Skimming crystal-clear waters under a gorgeous blue sky, your yacht falls into silence as a calming sea breeze blows in. The crew arrives on deck and raises the three mighty masts over the sea and soon you are borne along by the wind, soundless but for the bow slicing through the water and the wind rustling the sails. This is Le Ponant, proudly launched in 1991 as PONANT’s inaugural ship, and still today ushering our guests to distant shores.
If it’s intimacy, exclusivity, and a sense of privilege you crave on your next small-ship cruise, you’ll love Le Ponant, our luxurious three-masted yacht that premiered in 1991 as PONANT’s very first ship.
She was thoroughly refitted and refurbished in 2022 by the prestigious Jean-Philippe Nuel Studio, the design firm behind some of the finest luxury and lifestyle hotels and corporate interiors in France. Today, Le Ponant offers an unparalleled sailing experience: Her 16 staterooms accommodate only 32 guests, and with 32 crew members, you’ll enjoy a rare 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio that translates into the most attentive and personalized service at sea.
Redesigned for the Environment
The redesign of Le Ponant was inspired by a long tradition of high-end yachting on open waters. Her common areas open to the horizon – and to adventure – so there’s nothing between you and the sea.
Le Ponant predates our environmentally friendly fleet of expedition ships, but her respect and passion for the sea shine through, particularly after her refitting. In keeping with PONANT’s relentless commitment to responsible tourism, we’ve incorporated cutting-edge innovations that minimize her impact.
The most dramatic eco-friendly feature that PONANT guests can plainly see is our reliance, whenever conditions allow, on wind power to propel the ship forward. In an age when technology rules so many aspects of our lives, our crew – and you, if you’d like to assist in hoisting the sails! – embrace the skillful, poetic art of sailing. The yacht’s captain, Jean-David Lemaire, says it best: “Le Ponant truly comes into her own when traveling under ‘pure’ sail at 10 knots, with the blowing melody of the bow wave audible from the Sun Deck.”
There are other sustainability initiatives on board that guests can’t see. When the motors are running, they do so on low sulphur fuels – so low, in fact, that they beat the regulations tenfold. We decrease our environmental impact further with an innovative SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) filter system that eliminates more than 80% of nitrogen oxide emissions.
A Stunning Ship from Bow to Stern
Sleek and elegant, Le Ponant sports a classic design and polished wooden decks. Her trio of towering masts reaches more than 150 feet, at once imposing and majestic, while her gleaming white hull is the envy of other ships in her class.
The ship's spacious decks offer ample space, lounge chairs, and umbrellas for sunbathing and taking in the stunning views. In the large outdoor lounge area, you can relax on comfortable seating as the bartender mixes your favorite cocktail at the fully-stocked bar.
Throughout Le Ponant, sophistication, quality, and a sense of timelessness connect you to a long tradition of sailing. “Easy living” is the theme here, bolstered by palettes of off-white, taupe, and caviar gray – and by the breeziness that comes with being whisked along the surface of the sea. Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment are all at the ready for easy exploration right off the ship. There’s a saltwater pool for those times when you prefer to swim or soak on board. The main lounge is the perfect place to relax and socialize with a drink before savoring the fine cuisine of Le Diamant restaurant – with options to dine indoors or out. And, when you’re seeking quiet moments, you can peruse the collection in the small library.
Guest accommodations are equally luxurious, with 16 stylish staterooms and suites designed with high-end comfort in mind. Spread over three decks so you’ll never feel crowded, each is adorned with neutral colors made more luminous by wide picture windows and portholes. Air conditioning, flat-screen TV, minibar, and bathroom with shower and luxurious toiletries add to your comfort.
Welcome Aboard
Le Ponant may be the first ship in our fleet, but she offers a wholly unique voyage that puts you in touch with a long heritage of sailing. We invite you on board one of our worldwide itineraries off the coast of Western Australia, among the Cape Verde Islands, or in the Caribbean, so that you can experience what thousands of PONANT guests before you already have – the thrill of skimming the open seas with the wind in your sails.