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First in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Lapérouse takes you with elegance and relaxation to the most remote destinations on the globe. Whether on board or on land, every moment transports you to a unique universe, where refinement and wonder punctuate your day.
I had mainly done European river cruises but managed to overcome my partner's reluctance to join me on a sea cruise for the Jewels of the Aegean in music - he has always hated the idea of being stuck on a large vessel with thousands of other passengers. Am pleased to report that, like me, he found it an amazing experience. The classical music concerts were a highlight for me - so strange to be greeting such wonderful musicians at the breakfast buffet. I loved the excursions - perhaps we were "spoilt" as there were few other passengers whose 1st language was English so we had expert guides for no more than 10 people. Only slight disappointment was the Blue Eye lounge. Had wanted to go on a Ponant vessel for years to see underwater sea life, but it wasn't open as much as I had expected. I have some very basic French but found that many of the French speaking passengers were friendly and broke into English - possibly my terrible accent was too much to bear!
Introduction For our very first cruise, we selected the "Musical Jewels of the Aegean Sea" itinerary. Sailing aboard Le Lapérouse was a true revelation. With only 92 cabins and suites, this human-sized vessel embodies the quintessence of luxury yachting, accessing intimate ports of call where mega-ships simply cannot anchor. The Suite Experience: Grand Suite vs. Owner’s Suite We stayed in the Grand Suite (Deck 6), a spectacular 45 sqm (484 sq. ft.) space. The design is a feat of engineering: a King-size bed facing a panoramic floor-to-ceiling window, an elegant separate lounge, a walk-in closet, and a master bathroom featuring a balneo bathtub. A second independent powder room provides the essential privacy expected at this level of service. The Terrace: A Private Horizon For those who cannot visualize the space, the terrace represents nearly half the width of the ship's aft (32 sqm / 344 sq. ft.). A true outdoor living room, it features two cushioned sun loungers, a double armchair, a single armchair, and a table for private dining. Note that half of the surface is covered by a protective roof, allowing you to enjoy the space in full sun, shade, or even during a light rain. Dining privately on the terrace or savoring a glass of champagne while reading comfortably is the ultimate luxury of this journey. Did you know? The ship only features two Grand Suites and two Owner’s Suites. Our butler kindly arranged a private viewing of an unoccupied Owner’s Suite. While the Grand Suite offers absolute comfort, the Owner’s Suite represents the ultimate privilege with an even larger 40 sqm terrace and an unparalleled panoramic view of the ship's wake. In both cases, the dedicated butler service and free-flowing champagne ensure a completely frictionless experience. A Unique Musical Odyssey Under the artistic direction of Mr. Alain Duault, we attended 6 concerts in 6 evenings (featuring the Trio Wanderer and Trio Arnold). This musical cruise offers the rare privilege of attending exceptional concerts in six different Aegean cities (Nafplio, Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos, Kusadasi, and Rhodes)—a luxury seldom available elsewhere. An experience worthy of the world's most prestigious symphonic stages. Gastronomy and Living Spaces Le Nautilus (Deck 4): An exceptional fine-dining table with a formal setting and an outstanding wine cellar. Le Nemo (Deck 3): A more relaxed outdoor grill facing the vastness of the ocean. The Panoramic Lounge (Deck 6): A quiet forward-facing space with a library, bar, and large outdoor terrace. The Blue Eye: A unique multi-sensory lounge located below the waterline, allowing guests to observe the seabed through large portholes. Wellness: A professional spa, fitness center, and an infinity pool located at the aft of Deck 3. Traveler Tips Ambiance: Luxurious and hushed, attracting guests seeking serenity. Language: Cosmopolitan service crew primarily speaking English (a "Terima Kasih" is always appreciated by the Indonesian staff). Dress Code: Plan for two formal gala evenings (suit and tie or bowtie) for the Captain’s dinners. Verdict Enchanted by this experience, we have already booked our next cruise. Le Lapérouse is not just a ship; it is an invitation to the "Art de Vivre."
It is my second attempt to explore and visit the New Zealand subantarctic islands. 2 years ago, I was on the Spirit of Enderby which I am going to call "SoE". That trip was booked by a travel agent which I trusted. The result however was something I never do again. I can't handle SoE. Sharing a small room, small shower, toilet that isn't allowed to flush toilet paper etc etc.. well, you get the idea. I am 6'10" tall and diabetic and after just 1 day and actually nice weather: Seasickness, hypo's, bad pain in the back, not good. I was able to leave the SoE expedition. If anyone is okay with that ship, that's fine. I find the ship something you can't relax on and that did it for me. So here we go, Le Laperouse which took most of the destinations SoE offered on their voyage. The Le Laperous expedition went way better. You have the room for yourself, no sharing with other travellers, a balcony which is actually great to do some birdwatching and photographing from. In comparison with SoE though... yep, we obviously don't have 50 people on board but 150 on Le Laperouse. That means that when you go on a shore excursion or zodiac cruise, you'll be split into groups. That unfortunately means, less time to actually be out of the ship. Nothing the crew could do about it, but something to think about when choosing a cruise. A ship with 50 people on board (SoE) may be too small for some (including me) but having more then 150 people probably means less excursion time. Excursion time, actually "being out there" is the most important thing for me. I don't really care how diverse the menu is. I go on holiday to watch birds first, and other wildlife / landscape second. Everything else..., yeah it needs to be comfortable so I can: Eat well Sleep well Work on my laptop to download, store and edit pictures which I have just taken. Stay clean (shower and toilet) Everything else, lectures, dancing classes, luxury dinners etc. etc. are a non priority for me. On the cruise itself, yeah it was great that we were able to go to Sandy Bay on Macquarie Island, since the Australian Government shut down the entire island because of Corona virus but through some tough negotiations we were still able to go to Sandy Bay, not to the Adare Station. Unfortunate that we couldn't do zodiac tours around The Snares but being close to the Snares was still very nice. We saw plenty of birds, seals as well as stunning landscape in the Fjords. The crew was excellent. I am certainly looking forward to one's in a few years visit a remote place on a cruise and Ponant's Le Laperouse or the other Exploration vessels do come recommended for certain.
Our recent cruise on Ponant's Le Laperouse around New Zealand went way beyond our expectations. We hadn't sailed with Ponant before, but are avid cruisers, having enjoyed several with Seabourn, Silversea, Regent and Viking, all of which have been wonderful, but we would have to say that our experience on Le Laperouse has most definitely been the best to date. The ship is stylish, comfortable, and well sized (with only 180 passengers), making it possible to call into every port on our itinerary without the need for tenders. Our beautiful suite was spotlessly clean, spacious, well equipped and extremely comfortable (as were all areas throughout the ship). The service in the restaurant and bar was impeccable, with highly professional and friendly staff and the food was delicious, varied and beautifully presented. One of the highlights of the ship is a unique 'Blue Eye Lounge' in the hull of Le Laperouse, offering a multi sensory underwater viewing experience in a beautiful space-age style bar. Well worth a visit. We also very much enjoyed the entertainment, attending several impressive shows with talented dancers, singers and musicians. Talks on board were offered in both French and English and there were several opportunities during the cruise to participate in quizzes and dance lessons etc. The itinerary was superb, with Le Laperouse journeying us through several of the sounds of the South Island, including the idyllic Milford Sound, Our zodiac adventure into this fjord was just amazing and made very easy with the ability to board the zodiacs directly from the back deck. Our stops at various ports as we journeyed from Dunedin to Auckland included some interesting excursions, with our favourite being a visit to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. We should also mention that our Captain, Fabien Roche, and his crew, did a wonderful job ensuring the passengers enjoyed comfortable sailing throughout the trip and keeping us well informed of the ships whereabouts, schedules, and local conditions. Our original itinerary was to include White Island, but due to the tragic volcanic incident just a few weeks earlier the schedule was changed. But a further issue with high seas in the aftermath of cyclone Tino meant the replacement stop (Gisborne) was also not a possibility. The captain managed the situation perfectly, keeping us all comfortable. We did, as it turned out, sail by White Island, whilst the captain made a fitting tribute, with one minutes silence , for those who had lost their lives in the spirit of adventure there. It was an emotional experience well handled in a surreal landscape. Needless to say, we highly recommended Ponant, if you are considering a cruise.
Refined service
French design
The inspiration of great French designers adorns the interior spaces of ships: Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel or Wilmotte & Associés.
Personalised service
Featuring 6 to 165 cabins, our ships prioritise an intimate experience and attentive, personalised service.
Private balconies
Most staterooms and suites are equipped with private balconies to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean, whether you are sailing through tropical waters or icy landscapes.
Gastronomy
An essential component of French culture, gastronomy naturally holds a special place on board.
Marvel at the sun rising over the pristine glaciers of Spitsbergen, set out to discover the mysteries of Scotland, enjoy enriching encounters in Alaska∘ or just relax, take your time, and choose a sun kissed journey through the Mediterranean.
The trip of a lifetime, a romantic getaway or a family holiday: cruising the PONANT EXPLORATIONS way allows∘ you the freedom to organise your Odyssey∘ as a unique experience and tailor it according to your desires. Whether you have the spirit of a refined adventurer, a meditative mind or you love the great outdoors, PONANT EXPLORATIONS will fulfil all your travel desires.
Take the time to extend the pleasure of a stay in a country before boarding your yacht, get to the heart of a culture or simply have fun for a while: the guides, lecturers and travel advisers are there to assist you. Music, golf, gastronomy; from port to port, the themed cruises allow passengers∘ to live their hobby to the full - or to discover a new one.
Carefully designed itineraries, quality guest speakers, attentive service: for more than 25 years, on land and at sea, or teams and their crews have been there to help you get the most out of your cruise.
The common areas onboard Le Lapérouse
Our ship Le Lapérouse features a number of spaces designed and arranged to serve your needs and requirements whilst at the same time preserving the privacy of each passenger.
Good times together
The common areas on board have been designed in great detail to make every moment something special. While the private nature of each of these spaces has been preserved, they have also been laid out to let you enjoy some wonderful times together with other passengers and team members throughout the day.
Lounges and bars
The various different lounges allow passengers to meet up and share quality time together.
In partnership with SOTHYS™ and Davines®, the spa offers a wide range of treatments, massages, hairdressing services, as well as a hammam and a fitness room perfect for self-care and well-being.
Enjoy a spa session or a relaxing moment by the pool, exercise in the fitness room, attend a theater performance... Going on a cruise offers an ideal opportunity to take time for yourself, recharge, and share moments of well-being.
Kit De Bienvenue
Year-round, on all the company’s ships and voyages, children will receive a welcome kit that includes reusable water bottles, pencils and games, plus a book by Maud Fontenoy suited to each age group with key messages that are dear to the Foundation.
