theme of the day (Corsica, Mediterranean, Asian, barbecue, Italian, etc.)
A restaurant on land is booked for day trips.

Afternoon

On board
Want to stay on board to enjoy a moment of relaxation?
- Attend a talk given by one of our prestigious guests of honour.
- Book a massage or treatment at the spa.
- Relax by the pool or in the library, keep fit in the gym or enjoy some quiet time by selecting the cruise photos taken by the teams from the PONANT Studio on the l’Application or on the computers.

Zodiac® excursions or trips
Your afternoon continues with the terrestrial trips that you have booked to complement your Yachting cruise.
On Expedition cruises, enjoy guided trips by our naturalist-guides and discover new lands.

Tea Time

An afternoon snack
- Around 4 p.m., after having enjoyed a few sweet treats with cold or hot drinks accompanied by music in the Grand salon, it's time to get ready for dinner. Our Hairdresser Advisors will offer you personalised services in the Hairdressing Salon.
- Enjoy the peace and quiet of your cabin to watch one of the 60 movies available in multiple languages ​​on your TV, to book a tour through the app or to immerse yourself in a book on your private balcony.
- Browse in the shop or stroll through the ship's various social spaces, in the observatory lounge (on the PONANT EXPLORERS and Le Ponant), the panoramic lounge (on the Sisterships) or the Blue Eye on the PONANT EXPLORERS, with a glass of champagne or a delicious cocktail in your hand.

Evening

A gourmet dinner
Your late afternoon continues in front of a beautiful sunset to the sound of beautiful melodies played on the piano, with an aperitif. Every day, discover a new cocktail recipe. Dinner follows, cooked by our chefs in keeping with the tradition of grand French fine dining.

An evening of entertainment
Your evening follows on with entertainment in the Grand Salon or the Theatre. Enjoy an evening dancing, a classical concert, a show performed by our professional dancers or a film projection on the big screen.

24/7

The PONANT App
After booking your cruise, download the PONANT app from the Apple Store or Google Play. It will support you throughout your voyage. Before your cruise, get practical information about how to pack your bag, the composition of the team on board, pre-book your excursions, etc. During your trip, enjoy daily highlights of your cruise, make an appointment with the spa, order the photos from the cruise and book your excursions.

Each itinerary has been thoughtfully created by our teams to offer you a complete excursion experience. You can discover the hidden gems of the regions you visit in line with your interests.

Excursions & land itineraries
Hidden creeks, ancient cities, UNESCO world heritage sites... the world reveals its hidden gems as you journey along the routes taken by travellers. In keeping with our ethos “Accessing the worlds treasures by sea”, we offer a wide choice of land excursions during all our cruises (except for expeditions). Chosen by our PONANT experts for their cultural value and historic interest, these excursions can last a few hours or a few days. If you need to stay on land overnight, we take care of your stay from start to finish, until you rejoin your ship. These longer excursions mean you can discover the unmissable sites of the region you are visiting, like Cuzco in Peru for example or the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
You can access these trips by pre-booking two months before your departure date.

Before or after your cruise
Before the departure or on the arrival of your cruise, various programmes and stays are always available. These can also be organised at your request, made to measure. Paris, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Great Pyramids in Egypt... there are many marvellous sites that may make you want to stay a little longer. Our PONANT teams take care of everything, extending your voyage and relieving you of all the organisation, even once your cruise has ended.

A varied choice of leisure activities
We offer a range of excursions based on a variety of themes. You can choose your land activities according to your preferences and desires, whether they're cultural or sporting.

Choose your excursion from a selection of unmissable sites, UNESCO sites, Cultural or Heritage visits, Nature and Adventure, Culinary Discovery and even our Originals.

PONANT'S unmissable
A safari in South Africa, kayaking through the heart of the Norwegian fjords or a boat trip in the Caribbean, visiting Pre-Columbian ruins... Whatever the destination of your yacht cruise, we offer enriching excursions and discoveries that are known for their cultural importance, historic significance and beauty.

The safety of our guests and crew has always been our greatest priority. On land as at sea, PONANT therefore applies strict rules that are subject to regular international inspections.

In order to welcome all our passengers aboard in the best possible conditions, we have set up adapted health protocols. Our ships* are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.

Before your cruise

Medical questionnaire
When confirming your file, a medical questionnaire will be sent to you. Once you've completed and returned it, it will be studied by the on-board doctors. This precaution gives you the assurance of travelling with complete peace of mind in faraway places without emergency medical facilities.

Pregnancy
As the ships do not have any facilities to enable women to give birth on board, women who are over six months pregnant shall not be allowed to embark on the ships. In any event, pregnant women travelling on board the ship are advised to consult a doctor prior to embarkation, in order to ensure that their state of health is compatible with the planned cruise.

During the cruise

Medical team
A doctor is present aboard all our ships, throughout the duration of the cruise. A nurse is also available on board (excluding the Ponant). Consultation times are indicated daily in the logbook (24-hour emergency consultations). The sisterships and the PONANT EXPLORERS have a hospital for any minor surgeries.

Access for people with reduced mobility
All our ships* are equipped with lifts (one at the bow, two at the stern) to facilitate access to all spaces. Access ramps can also be used independently to go to the theatre, the outdoor bar or the Blue Eye on the PONANT EXPLORERS. Each vessel* has equipped cabins (three aboard the sisterships and two aboard the PONANT EXPLORERS) to accommodate wheelchair users. These include a ramp for access to the balcony. In order for our teams to accomodate you in the best possible conditions, we ask travellers or reduced mobility or requiring special assistance to indicate this when booking.
Posters, signage and booth numbers are translated into Braille.

Provisions on board

• Each guest has a lifejacket in their stateroom and near the life rafts.
• A demonstration of the procedure for abandoning ship, which is compulsory for all, takes place before the departure of each cruise.
• The ships are equipped with, among other things, automatic fire detection and extinction systems, fire doors and watertight doors.
• For maximum safety in the polar regions, our ships have specific lifesaving equipment that can cope with extreme external conditions while waiting for assistance, in the event of problems.

Inspections and classifications

• The fleet is monitored by the Centre de Sécurité des Navires PACA Corse, located in Marseille.
• Each ship has ISM (International Safety Management) certification, a very strict international regulation.
• Safety equipment is checked and approved on a yearly basis by the French authorities and by Bureau Veritas.
• All our ships are graded and are regularly examined in great detail and without prior notice, in ports of call around the world.

The French flag
This accreditation is one of the most rigorous in the world in terms of safety. It is in first place in the 2018 annual ranking of the Mémorandum de Paris (MOU), a guarantor of maritime safety through the inspection of ships in ports and their ranking. This agreement ensures, among other things, that vessels respect international maritime conventions.

Crew training

• After passing the entrance test, each officer receives thorough training at the French National Maritime College (ENSM) by alternating periods of training with periods of sailing. Recruited for our ships depending on their successful graduation and their experience, these officers are responsible for operating the ship and supervising the crew.
• Training courses on an ice navigation simulator are organised at the ENSM in Marseille. This tool, unique in France, trains young officers to run a very specific bridge and to sail in a polar environment.
• The entire crew (sailing, hospitality and production) undergo extensive training enabling them to exercise the roles entrusted to them in the event of an emergency. Many exercises and simulations are regularly held to ensure that everyone is fully capable of responding appropriately.
• For cruises in the polar regions, the crew undergo additional training regarding survival and behaviour to adopt in polar waters.

A tradition of excellence, professionalism and expertise

With almost 20 years of experience in extreme regions, PONANT is a true Polar Specialist. As the only French cruise company to sail in the heart of the ice, PONANT has the ships and the experience to take you to the most remote regions in complete safety; Captains and crew members are seasoned professionals, specially trained to sail in these extreme regions.

Our latest-generation fleet, the youngest fleet in the world, has the most modern technologies and equipment to assure your safety and respect for the regions visited. Our stable and silent “ice”-certified ships meet the most stringent international standards: 3D seabed visualisation using a dual sonar system, satellite weather station, GPS trackers on the Zodiac® inflatables.

Whilst on board our ships, the PONANT crew will be there to make sure you have a safe trip, as well as provide you with premium on-board services and outstanding outings. Throughout your cruise, their job will be to meet your expectations and make your cruise truly unforgettable.

Command Structure

Captain
The Captain is the highest-ranking person on board. Their job is to ensure correct navigation, oversee operations, handle administrative and customs requirements, and ensure the comfort and safety of passengers. In order to do this, they supervise the various members of the deck, engine and hotel departments.

First Officer
This is the Captain’s right-hand man, who may stand in for them if necessary. In charge of the deck department, nautical operations and external maintenance, they are also responsible for supervising the ship’s officers in undertaking tasks relating to security, navigation, safety and environmental aspects. It is their job to discipline all crew under the authority of the Captain.

Chief Engineer
The Chief Engineer. is the most senior engine officer and is responsible for all of the ship’s technical aspects, including operations, maintenance and repairs. This encompasses power generation, propulsion and all additional facilities, such as electricity, kitchens, refrigeration, outboard motors, etc.

Reception and Cruise Manager
The Reception and Cruise Manager is in charge of the reception team and for promoting the sales of cruises aboard. By booking your next cruise on board, you’ll get a 5% discount.

Hotel Manager
The Hotel Manager is responsible for ensuring the comfort of passengers on board. To do this, they coordinate all the ship’s departments, except the deck, engine and medical departments. The Hotel Manager is therefore responsible for the Cruise Manager, Excursions Manager, Restaurant Manager, Bar Manager, Head Chef, Head Housekeeper and Spa Manager, as well as the Management Controller and Chief Financial Officer.

Cruise Director
The Cruise Director is responsible for organising all aspects of life onboard. They are often there to welcome guests to the theatre, and part of their role, in particular, is to manage the entertainment team, which includes the dancers and musicians. As the person responsible for managing all the entertainment, the cruise director organises the activities that take place in the Grand Salon and also takes part in the various different party/evening events. He is the "voice" of the ship and plays an important and prominent role throughout your voyage experience.

Doctor
There is always a doctor and nurse on board all our cruises. Each day, the surgery times are published in the on-board newspaper and for emergencies, they are also on call 24 hours a day. There is a hospital on board our sister ships and PONANT EXPLORERS, which are equipped to carry out minor surgery. The on-board doctor also goes with passengers on outings and excursions.

Department Managers

Head Chef
The Head Chef coordinates the staff responsible for your breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. From pastries and cakes to buffets with an impressive array of options, they will be in charge of all the culinary delights you will sample on board. All our chefs receive special training from Ducasse Conseil, the expert catering division founded by chef Alain Ducasse.

Bar Manager
The Bar Manager is responsible for the barmen and will be waiting to offer you a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks, from timeless classics to more innovative creations. Discover the cocktail of the day, sip on an apéritif or digestif and enjoy unforgettable moments over a drink.

Head Housekeeper
The Head Housekeeper and their team will change your bedlinen, oversee the laundry service and organise your bedtime ritual. When you retire to your cabin each night, a small pastry will be waiting for you, the curtains will be drawn and your bed will be ready for you to go to sleep.

Excursions Manager
On our Yachting Cruises, the Excursions Manager will help you book land excursions, which can be private or in small groups, as well as manage your flights and transfers. On our Expedition Cruises, the Expedition Manager will provide you with information on outings and visits to shore planned throughout your cruise.

Restaurant Manager
The Restaurant Manager will be your Head Waiter on board. They are responsible for seating passengers, particularly those travelling alone, at the tables in the restaurant at dinner. Their team is made up of a team of waiters and a sommelier.

Spa Manager
Why not pamper yourself? The Spa Manager and their team invite you to relax at the hair salon and spa*. You will not only benefit from their expertise and personalised advice, but also enjoy top-quality treatments, including hair styling and colouring, and massages, to name but a few.

Other Crew Members

• The Petty Officer is an experienced sailor. They are the most senior rate of the deck department and are under the authority of the First Officer. They supervise and coordinate a team of sailors in carrying out day-to-day operations and maintenance work.
• Passengers who have booked a suite* have access to a butler service. If you opt for this, your butler will provide you with a fully personalised service throughout your cruise.
• The Studio PONANT team* will capture all the unforgettable moments of your cruise through photos and videos, including at the Captain's Dinner and during land excursions.
• The Shop Manager will talk you through our collection of clothes and souvenirs, as well as the range of accessories on offer. To get a sneak preview, why not have a look at our online shop?

Except aboard Le Ponant

Expedition Cruises
Expedition Managers and naturalist guides are present on board all our Expedition Cruises.

They are specialists in the regions you will visit, particularly on their flora and fauna, geological formations, history and culture. Passionate and knowledgeable in their areas of expertise, they are responsible for organising safe visits to shore and outings based on the opportunities and unforeseen circumstances which make up any expedition.

Whilst on board, they will complete your experience by organising talks and other events, and will be delighted to answer all your questions.