Le Soleal Review
Zeddog
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s
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Sail Date: Dec 2022
This is my second Ponant cruise and I found both cruises to be of a very high calibre in relation to food and experiences. Ponant is an 'all inclusive' line, with the sub-Antarctic cruise including all meals, drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) at all times, including a mini bar which is re-stocked daily to your specifications.
The food is toward the Epicurean, but more standard fare was also available - particularly in the Level 6 buffet style restaurant. This restaurant also had daily lunch specials cooked out on the deck (wind protected) by the chef - with meals such as mussels, steaks (prime cut), chile con carne etc. The Xmas Eve gala dinner defeated me as a non-seafood eater and a fussy eater to begin with. I think there were at least 7 courses, including the beginning amuse bouche - the items included escargot, langoustine, varieties of fish and (at last ... for me), lamb chops - beautifully prepared.
There is a gym on board and you will need to use it to have some hope of not gaining too much weight on this cruise - the desserts in particular were 'to die for'.
Cabin Review
626 on Deck 6 was great. Very close to the Deck 6 Restaurant, Observation Lounge and mid-ships, there was very little movement - especially with the largely calm seas we enjoyed. All amenities are great, mini bar, aluminium water bottles you can refill from several places on the ship.
Bed was comfortable, lighting adequate, heaps of storage and coat hangers galore. As a 2nd time Ponant Cruiser, I was allowed 5 x free pieces of laundry daily - which really helped and I managed to come home with a suitcase full of clean clothes!
Beware the balcony door.... I was unaware that opening and closing this door was all about technique and not brute strength. I was testing the limits of my strength to try and open and close the door each day (plenty to look at - including sunsets to die for ... even it they were at 10.30pm). Turns out, the door latch needs only be gently snibbed closed and opened and I managed to pull a muscle in my side until I was given this information by my friendly cabin attendant (Yann).
Good TV with some regular channels as well as a choice of 50 recent and classic movies.
Internet, whilst slow - worked well throughout the cruise. Watching videos or uploading them was pretty much a no go, but the best reception and speed I found was in the Theatre on Deck 4.
18 Helpful Votes
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