Founded in 1988 and the only cruise company sailing under the French flag, Ponant Explorations Group is an exponent for theFrench 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. From secluded ports to secret seas, from forgotten beaches to remote lands, experts choose itineraries that take you away from major tourist routes so you can enjoy unique cruises and shorelines that few have seen before. Thanks to small capacity ships, Ponant Explorations Group can dock in private ports and offers 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.
Where does my vessel depart from?
On the boarding day of your cruise, your vessel leaves the port mentioned on the first day of the itinerary. A few weeks before your departure, you receive your travel book with all the information necessary for the proper conduct of your cruise, including a reminder of your itinerary and the name of the port of embarkation.
How do I get to the departure location of my cruise?
It is possible for you to come to the place of departure for your cruise by your own means, or to call services. Your round-trip flights, your transfers between the airport and the port of embarkation and disembarkation, or your programs before and after the cruise.
What time can I embark on the first day of my cruise?
The embarkation schedule is indicated on the first day of your cruise itinerary. A few weeks before your departure, you receive your travel book with all the information necessary for the proper conduct of your cruise, including the embarkation schedule. Normally, you will be received and welcomed on board from 4:00 PM onwards, local time.
What is the procedure for arrival in port?
At each arrival into a new port, immigration and customs officials will board the ship. As soon as the necessary checks have been done, the passengers and crew will be allowed ashore. In the event of a lack of required infrastructure in certain ports, the ship could anchor offshore. In this case, disembarkation will be done using small boats from the ship or local launches. Given the limited number of these boats, the disembarkation will be done in groups. Please pay close attention to on-board announcements.
Do all excursions have to be pre-booked before the cruise departure date?
Yes, all excursions must be pre-booked, whether they are included or not.
Can I take part in multiple excursions on the same day?
Because of timing conflicts, it is only possible to reserve one excursion per day in port. In the event that you would like to take part in a second excursion on the same day, visit the Excursions Office to check feasibility.
Once aboard, how does the organization of the excursions work?
On the day before your excursion, you will receive, in your stateroom, a ticket reminding you of the name of the selected excursion as well as the meeting time and place.
On the day of the excursion, please bring this ticket with you as it will be collected at the beginning of the tour.
To take part in the tours as a group with your family or friends, please let the Excursion Office know the numbers of your staterooms at the beginning of your cruise.
How is the expedition team made up on board? What role does it play?
On expedition cruises, passengers are always accompanied by a team of about ten naturalist guides and experts on board, with double that number on Le Commandant Charcot, which constitutes one of the best guest-to-staff ratios found on any voyage of this kind. They are all specialized in a particular field: history, geology, marine or land mammals, ornithology... Their objective is to share their knowledge with passengers during on-board conferences and excursions as well as landings in Zodiac boats, with the aim of making them true ambassadors of the regions they visit. They are also there to ensure safety during expedition activities, excursions, and landings in Zodiac boats. They set off on scouting missions, prepare meticulously for every excursion, supervise, and ensure the safety of passengers.
They are trained in the regulations governing exploration trips in the polar zones (IAATO in Antarctica, AECO in the Arctic) and have the necessary certifications and licenses to ensure the supervision of the proposed activities.
Are the boardings and landings in Zodiac boats accessible to everyone?
Every effort is made to make these expeditions accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities and reduced mobility.
What is a pre- or post-programme?
Pre- and post-cruise programmes are offered before and after the cruise. Short programmes enable travelers to travel stress-free and with complete peace of mind, while multiple-night programmes provide the opportunity to discover and explore new regions or new countries.
How can I access my stateroom?
One (or more) key cards will be distributed per stateroom. On all ships, simply closing the door will lock it behind you. Therefore, be sure not to leave the key card inside when leaving the stateroom.
Is there air-conditioning in my stateroom?
Each stateroom is equipped with adjustable air-conditioning. A stateroom Officer will be available if assistance is needed to set the desired temperature.
Is there a television in my stateroom?
Each stateroom has a television with channels in different languages (which can vary depending on the geographical region). A free-to-access selection of films and documentaries is available.
Is there a safe in my stateroom?
There is an individual safe in each stateroom, where valuables can be stored. For high-value items, it is advisable to use the main safe, which can be accessed at reception.
What equipment is available in my stateroom?
A bathrobe, slippers, towels, and DYPTIQUE toiletry and care products in large eco-friendly containers are provided for use upon arrival in the stateroom.
Do all staterooms and suites have a private balcony or a terrace with sea views?
All staterooms and suites on the Sisterships, PONANT Explorers, and Le Commandant Charcot have a private balcony or a terrace with views over the sea, except for the seven superior category staterooms located on deck three of the Sisterships vessels. Stateroom 300 has a porthole, while staterooms 301 to 307 each have a large square window. On the sailing ship Le Ponant, a luxury yacht with just 16 staterooms and suites, all staterooms and suites on the Zéphyr and Alizés decks have a large private balcony with sea views. The staterooms on the Mistral deck have either portholes or large square windows.
Are there any interconnecting staterooms? What is the difference between a prestige stateroom and a prestige suite?
Onboard the sister ships (Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal, and Le Lyrial) as well as the PONANT Explorers, some prestige staterooms have a door between them, allowing them to be transformed into prestige suites. On the layouts of the ships, all prestige staterooms with an arrow across them can be converted into prestige suites.
Is there a dress code on board the ships?
Elegant, casual attire is recommended, and for gala evenings, a cocktail dress for ladies and a shirt and tie for gentlemen, with a white or black-and-white outfit for the Officers' evening. Shorts/Bermudas are not permitted in the evening in the gastronomic restaurants.
What clothes do I need to bring on an expedition cruise?
For an expedition cruise, bring practical clothing as well as comfortable shoes suitable for traveling in Zodiacs and disembarking on beaches or mud flats. For tropical expeditions, a hat, sunglasses, and long-sleeved/legged clothing are recommended. For polar cruises, a polar parka will be provided in the appropriate size, and suitable boots will be available for use when ashore.
What technical accessories are recommended?
It is advisable to bring a ski mask, sunglasses, walking poles (available for purchase in the shop), a waterproof rucksack, binoculars, a technical watch, a mosquito head net (for the Arctic), and a waterproof pouch.
Do I need to complete a medical questionnaire to go on a cruise?
For safety reasons, a document will be provided to notify any contra-indicated medical or physiological conditions before the cruise begins. This document must be signed and returned prior to departure.
Are vaccines necessary to go on a cruise?
For certain destinations, vaccines may be recommended. After making a reservation, all important health information will be provided to ensure a safe and enjoyable cruise. It is advisable to consult a medical professional before traveling, as they will have the latest health updates. The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also provide useful travel advice.
Is there a doctor on board?
All ships have a doctor and a nurse available on board, except Le Ponant, which has a nurse and a telemedicine service available:
The consultation schedule is listed daily in the logbook (emergency consultation available 24/7).
The Sisterships, PONANT Explorers, Le Paul Gauguin, and Le Commandant Charcot have a hospital for minor surgical procedures.
During excursions, cruise guests are accompanied by a doctor or nurse to provide first aid when away from the ship.
Do I have to pay for medical consultations on board?
Consultations, medical or surgical treatments, and laboratory-based or radiology-based analyses performed on board must be paid for. Fees vary depending on the time and location of the consultation (hospital or stateroom). Prices for treatments and procedures are displayed in the waiting room. Any medication must also be paid for by the passenger. Those taking regular medication should bring an adequate supply for the duration of the cruise.
The doctor on board is not authorized to issue sick leave or prescriptions. However, accounts and invoices are provided, which may be used to seek reimbursement from a health insurance provider if the policy allows.
I suffer from seasickness, can I still come on the cruise?
The ships (except Le Ponant) are equipped with stabilizers featuring dynamic fins that adjust to the ship’s movements. This system helps anticipate and compensate for the pitching and tossing of the sea, providing greater stability. Passengers prone to seasickness often find their symptoms alleviated and are pleasantly surprised by the smooth experience. However, bringing motion sickness medication is recommended for peace of mind.
Are animals allowed on board?
For hygiene and safety reasons, animals are not allowed on board.
Is smoking allowed on board?
PONANT ships are non-smoking, including stateroom balconies. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas.
Le Commandant Charcot features an onboard cigar lounge on Deck 5, where guests can enjoy a refined selection of cigars (cigarettes are not allowed) and fine spirits.
Is there a laundry service on the ships?
Yes, the stateroom Officer can assist with laundry services. Washing and ironing take between 24 and 48 hours, while ironing alone can be done on the same day. As dry-cleaning is not available on the ship, only clothes that can be washed in water should be given for cleaning. These services are not free of charge and are billed directly to the stateroom account.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
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