My experience on Le Ponant

There're sometimes moments in which you need relaxing, quiet environments and personalised experiences. This was one of them. Having cruised Ponant Cruises many times, I got to the conclusion very soon that it's my type of cruising. Always delightfull experiences but I wanted to get on the first ship of the company. The "baby" tall ship which is the essence and origen of the company. Chic & european way yacht cruising. 64 passengers in the sleek ship is like travelling on a private yacht without buying one.

I was feed up with big ships, busy ports, crowds of people. A friend of mine had vividly recommended me going up the top deck, close my eyes and just listening the sound of the winds on the sails. Pure peace.

Small sailing from Barcelona calling at Collioure, Marseilles, Porquerolles and getting off at Nice. Spring time and lots of expectations. Being aware it's a smart casual thing I leave my tuxedo in the closet. I run to the airport to get to Barcelona. It had rained but the sun was shinning

Short domestic hop. The shadow of the plane reflects on the green grass as it climbs. The sun was shinning. A little nap, snack and turns to Barcelona airport. I love approaches over the see. Blue, calmed waters, sunny weather and from the air I could see the little ship berthed at WTC which is the closest port downtown Barcelona.

To be continued....

Looking forward to more!

I have been in Barcelona many times. I didn't feel like getting myself to the port and wait until 16:00. City is usually packed, my travel agent had included me the airport transfer, typical meal in a tradicional Masia (countryside house) visit of Sagrada Familia and panoramic tour.

The place is awesome traditionally decorated with good regional specialities. Fideua, appetisers (cold cuts, cheese, fuet, and so on). Entrée and a decent selection of desserts. Local wines and cava (our spanish champagne).

While there were literarly thousands boarding in other ships there's not anything like on the tiny Ponant. A smiling french garçon walks with us the 150 m which separate the terminal and the yacht. Captain and shakes hands of each passenger (calling us by our names) and we get on board.

There's a welcome cocktail in only lounge of Le Ponant. Open Bar means all included during the cruise. French, a few spanish and mostly europeans were the mix on board. Only 49 in total as some cabins had been sold as singles. Cero supplement this time.

The cabin

Just 32 mostly in the lower of the four decks the yacht has. Decorated in blues and whites they are fairly large for a ship that small. Virtually the same size they have superb matresses (arrangements may vary: king sizes, twins and three beds). Smart with plenty of storage, large screen, minibar (no cost), nespresso coffee machine and kettle. Also hair dryer and luxurious ammenities by L' Occitane. The bathroom is a bit small but a good sized shower.

I'm enjoying your trip report and your wonderful photos! Looking forward to more….

After the drill we had the first capt briefing. The Gulf of Leon in perhaps one of most infamous stretch of sea in the whole world. Almost always tramontana wind blows between Spain and France and Mistral. So that day the area was pretty rough. The weather forecast was clear skied but gusts of 120 km per hour and 8 m tall waves some 100 km away from Barcelona from midnight

All cargos waited at Rosas and some big cruises ship went aroung the coast except the Rhapsody of the Seas which went through. They had a wave impact close Sardinia.

Our capt told security was paramount and we were going to divert to Palamós in Girona half way and will visit Girona instead Collioure and Perpignan.

The sea was force 6 and the ship was pretty stable and behaved like a champ. Just a pleasant swelling.

When we complain about missed ports, we have to remember things like this!

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6981

Exactly. I have seem her leaving. I never do it. We have to love the sea but respect it at the same time.

I had some time before dinner to go for a walk. Five minutes and it was over. Main lounge, bar, open space with access to the Marina, a delightful promenade which gives access to the little restaurant.

Upper deck with the outdours buffet and the bridge. And the sun deck where you can watch the sails. The ship has a mixed combination of engine and sails (movable). Hugo the physical trainer was preparing the place for a yoga lesson. At the little reception the passagers where completing the smooth check in procedures.

First dinner

Food on any Ponant ship is something serious. French cruise, fresh ingredients prepared individually. Beautifully decorated plates and a premium service. But I have been told that being on a 1500 tons little "thing" makes it to have a tiny kitchen with limited facilities. Food was to be more like a honest good Bistro than a luxury boutique ship. Don't misunderstand me. It wasn't supposed to be bad but more humble.

The first night food was fine, not inspiring. Nicely cooked but perhaps not good enough for Ponant ships in which gastronomy is heavenly. This was more terrenal. Freshly made pasta, tender chicken, interesting soup and delicious creme brulle. Wines are included.

Open seating and just one two places tables so you have to socialise. Or fight for this table.

I am enjoying your review and your photos.

What were the nationalities of the guests on board? Was English spoken most of the time?

Hi. I had English menus, crew spoke English and got Daily Program in English everyday. We were only 49 people mostly french, and small porcentage of anglosaxons, swiss, a couple of germans.

Primary language on board was French and then English in all the announcements.

Palamos is a small town in the Girona Province, north of Barcelona. It's mainly the summer destination for middle class catalonians. The place hasn't anything worth it except a beach next to the port and local restaurants. There are dozens of sights around to visit. Due to the route disruption we were offered a free excursion to Girona. A small and lovely medieval town. But let's start with breakfast first.

Le Ponant is perfect for warm climates. Caribbean, Asia, Polynesian. The upper buffet were lunch and breakfast are offered only has open seating. When the weather is chilly main restaurant is used of set a kind of tent to semi cover it and avoid chilly winds.

As a ship of her size buffet is not extensive but everything is perfect. Pure french Brittany butter, organic eggs, gourmet cold cuts, a delightfull freshly baked bread. Perfect small pastries and even champagne. Waiters help you all the time and coffee is brought individually to each passengers.

Tables are nicely laid.

Thank you, Keltic.

Lovely

Thankyou for your review and lovely photos. We are thinking of sailing with Ponant but have hesitated due to some not so flattering reviews. Your photos of the ship are helping to change our minds.

Depends if you are looking for a luxury cruise ship which is not. It's perfect for routes out of the beaten track and people who needs relaxing sailing experinces. Of course it has some disadvantages. But it depends on the price paid and interest of the destination. I will remarks some cons too at the end.

Enviado desde mi GT-N8000 mediante Tapatalk

Girona looks like my hometown. Small, medieval with an almost intact old town between the gothic cathedral and the row of houses overlooking the river. Cobbled streets, pintoresque alleys and plenty of art, arched streets and traditional places to have a coffee. It has been choosed as a background for the new Game of Thrones game. The cathedral is awesome and the old arab baths

Great to unwind and walk around.

I wasn't impressed by dinner on the main restaurant but food on the buffet was fine. Not a large list of options but everything is fine. Crispy salads, good french cheese "fromages" appetisers and two or three hot entrees. A soup.

Chocolate Mousse is almost perfect. Like in all Ponant ships.

The strong wind had calmed down. Before departing and proceeding directly to Marseille, and as the weather was mild I went for a walk to the beach. My first walk on the sand before summer time.

A quick tea served everyday at the back of the ship. I loved sitting and watching how the ships sails.

A relaxing moment at the cabin, shower and the new Captain America movie. We had the captain cocktail next. Of course very intimate and talking to all passengers individually. Making us feeling special.

The gala dinner was a gourmet sampling with no choice. The mushrooms soup delicious. The crab & avocado with mojito sauce bland.

Then curry rice and swordfish needed a bit more of character. Then duck on sparragus perhaps the best of them

What was a sin was a huge mint macaron on a dark chocolate brownie

Perfect

The night had been smooth. We didn't get into the old port as it was windy, but we got as closest as possible. Next to Fort Saint Jean and the new Mucen of Marseille, just 10 minutes walk from the old port. Privileges of sailing on a boutique ship. It gets as closest as downtown as possible.