Ponant – new name, new sales opportunities

FRENCH boutique cruise
company Ponant Yacht
Cruises & Expeditions not
only has a new name, but a
new ship and destinations to
offer the SA market.
The company, previously
known as Compagnie
du Ponant, rebranded in
September to highlight its
boutique luxury product and
unique selling points, says
international sales director,
Stephen Winter.
Ponant will launch a new
ship, Le Lyrial, in April,
expanding its fleet, which
currently comprises Le Ponant
(the company’s original
luxury yacht, built in 1991),
Le Boreal, L’Austral and Le
Soleal, to five vessels. “We’re
using first-generation green
ships, on which everything is
recycled,” Stephen adds.
Ponant sails to a number of
unique destinations, with new
offerings this year including
Alaska and the South Pacific
islands (Easter Island, Tahiti
and New Caledonia).
The locations the ships can
access are a big draw card,
says Stephen. “In Antarctica,
we are able to organise 100
people to go on to the ice at
a time. On a large ship, that
means a good deal of waiting
but we have 264 passengers
at most, so the turnaround is
much faster.
“Themed cruises are also
doing well and we’re seeing
an increase in ships being
hired for events by clubs and
associations. People want
more than the old-fashioned
model of having drinks
around the pool,” he says.
Ponant is considering
South Africa as a possible
destination, with Cape Town
as a stopover on its Antarctic
cruises before heading
back to Europe via Senegal,
Stephen says.
Development Promotions,
which represents Ponant in
SA, offers Agent Rewards, an
online incentive programme
for SA travel agents. “We also
have a programme where
the agent is guaranteed
commission if a customer
they’ve sent us books a
second trip with us directly
through our on-board
reservation offices. Agents
who would like to experience
the product, also have access
to specials of up to 75%
off sailings depending on
availability,” says Stephen.