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Ponant's full 12-ship fleet is back in service, summer 80% booked

PHOTO: @PONANT/NATHALIE MICHEL Le_Soleal_Photo_Ponant_Nathalie_Michel - Le Soleal copy.jpg
Le Soléal was the final Ponant ship to return to service, in Australia
In the Arctic, Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Australia and Polynesia, all 12 Ponant ships are carrying passengers again. Capacity for summer 2022 is more than 80% booked.

On May 28, Le Soléal became the last in the fleet to resume operation, embarking from Darwin on a cruise to Australia's Kimberley.

More last-minute bookings

As different regions emerge from the health crisis, Ponant reports shorter booking windows and an increase in last-minute bookings. The company also reports high guest satisfaction scores.

'Our customers are expressing a strong desire to travel. Bookings are steadily coming in again with requests for quotes up compared to 2019 and a higher conversion rate,' said Hervé Bellaïche, chief sales, marketing & communication officer at Ponant.

Masks are no longer required onboard but are recommended. Masks are still compulsory where required by local authorities.

Explore to inspire

This year, Ponant has a new 'Explore to inspire' initiative, affirming its commitment to offer inspiring and meaningful voyages for a discerning clientele with environmental awareness.

'"Explore to inspire" embodies our philosophy to travel with a purpose,' said Ponant CEO Hervé Gastinel. 'Explore to better understand, learn, share and protect is the very essence of our values. Small capacity ships, eco-design, slow travel, an awakening to knowledge, and working closely with local players are the ingredients of tomorrow’s cruise model as exemplified by Ponant.'