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Ocean cruises may soon restart from France, with reduced capacity

Secretary of State for Tourism Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne indicated ocean cruises from France may be able to resume but with significantly reduced capacity.

Michèle Valandina, French correspondent

June 22, 2020

1 Min Read
CRUISE Le Dumont D'Urville
A ship like Le Dumont D'Urville, one in Ponant's Explorers class, can carry 184 passengers and 112 crewPHOTO: FRED MICHEL/PONANT

Lemoyne said officials were talking with cruise operators about a capacity restriction. In a recent meeting, a 500-person (passengers and crew) limit was discussed, however this has not been decided.

Ponant's plan 'very interesting'

Ponant's proposal to operate cruises along the French coasts using six of its vessels was considered 'very interesting' by the minister.

Ponant's new Explorers series ships carry 184 passengers and 112 crew, while its earlier expedition vessels carry up to 264 passengers and 140 crew.

France's discussion about allowing ocean cruises continues.

Read more about:

FrancePonant

About the Author

Michèle Valandina

French correspondent

A graduate from Lyon University, where she specialised in foreign languages and American literature, Michèle worked as an interpreter/translator (English, German and Italian) for major international events before entering the diplomatic world for a few years. As a Paris-based freelance travel and lifestyle writer, she has been a contributor to a host of publications and has long specialised in two sectors: cruising and wellness. Her features have appeared in, among others, Le Monde, Le Figaro, Le Figaro Magazine, Les Echos Week-end and periodicals dedicated to the MICE sector. She has also featured on radio and TV travel programmes and, since 1992, has been the author of the only French cruise guide, Croisières Passion.

 

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