Ponant Explorers

Sleek and stylish, these wonderful small ships blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.

What we love

Named after six of France's most famous explorers, Le Champlain, Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d'Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier offer exciting and adventurous itineraries in the utmost comfort. Technologically advanced, with the latest in environmentally friendly hardware, the new ships embody Ponant's trademark élan and flair, with just 92 spacious rooms and suites, a stylish pool deck and an intimate, refined onboard ambience.

Capacity 184 Guests
Crew 110 Staff
Style Refined with a wonderful mix of a modern super yacht and nautical tradition, all with a French flair.
Inclusions
  • All meals in all venues
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • All soft drinks
  • Tea, coffee and pastries
  • All onboard entertainment
  • Unlimited use of the Fitness Centre
  • Expedition by zodiac on selected sailings
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • One complimentary excursion per port beginning Winter 2024/25
Year Built 2018 (Le Champlain & Le Lapérouse) / 2019 (Le Bougainville & Le Dumont d'Urville) / 2020 (Le Bellot & Le Jacques Cartier)
Tonnage 10,000 grt
Length 430 feet
Breadth 59 feet
Cruising Speed 16 knots

Restaurants

Ponant - Le Bougainville - Le Nautilus restaurant
Le Nautilus
Ponant - Le Bougainville - Le Nemo restaurant
Le Nemo
Ponant - Le Bougainville - Nautilus restaurant

As you would expect, Ponant's culinary offering has a distinctively French flavour, with casual dining by day and a more refined ambience in the evening.

Le Nautilus

The elegant main restaurant, Le Nautilus, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a focus on French and European cuisine. Dining is open seating, and there are outdoor tables available in warmer weather destinations.

Le Nemo

Le Nemo is the al fresco poolside restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, with an appealing buffet selection and a daily changing menu of grill options.

Bars & Lounges

Ponant - Le Laperouse - Blue Eye lounge

A chic Scandi style pervades the public areas, with plenty of light and airy spaces to relax and socialise.

The innovative Blue Eye Lounge is the spectacular centrepiece, with two oversized portholes reinforced with 18 layers of glass looking out into the deep blue sea. Keep your eyes peeled for passing fish and sea creatures! There is also an airy lounge next to the pool deck, complete with grand piano, dancefloor and bar, while the more intimate panoramic lounge at the front of the ship has a library, bar and outdoor seating.

Rooms & Suites

Ponant - Le Laperouse - Owner's Suite
Owner's Suite
Ponant - Le Champlain - Grand Deluxe Suite
Grand Deluxe Suite
Ponant - Le Laperouse - Privilege Suite
Privilege Suite
Ponant - Le Champlain - Prestige Suite
Prestige Suite
Ponant - Le Laperouse - Deluxe Suite
Deluxe Suite
Ponant - Le Laperouse - Prestige Stateroom
Prestige Stateroom

The eye-catching interiors are fresh and contemporary, with a bright, nautical colour palette, and all staterooms and suites open onto a private balcony.

Owner's Suite

This supremely spacious suite includes a separate living area and a 323-square-foot private terrace complete with outdoor Jacuzzi, plus additional benefits including butler service, included private airport transfers and one hour of complimentary spa treatments.

Grand Deluxe Suite

The generously proportioned Grand Deluxe Suites have a large private terrace, separate living area and butler service.

Privilege Suite

At 344 square feet these suites offer plenty of space, and feature a bathroom with separate shower and bathtub.

Prestige Suite

Prestige Suites can interconnect to create a 409-square-foot family suite accommodating up to four people, with a convertible sofa bed in the second room.

Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Suites are a good size at 291 square feet, with a comfortable sitting area, walk-in wardrobe and balcony.

Prestige/Deluxe Stateroom

Offering 205 square feet of space, these smartly appointed staterooms have a small seating area, private balcony and bathroom with shower.

All rooms and suites include

  • Private balcony
  • Beds which can be configured as king or twin
  • Bathroom with shower (some also have bathtub)
  • Wardrobe
  • Fully stocked bar, replenished daily
  • WiFi access, free of charge
  • Flatscreen satellite TV
  • 24-hour room service
  • Fine bed linens
  • French bath amenities
  • Writing desk(s) with stationery
  • iPod speaker
  • Safe

Onboard Experiences

Ponant - Le Bougainville - Theatre

There is a relaxed ambience on board, complemented by a bilingual programme of enrichment and entertainment.

A distinction is made between 'cruises' and 'expeditions' - expedition voyages include zodiac excursions and a specialist expedition team will be on board to provide lectures and talks, while regular cruises offer a choice of shore excursions at an additional cost. Entertainment includes live music in the main lounge and dance shows in the 188-capacity theatre.

Tours, talks and more

  • Onboard lecturers and local experts
  • Expedition voyages include zodiac excursions, hikes and exploration on land
  • Live music in the main lounge
  • Dance shows, film screenings and talks in the theatre
  • Multi-sensory shows in the Blue Eye Lounge

Onboard Facilities

Ponant - Le Bougainville - Sauna

There is a real al fresco, yacht-style feel to these vessels, with plenty of outdoor space and an innovative hydraulic marina at the back of the ship.

  • Fitness centre
  • Spa, salon and sauna
  • Infinity pool with counter-current system
  • Solarium
  • Hydraulic marina platform for easy boarding and zodiac embarkation, plus watersports including swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
  • Boutique

Sustainability

Ponant are committed to minimising their environmental and social impact on the areas they visit.

As well as several measures taken across the fleet, such as eliminating the use of heavy fuel, CO2 offsetting and working towards a zero plastic waste policy, Ponant's Explorer class ships (which often visit remote areas) use catalytic converters at all times to reduce NOx emissions.

Get in touch & let us tailor-make your perfect adventure holiday

Call us on 020 7399 7630 or visit us at our comfortable offices just off London's Regent Street.

Enquire Now

Mundy Adventures office, 48/49 Russell Square, London