I had the great pleasure of a tour of the luxury Le Lyrial yacht with Ponant Cruises, followed by a delicious lunch onboard with Stephan Winter, Ponants’ International Sales Director. It was very special to learn more about the French boutique cruising company with their 4 expedition ships and 12 smaller luxury ships that visit 110 countries each year. Among them Antartica, the Indian Ocean Islands and the Adriatic.
With only 122 staterooms and suites, a capacity for just on 260 passengers, environmentally friendly practices, a spa and gym, swimming pool and outside decks, full board and free wifi, as well as engaging talks and activities, they truly are catering for the new generation expedition traveller, with perfect subtleties between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing.
The elegance of the exterior and interior making for a rare and exclusive yacht cruising experience.
Le Lyrial Yacht
Loyal to the PONANT spirit, Le Lyrial (like her sister ships) embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing which is PONANT’s signature. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 122 staterooms and suites) make this a rare and innovative yacht on the cruise market. Inspired by the destinations they visit, they have decided to create a subtle variation around a palette of blues. Ranging from the luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in Mediterranean coves, it also includes the blue light of the future pole star.
Read more about PONANT and the destinations that they visit.
Would so love to have just sailed away.
Watch the video to discover the PONANT EXPLORERS, a new generation of cruise ships designed specifically for expeditionary voyages. PONANT opens the way to a new concept, launching four exceptional ships with names inspired by France’s great explorers: Le Dumont d’Urville, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Lapérouse, Le Bellot & Le Jacques Cartier.
PONANT’s vessels are designed to host a limited number of passengers in a luxurious setting, with 92 cabins offering breathtaking sea views. The latest-generation fleet remains the newest of any cruise line, with the most modern technology and equipment to ensure safety while minimising the impact on the destinations they visit. It also ensures comfort onboard and enables exclusive leisure activities. There are infinity pools, the configurable onboard “marina,” and a wide variety of activities including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding: PONANT ships also profess to ‘take you even further, where others have never been’.
Since its founding by Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée over thirty years ago, PONANT has been France’s only cruise company. With French crews, and the expertise, personal service, and cuisine that they bring in truly exceptional destinations. Whether you are embarking on a nature voyage in northern Europe, a cultural voyage to South America, an idyllic Caribbean cruise or a sophisticated expedition through the icy waters of the Antarctic, PONANT crosses the world’s oceans in search of exclusive itineraries that are rich in fresh discoveries and encounters.
For more information contact www.ponant.com.
*** Thank you so much for including me in the tour and lunch, Big Ambitions,
*** Top set of pics supplied. The one of me and the others were taken on the day.