There is something a little bit special about the French chic of a Compagnie du Ponant Cruise. The eclectic fleet offers a range of experiences and itineraries around the world – they are designed to take full advantage of the fact that these little ships are able to access tiny coves and islands, and take you to places which would otherwise be very hard to reach. Although the vessels are all different, what they have in common is a warmth and conviviality which ensures that guests return year after year.

The company was started over 20 years ago with the launch of the little 64 passenger sailing yacht Le Ponant. Two new ships, purpose built for the company, have recently joined the fleet, Le Boreal and l'Austral. Each carrying up to 264 passengers, these elegant and sophisticated vessels operate itineraries including the Arctic, Antarctic, Northern Europe and the South Pacific. A third sister is currently under construction.

In addition, they achieve the coveted "clean ship" label. This award is based on numerous eco-friendly features: dynamic-positioning, advanced waste water treatment, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, and underwater detection system.

With the introduction of the new ships, Compagnie du Ponant becomes a significant player in the small ship market, and the company is committed to creating a truly international passenger mix, with English and French both spoken on board.

Explore Compagnie du Ponant Destinations

What we like about Compagnie du Ponant:

• The pastries! It is like living in a patisserie with constant access to the whole range of goods
• Some fantastic new technology on the new ships like the dynamic positioning system which means they don't have to drop anchor in environmentally sensitive areas