Paul Gauguin Cruises Opens 2024 Small Ship Bookings

The three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant, which has recently emerged from several months-long renovations at the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard in Italy, is set to arrive in Australia next year.

The huge makeover has reduced the newly envisioned ship’s capacity to 32 passengers, with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 1:1.

The vessel originally carried 64 passengers, with Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel and Sterling Design International intending to “create a sense of luxury, privacy, and tranquillity that makes visitors feel as though they are on their own private sailing yacht.”

“Le Ponant has regained her splendour and more while setting new eco-responsible navigation standards,” remarked Ponant CEO Herve Gastinel. “Aboard Le Ponant, the crown gem of our fleet, everyone may reconnect with nature and their own inspirations as they chase the wind.”

The sailing ship is fitted with cutting-edge technology to reduce emissions, such as the capacity to connect to shore power, specific filtering systems to remove small particles and reduce NOX emissions, improved waste management, and more – not to mention the potential to operate on wind power.

The 16 large bedrooms are split across four passenger decks, while the common areas have been renovated to include a “panoramic gastronomy restaurant,” a spa, wellness centre, and gym, as well as a peaceful sun lounge area.

Le Ponant will now sail to Greece and Croatia before heading to Seychelles for the southern hemisphere summer and then beginning her Kimberley season, which will run from April to October next year.