Ponant
32–245 Guests · Le Commandant Charcot & Sister Ships
Founded by French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant pairs authentic polar and warm-water exploration with refined French gastronomy, Ducasse dining, and intimate yacht-scale ships.
The Onboard Experience
Founded in 1988 by officers of the French Merchant Navy, Ponant has mastered the art of pairing rugged expedition capability with the effortless refinement of a French boutique hotel at sea.
Its modern fleet ranges from the legendary three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant (just 16 staterooms) and the sleek Ponant Explorers series (92 staterooms with underwater Blue Eye lounges) to Le Commandant Charcot—the world’s only luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel (Polar Class 2), capable of reaching the Geographic North Pole and the furthest corners of the Weddell and Ross Seas.
Aboard every sailing, French culinary heritage takes centre stage through a partnership with Ducasse Conseil (Chef Alain Ducasse’s culinary studio), complemented by Veuve Clicquot champagne, Clarins or Biologique Recherche spas, and bilingual expedition teams.
- •Le Commandant Charcot—the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar icebreaker (PC2)
- •Intimate Ponant Explorer ships (max 184 guests) featuring the multi-sensory Blue Eye underwater lounge
- •Gastronomy developed with Ducasse Conseil and open bar including champagne
- •Virtuoso Voyages onboard credits (EUR 200 / USD 200 per guest) on eligible sailings
Ponant Privileges with Sirevaag Travel
Privileges vary by departure, but you can expect this level of curation and added value when arranging your voyage through Sirevaag Travel.
Expedition Ship & Cabin Matching
Objective advice on ice classes, passenger limits (from 30 to 200 guests), and landing regulations in polar and remote waters.
Onboard Credit & Gear Perks
Access exclusive onboard credits or preferred partner amenities on select polar and warm-water expeditions.
Activity & Excursion Pre-Booking
Early registration for limited-capacity activities such as sea kayaking, heli-hiking, zodiac photography, or polar diving.
Gateway City Hotel Curation
Curated stays in key gateway cities like Buenos Aires, Santiago, Reykjavik, or Darwin with full VIP hotel benefits.
Complex Charter & Flight Buffer
Carefully planned flight buffers and private transfers to safeguard against weather delays in remote embarkation ports.
Official Rates & Past-Guest Perks
Access all early-booking reductions, solo supplements waivers, and loyalty benefits with zero advisory markup.
Why book Ponant with us?
| Your Experience | Booking Direct | Booking with Sirevaag Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition Fare & Early-Bird Rates | Published expedition fare | Exact same official rate & promotions |
| Preferred Partner Credits | None beyond standard | Up to $200–$500 per suite on eligible sailings |
| Ship Size & Ice-Class Advisory | Pitches only their own fleet | Objective comparison across the world’s top expedition fleets |
| Gateway City Stays & Transfers | Standard group arrangements | Seamless 5-star hotel stays with VIP perks & private transfers |
| Loyalty & Past-Passenger Perks | Earned normally | Fully combined with partner benefits |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Virtuoso benefits do I receive when booking Ponant through Sirevaag Travel?
As our client, you benefit from EUR 200 per person in onboard credit (or USD 200 per person on Paul Gauguin Cruises in Tahiti) alongside priority suite selection and combinability with Ponant Bonus early-booking savings.
What makes Le Commandant Charcot unique in polar waters?
Most polar expedition ships hold Ice Class 1A or PC5/PC6, restricting them to summer coastal ice. Le Commandant Charcot holds Polar Class 2, allowing it to navigate multi-year pack ice to reach Emperor penguin colonies on Snow Hill Island, Northeast Greenland in spring, and the Geographic North Pole.
Considering a voyage with Ponant?
Contact our advisory desk for tailored guidance on itineraries, suite selection, and eligible partner privileges for your preferred sailing.
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