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Ponant Cruises

Le Laperouse

Intimate ship Bliss scored

Le Laperouse is the first in a new class of luxury expedition yacht from France-based Ponant cruise line. The ship, with just 92 cabins and suites, launches in June 2018.

  • 184guests
  • 9,900gross tons
  • 59cruises now
  • $4,120fares from

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The Ponant ship Le Laperouse alights off the coast of Baa Atoll in the Maldives.

At a glance

Le Laperouse 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, adventure & nature, cultural and dining (8/10) and lowest for entertainment, family friendly, party and spa & fitness (5/10). It is rated 4.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable. It has 59 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $4,120 to $13,890.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4.5 / 5
Guests
184
Crew
110
Gross tons
9,900
Decks
5
Length
430 ft
Beam
59 ft
Maiden voyage
2018
Space ratio
1.7
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
1.7
Speed (mph)
14
IMO
9814026

Bliss scores

What Le Laperouse 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 8.0
  2. Adventure and nature 8.0
  3. Cultural 8.0
  4. Dining 8.0
  5. Entertainment 5.0
  6. Family friendly 5.0
  7. Party 5.0
  8. Romantic 7.0
  9. Spa and fitness 5.0
  10. Staterooms 6.0

Our review

Le Laperouse: Stylish sailings on Ponant's luxury yacht

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

Le Laperouse'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 offers an unparalleled cruising experience.

As the first ship in Ponant's Explorers Class, Le Laperouse embodies the atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Le Laperouse has been joined by sister ships Le Champlain, Le Bougainville and Le Dumont-d'Urville.

Where Le Laperouse sails

Le Laperouse sails expedition routes to far-flung corners of the globe, including cruises to Australia, Japan, Vietnam, the South Pacific, New Guinea and other off-the-beaten-track destinations.

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, the Indian Ocean and polar regions. The ships introduce passengers to regional wildlife and local cultures with the help of onboard naturalists.

Read the full review

Dining on board

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

  • A restaurant on deck 3, that seats 70 in a relaxed atmosphere. The venue serves grilled meats, along with various salads and desserts.
  • At the rear of deck 4, passengers can 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 Lapérouse comes be equipped with a multi-sensory underwater space called Blue Eye.

Entertainment

The centerpiece of Le Lapérouse 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 Perouse boasts a wide 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 features live performances by a resident singer and pianist and an art auction once per Le Perouse 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 9-hole mini-golf

Staterooms

Le Perouse 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, it's named for French explorer Jean-Francois de La Perouse.

Your take

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

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

If you're interested in a cruise on Le Perouse, 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 LAPEROUSE SAILINGS

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 5

  • Explore the waterways of Iceland on a Ponant cruise.
  • See the sights and hear the sounds of Papua New Guinea on a Ponant luxury expedition ship.
  • A tour guide explains the origins of aboriginal rock art in the Kimberley region of Australia on a Ponant cruise.
  • A guide steers guests to a shore excursion in the Kimberley region of Australia on a Ponant cruise.
  • The cliff face in Australia’s Kimberley region dwarfs a Ponant Zodiac boat.

On board 1

  • The main lounge on the Ponant boutique ship Le Laperouse.

Staterooms 1

  • A Deluxe Suite on the Ponant boutique ship Le Laperouse.

More photos 4

  • The Ponant ship Le Laperouse alights off the coast of Baa Atoll in the Maldives.
  • The Ponant ship Le Laperouse moored off the coast of the Seychelles.
  • 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.

Sailing now

Cruises on Le Laperouse

Plan my cruise
  1. 10 Night Bay of Biscay and Iberian Peninsula 10 nights · from Bordeaux Next Oct 2, 2026 Fare on request
  2. 13 Night Lisbon to the Canary Islands by Sea Spain Morocco and Atlantic Isles with Smithsonian Journeys 13 nights · from Lisbon Next Oct 12, 2026 from $11,440
  3. 7 Night Canary Islands Land of Contrasts 7 nights · from Las Palmas Next Oct 25, 2026 from $6,400
  4. 10 Night Volcanic Landscapes from Canary Islands to Cape Verde 10 nights · from Las Palmas Next Nov 1, 2026 from $6,540
  5. 8 Night Adventure in the Bissagos Islands 8 nights · from Dakar Next Nov 11, 2026 2 dates from $6,470
  6. 10 Night Ocean Voyage Dakar to Fort de France 10 nights · from Dakar Next Nov 27, 2026 from $4,120
  7. 12 Night Panama Colombia and Caribbean Islands 12 nights · from Fort De France Next Dec 7, 2026 from $9,880
  8. 10 Night Secrets of Central America 10 nights · from Colon Next Dec 19, 2026 from $9,850
  9. 7 Night Pacific Coast of Costa Rica 7 nights · from Puntarenas Next Dec 29, 2026 from $7,170
  10. 10 Night Secrets of Central America 10 nights · from Puntarenas Next Jan 5, 2027 from $10,330
  11. 7 Night Central Americas Jewels and Panama Canal 7 nights · from Colon Next Jan 15, 2027 from $6,910
  12. 7 Night Panama and Costa Rica by Sea the Natural Wonders of Central America with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Puntarenas Next Feb 19, 2027 from $8,610
Show 47 more
  1. 7 Night Central Americas Jewels and Panama Canal 7 nights · from Colon Next Feb 26, 2027 from $6,570
  2. 7 Night Central Americas Jewels and Panama Canal 7 nights · from Puntarenas Next Mar 5, 2027 from $6,230
  3. 10 Night Panama Colombia and Caribbean Islands 10 nights · from Colon Next Mar 12, 2027 from $8,300
  4. 12 Night The Essentials of the Caribbean 12 nights · from Fort De France Next Mar 22, 2027 Fare on request
  5. 10 Night Ocean Voyage Fort de France to Santa Cruz de Tenerife 10 nights · from Fort De France Next Apr 3, 2027 from $4,190
  6. 9 Night Volcanic Islands and Historic Cities of the North Atlantic 9 nights · from Santa Cruz De Tenerife Next Apr 13, 2027 from $6,420
  7. 10 Night The Iberian Peninsula and Fortified Cities of the Atlantic 10 nights · from Lisbon Next Apr 22, 2027 from $8,250
  8. 7 Night Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Glasgow Next May 24, 2027 from $9,650
  9. 7 Night Cruising the Norwegian Fjords with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Bergen Next May 31, 2027 from $12,380
  10. 7 Night Norwegian Fjords 7 nights · from Fredrikstad Next Jun 7, 2027 from $11,330
  11. 12 Night Summer Escapes From the North Sea to the Iberian Peninsula 12 nights · from Oslo Next Jul 19, 2027 from $9,370
  12. 7 Night Total Solar Eclipse Between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic 7 nights · from Lisbon Next Jul 31, 2027 from $12,550
  13. 10 Night Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean Jewels 10 nights · from Lisbon Next Aug 7, 2027 from $8,980
  14. 8 Night Peaceful Islands and Ancient Treasures of the Mediterranean 8 nights · from Valletta Next Aug 17, 2027 from $7,580
  15. 7 Night At the Heart of the Greek Islands 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Aug 25, 2027 from $7,660
  16. 7 Night Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Sep 8, 2027 from $10,590
  17. 8 Night Tribute to Maria Callas 8 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Sep 29, 2027 from $9,970
  18. 8 Night Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily with Smithsonian Journeys 8 nights · from Civitavecchia Next Oct 7, 2027 from $9,720
  19. 8 Night A Circumnavigation of Sicily with Smithsonian Journeys 8 nights · from Valletta Next Oct 15, 2027 from $9,970
  20. 9 Night Ancient Shores of the Mediterranean 9 nights · from Valletta Next Oct 23, 2027 from $8,080
  21. 9 Night Ancient Shores of the Mediterranean 9 nights · from Malaga, Costa Del Sol Next Nov 1, 2027 from $8,000
  22. 7 Night Ancient Treasures of the Mediterranean 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Nov 10, 2027 2 dates from $5,850
  23. 7 Night Ancient Treasures of the Mediterranean 7 nights · from Istanbul Next Nov 17, 2027 2 dates from $5,850
  24. 7 Night Eastern Lights and Islands of the Aegean Sea 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Nov 24, 2027 from $6,570
  25. 7 Night Eastern Lights and Islands of the Aegean Sea 7 nights · from Alexandria Next Dec 1, 2027 from $6,570
  26. 7 Night Eastern Lights and Islands of the Aegean Sea 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Dec 22, 2027 from $6,570
  27. 7 Night Eastern Lights and Islands of the Aegean Sea 7 nights · from Alexandria Next Dec 29, 2027 from $6,570
  28. 7 Night Ancient Cities of Greece and Italy 7 nights · from Athens (Piraeus) Next Jan 5, 2028 from $5,850
  29. 8 Night Ancient Shores of the Mediterranean 8 nights · from Valletta Next Jan 12, 2028 from $6,690
  30. 6 Night Jazz Festival Between Moroccan Shores and Iberian Landscapes 6 nights · from Malaga, Costa Del Sol Next Jan 20, 2028 from $5,010
  31. 3 Night Ocean Voyage Lisbon to Brest 3 nights · from Lisbon Next Feb 18, 2028 Fare on request
  32. 11 Night Nordic Sea Treasures 11 nights · from Brest Next Feb 21, 2028 from $8,260
  33. 10 Night From the Arctic Circle to the Scottish Isles 10 nights · from Tromso Next Apr 2, 2028 from $10,620
  34. 7 Night From Scotland to Ireland a Journey through Celtic Lands 7 nights · from Glasgow Next Apr 12, 2028 from $6,070
  35. 7 Night From Ireland to Scotland A Journey through Celtic Lands 7 nights · from Dublin Next Apr 19, 2028 from $6,070
  36. 7 Night Wild Scotland and Mythical Islands 7 nights · from Glasgow Next Apr 26, 2028 from $6,440
  37. 7 Night From Scottish Shores to Norwegian Fjords 7 nights · from Glasgow Next May 3, 2028 Fare on request
  38. 7 Night Norwegian Fjords 7 nights · from Bergen Next May 10, 2028 from $8,360
  39. 8 Night Secret Scandinavia 8 nights · from Oslo Next May 17, 2028 from $8,700
  40. 8 Night Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea with Smithsonian Journeys 8 nights · from Copenhagen Next Jun 22, 2028 2 dates from $11,960
  41. 12 Night Baltic Shores and Hanseatic Cities 12 nights · from Helsinki Next Jun 30, 2028 from $13,890
  42. 8 Night Iconic Capitals and Towns of the Baltic 8 nights · from Helsinki Next Jul 20, 2028 Fare on request
  43. 8 Night Secret Scandinavia 8 nights · from Copenhagen Next Jul 28, 2028 from $8,700
  44. 7 Night Norwegian Fjords 7 nights · from Oslo Next Aug 5, 2028 2 dates from $7,850
  45. 7 Night Cruising the Norwegian Fjords with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Bergen Next Aug 12, 2028 from $9,240
  46. 7 Night Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Bergen Next Aug 26, 2028 from $7,750
  47. 13 Night Lisbon to the Canary Islands by Sea Spain Morocco and Atlantic Isles with Smithsonian Journeys 13 nights · from Lisbon Next Oct 30, 2028 from $10,360

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