The prestigious French luxury cruise line Ponant Cruises has recently announced a close partnership with National Geographic, in order to enrich a large number of its routes as of September 2019 with the presence on board of a naturalist and a photographer from this celebrated publication.
In this way, Ponant, founded in the port of Nantes in 1988 by 14 young sailors in their twenties, led by its current CEO Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, gives the lucky guests of these formidable vessels the opportunity to actively participate in high-level conferences and seminars, as well as other more intimate encounters with National Geographic experts.
A scientist and a photographer from the National Geographic Society will accompany Ponant travelers on their cruises around the world.
Likewise, lovers of landscape and nature photography will have the opportunity of a lifetime to benefit from the knowledge and techniques of a professional photographer from the world’s leading publication in this field.
The National Geographic scientist is scheduled to lead a series of onboard seminars as well as informal meetings.
In the same way, an important part of the proceeds from the sale of these unique life experiences will go directly to fund scientific research and conservation of our rich planet and its species, thanks to the National Geographic Society, which in 2018 celebrated 130 years of exhaustive research in areas as diverse as geography, archeology, natural sciences, ethnology, history and conservationism.
An official photographer from National Geographic’s print publication will make the journey to share his knowledge with travelers.
In our country, the company StarClass Cruises officially represents this French shipowner, which will offer up to 130 different destinations in the coming months, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, via Oceania, the Indian Ocean, Scandinavia and the Caribbean between September 2019 and August 2020.
Between September 2019 and August 2020, Ponant will offer some 130 different routes to multiple corners of the world.
The five main cruise ships with which this shipping line will undertake the crossing are the Ponant, a 32 cabin three-masted sailing ship; the Boréal, a huge 132 cabin and suite vessel with a delicate grey wood décor and reddish touches, as well as the Austral and the Soléal, both with 132 cabins and an elegant wood design, with ivory and caramel tones. The Lyrial completes the fleet with 122 cabins and suites in mineral blue.
A very luxurious flotilla of vessels will comprise Ponant’s portfolio for its 2019 and 2020 expeditions.
In order to undertake this ambitious collaboration with National Geographic, Ponant has acquired two exploration ships this year, Le Champlain and Le Laperouse, both with 92 cabins and long lounges open to the outside.
Ponant’s ships are equipped with the latest technology in order to produce the lowest possible environmental impact.
However, the fleet will not be completed until 2021, with the arrival of the hybrid icebreaker Commandant Charcot, powered by electricity and liquefied natural gas, which will sail the Arctic Ocean.
Ponant’ s fleet also guarantees a minimal environmental impact in the areas it frequents, with rigorous high-tech equipment such as: dynamic positioning to protect the seabed, silent electric propulsion, 3D sonar to visualise abysses, MDO-type diesel machinery (the least polluting on the market), on-board sewage treatment, low-energy light bulbs and reduced emissions.
In Spain and Portugal, you can book these once-in-a-lifetime voyages through StarClass Cruises.
For these reasons, the lucky explorer who can afford it (the most expensive experiences can cost up to €21,000) should take advantage of the autumn of next year to embark on the cruise of a lifetime and make the most of the knowledge of National Geographic’s experts.
