Explorers' tales at Ponant Explorers Club soirée

Kourounis, an adventurer, storm chaser, science communicator and TV presenter, and Davenport, a freelance war photographer turned author, photographer and filmmaker represented by National Geographic, captivated Ponant guests with their tales that stretched from diving with sharks in the South Pacific to exploring Greenland's icebergs.

Both will be back hosting voyages in 2025.

Ponant has a partnership with the venerable Explorers Club, established in 1904 and devoted to scientific expeditions across all disciplines. Some of the greatest explorers of all time — the likes of Neil Armstrong, Edmund Hillary and Roald Amundsen — were members, and current members include Jane Goodall and Buzz Aldrin.

So Ponant has a rich trove to draw on for inspirational guest speakers while also providing explorers with shipboard opportunities for scientific research.

Just this month Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot notched a world-first by reaching the North Pole of Inaccessibility — one of the most elusive and remote points on Earth — and, on the same voyage, returning to the magnetic North Pole and the geographic North Pole.

Exploration is Ponant's ethos

The atmospheric Explorers Club, with its fascinating collection of artifacts, photos and books chronicling great exploits, is 'such a fitting place for us to celebrate exploration,' Ponant CEO Hervé Gastinel told guests. 'Exploration is Ponant's ethos — to inspire, better understand, learn and share.'

Related:Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot notches a world-first

Ponant has 20 voyages in partnership with The Explorers Club and more than 60 with Smithsonian Journeys, another partner who was on hand, along with Relais & Châteaux, auction house Christie's and others.

Also hosting were Ponant's Belinda Hindmarsh, group deputy CEO global business; Sam Chamberlain, CEO, Americas; Susan Robison, VP marketing & communications; and Ellen McIlvaine, VP sales.

Bringing Ponant to a larger audience

'I'm really excited to have Sam and his team bringing Ponant to an even larger audience,' Gastinel said.

Le Lyrial in town

After Monday night's soiree, Ponant's New York showcase continues with a plaque exchange ceremony and lunch aboard Le Lyrial on Tuesday, giving more travel partners and media the opportunity to learn about the 14-ship strong brand.

Chamberlain has been hosting such events around the US and Canada since taking on the CEO Americas role in the spring.