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Ponant renews partnership with Relais & Chateaux

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Relais & Chateaux chefs will prepare gala dinners on board Le Lapérouse during New Zealand expedition cruises
Ponant and Relais & Chateaux renewed their partnership this year with two gastronomic expedition cruises in New Zealand.

Norka Mella Munoz, the chef at Relais & Chateaux’ Wharekauhau Country Estate on New Zealand’s North Island will be onboard Le Lapérouse’s eight-night cruise from Wellington to Dunedin on November 25.

An optional add-on is three nights at the Wharekauhau Country Estate prior to embarkation that will include visits to Martinborough vineyards.

Jimmy McIntyre, executive chef at the Relais & Chateaux Otahuna Lodge on the South Island of New Zealand since 2004, will be onboard Le Lapérouse when she sails on a seven-night round cruise from Dunedin on December 3, taking in Fjordland National Park.

Gala dinners

Two gala dinners will take place on each voyage when the chefs will create their signature dishes, highlighting New Zealand cuisine. 

Relais & Chateaux President Laurent Gardinier said he is ‘delighted’ to be working with Ponant again .

Herve Gastinel, CEO of Ponant, said these are two ‘out of the ordinary’ cruises that will give passengers ‘authentic and meaningful experiences’ of New Zealand.