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Ponant Cruises

Le Champlain

Intimate ship Bliss scored

Le Champlain is an upcoming luxury expedition yacht from France-based Ponant cruise line that boasts just 92 cabins and suites. The ship launches in September 2018.

  • 184guests
  • 9,900gross tons
  • 64cruises now
  • $3,810fares from

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The 184-guest Le Champlain from Ponant during an autumn sailing.

At a glance

Le Champlain is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by Ponant Cruises, in service since 2018. It carries 184 guests and 110 crew (1.7 guests per crew member) at 9,900 gross tons. It ties with 5 other ships as the 6th largest of 12 Ponant Cruises ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for active and adventure & nature (9/10) and lowest for entertainment, family friendly, party and spa & fitness (5/10). It is rated 4.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable and 4 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 64 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $3,810 to $12,760.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4.5 / 5
Cruise Critic
4 / 5
Guests
184
Crew
110
Gross tons
9,900
Decks
6
Length
430 ft
Beam
59 ft
Maiden voyage
2018
Space ratio
1.7
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
1.7
Speed (mph)
21
IMO
9814038

Bliss scores

What Le Champlain is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

  1. Active 9.0
  2. Adventure and nature 9.0
  3. Cultural 7.0
  4. Dining 8.0
  5. Entertainment 5.0
  6. Family friendly 5.0
  7. Party 5.0
  8. Romantic 8.0
  9. Spa and fitness 5.0
  10. Staterooms 7.0

Our review

Le Champlain: Ponant expedition ship offers stylish adventures

Featuring innovative and environmentally friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows and lounge areas that open onto the outside, Le Champlain is a luxury expedition yacht from France-based Ponant cruise line that boasts just 92 cabins and suites. The ship launched in September 2018.

Le Champlain's sleek design allows access to smaller ports for exploration of hidden gems not accessible to larger vessels. Featuring two restaurants, two lounges including an open-air poolside bar, a theater, fitness center, spa and plenty of private space for rest, reflection and relaxation, this lovely ship will offer an unparalleled cruising experience.

As the second ship in Ponant's new Explorers Class, Le Champlain embodies the atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Le Champlain follows by a few months the launch of its twin sister, Le Laperouse.

Where Le Champlain sails

Le Champlain sails expedition routes to far-flung corners of the globe, such as a voyage from the Amalfi Coast to Malta as well as cruises to Sicily, the Canary Islands, the Amazon, Panama Canal and ports farther afield. 

Ponant's new expedition vessels are designed for high-end expedition voyages in Oceania, South America, Amazon's Orinoco River, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica and the Indian Ocean. They will  introduce passengers to regional wildlife and local cultures with the help of onboard naturalists.

For those wondering about Lake Champlain, the ship does offer the occasional 7 Night Voyage Along the Great Lakes with Smithsonian Journeys.

Read the full review

Dining on board

Modern French cuisine will be a centerpiece of the new ship. Dining venues include:

  • A restaurant on deck 3 seats 70 in a relaxed atmosphere. The venue serves grilled meats along with salads and desserts.
  • At the rear of deck 4, passengers will find a sprawling 2,800-square-foot panoramic restaurant, capable of accommodating all passengers in single sitting. This venue, with an opening to the outside, features a buffet of salads, cheeses and desserts. The attentive crew provides table service for hot meals.

 

Le Champlain comes equipped with a multi-sensory underwater space called Blue Eye.

Entertainment

The centerpiece of Le Champlain is Blue Eye. It's an underwater chamber that consists of two large, eye-shaped portholes to get you close up to sea creatures. The screen comes equipped with large screens broadcasting live images from three underwater cameras while a hydrophone captures the sounds of the ocean.

Le Champlain boasts an assortment of entertainment venues for adults, teens and children, including:

  • A retractable marina water sports platform, used only when the ship is anchored and the sea is calm
  • The Atrium, a two-deck-high open-floor area featuring a chandelier with Swarovski crystals
  • A 2,150-square-foot Main Lounge with a large LED screen and floor-to-ceiling windows. Evening entertainment there will feature live performances by a resident singer and pianist and an art auction once per Le Champlain cruise.
  • A 188-seat Theatre for music and dance shows
  • Wellness Centre, offering a Spa, Balneo Room, Hammam, Massage Room, Beauty Corner, Hair Salon, Shower Room, Relaxation Room and spacious terrace
  • Fitness center with panoramic windows
  • Leisure Area offering a playroom for small kids playroom as well as Internet stations
  • A swimming pool with luxury loungers
  • Panoramic Lounge & Bar with an Internet corner, grand piano, library, Panoramic Terrace and Panoramic Bar, the ship’s late-night disco
  • Sun Deck with bar, luxury loungers, padded chairs and deck games, including shuffleboard, golf driving net and nine-hole mini-golf

Staterooms

Le Champlain features two standard cabin categories: Prestige and Deluxe, both at 205 square feet. Suites range from 291 to 484 square feet and feature large windows and lounge areas that open onto the outside. Privilege Suites have a bathtub and can hold up to four people. Grand Deluxe Suites also have bathtubs and can accommodate two passengers.

All cabins have balconies, air conditioning, two twins or king-size bed, shower, mini-bar, flat-screen TV with satellite TV and video on demand, a desk with stationery, safe, hair dryer, bathrobes and French bath products. Each cabin is outfitted with 110/220-volt outlets and Internet access. Room service is available 24 hours per day.

Fun fact

Each ship in the new expedition class pays homage to a famous French explorer — in this case, Samuel de Champlain. Lake Champlain, which straddles the border between northern New York and Vermont, is named after him.

Your take

How about you? Are you planning to cruise on one of Ponant's luxury expedition yachts? Let us know!

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

If you're interested in a cruise on Le Champlain, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. You'll get a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.

SEE ALL LE CHAMPLAIN SAILINGS

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 1

  • Enjoy the natural wonders of the Amazon on the Ponant ship Le Champlain.
    Enjoy the natural wonders of the Amazon on the Ponant ship Le Champlain.

Dining 1

  •  Dining is a gastronomical experience on Ponant voyages.
    Dining is a gastronomical experience on Ponant voyages.

On board 1

  • The lounge in the common area of Le Champlain.
    The lounge in the common area of Le Champlain.

Staterooms 1

  • A Prestige Suite aboard Ponant’s Le Champlain.
    A Prestige Suite aboard Ponant’s Le Champlain.

More photos 4

  • The 184-guest Le Champlain from Ponant during an autumn sailing.
    The 184-guest Le Champlain from Ponant during an autumn sailing.
  • Le Champlain from Ponant sails expedition routes to far-flung corners of the globe
    Le Champlain from Ponant sails expedition routes to far-flung corners of the globe
  • The underwater lounge Blue Eye aboard Ponant’s new yachts.
    The underwater lounge Blue Eye aboard Ponant’s new yachts.
  • The Blue Eye lounge aboard Ponant’s new yachts gives guests a closeup view of underwater sea life.
    The Blue Eye lounge aboard Ponant’s new yachts gives guests a closeup view of underwater sea life.

Sailing now

Cruises on Le Champlain

Plan my cruise
  1. 8 Night Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea with Smithsonian Journeys 8 nights · from Barcelona Next Sep 23, 2026 from $11,060
  2. 10 Night Ancient Civilizations from Italy to Greece 10 nights · from Civitavecchia Next Oct 1, 2026 Fare on request
  3. 7 Night A Symphony at Sea Musical Traditions of Greece 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Oct 18, 2026 from $10,600
  4. 7 Night European Autumn in the Aegean Sea 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Nov 1, 2026 from $7,850
  5. 8 Night Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean 8 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Nov 8, 2026 from $7,430
  6. 9 Night Ancient Shores of the Mediterranean 9 nights · from Valletta Next Nov 16, 2026 from $8,380
  7. 8 Night Atlantic Odyssey from the Iberian Peninsula to the Canary Islands 8 nights · from Malaga, Costa Del Sol Next Nov 25, 2026 from $6,150
  8. 10 Night Volcanic Landscapes from Canary Islands to Cape Verde 10 nights · from Las Palmas Next Dec 3, 2026 from $6,540
  9. 8 Night Adventure in the Bissagos Islands 8 nights · from Dakar Next Dec 13, 2026 3 dates from $6,130
  10. 10 Night Volcanic Landscapes from Cape Verde to Canary Islands 10 nights · from Dakar Next Jan 6, 2027 from $6,540
  11. 9 Night Atlantic Odyssey from the Canary Islands to the Shores of Morocco 9 nights · from Las Palmas Next Jan 16, 2027 from $6,530
  12. 11 Night Nordic Sea Treasures 11 nights · from Brest Next Feb 21, 2027 from $10,730
Show 48 more
  1. 10 Night From the Arctic Circle to the Scottish Isles 10 nights · from Tromso Next Apr 3, 2027 from $12,590
  2. 7 Night Mythical Islands and Wild Landscapes of the Hebrides 7 nights · from Glasgow Next Apr 13, 2027 from $6,270
  3. 7 Night Mythical Islands and Wild Landscapes of the Hebrides 7 nights · from Glasgow Next Apr 20, 2027 2 dates from $6,270
  4. 9 Night Legendary Lands and Northern Cities 9 nights · from Glasgow Next May 4, 2027 from $9,130
  5. 8 Night Iconic Capitals and Towns of the Baltic 8 nights · from Copenhagen Next May 13, 2027 from $8,470
  6. 7 Night Iconic Capitals and Towns of the Baltic 7 nights · from Helsinki Next May 21, 2027 from $7,880
  7. 7 Night Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Copenhagen Next Jun 11, 2027 from $11,400
  8. 10 Night Scandinavian Cities and Norwegian Fjords 10 nights · from Copenhagen Next Jun 25, 2027 from $12,760
  9. 7 Night Gastronomic Journey through Norwegian Fjords 7 nights · from Bergen Next Jul 5, 2027 from $9,900
  10. 7 Night Norwegian Fjords 7 nights · from Fredrikstad Next Jul 12, 2027 2 dates from $8,940
  11. 7 Night Norwegian Fjords 7 nights · from Bergen Next Jul 19, 2027 from $8,460
  12. 10 Night Islands and Cities from the North Sea to the Baltic 10 nights · from Fredrikstad Next Jul 26, 2027 Fare on request
  13. 7 Night Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Helsinki Next Aug 5, 2027 from $10,740
  14. 8 Night Secret Scandinavia 8 nights · from Copenhagen Next Aug 12, 2027 from $9,550
  15. 7 Night Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Bergen Next Aug 27, 2027 from $9,800
  16. 8 Night From Celtic Shores to the Bay of Biscay 8 nights · from Glasgow Next Oct 1, 2027 from $6,600
  17. 10 Night Bay of Biscay and Iberian Peninsula 10 nights · from Bordeaux Next Oct 9, 2027 from $8,620
  18. 13 Night Lisbon to the Canary Islands by Sea Spain Morocco and Atlantic Isles with Smithsonian Journeys 13 nights · from Lisbon Next Oct 19, 2027 from $11,700
  19. 10 Night Splendors of the Canaries and Authentic Madeira 10 nights · from Las Palmas Next Nov 1, 2027 from $6,720
  20. 10 Night Splendors of the Canaries and Authentic Madeira 10 nights · from Las Palmas Next Nov 11, 2027 from $6,340
  21. 10 Night Ocean Voyage Las Palmas to Fort de France 10 nights · from Las Palmas Next Nov 21, 2027 from $3,810
  22. 7 Night Pearls of the Caribbean 7 nights · from Fort De France Next Dec 1, 2027 3 dates from $5,150
  23. 7 Night Wonders of the Caribbean 7 nights · from Fort De France Next Dec 8, 2027 from $5,150
  24. 7 Night Wonders of the Caribbean 7 nights · from Fort De France Next Dec 22, 2027 from $5,460
  25. 7 Night Secret Treasures of the Lesser Antilles 7 nights · from Fort De France Next Jan 5, 2028 from $5,770
  26. 7 Night Jewels of the Northern Caribbean 7 nights · from La Romana, Dominican Republic Next Jan 12, 2028 from $6,400
  27. 7 Night Jewels of the Northern Caribbean 7 nights · from Nassau Next Jan 19, 2028 2 dates from $6,050
  28. 7 Night Jewels of the Northern Caribbean 7 nights · from La Romana, Dominican Republic Next Jan 26, 2028 from $6,050
  29. 7 Night Secret Treasures of the Lesser Antilles 7 nights · from La Romana, Dominican Republic Next Feb 9, 2028 from $5,770
  30. 7 Night Pearls of the Caribbean 7 nights · from Fort De France Next Feb 16, 2028 from $5,460
  31. 7 Night Cruising the Caribbeans Windward Islands with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Vieux Fort Next Feb 23, 2028 from $6,320
  32. 7 Night Jewels of the Antilles 7 nights · from Vieux Fort Next Mar 1, 2028 2 dates from $5,150
  33. 7 Night Jewels of the Antilles 7 nights · from Vieux Fort Next Mar 8, 2028 from $5,150
  34. 12 Night Ocean Voyage Vieux Fort to Casablanca 12 nights · from Vieux Fort Next Mar 22, 2028 from $4,590
  35. 7 Night Cruising from Morocco to Spains Andalusian Coast with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Casablanca Next Apr 3, 2028 from $6,600
  36. 10 Night The Iberian Peninsula and Fortified Cities of the Atlantic 10 nights · from Lisbon Next Apr 10, 2028 from $7,560
  37. 8 Night British Archipelagos and Celtic Shores 8 nights · from Honfleur Next Apr 20, 2028 Fare on request
  38. 7 Night Wild Scotland and Mythical Islands 7 nights · from Glasgow Next Apr 28, 2028 Fare on request
  39. 7 Night Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Glasgow Next May 19, 2028 from $8,000
  40. 8 Night Norwegian Fjords 8 nights · from Bergen Next May 26, 2028 from $9,550
  41. 11 Night From the Norwegian Fjords to the Bay of Biscay 11 nights · from Bergen Next Jul 8, 2028 from $7,890
  42. 9 Night Green Shores Exploring the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast 9 nights · from Bordeaux Next Jul 19, 2028 from $7,110
  43. 10 Night Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean Jewels 10 nights · from Lisbon Next Jul 28, 2028 from $8,370
  44. 8 Night From Malta to the Shores of the Adriatic 8 nights · from Valletta Next Aug 7, 2028 from $6,690
  45. 7 Night Natural Wonders and Cultural Jewels of Dalmatia 7 nights · from Venice Next Aug 15, 2028 from $5,860
  46. 7 Night Cities and Splendors of the Adriatic 7 nights · from Dubrovnik Next Aug 22, 2028 from $5,860
  47. 8 Night From the Canals of Venice to the City of Gods 8 nights · from Venice Next Aug 29, 2028 from $7,110
  48. 7 Night At the Heart of the Greek Islands 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Sep 6, 2028 3 dates from $6,590

Showing the 60 soonest of 64 cruises.

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