Unique Features

Clean Ships- all of the Ponant ships are certified as a “Clean Ship” by the French classification society, Bureau Veritas, one of the world’s major ship classification societies. This coveted and seldom-awarded certification recognises that the PONANT fleet—from initial design and construction∘ to seagoing operations—has adopted the most environmentally responsible materials, equipment, and management procedures possible. 

Disabled Facilities

Our sisterships were designed to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility:

• Three specially designed cabins (307, 407, 509)
  
• Access ramps allowing easy access to the communal areas
  
• Notices, signs and cabin numbers are also translated into Braille.
  

Note, however, that all passengers must be self-sufficient or travelling with a friend or relative who can provide any assistance necessary during the cruise.

If a person is not considered fit enough to travel safely, the company reserves the right to refuse to let them board the ship. To ensure the well-being and safety of the passenger, the Captain’s permission is required to disembark in difficult areas or to travel in a Zodiac®.

If you take specific medications, please let us know on the information sheet you fill in prior to departure, then inform our crew when boarding and ensure you have enough medication for the duration of your cruise.

There is a medical centre on each of our ships. Consultation times will be included each day in your copy of the daily programme, however the doctor is available at all times for emergencies. On excursions, you will always∘ be accompanied by either the doctor or the nurse.

There is a fee for consultations with the doctor or nurse aboard the ship. The price is likely to vary depending on the time and place of the consultation (hospital or cabin). You must also pay for any medicines dispensed or prescribed.

Dietary Requirements

If you have specific dietary requirements (vegetarian, diabetic, low-kilojoule, gluten-free) or suffer from allergies, this must be clearly stated at the time of booking. Special menus will then be provided for you throughout your cruise. 

Age Restrictions

Children under the age of three are not allowed aboard our ships.

For children aged three to eight, permission to board the ship must be requested by writing to PONANT. If permission is granted, a liability waiver must be filled out and returned to PONANT to confirm the booking. More specifically, during all expedition cruises, including to the Arctic and Antarctic, children must be completely autonomous during Zodiac landings, and they must∘ immediately understand and respond to instructions given by the adults in charge.

Consequently, their participation in such landings will be subject to approval from the Captain and the Expedition Leader, based on sea conditions and how difficult it is to land at each site visited. In any case, both on board and on land, children and young minors are the sole responsibility of their parent(s) or guardian(s). 

Dress Code

For an expedition cruise, bring practical clothing and comfortable shoes. For cruises to the Arctic or Antarctic, you will be provided with a polar parka in your size on board.

Smoking Policy

All enclosed areas (lounge areas, dining room, cabins, reception area, etc.) are non-smoking. Please smoke only in the ship’s outdoor∘ areas.

An increasingly cleaner fleet

State-of-the-art technologies aboard the ships, improved waste and waste water treatment, raising the awareness of travellers, future plans that are increasingly innovative in terms of sustainable development...
Every day, PONANT is committed to protecting the environment.

We go above and beyond environmental regulations in force (for example, the MARPOL convention for the prevention of pollution from ships and the Polar Code) by studying ways to help us minimise our impact on the places we visit and of our obligations both towards them and towards the people who live there. Thanks to our efforts, all PONANT ships have been awarded the international “Clean Ship” label, which certifies that we have reduced our environmental impact.

A vigorous policy of drastic reduction in the use of fuel oil for ship operations - Our Objective by 2021 is to use 100% MDO & GNL

• MDO (marine diesel oil) is lighter and less polluting∘ than HFO (heavy fuel oil)
• LNG (liquified natural gas) is currently the greenest fuel on the market (25% less carbon emissions, 85% less nitrogen oxide emissions and 95% less fine particle emissions)

The technology at the heart of PONANT ship designs

• Sonar system for the detection of shoals to avoid contact with icebergs and reefs
• Refrigerant gas (R407C) used for air conditioning and refrigeration units. It has no impact on the ozone layer and a very low impact on the greenhouse gas effect
• Low energy and low heat emitting lighting system (LED and fibre optic based)
• Dynamic positioning system that helps (when needed) maintain a vessel’s position without having to drop anchor in sensitive marine environments such as coral reefs, thereby protecting the seabed
• The latest generators equipped with an integrated electronic control system to optimise their functioning
• Tin-free antifouling paint to protect marine ecosystems as much as possible
• Real-time energy-consumption calculation tools to reduce energy consumption

The first electric hybrid polar ship powered by LNG in the world

PONANT is designing a luxury cruise polar exploration ship. Completed in 2021, it will be fitted with the latest sustainable development technologies and will surpass the requirements of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) 2020 regulation.

• Powered by Liquified Natural Gas
• Precise measurement of consumption and optimisation of ship sailing
• Latest generation electric batteries to reduce energy∘ consumption
• Waste Heat Recovery System
• Energy Optimisation System
• Waste treatment system using HydroThermal Oxidation.

The Icebreaker features perfected “Clean Ship” fittings that go beyond the current industry-standard environmental regulations:

• Reduction of SO2, NOX, CO2 and particle emissions thanks to the use of LNG
• Zero emissions when in electric hybrid mode

Energy management

• Energy optimisation system that precisely measures∘ consumption and optimisation of ship sailing methods
• Waste Heat Recovery System
• Electric output optimised and consumption reduced through the use of latest generation electric batteries

Water Treatment

• Advanced Waste Water Treatment system

Improved Waste & Sewage Treatment

All types of “water” generated aboard our ships are treated to prevent the potential risk of polluting aquatic environments.

Blackwater
is filtered, treated, and reused. At the end of the process, solid waste is stored and unloaded on land, in accordance with standard regulatory procedures.

Greywater
(bath, shower, kitchen, laundry) is recycled and reused∘ to wash external decks.

Bilge water
is treated using ceramic membrane filtration systems to obtain an extremely low content of hydrocarbons: less than 5ppm instead of 15ppm.

Ballast water
is subject to biodecontamination.

Filtered and/or retreated bilge water and ballast water∘ are stored on board, awaiting unloading on land.

During PONANT cruises, the water consumption by passenger is 5 times less than the average consumption of water per person on land.

100% of waste is separated and sorted on board
(solids – liquids – glass – cardboard – food – medicines)

The most modern 
pulpers / crushers / compactors

Recycling on board
is 60% more effective than on land

At the end of sorting 700g is the average volume of non-recyclable waste, generated by every guest during a cruise. By comparison, the same person would have produced 2.3 kg of waste on land.

On a cruise: everyone’s responsible!

On expedition cruises, PONANT takes its passengers to some of the most remote and wild places on the planet. We are very conscious of our status as privileged guests at the sites we visit, and of our obligations∘ both towards these places and the people who live there.

Additionally, an environmental impact study is carried out before the conception of each new itinerary to ensure that the impact of every landing is only temporary and transitory. We make a biodiversity inventory (fauna, flora, geology) of the places where we plan to disembark. We also prepare access routes that do not impinge on the areas to be preserved. Consequently, we work together with several organisations, such as the TAAF (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, French Southern and Antarctic Lands), the Seychelles Foundation, the Aldabra Foundation and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation.

MINIMIZING WAVES
At sea, we sail at a reduced speed (between 12 and 13.5 knots) to create the least waves possible so as to avoid disturbing marine mammals. When approaching shores, we reduce our speed.

REDUCING NOISE POLLUTION
We limit all the noise made by the ship (airborne and underwater, whether audible to the human ear or not) that may confuse marine species and disturb local populations. We limit announcements aboard the ship and do not allow them outside in case there is fauna nearby.

REDUCING LIGHT POLLUTION
We reduce light produced on board to prevent sea birds from being grounded on the ship. At night, we keep navigation lights to the minimum and we close the curtains in the staterooms.

RESPECTING LOCAL RESOURCES
When appropriate we buy food directly in places where we dock. At ports of call where provisions are limited, we leave the resources for the local populations.

ZERO IMPACT LANDINGS
Every landing is subject to a protocol. This approach mobilises a dedicated team, which makes sure not to have any impact on the ecosystem visited and thereby protect the fauna, flora, and populations.

CLEANING BEACHES
During every landing, we take ashore large rubble bags to pick up any litter found on site. The litter is then sorted and unloaded in a port that is able to accept it.

RAISING THE AWARENESS OF OUR GUESTS
During expedition cruises and Zodiac® trips, guests are accompanied by a team of nature guides. The guides provide guided interpretations on land and speciality lectures. In the near future, we are planning to introduce an “Ambassador Charter” to raise our guests’ awareness of the necessities relating to protecting the environment and of their own∘ role. All our passengers and crew members make a commitment to respect a Code of Good Conduct which has been prepared following our observations and is specific to each destination.

RAISING THE AWARENESS OF THE STAFF
In the same way as for guests, PONANT raises the awareness of its staff and ensures that information is shared with the crew in an inclusive and instructive manner through information meetings∘ before the cruise, signing the area’s charter of good visitor conduct, organising and participating in expedition activities, and coaching on land.