Le Ponant Corsica

[laurelguy]

We're pretty excited to have booked a week sailing around Corsica on the smaller Le Ponant this coming August. It's our first time with this line coming from Wind Star and Sea Dream. Anyone done it or have details on their smaller sailing ship...thanks!

[cruising cockroach]

Sounds very nice.  Will be sailing Ponant next month but on a motorised ship (Le Soléal).  There are (official) Youtube videos of Le Ponant.

 

You want to look at doing a ground tour of Corsica some day.  It is absolutely spectacular but go in the off season (we've done mid March and mid October).  Just be aware you'll be there in the height of season when a large part of France - and a substantial part of Italy - are there, and locals return home for seasonal employment (they go to the continent for work during the off-season).

 

You don't need to do a tour of Bonifacio (and also Calvi) as it is easily self-tourable.  Not sure where the ship will dock but you can walk up to the town and around.  Also walk to the other side of the shoulder outside city walls for a great view back to the city.  Don't forget the staircase (closes early so go early).  

 

Too bad the ship doesn't go to Piana or Girolata.   May not look far but I understand traffic is abysmal in summer especially around sunset when the cliffs (calanques) around Piana are spectacular.  Carghese is nice but not a must-see.

[laurelguy]

Hey CC....thanks much for the info...I was there years ago and loved it! Only 60 people on this ship...enjoy yours too! 

[cruising cockroach]

Glad you've seen Corsica from the ground.  I've only seen it from water once, in daylight, when leaving Bonifacio by ferry for Sardinia (passed between the two by cruise ship but it was a dark 'n stormy night...).

 

The main take-away from the Youtube video was that the ship used its motorized propulsion most of the time except in a certain part of the Caribbean where winds were usually always favorable.

 

 

[Wendai]

We've just spent 10 days from Nice to Malta on Le Ponant.  Had an absolutely wonderful time.  But then, we are sailors, so cruising on a sailing ships was the main attraction.  However, since the winds were never strong enough, or in the right direction, the ship used motor all the time.  The sails were used more for steadying purposes rather than propulsion.  Cruise ships have to stick to schedules.  This is a sailboat, not a motorboat, so not stabilised.

[laurelguy]

Thank you Wendai! We are SO looking forward to it....

 

[laurelguy]

Wendai....hi again. This question just popped up. Is there laundry onboard? We love not having to take a ton of stuff. Thanks again!