Ponant: French yachts and the polar ship Le Commandant Charcot

Owner's Suite and Privilege Suites

• Each Explorer-class yacht has one Owner's Suite at the stern with a private terrace, and a small set of Privilege and Grand Deluxe Suites below it.
• Le Commandant Charcot has a Shipowner's Suite and Duplex Suites over two decks, because polar guests spend more time inside.
• Suites get a butler on Le Commandant Charcot and priority for excursions and the Blue Eye underwater lounge on the Explorer ships.
• Standard cabins are already all-balcony on the newer ships; the suite premium buys space and position, not inclusions.

What comes with it

• Open bar
• All dining
• Wi-Fi
• Zodiac outings and most expedition landings
• Gratuities on some fares, not all

From Florida

Ponant does not base ships in Florida. Caribbean itineraries, when they run, start in the islands. Naples clients fly from Fort Myers or Miami to the embarkation port, which is often in Europe, the Arctic, Antarctica or the South Pacific.

The ships

Le Commandant Charcot · Le Bellot · Le Jacques-Cartier · Le Bougainville · Le Dumont-d'Urville · Le Laperouse · Le Champlain · Le Lyrial

French. The menus, the wine list, the design and half the guests are French, with English spoken throughout. It is a small, calm, well-dressed crowd.