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Ship comparison

AmaMelodia vs Le Ponant

The verdict

Which should you choose?

AmaMelodia is an intimate AmaWaterways ship carrying 64 passengers, in service since 2025. Le Ponant is an intimate Ponant Cruises ship carrying 64 passengers, in service since 1991. AmaMelodia has no Bliss scores or specs yet, so the verdict rests on the figures we do hold.

Choose AmaMelodia if you want a newer ship: its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 1991).

Choose Le Ponant if you want more cruises to choose from: it has 24 cruises on sale (vs none).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

AmaMelodiaLe Ponant
Cruise line AmaWaterways Ponant Cruises
Ship size Intimate Intimate
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2025 (better) 1991
Gross tonnage 1,489
Passengers 64 64
Crew 30 30
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.1 2.1
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 23.3
Decks 3 4
Length 223 ft 291 ft
Beam 43 ft 39 ft
Speed 10 mph 12 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 24
Upcoming sailings 85
Cruise lengths 6–7 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $8,000

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday.

AmaMelodia has no Bliss scores yet.

  • Active Le Ponant: 8.0
  • Adventure & nature Le Ponant: 6.0
  • Cultural Le Ponant: 9.0
  • Dining Le Ponant: 9.0
  • Entertainment Le Ponant: 5.0
  • Family friendly Le Ponant: 5.0
  • Party Le Ponant: 5.0
  • Romantic Le Ponant: 10.0
  • Spa & fitness Le Ponant: 5.0
  • Staterooms Le Ponant: 7.5

AmaWaterways

AmaMelodia

When it launches in the summer of 2025, AmaMelodia will be the second major river ship designed to sail on the Magdalena River in Colombia, following the 2024 launch of AmaMagdalena.

Ponant Cruises

Le Ponant

Le Ponant, a three-masted schooner from France-based cruise line Ponant, sails to small islands, hidden harbors and exclusive ports of call in the Mediterranean with only 64 guests aboard. She is stylish, friendly and relaxed.

Highlights

  • Able to cruise to small, exclusive ports in the Mediterranean
  • Outdoor dining for breakfast and lunch
  • All staterooms have views of the ocean

Sailing now

24 cruises on sale, from $8,000.

Questions

AmaMelodia or Le Ponant?

Which ship is newer, AmaMelodia or Le Ponant?

AmaMelodia is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 1991 for Le Ponant.

Which has more crew per passenger?

They are level, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers.

Still deciding?

Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing

Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about AmaMelodia, Le Ponant or a ship that suits you better.

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