travel42 Cruise Line Overview: Ponant

travel42 Professional Cruise Line Review

Initially started by two French merchant-marine officers in 1988, the large French container line CMA-CGM now owns the majority interest in Ponant Cruises and its fleet of small cruise ships taking between 64 and 264 passengers. In the North American markets, the ships' ideal size makes them attractive to full-ship charters catering to both individuals and affinity groups. At other times, the passenger list is heavily French speaking. Flying the French flag, the ships offer a distinctive French flavor and classic French cuisine, something now very rare in the cruise industry since the demise of the major French shipping lines such as Paquet and the venerable French Line..