L'Austral, launched in 2011, is the second ship in the Boreal Class, offering an identical experience to Le Boréal. Its design emphasizes a chic, contemporary ambiance with a focus on maximizing ocean views. The ship carries 264 passengers and features 132 well-appointed staterooms and suites, all outside-facing with most offering a private balcony. The vessel's small size allows for calls at secluded anchorages and unique itineraries in polar and warm-water regions alike. Guests enjoy open-seating gourmet dining, an open bar, a spa by Sothys, and a team of naturalist guides for expedition sailings. 

L'Austral is perfect for discerning travelers seeking an elegant, small-ship experience with access to the world's most beautiful and remote scenic areas.

Launched in 2010, Le Boréal is the first of Ponant's four "Boreal Class" sister ships, known for their modern design, sleek lines, and the ability to access remote ports. The ship combines luxury and intimacy with capacity for 264 guests in 132 staterooms and suites, nearly all with private balconies. Its ice-strengthened hull allows it to navigate both classic destinations like the Mediterranean and demanding regions such as Antarctica and the Arctic.
The onboard atmosphere is sophisticated yet relaxed, featuring elegant public spaces, a main lounge, a theatre, multiple dining options serving French-inspired cuisine, a spa, and a pool deck. Le Boréal offers a perfect blend of luxury cruising and expedition capabilities, ideal for travelers who want to explore diverse scenic landscapes without sacrificing comfort and French-inspired indulgence.

Launched shortly after its sister Le Lapérouse in 2018, Le Champlain is the second ship in the Explorer Class fleet, offering an identical luxurious expedition experience. It also features the groundbreaking "Blue Eye" underwater lounge, providing a unique vantage point for observing marine life.
Carrying 184 passengers, the ship focuses on immersive, expert-led itineraries to remote and stunningly beautiful regions. The ship's suites are spacious and elegant, designed to be a comfortable retreat after a day of exploring by Zodiac or on land. Le Champlain appeals to travelers seeking an adventurous spirit combined with 5-star French hospitality and luxury amenities.

Also launched in 2019, Le Dumont d'Urville is the fourth vessel in the Explorer Class series. Named after a famous French explorer, the ship embodies the spirit of discovery and offers all the modern luxury and innovative features of its sister ships, including the "Blue Eye" underwater lounge.
With 184 guests and an expert expedition team, the ship is perfectly equipped for immersive, scenic cruises in far-flung destinations. The ship's intimate atmosphere, all-balcony suites, and world-class French dining make it a superb choice for travelers who want to venture off the beaten path without compromising on luxury or comfort.

Le Lapérouse, launched in 2018, is the first of Ponant's innovative "Explorer Class" vessels. These state-of-the-art ships are smaller than the Boreal Class, carrying just 184 guests in 92 suites, all with private balconies. A key highlight of the Explorer series is the multi-sensory underwater lounge called the "Blue Eye," which allows guests to view the underwater world from comfortable seating through large windows and hydrophones.
The ship is designed for expedition-style cruising to unique scenic locations like the Great Lakes of North America, Australia's Kimberley coast, and remote Pacific islands. With its ice-strengthened hull and fleet of Zodiacs, Le Lapérouse provides an immersive and luxurious platform for true discovery.

The iconic three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant is the historical heart of the Ponant fleet. Built in 1991 and extensively refitted in 2022, this luxurious vessel offers a truly intimate experience, carrying only 32 guests in 16 staterooms and suites with 34 crew members, ensuring highly personalized service. The ship's unique draw is its ability to sail under wind power, combining traditional seafaring elegance with modern sustainability efforts. Onboard, guests enjoy gourmet dining, a marina platform for water sports (snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking), a small spa, and expansive sun decks for relaxing and admiring the vast sail area. 

Le Ponant primarily operates in the Mediterranean and Seychelles, calling at small ports and secluded bays inaccessible to larger ships, offering guests an exclusive, yacht-style scenic cruise focused on getting close to nature and coastal beauty.

The Spirit of Ponant is a superyacht, envisioned as an ultra-exclusive, intimate addition to the fleet. It is a very small vessel, designed to carry only 12 passengers, making it available for private charter experiences. Details beyond its capacity are limited, but it promises the ultimate in private, luxurious, tailor-made scenic travel experiences.

Launched in 2020, Le Bellot is the fifth ship in the Explorer Class, continuing the line's commitment to luxurious, small-ship expedition cruising. It features the same stunning Scandinavian-inspired design and innovative technology as its sisters, including the "Blue Eye" lounge and high ice class.
The ship carries 184 passengers and offers exceptional guest-to-crew ratios, ensuring attentive service. Itineraries for Le Bellot include the wild lands of Scotland and Iceland, offering breathtaking scenic experiences in unique locations. This ship provides a perfect platform for adventurous luxury travel.

The third Explorer Class ship, Le Bougainville, was launched in 2019. It mirrors the specifications of its sister ships, offering an intimate and highly personalized travel experience for 184 guests. It also includes the unique "Blue Eye" lounge and the high ice class rating for navigating various environments.
Le Bougainville sails diverse itineraries, from the Mediterranean to exotic, wild lands. Onboard amenities include gourmet dining, a panoramic observation lounge, an infinity pool, and a wellness center. The small size ensures that every port of call feels exclusive and less crowded, making it a favorite for travelers seeking genuine exploration and exceptional service.

Le Commandant Charcot is Ponant's true flagship and a revolution in expedition cruising. Launched in 2021, it is the world's first hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), making it a leader in sustainable polar exploration. It has a Polar Class 2 ice rating, the highest for a passenger ship, allowing it to reach extreme destinations like the Geographic North Pole and the far reaches of Antarctica.

The ship carries up to 245 guests (fewer in polar regions) in 123 luxurious suites, all with balconies or terraces. It boasts an indoor heated pool, a vast spa and snow room, and gourmet dining by renowned Chef Alain Ducasse. For unparalleled scenic exploration of the world's most remote icy frontiers in absolute luxury, the Le Commandant Charcot is a one-of-a-kind vessel.

The final ship in the Explorer Class series, Le Jacques Cartier, was launched in 2021. It shares all the key features of its sister ships, including the "Blue Eye" lounge, 92 suites with balconies, and an ice-strengthened hull.
Le Jacques Cartier offers immersive itineraries in regions like the New Guinea Odyssey and South America, focusing on cultural and natural exploration. The ship combines the comfort of a 5-star hotel with the capabilities of an expedition vessel, appealing to travelers who seek both adventure and the highest standards of luxury and personalized service.

Launched in 2015, Le Lyrial completes the Boreal Class fleet, sharing the core specifications of its sisters but with a slightly different cabin configuration that reduces the number of total staterooms to 122. It carries 264 passengers and is known for its light-filled spaces and elegant, refined décor.
Like the other Boreal Class ships, Le Lyrial is designed for exploration in diverse environments, from the Mediterranean to the poles. It offers the signature Ponant experience: all-inclusive, gourmet dining, an open bar, an extensive spa, and a highly professional French crew. Le Lyrial is an excellent choice for a serene, comfortable, and highly scenic small-ship cruise experience.

Delivered in 2013, Le Soléal is the third vessel in the Boreal Class fleet. It shares the same intimate capacity (264 guests) and luxurious amenities as its sister ships. The ship features a clean, sophisticated design and an ice class rating that enables it to sail varied itineraries, including popular routes in the Arctic, the Kimberley Coast of Australia, and South America. Le Soléal offers a luxurious and private yacht experience, with all staterooms and suites featuring a balcony or terrace. Onboard services include butler service in all suites, gourmet dining options developed in alliance with Alain Ducasse, and a range of enrichment programs including expert lectures. 

This ship appeals to travelers looking for a luxurious, all-inclusive, and educational journey to far-flung, scenic destinations.