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Ponant honours famous French explorers revealing names of its four newbuilds

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Submersible marina concept on all four newbuilds
Paying tribute to some of the most famous explorers in French history, Ponant has revealed to Seatrade Cruise News the names of its four 184-passenger newbuilds ordered at Fincantieri subsidiary Vard.

The four Explorer-class sister ships, Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville and Le Kerguelen, are set to join the fleet between 2018 and 2019.

'Giving a name to a ship isn’t insignificant and is a symbol of the company’s values,' commented Hervé Bellaiche, chief sales and marketing officer.  

'This affiliation illustrates our loyalty to the French flag.'

The cruise operator flies the French flag on its five ship fleet, 'which is a guarantee of high environmental quality, ships’ safety and social rights,' added Bellaiche.

Among new features, the 131mtr long ships, all ice-class-certified, will offer a retractable marina concept. The first ship to be launched is Le Lapérouse in June 2018, followed by Le Champlain in September.   

Sales will open for the first ship in November for Iceland sailings and in April for the Seychelles and Japan itineraries. Le Champlain sales open in April for the Amazon and Orinoco rivers.
 
They will join the Marseille-based company's Le Ponant and four yachts Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial, bringing the fleet to nine vessels by end 2019.

The current orderbook stands at 68 ships accounting for 201,160 lower berths and a total cost of around $48.3bn with deliveries through to 2024.