United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Ponant ordering four new ships
Sunday, 17 Mar, 2016
0
French luxury small ship operator Ponant is expanding in a big way by nearly doubling its fleet size.
The line has signed a letter of intent for four luxury expedition cruise ships from Norwegian shipbuilder Vard.
The ice-class expedition ships will be about 10,000 gross tons and able to accommodate 180 passengers.
Interiors will be designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, depicting an ‘ethnic chic universe’ using natural materials and colors, the line said.
The newbuilds are described as the ‘first step in a project to expand the company’s fleet’.
Ponant was acquired by Artemis last year.
Delivery of all four ships is scheduled between 2018-2019 and will join existing Ponant vessels Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal, Le Ponant yacht and Le Lyrial.
"This project is fully in line with our diversification strategy to enter the expedition cruise market, realizing synergies and increased cooperation with our majority owner Fincantieri. We look forward to become acquainted with Ponant and their team, and we are honored to have been chosen as the preferred partner," said Vard’s CEO and executive director Roy Reite.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Gatwick braces for strike
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’