Ponant South America Cruise Reviews

We had such hopes for this trip. The ship & itinerary fit our needs on paper but in reality we were disappointed with the execution of this cruise. Not only did embarkation change from Puerto Morelos to Cozumel ...

Sail Date February 2020

AussieBoyTX

1 Review Written

6 Helpful Votes

Great Ship; Great Crew; Poor Corporate Communication; Meh Itinerary

Le Champlain

Le Champlain is a lovely ship with only ninety-two cabins, 165 passengers and 115 crew members. We felt the on-board experience was excellent in almost every respect and were impressed that most crew members knew us ...

8 photos

Sail Date December 2019

Jamoulle

4 Reviews Written

49 Helpful Votes

Stressing cruise

Le Lyrial (Ponant)

Hello: We did not like : * The shore embarkation and disembarkation on the Zodiac : "wet shoes" * The primary school- like disciplin : prohibited to walk out of the flaged pathways, swimming prohibited, etc ...

Sail Date April 2018

Glennjones

2 Reviews Written

8 Helpful Votes

Great

Pretty well everything about this voyage was great. The only concern I had was the obvious lack of experience from some of the expedition crew in their lack of ability and skill in operating the RIB's ( zodiac ...

1 photo

Sail Date November 2018

Lockyer

1 Review Written

Luxury adventure along the coast of Chile

Chilean Fjords were on my wish list for several years. I chose Ponant because it seemed that the cruise would fulfil my wishes and because there was a special price offer due to a jubilee year and no single ...

Sail Date November 2018

healthlaw2

1 Review Written

20 Helpful Votes

Amazing Expedition Cruise on the Amazon

Le Champlain

We chose this cruise because of our prior good experience on Ponant’s Le Lyrial, as well as the promise of an expedition cruise in the exotic Amazon on a new, small ship. We were not disappointed. Le Champlain ...

13 photos

Sail Date December 2018

jlombard2579

2 Reviews Written

24 Helpful Votes

Another memorable Ponant trip

30 days all up covering three back to back cruises. What stands out above everything else is the impeccable dedication of the staff from Commandant Regis Daumesnil down to the humblest toiler, who would have to ...

Sail Date April 2018

crmckenzie

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Incredible Cruise Experience.

We chose Ponant for this trip because we were looking for a more intimate cruise experience. We have been on large cruise ships (3000+ passengers) and felt it was time for a more refined trip. One of the best ...

Sail Date April 2018

kenrick

2 Reviews Written

5 Helpful Votes

Small ship; excellent food

I had wanted to visit Chile and the Chilean Fjords since visiting Puerto Montt in 1973. The Fjords can only be visited by ship and it is the easiest way to visit Puerto Natales and the outstanding Torres del Paine ...

5 photos

Sail Date November 2017

SandyRoth

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

Perfectly relaxing ocean cruise

We chose this cruise as a total getaway from caregiving and because we really needed a break. We wanted a small ship with no casino, no children, no loud cruise director, and a small number of passengers. We flew to ...

Sail Date October 2017

ships33

1 Review Written

2 Helpful Votes

Only 2 ports

I had never been to Uruguay. This cruise connected with the Amazon cruise which we very much wanted to go on. I enjoyed Montevideo, but would have liked more time to explore. Very rough weather with very few ...

Sail Date March 2017

FrednCoral

4 Reviews Written

2 Helpful Votes

West Coast of South America

Our reason for choosing this cruise was 2 part. Small Ship & New Horizons. This leg involved joining the ship at Valparaiso, Chile continuing to Guayaquil, Ecuador. French food was an added attraction. As 2 people ...

Sail Date March 2017

dtiger1

1 Review Written

16 Helpful Votes

Disappointing

We recently completed our 3rd & 4th cruise with Ponant. Our prior experience was 5 years ago and it was excellent. Again, the service and friendliness of the general staff (servers, bartenders, cabin stewards, ...

Sail Date March 2017

Portrait24

1 Review Written

14 Helpful Votes

Fantastic Expedition Cruise

Traveled with excellent Tauck group from Buenos Aires on charter flight to Ushuaia. Boarded Le Soleal in the afternoon. Welcomed by captain and officers. Immediately impressed by cleanliness, subtle design and ...

Sail Date January 2015

ajwsf

1 Review Written

21 Helpful Votes

Overall best option

I cruised on Le Boreal as part of a chartered Abercrombie and Kent expedition including The Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic peninsula in Dec 14/Jan 15. There are many reasons to select Le ...

Sail Date December 2014

anne9837

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

An unforgettable experience

L'Austral

I read reviews and had concerns. I need not have - I could not find fault. My husband and I had cabin 311 - pleasant accommodation with a balcony which we did use ; notwithstanding the destination the weather was ...

Sail Date December 2013

Ritzy

1 Review Written

1 Helpful Vote

Cruising the Southern Ocean with L'Austral

L'Austral

Booking- We booked directly with Ponant's US office. Office staff were generally poorly responsive. Emails and voicemails were not were not regularly responded to and it was difficult to reach a person when ...

Sail Date December 2011

Yvonne Clay

1 Review Written

3 Helpful Votes

Absolutely fabulous! The food was great, staff lovely and professional

We like to sail on the smaller ships and had been sailing with Seabourn for 15 years (max. 208 passengers) when they had the 3 small ships. Sailed a couple of times on the larger, newer ships (max. 450 passengers) ...

Sail Date October 2017

ChristopheChris

1 Review Written

6 Helpful Votes

Disappointing

We chose this cruise because we were so pleased with our last year cruise to Antartica. But, our cruise from Ushuaia to Valparaiso was disappointing; The beginning started well with a good excursion at the Cap ...

Sail Date March 2018

Theezer

1 Review Written

4 Helpful Votes

Not ready for prime time

Le Dumont d'Urville