Ponant cuises

[pattihews]

Have just been shown this French cruise line: small ships and interesting points of call. My partner would like to visit the Antarctic and this line seems to offer something different — at a cost?

It looks to me as if this cruise line is designed for millionaires. We're not but we could stretch to it as a once-in-a-lifetime splurge on retirement. But is is terrifyingly smart?

uk.ponant.com

Awful company, rude and unhelpful unless you are french. I would spend my money elsewhere, very poor food, service compared to other lines. Not really smart compared to the real luxury lines.

Which would you describe as the real luxury lines? Why would food from Alain Ducassse be very poor? The ships are the most beautiful I've seen, though I'm not a cruise aficionado.

Food was extremely poor, the food is not from alain ducasse he only advises, food is only as good as chefs onboard. Ponant is a premium line at best, price point denotes this.
Grab a copy of the latest Berlitz cruise guide and avail yourself of the lux lines.

I can barely afford Ponant prices, I don't want anything more expensive.

I don't have time to be buying books. Which luxury cruise lines do you recommend?

www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/regions-and-rivers/regions/antarctic/

Sorry, posted too soon.

Family member crews with this company sometimes and enjoys working for them. Says the customers seem happy too!

The ones I recommend are all more expensive than ponant. If i were going on such a big holiday i would make time for research. Really depends what you are looking for, entertainment/food/kids/passenger numbers/formality

Madamsapple, yes they do have a decent reputation.

Thank you. That accommodation seems very spacious and comfortable if a bit dated. Unfortunately they don't seem to offer the Antarctic landings of the the Ponant trip, which seems to get to some of the least accessible places on earth such as Marie Byrd Land. Ponant voyages also do a Chile to New Zealand route, which would suit us as I have friends and family in NZ and so we could enjoy an extended holiday there after the cruise.

The Ponant ships seem to have very high eco credentials: many of them are run on liquid gas instead of oil, which reduces concerns about pollution. They also have high standards of on-board water recycling. I'm very aware of how polluting and destructive cruising is and these improvements are important to me.

Oh, and I don't want entertainment or children or climbing walls or formality or grand banquets.

Hebridean and Island Sky ( Noble Caledonia) are expedition cruises and certainly do landings with zodiacs, and aren't formal. They also have on board experts, naturalists etc and lectures but no entertainment. My family member really enjoys working for them compared with other companies.

But you seem to be happy with what Ponant offer, and it fits in with other plans - so great, go for it!

I'm happy to change my view if shown something better. From an itinerary pov the Ponant cruise does seem to visit some of the more out of the way places on Antarctica that others don't. I have no doubt the noble-caledonian cruises are excellent and offer very high quality accommodation.

I came on here to ask if anyone had experience of Ponant. I've had one general and apparently francophobic response which hasn't been backed up in any detail. Is there anyone out there who's sailed with Ponant? Do they live up to their eco promises? What did you make of your experience? Are they snooty if your French isn't quite up to scratch?

www.thetimes.co.uk/travel/destinations/antarctica/best-luxury-cruises-to-antarctica ( sorry, no share token)

You might be better off having a look at Trip Advisor cruising forum for threads on Ponant.

Hope you get the info you need!

I’d consider one of the Seabourn expedition ships for that itinerary.

Are you a French speaker? Ponant is known for its French-ness which can be challenging if you are not, announcements, tours, entertainment are all in French.

Hurtigruten do some different stuff incl Antarctica - might be worth a look

https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk

We did the Antarctic cruise with Ponant. It was amazing. The food and drinks were great quality, didn't find staff rude at all, quite the opposite. Fellow cruisers were good company and we are still in touch with sone on a weekly basis despite cruising a few years ago.
Once in the Antarctic the scenery and excursions are just stunning. I would highly recommend.

Ps, no need to speak French and the onboard talks and scientific lectures were very informative and good quality.

Thank you very much for the link, it's exactly what I need. Hours of research to be done. We're not looking for ultimate luxury so some of the more down-to-earth options will suit us. My French is good enough to order food and cope with basic requirements but nothing much more.

If Ponant is stretching the budget, OP wont stump up for Seabourn!

Sorry but what is “francophobic” about my comment that we were not treated well, but the french were.
I have also told you the accommodations, of which we had the top suite on le boreal were very cramped. Spacious on these small ships is not really an option.
I am not quite sure why you feel entitled to much help with your sharp responses that “ you dont have time to read books”. Attitude or what!