PONANT EXPLORATIONS

PONANT EXPLORATIONS is renowned for its exploration journeys. For over 35 years, PONANT EXPLORATIONS has been taking its guests closest to majestic nature and ancestral cultures, far from busy maritime routes. On board, teams of experts including expedition leaders, naturalist guides, lecturers and scientists share their passion and knowledge.

Travelling with PONANT EXPLORATIONS means setting sail for discreet shores in style and comfort, aboard intimate ships in the company of experts and inspiring personalities.

From Le Ponant, the legendary sailboat of the company, to Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric high polar exploration vessel, discover an innovative fleet, human-sized and sailing under the French flag.

Because your desires for escape are diverse, we offer a range of explorations, each promising unique experiences. Timeless, Discoveries, or Expeditions Collections: each collection corresponds to a distinct and tailor-made approach, allowing you to experience your chosen destination to the fullest.

Sail to some of the most secluded shores on the planet. An all-inclusive immersive experience, co-created with local communities and accompanied by a team of naturalist guides passionate about the fauna, flora and cultures of the world. These experts share their knowledge through inspiring conferences on board, zodiac outings, walks or hikes in small groups, as well as moments shared with peoples whose traditions stretch back thousands of years.

The sense of hospitality, haute cuisine and prestigious partners come together to offer an unforgettable experience, blending the French touch with the discovery of new horizons.

The onboard service embodies French elegance, combining personal attention and exceptional gastronomy. Every detail is designed to afford an unforgettable experience.

Let yourself be surprised during a journey on one of our human-sized ships. Explore secret latitudes or legendary shores, where the unexpected begins.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS' Ships

More about PONANT EXPLORATIONS

Commitments

PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP takes its guests to the most secret places on the planet, where nature reigns majestically. This demands responsible commitments to the ecosystems and the communities living there.

The fleet at the heart of our commitment

Designed to explore the world in a more responsible way, our ships are equipped with the latest available technologies and exceed, in many areas, the highest industry standards for environmental respect.

Blue Horizon 6 engagements

PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP optimises its environmental performance through six commitments. Discover more details about the strategy implemented in our sustainability report.

  • Minimise emissions - We were the first company to switch from heavy fuel to LS MGO with 0.05% sulphur content, starting in 2019. The PONANT EXPLORERS ships reduce their NOx emissions by 90% by operating their catalytic systems 24/7.
  • Reduce CO? emissions - The company has taken major steps to reduce its atmospheric emissions: optimising daily speed, improving energy efficiency and developing ship hybrid electric connections.
  • Eliminate plastic - Single-use plastics and water bottles have been eliminated throughout our fleet, thanks to the installation of systems for producing drinking water from seawater and the distribution of stainless steel water bottles to all guests.
  • Valorise and track waste - In addition to the actions already carried out on board, a collaborative work has been initiated with all service providers and ports to ensure the recycling and valorisation of recyclable waste such as cardboard or canned packaging.
  • Boarding scientists - Le Commandant Charcot has two research laboratories. Several long-term scientific partnerships allow different teams of researchers working on polar regions to extend the duration of expeditions.
  • Supporting the creation of marine protected areas - PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP is participating in the Blue Nature Alliance initiative, which aims to create 18 million square kilometres of protected marine areas by 2025.

PONANT Science

PONANT SCIENCE supports scientific research, and enables researchers to travel to some of the most inaccessible regions of the planet to learn more about the ocean, the least-known ecosystem on our planet.

The PONANT Foundation

Beyond the Group's commitment to promoting more sustainable tourism, the PONANT Foundation supports concrete initiatives contributing to the preservation and restoration of ecosystems, the acquisition and sharing of scientific knowledge, and the development of local communities.

The traveller's ethical charter

At sea, on land, on the ice floe: we commit to leaving a minimal footprint and encourage you to do the same.

International recognition

Our actions in favour of the environment are regularly recognised and highlighted at national and international levels.

Maritime innovation and Avant-Garde

PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP is launching Swap2Zero, an unprecedented transoceanic vessel project aiming for carbon-neutral operations. Set to launch around 2030, this sailing ship is designed to act as a catalyst for new energy solutions. The Group has once again partnered with naval architecture firm Stirling Design International.

787 Cruises · 13 Ships

Cruise Regions

  • Far East
  • Australasia
  • S America
  • Antarctica
  • Arctic
  • N Europe
  • Atlantic Islands
  • Transatlantic
  • East US/Canada
  • Mediterranean
  • Africa
  • Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • West US/Mexico

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Reasons to Book

Travelling the French way

PONANT EXPLORATIONS is an exponent for the French way of life across every sea on the globe. On board, this is translated through exceptional services, a multilingual crew and bringing French know-how to the fore.

Exceptional destinations

From secluded ports to secret seas, from forgotten beaches to remote lands, our experts choose itineraries that take you away from major tourist routes so you can enjoy unique cruises and shorelines that few have seen before.

Ships on a human scale

Thanks to our small capacity ships, we can dock in private ports and offer stopovers in preserved locations. On board, the limited number of passengers means that everybody can enjoy special moments and feel as though they are on a private yacht.

Our commitments

PONANT EXPLORATIONS aims at becoming a world reference in the field of sustainable development in the cruising industry. The environment and ethics are among our main concerns, both in the regions we visit and in our relationships within the company and with our partners.

Members Club

PONANT EXPLORATIONS Yacht Club

Being faithful to the pleasure of a PONANT cruise means being able to extend rare experiences over time. As a member of the PONANT Yacht Club, you benefit from personalised attention, exclusive services on board and on land and dedicated privileged offers.

MAJOR - After your 2nd cruise

Your benefits are:

  • 5% savings on future bookings
  • € 50 onboard credit
  • Complimentary onboard laundry service
  • The opportunity to join the PONANT Yacht Club’s Loyalty cruises

ADMIRAL - After your 4th cruise

Your benefits are:

  • 7.5% Savings on future bookings
  • 20% Savings on onboard expenses, excluding excursions
  • €100 onboard credit
  • Complimentary onboard laundry service
  • The opportunity to join the PONANT Yacht Club's Loyalty cruises
  • Possibility of a free upgrade, subject to availability 

GRAND ADMIRAL - After your 7th cruise

Your benefits are:

  • 10% Savings on future bookings
  • 25% Savings on onboard expenses, excluding excursions
  • €150 onboard credit
  • Complimentary onboard laundry service
  • The opportunity to join the PONANT Yacht Club's Loyalty cruises
  • Possibility of a free upgrade, subject to availability
  • Change your voyage at no cost

COMMODORE - After your 20th cruise

Your benefits are:

  • 12.5% Savings on future bookings
  • 25% Savings on onboard expenses, excluding excursions
  • €200 onboard credit
  • Complimentary onboard laundry service
  • The opportunity to join the PONANT Yacht Club's Loyalty cruises
  • Possibility of a free upgrade, subject to availability
  • Change your voyage at no cost
  • Dedicated phone line
  • Priority boarding

Modalities

The present terms and conditions come into effect as of 3rd October 2025 and are subject to change. Benefits & statuses acquired up to that date will not be altered. Any changes will be communicated to guests and will be applied automatically. 

The PONANT Yacht Club card is issued individually to all adult guests over the age of 18 who are eligible for the PONANT Yacht Club program.

The benefits and statuses are acquired at the end of the voyage, cannot be applied retroactively, and may be modified without prior notice.

Cancelled cruises, regardless of the reason for cancellation, free-of-charge cruises, as well as cruises booked as part of a Group reservation or a ship Charter, are not taken into account when calculating loyalty status.

All cruises marketed by PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP – including PONANT EXPLORATIONS, PONANT YACHTING and PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES – are included in the calculation of loyalty status. Cruises booked directly with AQUA EXPEDITIONS are not eligible for PONANT Yacht Club.

(1)Savings on future bookings apply to port-to-port fares and exclude taxes, discretionary expenses and transfers. This offer applies to new bookings only, cannot be applied retrospectively, and may only be combined with the PONANT Bonus offer, the onboard cruise sales benefit, the Referral Programme, the Privilege Single offer, and the consecutive cruises offer.

(2)Savings on onboard expenses (excluding excursions) apply to all items except ‘Prestige’ brands in the Boutique, including jewellery, watches and tobacco products. This offer also excludes premium spirits, cocktails, champagne, and the Premium Pass on all our ships. Exceptional wines served on board Le Commandant Charcot are also excluded from this benefit.On board the Paul Gauguin, SCUBA diving, jewellery from the Boutique, the Algotherm Dermo Ocean Spa, art sales, and dance groups’ CDs and DVDs are also excluded from onboard savings.

(3)Onboard credit is non-exchangeable, non-refundable and non-transferable. It is valid for all expenses on board (excursions included), once all eligible offers have been applied. Onboard credit can be used on the Paul Gauguin and will be offered in the following equivalent US dollar amounts: $50 for MAJOR / $100 for ADMIRAL / $150 for GRAND ADMIRAL / $200 for COMMODORE. Not valid on pre-bookable and pre-payable tours, excursions or cruise programmes or for gratuities.

(4)Laundry service is free on board, with a limit of two items per day and per person for MAJOR members, and five items per day and per person for members with higher status.

(5)Complimentary upgrades offered on board, to a superior cabin category or to the same category on a superior deck, are based on availability, offered within a maximum of 48 hours after boarding and only for PONANT cruises.

(6)You may change your choice of contract free of charge on the cruise service for the first time, provided that the request is made at least 90 days before the original cruise departure date. The new departure date is within 6 months of the originally scheduled departure and the price of the new cruise service is equivalent to or higher than the original cruise service. Only one modification without fees is allowed every 12 months per person holding Grand Admiral or Commodore status, regardless of the cruise service involved. This modification results in the subscription of a new Contract, with no possibility of replacing or modifying the initially subscribed Contract. In the case of back-to-back cruises, please refer to the General Terms and Conditions of Sale.

(7)Dedicated phone line is only available for French-speaking COMMODORE, as well as Australian and New Zealand GRAND ADMIRAL and COMMODORE and only for PONANT cruises.

(8)Priority boarding is subject to availability and only applies to certain ports of embarkation and only for PONANT cruises.

Have you lost your PONANT Yacht Club card? You can make a request directly via our website by filling in the form on the Contact page and telling us that you have lost your card. We will send you your new PONANT Yacht Club card as soon as possible.