Le Diamant: Ship of Dreams

Le Diamant is a stately and beautifully-appointed expedition vessel. In the early part of this year we chartered her for the first time for our West Coast of South America voyage. Many of our clients had traveled on her as the Song of Flower; they were delighted to be sailing on her once again and glad that we have added her to our quiver of ships. Built in 1974 and refitted in 2003, her sturdy stabilizers, 1D ice-classification, and her beamy 52.5-foot width and 15-knot speed, make sea passages both swift and comfortable. And while the ship has a maximum capacity of 220 passengers, for our explorations we plan to sail with no more than 165 travelers. The fleet of Zodiacs, operated by a trained professional crew, gives us the latitude and spontaneity to explore remote shorelines and witness close-up the wildlife and cultures we have come to see.

But it is not just the impressive statistics that have us excited. Compagnie des Iles du Ponant, the French company that owns the ship (along with Zegrahm favorites, Le Ponant and Le Levant), is impeccably attentive to details. Upon boarding the vessel, you are swept off your feet in a style that only the French can command. Heels seem to click and hands nearly salute—all with genuine smiles—as you stroll up the gangway. Be prepared to exchange your hand luggage for a glass of champagne—and no worries as these items will reappear in your stateroom!

Once aboard Le Diamant you’ll be instantly impressed with its comfortable spaciousness and ample public areas. Our own favorite spot is the sizeable flying bridge, elevated above the working bridge and the ideal place for keeping watch for marine mammals and seabirds. Expect to spend a lot of time up here as well as in the working bridge from where experienced officers guide the ship through the seas and ice. In addition, there are many other areas to spend sheltered time out on deck, including the spacious pool deck where meals are sometimes served amidst a panorama of dramatic scenery. Inside, the glass-fronted observation lounge on the top deck, with its comfortable seating and full bar, offers stunning vistas. Many passengers spend time in this airy and gracious room, enjoying the ever-changing scene. We were especially excited by Le Grand Salon, a theater-sized lecture hall with tiered seating and unobstructed stage views and a large viewing screen—making the visual component of our onboard lecture series truly larger than life.

The lovely spacious staterooms include either a queen or twin beds, a mini-bar, and a real dressing table and desk. As we cruise, you can watch our passage on your cabin television, broadcast from exterior-placed cameras; keep track of our GPS-position; or view DVDs with movies available from reception. A generous-sized wardrobe includes drawer space and the plush terry-cloth robes, large deluxe towels, and hair dryer are welcome amenities. Passengers also enjoy leisure use of the library with an e-mail station, sauna and hair salon.

When it comes to dining, leave it to the French to offer exceptional cuisine. Breakfast and lunch buffets, complete with a midday dessert table, feature plenty of mouth-watering selections. Dinners are courteously and deftly served and include complimentary wine. If you’re not especially hungry, then avail yourself of lighter continental breakfasts, a soup-and-sandwich lunch, or—bien sur— room service available any time of the day. To work all the temptations off, Le Diamant does have an onboard fitness center and plenty of space out on decks to walk laps.

What makes the Le Diamant experience so wonderful—and a superb complement to all of the shipboard features and amenities— are the outstanding officers, crew, and staff onboard. Their friendly enthusiasm, obvious love of their ship, and attention to every detail imaginable makes us feel immediately “at home.” We’re very much looking forward to sailing on Le Diamant again in November to the Antarctic. She is the perfect vessel for this southernmost realm—both sea- and ice-worthy, she has ideal spaces and places for optimizing landscape views and wildlife sightings. To our calculations, within the space of a year, we will have spent more than two months on board—magnifique!