Ponant

Luxury Cruises

Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego)

Australia & New Zealand

South Pacific

Asia

Europe - All

Antarctica

South America

Argentina

Mediterranean

Baltic Sea

Arctic

Japan

Europe - British Isles & Western

Bahamas

Caribbean - All

Europe - Eastern Mediterranean

Vietnam

Philippines

Alaska

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Norway

Vanuatu

Columbia River

Transpacific

Spain

Europe River

Fiji

French Polynesia

Portugal

Samoa

Scotland

Douro River

Transatlantic

U.S.A.

Europe - River Cruise

Canary Islands

France

China

Myanmar (Burma) River Cruises

Brazil

Indonesia

Ireland

Malaysia

New Caledonia

Papua New Guinea

Switzerland

Uruguay

Excellent

Le Soleal

L'Austral

Le Ponant

Le Champlain

Le Boreal

Le Lyrial (Ponant)

Le Dumont d'Urville

Le Bellot

My background being Hospitality, Housekeeping, PR and Compliance I felt the crew, Officers and the Captain acted in a very respectful and lovely manner along with creating a great atmosphere. 

•	The ship was a small luxurious one and I took into observation myself on what was available and what was limited especially regarding the trip to Antarctica.

•	The restaurant staff were very efficient and worked well under pressure at times (special occasions such as gala nights) while keeping great composure. 

•	I was more drawn to the A La Carte and found the food to be very delicious along with a variety of specialties. 

•	The drinks service at the bar was great. 

•	The entertainment was good for being a small luxury ship and I considered that it wasn’t a party ship, but more of an intimate one as why I decided on a small luxury ship. 

•	The cabin room had a balcony and it was very lovely and cosy with great space and storage.

•	The room service was great and the steward, she was very lovely.

•	The zodiac expeditions were very well organised and supervised by the Officer/s and crew who were very safety conscious and were never hesitant to take anything into consideration. 

•	The Expedition Leader/ Naturalist (one in particular) were very well experienced and very knowledgeable and the lectures given were presented very well and were interesting. Engaging would be the word due to their passion.

•	I observed some customers giving some staff a hard time at the reception regarding “their concerns/expectations” of which I saw was well handled and sorted with great communication and expedience.

•	Any feedback was also taken into consideration and handled diligently and implemented.

•	The Captain and Expedition Leader both delivered on an amazing substituted trip in place of an expedition trip on one of the days we were not able to get to a destination due to weather and an ice blockage however this idea was a phenomenal one along with being in the right place to see whale activity much closer.

Three Things To Consider

•	Single Supplementary Charges make it less flexible along with less journeys/experience to go on than I would like to have;

•	The cooked bacon could be improved; and

•	Regarding kids maybe more involvement interaction as they are the future however, I did see the Expedition Leader do his best with what he had and could do.

It was the first time I had experienced a cruise, taken three flights within 24/48hrs experiencing jet lag for the first time along with travelling alone to areas with little language experience. The trip was perfect along with the weather and this was not “the Norm” every time so I got a special trip. I have lots of photos, lost of memories and I went on the trip with no expectations and instead it was just about enjoying the moments. Thank you to all who made my trip a great one and I will definitely be back for more.

AMAZING ANTARCTICA

I chose Ponant based on the dates available, as well as a lower single supplement than I saw on other cruises that I researched. Ponant alsoninvluded the flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia which was a bonus. I spent a night in Buenos Aires after my flight from JFK, and met the Ponant team at the airport the next morning. The representatives were easy to find and I was quickly waiting in line to drop of my luggage and wait for boarding. After landing in Ushuaia, Ponant offered either a trip to the national park or lunch at a beautiful hotel overlooking the city. I chose lunch. Here, I met other solo travelers who I dined with throughout the cruise. We were then taken to the ship were we began the embarkation process. There was no waiting. Walked directly from the bus up the gangway and onto the ship. We were greeted by the staff, and brought to our rooms. The room was very spacious and the bathroom had a sliding door covering a window which allowed you to watch the scenery when showering. It was very nice! Throughout the cruise, the staff kept us well informed of what the plans were for the day. We generally made 2 zodiac trips per day and most days, 2 landings. Everything was organized very well, from getting our parkas and boots to the daily educational programs (provided in French and English). Our weather was phenomenal, and Drake’s passage was like glass both directions! The expedition team was very concerned about the guests seeing as much as possible and worked very hard to ensure it. There are 2 restaurants on board and I generally chose to visit the buffet which allowed more choice than the sit down restaurant. The food was overall excellent and often had a French flair. The staff on the ship were lovely and any needs were met right away. This cruise was all inclusive and the drinks flowed freely! I did not attend any of the shows except the last one on the last night. It was cute but I’m not a show person. The WiFi was great! Free, and I was able to check email, social media, and text with family and friends (helpful since I was traveling solo). No issues with disembarkation at all. Extremely smooth and organized cruise. Loved Antarctica! I would go back and would chose Ponant again for sure!!

Solo cruise in Antarctica 

I have always wanted to go to Antartica, and Ponant ad for this Antartica cruise was in our Travel Paper.  Price was really good.  The flight from BA to ushaia was quite dreadful, coupleas were not seated together and far to much luggage allowed in cabin. The embarkation was seamless and very welcoming . The ship itself was pristine, hygiene incrediable, service form all staff inpeckiable, the facilities were outstanding.  To be fair could not fault anything. The communication throughout the 10days was so regular and UTD. The excursions were professional and very well organised.  comfort plus. 

I would definantly only ever do another cruise with Ponant, as ticked every box.

Food was exceptional, and loads of variety, activity was constant and varied. Very professional expedition leaders and the staff involved in hauling us on and of the zodiacs were amazing. Captain was informative and passionate about his ship as well as Antartica.

JUST AMAZING EPIC AND BREATHTAKING.

The most breathtaking incrediable experiance.

The cruise was amazing. These ships are superb and so smoothly do what they are designed for. Inc getting every out into the zodiacs often. The sights in Antarctica are stunning and the wildlife. Well humpbacks penguins galore and special sights like minkes up close in a zodiac. 6am rise for a pod of orcas and to top it off a blue whale in the weddell sea. The guides and the zodiac drivers did a great job of getting you close to interesting sights and explaining everything well.

On the ship the crew were great. Everything was so well taken care off. 

And the food well. Level 2 is Devine. I guess what you expect on a French ship! 

The crossing back across the Drake was windy but what's a trip to Antarctica without having to say you have endured the Drake... 

These Ponant ships are excellent. I would do it again in a heart beat. Maybe a tropical trip next time or Alaska.

All the sights inc a blue whale

We chose this cruise because of the small ship size (220 passeners), the fact that it was spending 6 full days at the white continent and that it would be sending us ashore on zodiac rafts. We were very impressed with the friendliness and service by the staff at every level from dining to the excursions. We were very excited about seeing the majesty of Antarctica and the ship's captain and crew did not disappoint. We felt they made every effort to insure that our cruise and shore experiences were excellent. The lectures were very good and informative although some of them didn't relate to the particular cruise we were on. Would have liked more specifics and history about Antarctica. The ship's store was also lacking, not in size but in products. Would have loved to see more items that were specific to our cruise i.e., clothing, hats, sweatshirts, shirts, etc, that related to Antarctica. The food service was excellent but the cuisine was just average for a cruise line. We expected a little higher end fare, especially on a French cruise line. We also felt that pre-cruise Ponant could have sent a little more information about preparing for the cruise to Antarctica and what to expect on board. Because of the uniqueness of this particular cruise a little more up front information would have been appreciated. Our criticisms are minor in what was otherwise a wonderful experience. It was one of those trips of a lifetime being able to experience Antarctica up close and we have already recommended Ponant as an excellent choice to friends

Antarctic expedition

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