Small ships
Guests per ship
With Champagne
Founded in Marseille
Why we love Ponant
Ponant brings French art de vivre to the world's wildest places. Its small ships reach harbours, fjords and landing sites closed to larger vessels, with gastronomy shaped by Ducasse Conseil and an open bar pouring Champagne.
Le Commandant Charcot, its luxury icebreaker, is the only luxury ship certified to reach the geographic North Pole, while the Explorer yachts are Australian favourites for the Kimberley.
Founded in Marseille in 1988, the line took the name Ponant Explorations in 2025. It’s owned by Groupe Artémis, the Pinault family’s holding company, alongside sister brands Paul Gauguin Cruises and Aqua Expeditions.
Most accommodation has ocean views and a private balcony, from Deluxe Staterooms of around 204 sq ft to Owner’s Suites of about 484 sq ft with a 322 sq ft terrace, and suites come with butler service. As a guide, seven-night voyages start from around US$4,000 to US$6,000 per person, while polar expeditions range from about US$9,000 to US$35,000.
Good to know: Ponant is proudly French. On many departures most guests are French-speaking, and announcements come in French first, then English. If that matters to you, we’ll steer you to sailings designed for English speakers, such as Ponant × Smithsonian Journeys departures and Tauck or A&K charters, with English-led excursions and lecturers.
What's included
Inclusions can vary by fare type and voyage. We'll confirm exactly what's included when we quote.
The fleet
Where Ponant sails
Classic and remote voyages, including beyond the Antarctic Circle.
Svalbard, Greenland and the geographic North Pole.
Australia's remote north-west coast.
Greek Isles, Italy, Corsica and the Adriatic, with small ports and harbour overnights, April to October.
Including Tahiti with sister brand Paul Gauguin.
Scotland, Ireland, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland, May to September.
The Lesser Antilles, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, November to April.
Japan, Southeast Asia and the islands of the Pacific.
The Seychelles, Madagascar, Zanzibar and Oman, October to March.
Questions, answered
Every Ponant sailing booked with Frontier Travel includes €200 onboard credit per booking, added to your shipboard account. Use it for premium drinks from the bar menu, spa treatments or boutique purchases. It has no cash value and expires at the end of your voyage.
Fares typically include open bar with wines, Champagne and spirits (excluding the premium menu); all onboard dining and 24-hour room service; unlimited Wi-Fi; all gratuities, port taxes and fees; enrichment talks and destination briefings; on expedition voyages: naturalist-led Zodiac outings, landings and guided activities; and on polar voyages: a parka to keep and boots on loan. Inclusions can vary by fare type and voyage, so we will confirm exactly what is included when we quote.
Expect to pay extra for premium drinks from the bar menu; some excursions on non-expedition voyages, and private or helicopter experiences on select ships; spa treatments; and medical evacuation cover, essential for remote expeditions.
You will generally pay the same fare as booking direct, because cruise fares are set by Ponant. As a Virtuoso agency, we can often add extra amenities such as onboard credit on selected sailings, and we handle flights, hotels and transfers around your cruise.
Popular Ponant regions include Antarctica, Arctic & North Pole, The Kimberley, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Northern Europe & British Isles, Caribbean & Latin America, Asia & Japan and Africa & Indian Ocean. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will suggest the best itineraries for that time of year.
For the best choice of suites and itineraries, we recommend booking 12 to 18 months ahead, particularly for peak seasons and popular itineraries. Last-minute availability does come up, so it is always worth asking.
Send us an enquiry or call our North Sydney team on (02) 9331 0037 or our Hobart team on (03) 6220 7470. We will help you choose the right ship, suite and itinerary, and can add flights and hotel stays before or after your cruise, all in one booking.
Book with Frontier
Our advisors will help you choose the right ship, suite and itinerary, and can add flights and hotel stays before or after your cruise, all in one booking.
