PONANT is one of the first cruise lines in the world to resume its activity. The cruise line has developed a rigorous health protocol to guarantee sailing with confidence. Eight of Ponant´s luxury ships currently start their voyages from France, Iceland and French Polynesia.
Placing France centre stage
To adapt to the current context PONANT has reinvented its offer with 5 new exceptional itineraries along the French coast, well off the beaten track.
As an ambassador of the French way of life, PONANT is offering travelers the opportunity to rediscover the richness and the diversity of France. With a fleet of smaller-sized ships with an average of 150 customers, the company remains loyal to its core principle of responsible and sustainable tourism. PONANT is drawing on the expertise of its captains, who come from the French regions, and the precious assistance of its partners in the regions, guardians of the natural, cultural and gastronomic heritage.
The company will reveal France differently, from the sea during a series of new sailing routes and tailor-made activities in unspoiled nature (outings in Zodiac dinghies or canoes, diving and snorkelling, kayak, paddle board, hiking, and more).
With this programme, placing France centre stage, PONANT – which was initially called Compagnie des Îles du Ponant in homage to its maritime heritage – has returned to its roots.
Renowned partners and speakers
The cruises offered are enriched by the presence of prestigious speakers, important figures and experts in the areas of culture, music, art, science or gastronomy.
Thanks to its partners, Le Point, GEO and the Mucem (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations), PONANT is also offering themed cruises. During a series of conferences, concerts and events, the company is inviting guests to combine their love of travel and knowledge.
To find out more about the brand-new PONANT collection for summer 2020 click here.
Inaugural season of Le Bellot in Iceland and getaway cruises aboard the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia
This summer PONANT is also offering new expedition cruises to discover Iceland. For her inaugural season, Le Bellot, the latest in the PONANT EXPLORER series, will sail around this land of ice and fire with an 8-day itinerary to discover the glaciers, fjords, waterfalls and volcanoes of this mythical country. Le Boréal resumes sailing with cruises to Iceland and then to Spitzberg.
In French Polynesia, the m/s Paul Gauguin, which PONANT is happy to have welcomed into her family, also resumes her cruises. From the Society Islands to the Tuamotus and the Marquesas Islands…. The m/s Paul Gauguin has more than 20 years of experience sailing among these archipelagos.
Sailing with confidence
To prepare for this resumption, PONANT has reinforced its protocols and infrastructures, especially its on-board hospitals and medical teams. It is collaborating with the IHU (Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire) Méditerranée Infection of Marseilles, one of the world’s leading centres in the field of infectious diseases.
Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification services, has certified these processes with its “SAFEGUARD” label, demonstrating that some of the most effective infection prevention measures have been implemented.
PONANT’s reinforced health protocol is based on health standards that exceed all international regulations. It relies on the provision and maintenance of a “Covid-Safe” area around its ships, a hermetic sanitary bubble, thanks to the rollout of three layers of shields: stringent on-board access conditions, rigorous sanitary protocols throughout the cruise as well as daily checks (guests, equipment, ships).
It includes the implementation of a health check for 100% of the people on board (guests and crew members) and filtering and disinfection at boarding in a guest circuit that has been entirely redesigned for before, during and after the cruise. In addition, all passengers and crews must perform a PCR test a maximum of 48 hours before boarding and 72 hours for long trips. Automated temperature-taking terminals have been set up in strategic areas, allowing continuous monitoring several times a day at each passage.
Moreover, PONANT had already been investing for many years to set up high-level hospitals aboard the ships in its fleet, made up of a state-of-the-art medical infrastructure (radiology, biology and even resuscitation devices, etc.) that goes beyond all current touristic standards. An expert medical team made up of at least one doctor and a nurse, available around the clock, are present in these hospitals.
To find out more about PONANT´s health protocol click here.
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