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Ponant Cruises

Le Ponant

Intimate ship Bliss scored

Le Ponant, a three-masted schooner from French-based Ponant that is used by both Ponant and Tauck River Cruises, cruises to small islands, hidden harbors and exclusive ports of call in the Mediterranean with only 64 guests aboard.

  • 64guests
  • 1,489gross tons
  • 24cruises now
  • $8,000fares from

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Le Ponant, carrying only 64 passengers, sets sail for ports of call around the world.

At a glance

Le Ponant is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by Ponant Cruises, in service since 1991. It carries 64 guests and 30 crew (2.1 guests per crew member) at 1,489 gross tons. It is the 12th largest of 12 Ponant Cruises ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for romantic (10/10) and lowest for entertainment, family friendly, party and spa & fitness (5/10). It has 24 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $8,000 to $17,820. 3 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Guests
64
Crew
30
Gross tons
1,489
Decks
4
Length
291 ft
Beam
39 ft
Maiden voyage
1991
Space ratio
2.1
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
2.1
Speed (mph)
12
IMO
8914219

Bliss scores

What Le Ponant 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 6.0
  3. Cultural 9.0
  4. Dining 9.0
  5. Entertainment 5.0
  6. Family friendly 5.0
  7. Party 5.0
  8. Romantic 10.0
  9. Spa and fitness 5.0
  10. Staterooms 7.5

Our review

Le Ponant: Luxury yacht sailings to dreamy destinations

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. 

Le Ponant was specially designed for worldwide cruising to remote destinations that are accessible only by small ships — specifically, destinations in the Mediterranean that big ships can’t reach. Coastal navigation and “island hopping” are easily accomplished, and the image of several dramatic harbor entrances will last a lifetime.

Where Le Ponant sails

Le Ponant offers itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Set sail in the Cape Verde Islands and be enchanted by these islands off the West Coast of Africa. Or, spend Christmas or New Year's Eve in the Caribbean, cruising the smaller ports and bays of Le Saintes archipelago (Guadeloupe) and Tobago Cays (St. Vincent & the Grenadines).

Le Ponant also sails for Tauck a few weeks during the year on itineraries to Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and Rome and a "Treasures of the Mediterranean" voyage. 

Read the full review
Enjoy dining al fresco on Le Ponant.
Enjoy dining al fresco on Le Ponant. Courtesy of Ponant

An all-inclusive experience

Here is what is included in your fare: all drinks, table wine for lunch and dinner, bottled mineral water, port charges and Zodiac excursions when the ship operates special expedition-style cruises.

Here is what is not included: gratuities, Wi-Fi and spa treatments.

Amenities & dining

On board, you’ll find four decks featuring a small library with a choice of books, a cozy lounge with evening piano music, a small boutique and a full-service bar. Continental breakfast is served in your stateroom or at an American-style buffet in the outdoor panoramic restaurant; lunch is also served in the outdoor restaurant, buffet style; and dinner is served nightly in the window-lined restaurant. 

Staterooms

Staterooms (about 150 square feet) are all ocean-facing on Le Ponant and include a private bathroom with shower, mini bar, multi-channel music system, individual climate control and a telephone with worldwide satellite access.

Sailings for two cruise lines

Le Ponant sails for Marseille-based Ponant cruise line, and for part of the year it is leased by Tauck for additional cruises in the Med. 

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

Interested in a cruise on this ship? Contact a Cruiseable travel advocate at 1-877-322-3773, or by email, to get additional information and to find the best rates and value for your vacation dollar.

SEE LE PONANT SAILINGS

Your take

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On board highlights

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 5

  • The cliffs of La Trace des Falaises on Grand Terre, Guadeloupe.
    The cliffs of La Trace des Falaises on Grand Terre, Guadeloupe.
  • A Yole or "gig," meaning an elongated boat, is featured in a festive regatta during Martinique's traditional island Carnival.
    A Yole or "gig," meaning an elongated boat, is featured in a festive regatta during Martinique's traditional island Carnival.
  • Take a dream cruise on Le Ponant for a small-ship yacht experience.
    Take a dream cruise on Le Ponant for a small-ship yacht experience.
  • Le Ponant, with just 64 passengers, sails to exotic ports of call the world over.
    Le Ponant, with just 64 passengers, sails to exotic ports of call the world over.
  • Book a winter cruise on Le Ponant to sail by St. Lucia and enjoy the majestic Pitons.
    Book a winter cruise on Le Ponant to sail by St. Lucia and enjoy the majestic Pitons.

Dining 5

  • Fine dining on Le Ponant may include seafood with traditional French touches.
    Fine dining on Le Ponant may include seafood with traditional French touches.
  • Your sommelier will guide you to the right wine pairings during dinner on Le Ponant.
    Your sommelier will guide you to the right wine pairings during dinner on Le Ponant.
  • Enjoy exquisite foods and well paired wines when dining al fresco on a Ponant cruise.
    Enjoy exquisite foods and well paired wines when dining al fresco on a Ponant cruise.
  • Explore the flavors of the globe on the 64-passenger luxury yacht Le Ponant.
    Explore the flavors of the globe on the 64-passenger luxury yacht Le Ponant.
  • Dining is a gastronomical experience on Ponant voyages.
    Dining is a gastronomical experience on Ponant voyages.

On board 11

  • A look at the Ponant Yacht Spa.
    A look at the Ponant Yacht Spa.
  • Sunset and a perfectly chilled glass of champagne make for a perfect vacation escape on a Ponant cruise.
    Sunset and a perfectly chilled glass of champagne make for a perfect vacation escape on a Ponant cruise.
  • Relax and meet new friends in the lounge aboard Le Ponant as you sail to exotic locales.
    Relax and meet new friends in the lounge aboard Le Ponant as you sail to exotic locales.
  • Kick back with a cocktail in the lounge of Le Ponant during your luxury ship sailing.
    Kick back with a cocktail in the lounge of Le Ponant during your luxury ship sailing.
  • Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on Le Ponant.
    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on Le Ponant.
  • Change up your fitness routine during a sailing on Ponant's Le Ponant.
    Change up your fitness routine during a sailing on Ponant's Le Ponant.
  • Refresh the mind and body on Ponant's luxury yacht Le Ponant.
    Refresh the mind and body on Ponant's luxury yacht Le Ponant.
  • Relax in the lounge of the small sailing yacht Le Ponant.
    Relax in the lounge of the small sailing yacht Le Ponant.
  • Find romance in small, enchanting ports aboard Le Ponant, a sailing yacht with just 32 staterooms.
    Find romance in small, enchanting ports aboard Le Ponant, a sailing yacht with just 32 staterooms.
  • Take time to enjoy sunsets in romantic ports around the world on the 64-passenger Le Ponant.
    Take time to enjoy sunsets in romantic ports around the world on the 64-passenger Le Ponant.
  • Take time to relax on deck during your voyage on the luxury yacht Le Ponant.
    Take time to relax on deck during your voyage on the luxury yacht Le Ponant.

Ship exteriors 4

  • Le Ponant at sunset. The beautiful sailing ship explores the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and other exotic destinations.
    Le Ponant at sunset. The beautiful sailing ship explores the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and other exotic destinations.
  • Sail the Mediterranean or Caribbean on Le Ponant.
    Sail the Mediterranean or Caribbean on Le Ponant.
  • The three-masted sailing ship Le Ponant at twilight: cruising as it was meant to be.
    The three-masted sailing ship Le Ponant at twilight: cruising as it was meant to be.
  • Drop anchor in a secluded bay and relax on the three-masted Le Ponant sailing ship.
    Drop anchor in a secluded bay and relax on the three-masted Le Ponant sailing ship.

Staterooms 3

  • A stateroom on Le Ponant, part of the Ponant fleet of yachts cruising the seas.
    A stateroom on Le Ponant, part of the Ponant fleet of yachts cruising the seas.
  • An oceanview cabin on the petite Le Ponant.
    An oceanview cabin on the petite Le Ponant.
  • Relax in style and comfort in one of the 32 staterooms on the luxury yacht Le Ponant.
    Relax in style and comfort in one of the 32 staterooms on the luxury yacht Le Ponant.

More photos 10

  • Le Ponant, carrying only 64 passengers, sets sail for ports of call around the world.
    Le Ponant, carrying only 64 passengers, sets sail for ports of call around the world.
  • The small masted luxury cruise ship Le Ponant sailing in the Maldives at sunset.
    The small masted luxury cruise ship Le Ponant sailing in the Maldives at sunset.
  • Vist the gorgeous Maldives, off the coast of Africa, as part of a Ponant yacht cruise.
    Vist the gorgeous Maldives, off the coast of Africa, as part of a Ponant yacht cruise.
  • Get restored with a dream cruise on Le Ponant.
    Get restored with a dream cruise on Le Ponant.
  • Set sail for the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands on a Ponant Yacht Cruise.
    Set sail for the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands on a Ponant Yacht Cruise.
  • An aerial view of the sleek, petite luxury sailing ship Le Ponant.
    An aerial view of the sleek, petite luxury sailing ship Le Ponant.
  • An aerial view of Le Ponant. Enjoy an intimate getaway on the three-masted luxury ship.
    An aerial view of Le Ponant. Enjoy an intimate getaway on the three-masted luxury ship.
  • Al fresco dining is always an option on a Ponant yacht cruise.
    Al fresco dining is always an option on a Ponant yacht cruise.
  • Experience the most scenic ports of France and the Caribbean on Le Ponant.
    Experience the most scenic ports of France and the Caribbean on Le Ponant.
  • Sail the Grenadines in the Caribbean on the spectacular 64-passenger luxury yacht Le Ponant.
    Sail the Grenadines in the Caribbean on the spectacular 64-passenger luxury yacht Le Ponant.

Sailing now

Cruises on Le Ponant

Plan my cruise
  1. 7 Night Corsican Shores Under Sail 7 nights · from Nice Next Sep 19, 2026 5 dates from $12,710
  2. 6 Night Corsican Shores Under Sail 6 nights · from Nice Next Sep 26, 2026 from $12,110
  3. 7 Night The Many Faces of Cape Verde 7 nights · from Mindelo Next Oct 31, 2026 8 dates from $8,000
  4. 7 Night History and Culture Visiting Caribbean Jewels 7 nights · from Pointe-a-Pitre Next Dec 12, 2026 Fare on request
  5. 7 Night Reverie Under Sail in the Heart of the Lesser Antilles 7 nights · from Marigot Next Dec 19, 2026 8 dates from $8,710
  6. 7 Night History and Culture Visiting Caribbean Jewels 7 nights · from Marigot Next Dec 26, 2026 9 dates from $8,710
  7. 7 Night Gliding the Waters of the Windward Islands 7 nights · from Pointe-a-Pitre Next Jan 2, 2027 8 dates from $8,710
  8. 7 Night History and Culture Visiting Caribbean Jewels 7 nights · from Pointe-a-Pitre Next Jan 9, 2027 8 dates from $8,710
  9. 7 Night History and Culture Visiting Caribbean Jewels 7 nights · from Pointe-a-Pitre Next Feb 6, 2027 from $9,570
  10. 7 Night The French Riviera Under Le Ponants Sails 7 nights · from Nice Next May 4, 2027 4 dates from $12,710
  11. 7 Night Under Sail from the Riviera to Sicily 7 nights · from Nice Next Jun 1, 2027 from $14,410
  12. 7 Night Under Sail from Sicily to the Greek Islands 7 nights · from Palermo Next Jun 8, 2027 2 dates from $15,110
Show 12 more
  1. 7 Night Cyclades 7 nights · from Lavrion Next Jun 15, 2027 8 dates from $13,320
  2. 7 Night Island Hopping 7 nights · from Lavrion Next Jul 13, 2027 from $16,110
  3. 7 Night Croatia Under Sail 7 nights · from Dubrovnik Next Jul 20, 2027 2 dates from $12,710
  4. 7 Night Croatia Under Sail 7 nights · from Dubrovnik Next Jul 27, 2027 2 dates from $13,560
  5. 7 Night Under Sail from Puglia to Sicily 7 nights · from Dubrovnik Next Aug 17, 2027 2 dates from $14,210
  6. 7 Night Under Sail from Sicily to the Riviera 7 nights · from Palermo Next Aug 24, 2027 from $17,820
  7. 7 Night Corsican Shores Under Sail 7 nights · from Nice Next May 19, 2028 5 dates from $13,320
  8. 7 Night Under Sail 7 nights · from Nice Next Jun 2, 2028 Fare on request
  9. 7 Night Island Hopping 7 nights · from Lavrion Next Jul 14, 2028 from $14,210
  10. 7 Night Croatia Under Sail 7 nights · from Dubrovnik Next Jul 21, 2028 4 dates from $13,320
  11. 7 Night Under Sail 7 nights · from Palermo Next Aug 25, 2028 from $13,320
  12. 7 Night Corsican Shores Under Sail 7 nights · from Nice Next Sep 22, 2028 from $13,320

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Overheard

“Le Ponant is best suited to young-minded couples and singles who want contemporary, sophisticated facilities in a very relaxed but chic setting, with good food and service, no entertainment, and plenty of time for quiet relaxation.”

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