Le Ponant Is a French Icon Reborn as the Epitome of Sustainable Luxurious Cruising

Ponant is an old naval term in the French language, meaning "west.” The flagship of this French operator was rightfully named Le Ponant, as it symbolizes everything that Ponant is about – luxury, sustainability, and reliability.

Le Ponant is not a new build but a new launch. It was restored after many decades and reintroduced in the cruising circuits as a fancy, superyacht-like sailing ship. More than a classic sailboat, it was a trailblazer, the first French-owned cruise ship. It also holds a special value for Ponant, as the company's first operating vessel back in 1991.

As time passed, the operator moved on to contemporary cruise ships. However, after more than two decades, it was time to reinvent the old sailboat and allow cruising customers to enjoy the unique delights that only sailing can offer.

The fully refurbished three-masted sailing yacht emerged in the summer of 2022. It took two years to complete the process, and more than 200 people worked on bringing Le Ponant back to life. The renovation process kicked off in late 2019 under the guidance of the Jean-Philippe Nuel architecture and design studio.

The reborn vessel can be described as a seamless blend of French-style luxury and modern-day sustainability. One of the most drastic changes was to cut the number of cabins down to half. It used to boast 32 cabins, now it only has 16, which are more like suites. Lavishly spread across three floors, they provide the spaciousness and privacy that most cruise ships can't.

Speaking of spaciousness, Le Ponant currently flaunts 930 square meters (more than 10,000 square feet) of deck space for a truly opulent onboard experience. It welcomes just 32 guests and ensures a one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, which is the ultimate luxury when it comes to cruising. This is in line with one of the current cruising trends, aiming to mimic the experience onboard superyachts, as opposed to the standard ultra-crowded spaces of conventional cruise ships.

In addition to replacing decks and floors and sprucing up the interiors, the revamping project added contemporary amenities such as a wellness center and a gym. Guests are free to work out in the small but well-equipped gym, attend yoga sessions on the top deck, or enjoy an extended massage in the dedicated beauty room. A relaxing saltwater pool is also available, while the ship's Marina back deck is the starting point for paddleboarding and swimming (under supervision).

No luxury cruising experience would be complete without gourmet dining. Le Ponant's crown jewel is called Le Diamant, a sophisticated restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating and carefully selected menus. The Emeraude Bar Lounge is equally stylish and the perfect spot for a classic afternoon tea. The top deck comes with generous pop-up bar space. It can be turned into a party stage, an outdoor cinema, or an extra lounge area.

Style-wise, Le Ponant resembles contemporary superyachts. The minimalistic décor combines a neutral color palette with organic furniture shapes. A few retro-style accents pay tribute to the vessel's venerable past, while modern elements such as oversized windows and retractable glass doors add functionality and a fresh vibe.

The newly revamped vessel is also big on sustainability. An advanced SCR filter cuts nitrous oxide emissions by 90%, and a state-of-the-art water treatment system provides desalinated drinking water for those onboard while also preventing wastewater from being dumped into the ocean. Single-use plastic isn't allowed on board, and all packaging is recycled. Guests are also encouraged to limit their impact on local environments during each stop.

Ultimately, what makes Le Ponant supremely sustainable are its majestic sails. Although fitted with diesel propulsion, this giant ship of nearly 300 feet (91 meters) can often rely on wind power alone.

Its captain described it perfectly as a sailing yacht, adding that "(…) mostly we never have to use the engine. We go with the wind at our back. We have the freedom to travel to uncrowded places. To change our route. To discover."

This living legend started off traveling around Greece and Croatia and gradually expanded its itineraries. Cruising offers for next year's season start at $8,400 per person.

At the moment, Le Ponant is still the French operator's only sailing yacht. However, Ponant has a bold vision for the future. It's working on a futuristic superyacht concept called Swap2Zero, which will integrate no less than six green technologies (including liquid hydrogen for propulsion, in conjunction with a modern sailing system).

If it succeeds, Ponant might become the only cruising operator with two groundbreaking sailing ships operating side-by-side – an old icon and a representative of the new generation.