Refined elegance. Exemplary service. Eco-conscious and sustainable practices. And a sleek maneuverable, yacht-like hydraulic platform deck that gives you access to unrivaled marine beauty. It’s time to see Central America and Mexico through a new and refreshing lens. Welcome aboard Ponant’s luxury small ship Le Bellot.
Central America and Mexico. The mere mention of the land bridge that connects North and South America conjures a multitude of tropical images. Lush jungles brimming with biodiversity. Pristine palm-lined beaches kissed by Pacific surf to the west and Caribbean waters to the east. Ancient and mysterious pyramids soaring above a dense forest canopy. And a rich and welcoming Spanish-inflected culture.
The Highest Standards of Luxury on Board and on Shore
What’s the key to the most fulfilling and intimate luxury small ship cruise in Central America and Mexico? Like on all our Ponant Explorer sister vessels, the secret is largely in our ship size. With only 92 cabins on board, you’ll never feel lost a crowd. And with 118 crew members—one of the most generous guest-to-crew ratios at sea—you’ll come to feel like you’re exploring with family.
That’s not the only way in which we help you view these tropical regions through a new lens. On an expedition ship that’s thoughtfully designed for comfort and infused with the French spirit of je ne sais quoi, Ponant strives for excellence from bow to stern. Elegant interiors open to the outdoors. Streamlined spaces and open sight lines to the surrounding water and coastlines make getting around a breeze. Mouthwatering cuisine artfully presented brings our signature French gastronomy to every meal, whether at Le Nautilus or at the Grill restaurant. Our onboard spa and panoramic pool encourage guests to take some “me time.” And in the evening, you settle into the intimate Grand Salon or the Theatre for dancing, live classical music, or a dance performance.
Our Exclusive Modular Marina: Your Private Launchpad to Adventure
The waters off Central America and Mexico are renowned for their marine wonderlands. Our Modular Marina at the ship’s stern helps you explore it with ease. This uniquely designed hydraulic platform can be maneuvered to three positions—giving your three ways to immerse yourself in this tropical paradise.
While we’re sailing, it’s a sundeck, a comfortable haven for lounging and catching some rays. While we’re at anchor or at port, we head out to explore. That’s when we lower the deck just above water level so you can easily hop into one of our Zodiac inflatable boats, perhaps for a naturalist-led excursion to an uninhabited island or nearby mangroves. When it’s time for water sports, we lower the marina to sea level so you can paddle into calm open waters on a kayak or paddleboard.
Explore with minimal impact
We don’t stop with YOUR comfort. Ponant is also passionate about preserving the beauty of the environments and cultures you visit.
Our luxury small ships—the most innovative in the world for their eco-friendliness—are “Clean Ship” certified. We live by the old adage “take only photographs and leave only footprints,” employing cutting-edge technologies such as hybrid capabilities, emission reduction, zero-impact wastewater treatment, and strict landing protocols.
We’re also proud to treat the people who host us with the respect they deserve. Knowing that it’s the human dimension of travel that adds an immeasurable value to our journeys, we design our expedition luxury cruises with input from local leaders and residents. We ask them to decide what they’d like to share about their cultures and traditions. Then we train our guides and crew members about the most respectful ways to interact with our host communities.
We invite you to experience the pleasures of Le Bellot for yourself. Join Ponant in Central America and Mexico.