PONANT has announced a new vessel will join its fleet in mid-2024 with the debut of the 12-passenger Spirit of Ponant maxi-catamaran. Featuring just six staterooms and with a crew of four (including a chef), the Spirit of Ponant will offer a unique sailing experience, initially from Corsica.
The Spirit of Ponant combines the pleasures of sailing with all the refinements and personalised service that are the hallmarks of PONANT voyages.
“The Spirit of Ponant is a new expression of our pioneering spirit, as the travel format is a first in the luxury cruise sector,” said Hervé Gastinel, CEO of PONANT.
“Our guests will experience what it is really like to be a sailor, including interacting with the Captain to create a voyage that meets their desires and expectations. They will benefit from hidden away anchorages in magical places, while enjoying the high-end services for which PONANT is renowned,” Gastinel added.
With this catamaran, PONANT is adding another string to its bow of offers in exclusive intimate settings. A bold and innovative move that confirms the company’s commitment to more responsible tourism and its historic attachment to sailing. Built in France, the Spirit of Ponant promises an immersive experience, sailing to some of the world’s most beautiful islands. The yacht is being launched in June 2024 and will spend the summer in Corsica, France, before heading to the Seychelles for winter 2025.
“Embarking on the Spirit of Ponant is to have an authentic experience of sailing at sea, with extremely easy access to the sea and water sports activities,” explains Guillaume Le Brec, the experienced skipper in charge of this project at PONANT.
“The concept and design of this Lagoon Seventy 7 yacht has been praised by everyone in the industry, won over by the spacious interior and exterior areas.”
“Guests will really appreciate the high-end finishings as much as her exceptional sailing qualities,” the highly experienced skipper adds.
Olivier Narcy, Chief EMEA Sales & Global Customer Relations Officer for PONANT told LATTE this new product type has been suggested by several past guests who love the sailing ship style of Le Ponant.
“We don’t think there’s a hole in the market, but most probably a place to take,” Narcy said.
PONANT will offer net fares for charter requests of Spirit of Ponant, and fares on a per-cabin basis with commission for trade partners.
Onboard, Spirit of Ponant will offer three different categories of cabin, ranging from 11 to 17 square metres in size. Each cabin will have private facilities.
“Our vision is to keep this ship deployed within the Seychelles islands for the whole year,” Narcy revealed to LATTE, adding, “Then maybe we’ll extend…our fleet of catamarans…”
Elaborating further on the product exclusively to LATTE, Deb Corbett, General Manager Sales & Marketing APAC for PONANT, said: “We continue to evolve our product offering through a sustainable lens for our existing clients and newcomers to our brand, to match their needs.”
“Following an internal overview on Lifestyle Persona and looking at global trends, we know luxury clients want to immerse themselves into active sailing experiences, in an intimate environment, and they want to do this with an operator with proven exploration experience & service delivery excellence.
“The HNWI and UHNWI are looking for personalised explorations to share with family and friends, where they have the privacy and space of being able to connect in a relaxed and unstructured setting.”
Corbett continued: “Spirit of Ponant is the perfect product to charter for the ever-growing destination birthday market and multi-generation holidays. It will be open for sale via the trade, for both the charter & FIT market. FIT clients will be able to enjoy an all-inclusive experience with like-minded individuals, for a boutique exclusive getaway in the Med and Seychelles.”
Cruises of 8 days/7 nights aboard the Spirit of Ponant roundtrip from Bonifacio (Corsica), departing 13 July 2024, and in the Seychelles (Mahé roundtrip) for the winter 2024/25, lead in from €7,500* per person. Itineraries will be developed based on the Captain’s recommendations and what the guests desire.
PONANT’s gastronomy offering, wine cellar and signature cocktails, room service, waterside activities (paddleboarding, wakeboarding, snorkelling etc) are included.
*Price based on double occupancy. The price may change as the departure date approaches and varies depending on availability.
