Le Ponant

This beautifully appointed 290-foot vessel was built in France in 1991. Le Ponant is a sleek white, three-masted sailing vessel built to the highest international standards for safety and elegance. Only 56 passengers will travel on board, along with a crew of 30. In addition to her 16,140 square feet of sail, she features a gourmet and open-air restaurant, lounge, bar, and book and video room. The ship is also fully equipped with Zodiacs and has the capabilities and equipment needed for snorkeling and diving.

Download the Ship Fact sheet here.

Tonnage: 1,000
Length: 290 feet
Speed: 10-12 knots
Ship Registry: France

Accounts Onboard

Upon embarkation, a shipboard account is automatically opened for your convenience. The "chit" system is used for all onboard purchases, including bar charges, gift shop purchases, laundry, medical services, communication, etc. You will sign a chit for each purchase, and the amount will be debited to your shipboard account, which is presented for settlement at the end of the voyage.

The euro is the standard currency on board; however the value of all credit card transactions will be converted into U.S. dollars. Cash, traveler's checks, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diner's Club) are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts.

Air Conditioning and Heating

The ship is fully air-conditioned and heated throughout with individual controls in each cabin.

Baggage

Baggage is restricted only per the airlines' regulations (See Baggage Allowance section under General Information). We do recommend that you travel with soft luggage, as this is less bulky to store and storage space aboard the ship is limited. Please ensure that your baggage is clearly labeled with your name and home address and attach yellow Zegrahm Expeditions luggage tags, which will be provided with your final documents packet, to each piece of luggage. Our staff will use these tags for easy identification of group passengers and baggage.

Bar

The ship has a bar stocked with liquor, wine, beer, and juices. Hours for bartender services will be available on board.

Bridge Visits

There is an open-bridge policy on board. However, the bridge will be closed to visitors during maneuvers in port, when anchoring, during periods of inclement weather, and at the captain's discretion.

Cabins and Service

Cabins are serviced daily by your cabin attendant. If you require additional housekeeping service, please advise the reception desk.

All cabins feature an ocean view, two lower twin beds or one double, en suite bathroom with toiletries and hair dryer, telephone, safe deposit box, intercom system for announcements and lectures, at least one closet and shelf unit, minibar, and complimentary bottled water.

Contact Information

The ship has facilities available for incoming/outgoing e-mail, telephone, and fax. You will be charged for all personal communication to/from the ship.

The ship is equipped with the INMARSAT satellite communication system. You can dial direct from the phone in your cabin. Due to our sometimes remote locations, satellite communication can often be difficult. The approximate charges for communication to/from the ship are as follows:

Outbound e-mail: $3.00 - 5.00 per e-mail message (up to 100 kb)

Inbound e-mail: $3.00 - 5.00 per e-mail message (up to 100 kb)

Outbound telephone calls: $5.00 per minute

Specific contact information will be included in your final packet of trip documents sent approximately one month prior to your departure.

Daily Programs

The daily program is distributed to all cabins and posted in common areas every evening on board. The program announces the cruising schedule, lectures, and shore excursions. Weather conditions may, of course, alter the day's intended program.

Dietary Needs

Special dietary foods can be provided, but we must be notified in writing on the Personal Information Form. The galley is equipped to prepare or serve most special dietary foods except kosher cuisine.

Dining and Meals

All meals during the voyage are included, and will be prepared fresh each day by fully qualified French chefs, featuring a menu consisting primarily of traditional French cuisine. Breakfast and lunch are served in the Diamond Room, located on the Antigua Deck. Dinner is served in the Karukera Restaurant, located on the St. Barth Deck. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, while dinner is served to you at the table. Meal times may vary according to the day's activities. Standard hours are breakfast from 7:00-8:30 a.m., lunch at 12:30 p.m., and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Special wines chosen ahead of time will be served with dinner and are complimentary. A fine wine menu is also available. Additional wine and spirits will be automatically billed to your shipboard account.

Electricity

The electricity on board runs at 220 volts, and outlets take European-style plugs with two round prongs.

Elevator

There is no elevator on board.

Exercise Facilities

Due to the active nature of the expeditions, no gym or pool facilities are available on board.

Gift Shop

There is a small onboard gift shop, stocked with various souvenir and logo items. The shop does not carry sundries (shampoo and soap are provided in your cabin). Hours of operation are posted in the daily program, and purchases will be debited to your shipboard account.

Gratuities

All gratuities for onboard staff and crew are included in the cost of the expedition.

Hair Dryer

Each cabin is equipped with a hair dryer.

Hair Salon

The ship does not offer hair cutting or hair styling services.

Identification Badges

See Tagboard

Laundry

Basic laundry service is available on board. Please allow 48 hours turn-around time. Dry cleaning service is not available. Prices will be posted on board, and charges will be debited to your shipboard account, payable at the end of the voyage.

Lectures

Our onboard staff will present a series of informative lectures during the voyage. We plan to provide a lecture series that will cover all features of our expedition and the surrounding environment. These presentations are an integral part of this expedition and are designed to lend greater depth and understanding to your travel experience.

Library

There is a small library with a TV and a few books and videos on board.

Mail

The purser handles the mailing of passengers' letters and postcards during the voyage. Postage rates will be posted at reception. Mail will be sent when the ship is in port. Please indicate your cabin number and name (if you are sharing a cabin with someone of a different surname) in the corner to be occupied by the stamp. Postage fees will be debited to your shipboard account, payable at the end of the voyage.

Medical Services and Special Needs

Facilities may not be available for the physically challenged traveler. If you have special needs, please contact our office directly.

A qualified physician will be on board throughout the voyage. Any applicable fees for services rendered on board will be debited to your shipboard account and presented for settlement at the end of the voyage.

Passengers requiring special medications should bring sufficient quantities to last the duration of the expedition. If you are under regular treatment for any ailment or disease, you should bring a summarized medical history as well. It is essential that persons with any medical problems and related dietary restrictions inform us well before departure so we may brief the ship's staff accordingly.

If you use a hearing aid that might be turned off at night or would otherwise require special assistance in case of an emergency, please advise the reception desk at the time of boarding.

Passports

Passports will be collected upon embarkation and returned at the end of the voyage. Please bring a photocopy of your passport's information page with you to be used for currency exchange and identification on our landings.

Safety at Sea

Safety at sea is of utmost importance aboard this ship. All officers are trained in emergency procedures, and regular drills are held to instruct the crew in their emergency duties. By international law, passengers must participate in a lifeboat drill within 24 hours of sailing. Upon embarkation, all passengers will be requested to locate their life jacket in their cabin and note their lifeboat and muster station. This mandatory lifeboat drill will be scheduled as soon as is convenient for the expedition leader and captain.

Life preservers are mandatory on Zodiac excursions. All passengers must have their life preserver secured properly before leaving the ship to board the Zodiac.

While the ship is your temporary home, it is also a mobile one, and it is essential that you take certain safety precautions. Here are some basic rules:

Always turn on lights before moving about in a dark cabin.

Walk, never run, aboard the ship, and be extra careful when walking on wet or icy decks.

Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles, especially when walking on deck.

Avoid large, open areas during rough weather, especially outside decks and the bridge. Do not move about unnecessarily.

During particularly rough weather hold on to handrails in stairways, be very careful in the bathroom, never hold a door by its frame in case the ship's movement causes the door to close on your hand, and secure all baggage in your cabin and any loose items in your bathroom or on shelves, bureaus, or desks.

Ship Statistics

Built: 1991

Gross Tonnage: 1,490

Length: 290 feet

Draft: 13 feet

Beam: 39 feet

Number of Guests: 56

Crew Members: 30

Crew Nationality: French and Filipino

Ship's Registry: France

Speed: 10-12 knots

Sail area: 16,140 square feet

Shipboard Amenities

The ship is equipped with a gourmet restaurant, lounge, small library, infirmary, and gift shop.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is permitted outside on deck in designated areas only. There is a no-smoking policy throughout the interior of the ship. When smoking on outside decks, please do not throw cigarettes over the side of the ship.

Tagboard

A tagboard is provided near the gangway, and each passenger must turn his or her own number whenever disembarking the ship. Your compliance with this system assists us in ensuring that passengers are all safely on board before sailing to our next destination.

Valuables

Please try and leave any nonessential valuables at home. Zegrahm Expeditions is not responsible for the loss or theft of any jewelry, cash, etc. A personal safe is provided in each cabin, which you are encouraged to use.

Water

Drinking water is available in your cabin. Water from the tap is safe to drink, but we recommend bottled drinking water.

Zodiacs

Zodiacs are the favored means of transportation, and the ship has a fleet that will be used for landings in suitable areas. Their flat-bottom design permits these craft to land directly onto beaches. You can expect, nonetheless, to wade through shallow surf to reach the shore during wet landings.

Zodiacs cruise at an approximate speed of four knots and in windy weather can make for rather splashy rides. We therefore recommend wearing wet-weather gear for Zodiac transfers, and life preservers are absolutely mandatory. You will be given a briefing on the safe use of these boats. Please see the section Proper Use of Zodiacs for further information about procedures during Zodiac landings.