PONANT Reviews 527

Apart from a very special and fabulous cruise, we really enjoyed and appreciated the wonderful and caring crew. Each and every one of them were so friendly and knowledgeable.
We loved the lectures educating us about Antarctica. The entertainment was awesome also. Everything about the whole experience.

Our recent voyage Bali, Indonesia to Singapore aboard Le Soléal was quite simply outstanding and truly one of THE most memorable travel experiences we have ever had.

From the moment we stepped on board, the staff set the tone. Every member of the crew was professional, warm and genuinely attentive with that rare ability to make you feel both cared for and completely at ease.
Nothing ever felt forced or scripted. It was thoughtful service, delivered with pride and personality and it really was the obvious extremely high staff training and service standards that sets PONANT apart from other operators.

Le Soléal itself is beautifully designed. Elegant, calm and immaculately maintained. She strikes the perfect balance between luxury and expedition. Never feels crowded and there is always a quiet space to retreat to.
whether that is on deck watching the islands drift by or enjoying the understated comfort of the public areas

The food deserves special mention. Every meal was consistently excellent, with a level of quality and variety that genuinely surprised us. From beautifully prepared local flavours to classic favourites done exceptionally well, dining on board became something we looked forward to every day. A special shout-out goes to Dewar and Vidi in the Deck 2 restaurant.

The absolute highlight of the voyage was the hike to Krakatoa. Standing on such a powerful and historically significant landscape was deeply moving. It perfectly captured what expedition cruising is all about. Can't wait for the next one!

I would have to work hard to offer any advice how to improve your cruise

Great ship and crew. Wonderful experience. The only downside was that we didn’t make it to the Emperor Penguin colony

We are doing one of the supposedly most luxurious cruises with Ponant in Indonesian Islands and Timor. Most of the things they promised in their brochure are untrue!
Food: Leaves a lot to ask for. We - and several other customesrs- kept sending back uncooked meats, or overcooked. Tastless veggies, terrible pasties- even they cannot fix right the one thing French are allegedly proud of: croissants... Dry to the bone.
Internet: What is that?" Our headquarter guys left for vacation and they changed the system so we wait for them to fix it in Marseille..." So after an abysmal 2-3 day internet connection was hardly any. It is supposed to be satellite connection. And they advertise it.
Excursions: This is basically why they got some stars. They got good organisation on some interesting excursions in the region.
Entertainment: So lala.

Fantastic cruise. All aspects of this cruise were sublime. From the food to the wines to the excursions off ship . We had wonderful naturalists and scientists giving lectures daily and usually wildlife to see. Staff were amazing, personable and efficient. A wonderful experience in a truly remarkable place.

Great itinerary and ship, but later night entertainment was disappointing.

Great service, great food, fantastic staff. Suites were superb and staff very efficient in cleaning. Nothing was too much trouble.
We especially want to recognise the Captain who was fantastic… thank you for an amazing expedition.

Ponant provides a great experience that is value for money . I have recommend to many friends and have already booked my next cruise

Outstanding experience on LAustrial. Even better than my last 6* (ultra luxury) cruise to Antartica on another cruise line. There are comments about language (French/ English) being a concern. I did not experience any issues as it was handled well for both languages with most longer lectures separated by speaker so only one language was used.

we loved the itinerary of this cruise and as usual Ponant provided us with a fantastic service. Best food ever ! we really value Ponant human size boats (180 passengers) which allow to meet people and even make new friendships on board. Passengers are more and more international, which is great.

Excellent crew, great food, wonderful bartenders and libations. What more could one want?

The staff aboard the ship were fantastic and could not have been more helpful. The scenery of the Kimberly's is second to none and the zodiac trips ashore were amazing.

As fine a small ship experience as there is today.

We have just returned from a Ponant cruise to Raja Ampat and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, everything was exceptional.
Raja Ampat is one of the most breathtaking places we have ever visited. The combination of remote islands, crystal-clear waters, and pristine coral reefs felt like stepping into another world. Each stop offered something unique—whether it was snorkeling among vibrant marine life, kayaking in hidden lagoons, or simply taking in the untouched beauty of the landscape. And some where wholly new destinations for the Crew as well!
Ponant delivered comfort and elegance at every level.
The crew went above and beyond in every interaction. Their warmth, professionalism, and genuine care made us feel at home from the moment we stepped on board. Service was seamless, every detail seemed anticipated before we even had to ask.
The food was consistently outstanding, with menus that showcased both international flavours and local inspiration. Every meal felt like an occasion, and the dining team managed to make each experience personal and memorable.
The expedition team was knowledgeable, passionate, and safety-focused, ensuring every excursion was enriching as well as enjoyable. Their deep expertise brought the region to life, helping us appreciate not just the beauty, but also the cultural and ecological significance of Raja Ampat.

A fabulous experience with amazing guides. The ships crew were excellent, the staterooms were very well equipped and the food was fantastic.

Cruise was very pleasant, relaxing, the staff was kind and attentive, the food excellent. Croatia is beautiful

The staff are friendly and professional. The food extremely tasty and much choice. This is the best cruising experience I have ever had. The attention to detail and safety is outstanding. Highly recommended.