Le Ponant

Le Ponant is a three-masted French luxury yacht operated by Ponant Cruises, carrying 32 passengers across 16 cabins. Built in 1991 at the SFCN shipyard in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, France, she was Compagnie du Ponant's first ship and remains an active part of the fleet today, a rare longevity in the world of small luxury yachts.

The ship carries meaning in her story. In 2008, Le Ponant was attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and released only after military intervention. That incident brought her global attention, but she has since earned recognition for far gentler achievements. Weather permitting, the yacht sails under wind power, and guests receive a fuel rebate credited to their onboard accounts, a small but distinctive touch of her sailing heritage.

The intimate scale shapes everything aboard. The ship holds 16 staterooms, all outside cabins spread across three decks, including 5 with private balconies and 11 with windows. Le Diamant panoramic restaurant offers a buffet breakfast and dinner as well as fine gastronomic cuisine, with dining led by a Michelin-starred chef and a dedicated pastry chef also on board.

In 2022, the yacht was refitted for increased environmental protection, to a design by Jean-Philippe Nuel Studio. The refurbishment included enhanced environmental features, such as a selective catalytic reduction filter cutting nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 percent. The vast Sun Deck offers views of her sails across three masts, while a Marina platform at the stern provides direct sea access for water sports.

Ponant primarily serves the French-speaking market, though the yacht is frequently chartered by North American operators for expedition-style and family-friendly voyages. Le Ponant suits those seeking a sailing experience with genuine luxury, personal attention, and a real connection to the water.

Have you set sail aboard this storied three-masted yacht? Log your Le Ponant voyage on The Cruise Globe to trace the precise route that your specific cruise took!