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Luxury Expeditions
Whether it’s a polar, tropical or subtropical expedition, from Antarctica to Papua New Guinea, PONANT gets you up close and personal with unspoilt nature and rich cultures, far from the traditional cruise routes. With more than 20 years of experience in extreme regions, PONANT is a true Polar Specialist.
PONANT Expedition cruises are the ultimate blend of refined luxury and adventurous exploration, even in the heart of the most remote regions. Our small-ship Expedition cruises not only provide a high-end travel experience, but also allow you to go on a voyage of discovery to far-flung corners of the Earth, accompanied by top-quality services and experts on the regions visited.
Destinations
Marvel at other-worldly landscapes in Antarctica, meet the indigenous Inuit people, dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Seychelles, observe diverse fauna and explore dense jungle in Central America… The smaller size of our ships makes it possible to get to hard-to-reach areas, giving you the chance to discover hidden spots unlike any other.
The Expedition Teams
PONANT expedition leaders and naturalist guides are passionate, knowledgeable experts on their destinations, unlocking doors to the pristine areas we visit. During outings on Zodiac® inflatable boats and during onboard lectures and talks, the team will teach you about the unique flora and fauna of the region and explain the traditions and way of life of the locals, so you can get up close and personal with these remote and fascinating regions.
From the coniferous forests of the North to the glaciers of Antarctica, from the banks of the Amazon River to the idyllic beaches of New Caledonia, from the ancient traditions of the Inuits to the millennium-old cultures of Vanuatu, discover new cultures and remote corners of the Earth on board a modern, luxurious ship.
High-end amenities…
An expedition with PONANT guarantees top quality comfort, despite exploring some of the most remote places on the planet. The comfort of the ship and staterooms, personalised and attentive service , refined gastronomy ... we’re proud of the atmosphere we create onboard and strive to always make you feel as though you’re on your own private yacht. In the heart of icy realms or the tranquil archipelagos of Oceania, our luxury amenities will make your expedition voyage an unforgettable experience.
... in the heart of extreme lands
Whether it’s the Polar regions or along the Amazon River, the smaller size of our ships and their shallow draught mean you can get in as close as possible to these hard-to-access areas. This close proximity offers you the opportunity to explore often inaccessible locations and see rare sights. Our teams are trained to be on the lookout for any unexpected surprises and moments that are part and parcel of an expedition cruise, and our flexibility allows us to adapt to these – this is the true meaning of exploration travel.
Zodiac® shore visits and outings
During Expedition voyages, our fleet of Zodiac® inflatable boats make landing ashore in remote, seldom visited destinations safe and enjoyable, and enable guests to get as close as possible to ice, coral reefs, waterfalls and fauna. Designed to accommodate small groups of 10 guests, they are easy to step on to from the marina platform at the rear of our ship. Our inclusive Zodiac® and shore excursions are unforgettable experiences, whether you’re landing on a deserted beach in the Maluku islands of Indonesia, interacting with remote tribes of Papua New Guinea, or discovering the splendour of Antarctic glaciers.
Specialists in extreme regions, these passionate and knowledgeable professionals will add a cultural, environmental and historical dimension to your outings and will point out nearby flora and fauna, local cultures and natural phenomena. As recognised professionals, they always make scouting missions in the field before organising safe outings and shore visits for guests, taking advantage of the opportunities that arise during any expedition. The enrichment doesn’t stop there though, with a series of cultural, scientific or historical presentations back onboard. To ensure a safe polar expedition, all our captains and crew are trained on glacier navigation.
All-inclusive Expeditions
Once aboard, enjoy the adventure with total peace of mind. Everything is included: Zodiac® outings, shore visits, excursions and lectures, plus parkas (offered) and boot rental (offered) for polar expeditions. During some cruises and ports of calls, optional paying excursions are offered to visit sites that can be reached only with local infrastructure.
Immerse yourself in Papua New Guinea, explore the untouched Kimberley, discover forgotten islands in the Indian Ocean, be surrounded by glaciers in Antarctica, or be dazzled by the landscapes of Spitsbergen… and these are just a few of the options we offer. Whether you’re attracted to the tropics or the polar regions, our expertise in luxury expedition cruises means you’re in for an unparalleled change of scenery in some of the world’s most isolated regions.
Polar Expedition voyages
As the leader in expeditions to polar regions and with over 20 years’ experience in these unique destinations, PONANT takes you on the adventure of a lifetime, with the professional focus and responsible approach that is part of our DNA. In the Antarctic, set out to discover the icy expanses and magnificent fauna of the White Continent: humpback whales, seals, penguins... In the Arctic regions, fjords, glaciers, icebergs that reflect the hues of the sky and varied wildlife await: polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, orcas, whales... plus the special moments of interaction with Inuit people.
Rencontres avec les baleines en Zodiac®
Émotion garantie avec cette sortie en Zodiac® sur le fleuve Saint-Laurent . Votre capitaine guide-naturaliste vous emmènera à son embouchure, le meilleur endroit pour observer les géants des mers et autres mammifères marins.
Tropical Expedition cruises
A tropical Expedition voyage is more focussed on cultural encounters. Sailing to remote and seldom visited destinations allows you to discover the ancient customs of many tribes and ethnic groups that continue their rituals on the land of their forefathers. Whether it’s the Papuan, Polynesian or Māori people, you’ll learn about and gain an appreciation for their tradition and cultures. During village visits, take the time to interact with these warm and friendly people, promising rewarding encounters and priceless memories. Plus, who could forget disembarking on idyllic white sand beaches with crystal clear waters and coral reefs far from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
The Kimberley, Oceania & Pacific Islands
Africa & Indian Ocean
Explore further
Alaska, the Bijagos islands, Antarctica, Seychelles ... PONANT and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC have joined forces to offer exceptional expedition cruises with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC experts onboard – for those with a real thirst for knowledge.
Expedition team
Internationally recognised for the precision and reliability of their knowledge of extreme environments our expedition leaders lead a team of experienced professionals. Scouting out destinations and making advance preparations, supervising cruise guests and communicating and interacting with them during cruises, protecting the ecosystems visited and ensuring safety guidelines and procedures are followed: our expedition team members are all about sharing their knowledge and imparting a sense of wonder and amazement.
The expedition leaders
Working alongside the captain, the expedition leader is the main person responsible for your exploration experience : they supervise the team of naturalist guides, ensure the safety of the organised activities offered, and tailor and adapt the cruise highlights to the sailing conditions, thus ensuring you get to see and experience the full wealth of riches these fascinating ecosystems have to offer.
The naturalist guides
Expert spotters and trained in supervising activities in extreme environments, one of the naturalist guides will be with you each day to share their knowledge of these fascinating ecosystems , both on board the ship and during your excursions and disembarkations.
Activity leaders
Scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, polar trekking, Nordic skiing, dog sledding... Whether you're a first-timer or looking to take your existing skills to the next level, get ready to enjoy immersive experiences supervised by certified guides , genuine ambassadors for local cultures and communities.
Florence Kuyper
Expedition leader.
Born in the Netherlands, Florence discovered Antarctica in 2004, and she returns there every year. When she is not on board our ships, she works on sailing vessels in the Arctic and Antarctica. During the 2012/2013 season, she has been the Port Lockroy’s base head chief, an emblematic British base in Antarctica. On board PONANT ships, Florence will share with you her passion for polar regions and penguins
Meeting with Florence, on Escales Magazine
Delphine Aurès
Deeply passionate about sea and travels, Delphine has been sailing all the world’s oceans for the last 20 years. Her interest for remote islands and small communities has led her to achieve various activities: biologist for the IPF (Institut Polaire Français), freelance journalist, writer and presenter of a series of TV documentaries or dog-sledding driver in Spitsbergen. On board PONANT ships, Delphine will share with you her passion for polar regions and the natural world.
Meeting with Delphine Aurès, on Escales Magazine
Raphaël Sané
Raphaël took part in his first scientific expedition in 1997 in the Siberian Arctic. Further expeditions then followed, not only to polar habitats (Greenland, Canada and Svalbard), but also to parts of the world with steppe (Kazakhstan), semi-arid (Morocco) and tropical (Peru) environments. In 2000, he became a specialist guide and expedition leader working on cruise ships travelling to the world's polar and tropical regions.
John’s wanderlust surfaced during his undergraduate studies and has since led him to live in Alaska, to work in Nepal as a Peace Corps Volunteer and to lead hundreds of expeditions. His voyages have taken him to many far-flung areas of the globe including Africa, Alaska, South America, the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, India and the South Pacific. He looks forward to sharing with you his enthusiasm for the wonders of the natural world, in particular for the White Continent.
In 2012, Mick was appointed first Ambassador of Orangutan Foundation International as a reward for his conservation work in Indonesia. He has led over 300 expeditions through the Asia-Pacific region, sharing his passion for these territories with guests. As an award-winning wildlife photographer and adventurer, Mick Fogg has spent the past 17 years leading expeditions to some of the world’s most remote and spectacular destinations, from the Sub Antarctic Islands to South East Asia.
David Beaune
A doctor of biology, David first began travelling to the poles and the equator to explore and study underwater, underground, canopy and cliff ecosystems more than a decade ago. Initially a naturalist guide for PONANT before becoming an expedition leader, he delights in sharing his experiences and the strong emotions the natural world inspires.
Sandrine Erwin-Rose
Sandrine is head of operations and expedition leader for the Asia-Pacific cruises. She holds qualifications in tropical zoology, ecology, marine biology and education sciences and is passionate about wildlife conservation and protecting the environment.
Meeting with Sandrine Erwin-Rose, on Escales Magazine
Benjamin Dy
Assistant expedition leader.
Trained in the management and protection of nature, Benjamin is a naturalist-guide and has lived in Quebec for ten years. He regularly accompanies groups of enthusiasts in the Canadian Arctic, Alaska or Svalbard. Reporter and photographer, he regularly writes articles to help people discover the wild world. Benjamin has been on board with PONANT since 2016.
Alison Thieffry
Naturalist-guide.
Alison has degrees in both geography and political science and developed a deeper interest in the Circumpolar World and the geopolitics and peoples of the Arctic while studying in Canada. She has been sailing with PONANT as a naturalist guide since 2018.
Daphné Buiron
Daphné Buiron holds a doctorate in glaciology and spent 14 months at the Dumont d'Urville scientific station in Antarctica. She then decided to devote herself to the protection, study and exploration of the polar regions, firstly as a teacher and researcher, then as a guide-naturalist. Daphne has been sailing with PONANT since 2015.
Laura Jourdan
Laura was biology teacher in France at a secondary institution before to venture into the polar regions. In Svalbard, she was taken by the polar bug and decided to become a polar guide. After 3 years of professional experience between Svalbard and Northern Norway, she joined PONANT in 2019.
Nicolas Tolstoï
A professional underwater photographer before becoming a naturalist guide and expedition leader, Nicolas Tolstoi has sailed all around the world's seas and oceans.
Meeting with Nicolas, on Escales Magazine
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