Ponant Recent Press Releases

DATE : June 8, 2020

World Oceans Day: PONANT shares its commitment

On the occasion of World Oceans Day, on 8th June 2020, PONANT, the World leader of small ship cruising, is sharing its commitment through two projects. These two actions, both linked to the oceans, are part of the twenty or so projects taken up by the company’s Foundation, created a year ago.

SEYCHELLES CLEAN BEACHES

The PONANT Foundation supported the clean-up project of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles led by the Seychelles Islands Foundation and Queen’s College. This action, called Aldabra Clean-Up, has triggered a wave of behavioural changes in the Seychelles and internationally, highlighting to a wide audience around the World the impact of plastic pollution on small island nations. Two scientific missions were carried out on board our ships to monitor the island’s marine ecosystem.

o 57320 pounds of marine debris removed from Aldabra in five weeks between February and April 2019 o A team of 12 volunteers
o 11023 pounds of plastic sandals used by schools to make works of art

TRACKING HUMPBACK WHALES

The PONANT Foundation and the NGO Conservation International (CI) conducted a study on the behaviour of humpback whales in Antarctica in February 2020. A CI research team spent 3 weeks aboard one of the company’s vessels to collect and analyse information for the scientific community. This mission was carried out with the assistance of the captains and naturalist experts on board and presented to passengers who were made aware of this approach.

o 6 on-board scientists (Australia and New Zealand) o 60 listed whales
o 16 hours of underwater recording

More than 20 projects supported throughout the World by the PONANT Foundation

Since its creation in June 2019, the PONANT Foundation has supported more than 20 research, awareness-raising and conservation projects. It is active in 3 areas:
• Supporting innovative initiatives for the preservation of the oceans
• Supporting the acquisition of scientific knowledge of the polar environment

• Promoting exchanges with indigenous peoples

« The philosophy that has driven us since the company’s creation is the same today: we protect best what we know well. Thus, since 2019, the PONANT Foundation has been working to preserve the oceans and the polar regions and encourage exchanges between peoples. More than 20 research, awareness-raising and conservation projects have been supported around the world. » says Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, President of PONANT and member of the PONANT Foundation Board.

ABOUT PONANT

Established in 1988 by Jean Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen officers from the French Merchant Navy, PONANT has led the way with a new style of luxury cruising through a unique concept of sea travel which combines exceptional itineraries and sustainable tourism with luxury hotel services aboard smaller-scale ships.

The small size of its vessels, the medical infrastructure and teams on board, its protocols and the professionalism of its crews ensured that there were no cases of Covid-19 contamination throughout the PONANT’s fleet. To prepare for the resumption of its activity, PONANT is collaborating with the IHU (Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire) Méditerranée Infection of Marseilles, one of the World’s leading centers in the field of infectious diseases, as well as with the Battalion of Marine Firemen of Marseilles. The “Covid-Safe” protocol developed by PONANT is based on health standards that exceed international regulations.

For more information, visit www.ponant.com

DATE : June 3, 2020

A PONANT ship commissioned for the repatriation of Wallis & Futuna residents

During the Covid-19 pandemic, PONANT was entrusted by the official authorities of Wallis and Futuna with the repatriation of several of its residents stranded in New Caledonia. A first repatriation trip was thus completed on Sunday the 24th of May, allowing more than a hundred residents of Wallis and Futuna to return home.

While the French islands of Wallis and Futuna have closed their borders since 16th March, they have not been subject to any Covid-19 contamination. The health situation is identical for the PONANT fleet, which has ceased all its cruise activities since 15th March. There have been no cases of contamination on board its 11 ships. In this strict sanitary context, an unprecedented operation was launched on the 8th of May to repatriate the population of Wallis and Futuna stranded in Noumea.

It was on board the ship Le Lapérouse, chartered by the State Services in Wallis and Futuna, that 112 residents were able to return to their homes under the strictest medical conditions possible and according to a precise protocol. After 5 days of navigation from Noumea to Mata Utu, the ship remained at anchor for 9 days to complete their quarantine in compliance with the instructions imposed by the health authorities and PONANT procedures.

During their stay on board, passengers were able to enjoy a program of entertainment relayed by the on-board internal television. Disembarkation, which took place in several stages between Friday the 22nd of May and Sunday the 24th of May, was carried out deck by deck according to the results of medical checks and PCR tests carried out on all passengers all of which were negative.

“This mission illustrates the ties between PONANT and Wallis and Futuna. We are very attached to the islands of Wallis and Futuna where our vessels have been registered since the company was founded more than 30 years ago. We are glad to contribute to the support of the population during this period,” says Jean-Philippe Lemaire, Captain of Le Lapérouse.

No case of Covid-19 was reported during this exceptional operation.

ABOUT PONANT

Established in 1988 by Jean Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen officers from the French Merchant Navy, PONANT has led the way with a new style of luxury cruising through a unique concept of sea travel which combines exceptional itineraries and sustainable tourism with luxury hotel services aboard smaller-scale ships.

The small size of its vessels, the medical infrastructure and teams on board, its protocols and the professionalism of its crews ensured that there were no cases of Covid-19 contamination throughout the PONANT’s fleet. To prepare for the resumption of its activity, PONANT is collaborating with the IHU (Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire) Méditerranée Infection of Marseilles, one of the World’s leading centers in the field of infectious diseases, as well as with the Battalion of Marine Firemen of Marseilles. The “Covid-Safe” protocol developed by PONANT is based on health standards that exceed international regulations.

For more information, visit www.ponant.com

DATE : March 11, 2020

PONANT Announces “Worry Free Bookings” Interim Policy

PONANT, the leader in luxury expeditions, has revised its booking policy to allow for greater flexibility and assurance in light of the present situation. The new plan is in effect immediately.

New bookings made on sailings departing in 2020 will only require a 10% deposit. Final payment is relaxed by 30 days and can be cancelled prior to that for full refund.

Additionally, for new bookings on 2020, 2021 and 2022 sailings, guests may cancel up to 90 days after confirmation and receive a full refund or a future cruise credit.

For existing bookings, final payment is relaxed by 30 days. For example, if final payment was due 60 days before departure, it is now due 30 days before.

PONANT understands the concerns of loyal guests, future passengers and travel agency partners as the COVID-19 situation impacts various destinations around the world. As the situation is evolving, PONANT will continue to work with government, medical and industry associates globally to ensure guest and crew safety. PONANT is monitoring the situation and will amend the “worry-free bookings” interim policy as necessary.

ABOUT PONANT

Established in 1988 by Jean Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen officers from the French Merchant Navy, PONANT has led the way with a new style of luxury cruising through a unique concept of sea travel which combines exceptional itineraries with luxury hotel services aboard smaller-scale ships. In 2018, going further in its commitments for a sustainable tourism, PONANT has created a Foundation whose goal is to preserve the oceans and the polar regions and to encourage exchanges between peoples. For more information, visit www.ponant.com

DATE : January 30, 2020

PONANT looks back at 2019: authentic luxury and environmental commitment

PONANT, the leading name in French luxury cruising, takes a look back at the highlights of 2019. An ever-stronger commitment to the environment and a surge in demand for authentic luxury are two factors behind PONANT’s growth.

International expansion, the delivery of two new ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series and the acquisition of PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES, internationally renowned expert in the South Pacific, allowed PONANT to achieve sales of 380 million euros last year. The PONANT fleet, which now includes 10 Cleanship certified ships, embarked 60 000 passengers on 350 cruises in 2019. In doing so, the company consolidated its position as the leader for exceptional destinations and was awarded around thirty prizes recognizing the signature feature of PONANT cruises: authentic luxury.

Berlitz Cruising 2020

“Best cruise company” for the fourth time at the Victoires du Tourisme (France)

“Adventure travel experience of the year”, according to the Grands Reportages prize for the Russia – Alaska cruise: Volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands (France)

“Best for Adventure” in the Luxury category of the Cruise Critic awards (USA)
Three PONANT ships appear in the “Top Ten Boutique Ships” listing of Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2020

A strong commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism

Success is only meaningful when seen through the prism of the company’s exemplary approach of focusing its growth on the most-environmentally friendly choices.

In June 2019 PONANT announced the creation of the PONANT Foundation, whose mission is to help preserve the oceans, the polar regions and bring peoples together. It has chosen to support a number of research, awareness-raising and conservation projects and notably: Plastic Odyssey, an association working to fight the plastic waste polluting the oceans; Conservation International, an NGO studying humpback whales in the Antarctic; and Pure Ocean, a foundation supporting nine applied research projects selected by scientists in the area of ocean protection.

In addition, PONANT has taken major initiatives affecting its fuel consumption in order to reduce its air emissions:

  • Fitting its ships with electric connections in order to use the quayside mains power supply in ports where this is available
  • Using biofuels as soon as they become available.
  • Developing the hybrid nature of the ships: fitted with batteries in order to switch off generators at the

    quayside, when anchored, or when near inhabited areas.

  • Limiting the average speed of its ships to 12 knots

    Limiting sulphur emissions (SOx)

    From January 1 2019, PONANT decided to totally eliminate the use of heavy fuel oil. PONANT is the first cruise company to have taken this decision, for all ships and all oceans. By using a cleaner fuel (LS MGO – Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil), PONANT has an average sulphur emission level of 0.05%, 10 times lower than current maritime standards.

    Limiting Nitrogen Oxide emissions (NOx)

    Ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series have now divided their nitrogen oxide emissions fourfold by activating their catalytic converters 24/7 in all geographic regions. This is a unique initiative that has become a benchmark for the industry.

    Offsetting carbon emissions (CO2)

    PONANT has taken a decision that is unique on the cruise market, to offset 150% of the carbon emissions of its entire fleet. PONANT has been investing in Verified Carbon Standard certified projects for Amazon reforestation and the production of renewable energies in India.

    Eco-design of ships, reduction of single-use plastics, favouring short supply chains, optimal processing of waste water and recycling of waste, environmental impact studies and raising passenger awareness are also some of the actions carried out by the company to promote sustainable tourism.

    “Created by sailors keen to share their passion for the seas, for more than 30 years PONANT has been taking its guests to some of the most secret places on the planet, where nature reigns supreme. This choice places on us great responsibilities both to the environment and to local people. Not only do we want to practise our profession in a responsible manner, but in the years to come we wish to pursue our efforts to promote sustainable tourism and the values of maritime excellence that drive us,” concludes Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, PONANT CEO.

    ABOUT PONANT

    Established in 1988 by Jean Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen officers from the French Merchant Navy, PONANT has led the way with a new style of luxury cruising through a unique concept of sea travel which combines exceptional itineraries with luxury hotel services aboard smaller-scale ships. In 2018, going further in its commitments for a sustainable tourism, PONANT has created a Foundation whose goal is to preserve the oceans and the polar regions and to encourage exchanges between peoples. For more information, visit www.ponant.com

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