Ponant Explorations is showcasing the islands of Indonesia to Asia Pacific based travel partners during a Fam trip from Singapore to Darwin, Australia. The group sailed the 'Sacred Temples and Natural Sanctuaries' itinerary aboard the newly refurbished m/s Paul Gauguin operated by Ponant’s sister brand, Paul Gauguin Cruises. The ship just returned to service this month following a seven-week, multi-million dollar drydock in Singapore. The 13-night Fam trip cruise offered a unique opportunity to experience the vessel’s transformation and Indonesia’s diverse culture from Java to the Timor Sea. Trade partners from across the APAC region including Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore were treated to a curated program including a visit to Borobudur Temple, a traditional dance welcome in Surabaya and a Tahitian dance class onboard the ship. The m/s Paul Gauguin’s refurbishment features a contemporary redesign of Le Grill restaurant, the pool deck with shaded cabanas, new connecting staterooms, and enhanced sustainable technologies. The m/s Paul Gauguin makes a 24-hour call in Darwin on Monday 14 April before continuing back to French Polynesia.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS successfully kicked off the first wave of new event series, Discovery Sessions, featuring Paul Gauguin Cruises. These were held in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney, with Brisbane and Newcastle set to follow on 20 and 26 March, completing a total of seven event sessions. So far, the series has welcomed approximately 800 attendees, including 670 direct guests and 60 trade partners. The return to Canberra for the first time since the pandemic saw an impressive turnout of nearly 100 attendees. Paul Gauguin laid on a Polynesian performance with traditional dance and music. Adding to the Tahitian-themed experience, a Paul Gauguin-branded ice cream cart was a hit in Sydney and Melbourne. There are plans s to feature it in Brisbane as well. A key moment of the sessions was the announcement of the Paul Gauguin Flight Credit offer, alongside a new pre- and post-cruise program in Japan. Among the most sought-after destinations were French Polynesia, Japan, the Arctic and Antarctica, and the Kimberley, with guests taking advantage of exclusive event-only offers. From June 2025 the second wave of Discovery Sessions will begin, which will include New Zealand events. In the meantime, agents are encouraged to register themselves and their clients for the upcoming Brisbane and Newcastle sessions before Wave 1 concludes. Registrations are still open for Brisbane and Newcastle.  

PONANT is going on the road again to bring Discovery Sessions to Australian travel agents and their clients. It is inviting guests, travel partners and their clients to gather in various Australian cities this February and March. The Discovery Sessions will begin in Canberra on Monday 24 February, before heading to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Noosa. It concludes on Wednesday 26 March in Newcastle. For this first edition of the 2025 Discovery Sessions, Ponant will highlight small-ship cruising in the South Pacific with sister brand Paul Gauguin Cruises, which specialises in French Polynesia sailings. Trade partners and clients will be updated on m/s Paul Gauguin’s multi-million-dollar refit in Singapore this quarter, as well as the small-ship itineraries scheduled in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Ponant will also share details of the line’s Antarctic expeditions, Northern Lights viewing in the Arctic, and Japan and European sailings. Destination experts will share this via first-hand experiences, and personal insights. Attendees will also gain access to exclusive offers and special surprises, available only to registered guests. The 2025 Discovery Sessions will be held in the following locations: Monday 24 February | Canberra | Hotel Realm | 5:30pm Wednesday 26 February | Melbourne | Leonda By The Yarra | 11:00am or 6:00pm Monday 3 March | Sydney | Four Seasons Hotel | 11:00am or 6:00pm Monday 10 March | Brisbane | Water’s Edge | 11:00am or 6:00pm Tuesday 11 March | Noosa | Peppers Resort & Villas | 5:30pm Wednesday 26 March | Newcastle | Merewether Surfhouse | 5:30pm   Individual registrations for each attendee are required and can be completed via the official homepage.

  PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, a world leader in luxury expedition cruises in the small ships segment under 500 passengers, proudly announces the acquisition of a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions, the award-winning small ship expedition company renowned for its exceptional river and ocean cruises in South America, Southeast Asia and beyond.   This strategic acquisition by PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, backed by Artémis Group, the Pinault family’s investment company—which owns prestigious fashion houses through Kering including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and famed auction house Christie's; Pinault Collection, the world’s largest private collection of contemporary art; Artémis Domaines, encompassing a collection of the most exclusive wine estates, including Château Latour; and Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency—will empower Aqua Expeditions to continue expanding its footprint globally and enabling the company’s growth as a destination specialist. Aqua Expeditions currently operates small ships in biodiversity hotspots such as the Galápagos, Raja Ampat, Komodo, Spice Islands, the Mekong River, and the Peruvian Amazon River. Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and Founder will remain as a shareholder and along with his senior management team, will continue to lead the company as a stand-alone business unit, continuing to operate under the brand name "Aqua Expeditions".   This transaction comes at a pivotal time as Aqua Expeditions ramps up the launch of its East Africa itineraries, exploring the Seychelles and Tanzania, with a particular focus on the Aldabra group of islands.   "We are thrilled to welcome Aqua Expeditions into the Ponant family," said Hervé Gastinel, CEO of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of excellence and sustainability in the luxury sector. It reflects our commitment to offering unparalleled travel experiences in iconic destinations such as the Galápagos and now also river journeys, while preserving the natural beauty of the places we explore. We are deeply impressed with the exceptional company that Francesco has built over the past 18 years and the unique brand he has developed in the experiential travel space."   "Joining forces with PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and having the support of the Artémis Group is a remarkable opportunity for Aqua Expeditions," said Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO of Aqua Expeditions. "Partnering with another family-owned business ensures we maintain a heritage of luxury in our brand. With the financial support and expertise from our partners, we are well- positioned to continue our growth and offer our guests unforgettable journeys to the world’s most biodiverse and culturally rich regions while maintaining our core brand values."

PONANT has unveiled its 2026-2027 Antarctic season aboard ships, Le Boréal, Le Lyrial, Le Soléal and L’ Austral. They sail 36 departures across six itineraries between January 2026 and March 2027. Itineraries include the 10 night Emblematic Antarctica roundtrip from Ushuaia and Journey to Southern Lands and Valdés Peninsula for 18 nights Each Ponant journey is guided by naturalists and scientific experts, thoughtfully designed to preserve the pristine beauty of Antarctica and educate guests on the region’s unique ecosystems. “Our 2026-2027 season has been crafted to provide guests with an experience that is both transformative and deeply respectful of the environment,” says Deb Corbett, Ponant Explorations Group CEO Asia Pacific. “We are committed to delivering industry leading adventures without foregoing luxury’s comforts on our small-ship expeditions.” Guests can now take advantage of exclusive savings of up to 30% for early bookings.  

PONANT Explorations Group has announced a major upcoming transformation for the 330-guest MS Paul Gauguin, part of the Paul Gauguin Cruises brand. Scheduled for a seven-week drydock in Singapore from February to March 2025, the multi-million-dollar renovation feature sustainable technology enhancements, a transformation of Le Grill restaurant, and a rejuvenated pool deck complete with cabana-shaded areas. Guests will also enjoy the addition of eight new connecting staterooms, offering greater flexibility for families and groups. There will be refreshed soft furnishings throughout the ship. “Our vision for this refurbishment is deeply rooted in an experience that reflects the culture of French Polynesia,” said Hervé Gastinel, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer of PONANT. Energy performance upgrades include advanced heat recovery systems, efficient chillers, an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system generating electricity from heat. A new seawater treatment system will produce fresh water onboard, while the Nordaq filtration system that produces drinking water from seawater helps eliminating plastic water bottles. Exiting drydock at the end of March 2025, MS Paul Gauguin will launch two exclusive voyages as part of the 2025 Boutique Crossing Collection. Guests can choose the 14-night Immersive Indonesia: Singapore to Australia itinerary, departing April 1, 2025, or the 16-night Crossing Melanesia: Australia to Fiji voyage, departing April 15, 2025, as the ship makes her way back to Tahiti.

Ponant recently kicked off its season sailing around New Zealand aboard two of expedition vessels Le Soléal and PONANT Explorer, Le Jacques Cartier. From December until March 2025, the ships will embark on eight departures, visiting 23 ports of call, and offering guests a rare opportunity to discover the hidden side of Zealand. The season includes two epic sailings down to East Antarctica from Dunedin. Le Soléal  kicked off the season on 3 December, starting with two expeditions sailing south to explore New Zealand's remote subantarctic islands. Guests will have the opportunity to sail alongside destination experts at the wildlife sanctuaries of Campbell Island, the Snares as well as Australia’s Macquarie Island. Continuing on north from Dunedin to Auckland on a brand-new New Year’s cruise, Le Soléal’s next sailing, a 15-night journey from the South Island to the North Island will feature scenic time in the fjord region. It ventures through Doubtful, Milford and Dusky Sounds, as well as visit to new port of call Oban on Stewart Island, before heading north to Akaroa, Kaikoura, Wellington, the Bay of Islands and finally, Auckland. Joining Le Soléal this year is Le Jacques Cartier, Ponant’s modern Explorer-series vessel, featuring 92 staterooms and suites. This is her inaugural season in New Zealand waters. Sailing from Tasmania on 2 January, Le Jacques Cartier will start exploring both the North and South Islands before setting off on a brand-new, 15-night voyage, from Auckland to Cairns with highlights including the Bay of Islands region, Norfolk Island, and Vanuatu. In February 2025, Ponant will venture even further south, offering a 21-night expedition to Antarctica, on a Dunedin roundtrip aboard Le Soléal This itinerary features lecturer and guide Jonathan Shackleton, descendant of Sir Ernest Shackleton and family historian and Lucy Scott, great granddaughter of Captain Robert Falcon Scott. “We are proud to continue our operations in the region with this new summer season. Our included shore excursions and tours are providing guests with authentic New Zealand experiences,” id Deb Corbett, CEO Asia Pacific. Ponant has a limited-time Holiday offer, which includes an additional 10% off select departures with a limited number of staterooms available from December to March 2025.

Ponant has concluded its third phase of 2024 Australian Roadshows, themed You Are the Destination. It visited four cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Sorrento (Mornington Peninsula), and Brisbane with seven sessions attracting 881 attendees. This marked the first roadshow series to include three rounds of events in a single year. It also featured debut visits to the Mornington Peninsula (at the InterContinental Sorrento) and Brisbane’s Calile Hotel. The events included travel stories shared by speakers including Ponant Expedition Leader, Jorge Villamarin, and Ponant State Manager of Victoria and Tasmania, Annabelle Brown. The presentations highlighted voyages to regions such as the Arctic, Antarctica, the Subantarctic Islands (Christmas & New Year cruises), Papua New Guinea, the Kimberley, French Polynesia, Europe, and the Nordic countries. Attendees were also updated on new themed cruises, including gastronomic journeys in partnership with Relais & Châteaux and Château Latour, and music voyages featuring the Opéra National de Paris. The roadshows had a storytelling-focused approach, using  videos and personal anecdotes. In Sydney, a special photo booth allowed guests to capture their ‘Ponant moment’ by donning branded parkas against scenic backdrops of destinations such as the Arctic and Europe. Ponant says there was keen interest in destinations including the Arctic, Antarctic, French Polynesia, the Kimberley, the Mediterranean, and the Subantarctic, generating substantial inquiries and bookings.

Ponant has welcomed back Julie Golding, who is rejoining the company in the newly created role of Key Account Manager for Australia & New Zealand. This new position bolsters Ponant's commercial team as it continues to expand in the region. Following Deb Corbett's appointment as CEO for Asia Pacific in July, there was a need for additional support for trade and retail consortia as Ponant experiences substantial industry growth. Golding reports directly to Julie Rogers. Julie Rogers, Director of Sales for Ponant, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Julie Golding back. Sje brings a wealth of expertise in luxury product development." With over 23 years of experience in sales development, Golding has worked for the Globus Family of Brands, APT Group, and Rocky Mountaineer. At the latter she first took on a key account role, successfully managing relationships with wholesale and key trade partners. Golding also served as Business Development Manager for NSW South at Silversea, and was later promoted to manage key accounts across Australia and New Zealand. Deb Corbett, Ponant CEO Asia Pacific, added, "As Ponant continues rapid growth in Asia Pacific, Julie's appointment is a key step in intensifying our market presence." 

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Expedition cruise line Ponant has unveiled a special one-off premium golf experience as part of the Best of New Zealand itinerary. The sailing departs 16 January 2025, transforming the nine-night sailing into a golf trip at seas, with combinable offers available. These include a $1,500 flight credit per person and a free solo supplement^..  Sailing from Auckland to Lyttleton aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, the golf cruise itinerary explores the landscapes of New Zealand’s East coast with the opportunity to enhance it on land with a premium golf package. It is priced from $1,360 per person including return transfers, confirmed tee times, green fees, and carts/buggies. It offers the chance to play on the Summerhill Estate Golf Course, at the Poverty Bay Golf Club and at Cape Kidnappers during three ports of call. Summerhill Estate Golf Course: Perched on top of Papamoa Hills, Summerhill Estate Golf Course offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with captivating sea views and picturesque park-like surrounds. Poverty Bay Golf Club: Poverty Bay Golf Club at Awapuni Links is the second oldest course on the North Island. It is only a 10-minute transfer from the pier. Set on ancient coastal dunes, the links course offers smooth to undulating fairways. Cape Kidnappers: Experience golf at the edge of the world at Cape Kidnappers. Perched on rolling hills and rugged cliffs with sweeping sea views and an endless horizon, Cape Kidnappers is home to the 4th-ranked course in New Zealand.   

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Expedition cruise line Ponant unveiled a new Australian roadshow series, ‘you are the destination,’ taking place from October 22 to November 19. It makes four stops in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Trade and travel agent partners can register now and bring their clients along. The events will feature special guest Jorge Villamarin, Expedition Operations Manager Asia Pacific. His expertise as a naturalist and expedition cruise leader spans polar regions and the tropics, with activities from scuba diving to hiking the Andes. Trade partners are invited to join and are encouraged to bring their clients to explore a broad range of new experiences. Each roadshow event features exclusive offers and surprises. Registrations can be completed via the official homepage. Event Details: Melbourne: October 22 (2 sessions) Mornington Peninsula: October 23 (1 session) Sydney: November 11 (2 sessions) Brisbane: November 19 (2 sessions)   Travel agent should register online and share the following link, advising clients to add you as their preferred travel agent on the registration form. 

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Expedition cruise line Ponant’s new upcoming expedition motor yacht PASPALEY PEARL recently completed sea trials off Fremantle in Western Australia. That represents another key milestone completed for the vessel which is part of a new joint venture. The JV is with PASPALEY pearling company for the boutique expedition motor yacht, which will launch with a cruise in the islands of Eastern Indonesia in January 2025. Captain David Marionneau, Ponant's Director of Marine Operations Asia Pacific, said: "We took PASPALEY PEARL through all her required operational and safety manoeuvres. The sea trials were a resounding success.” "PASPALEY PEARL, originally launched late 2021, is due to undergo a multi-million-dollar refit and will emerge with refreshed livery, newly designed interiors and expansive open decks." The ship has capacity for 30 guests and 21 crew, including four expedition guides. 

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