Compagnie du Ponant

Hello. We're heading out next week on a cruise aboard Compagnie du Ponant's new Soleal. The Marseilles, France-based cruise line -- and this was interesting to us -- offers a French atmosphere onboard but we're told the line attracts quite a large English speaking passenger base. We'll see :)

Do you have any questions we can answer about the line? Note, too, that you can book it via travel agents and also via the Connecticut-based Tauck, which you might be aware of (this American tour operator is well known for well-heeled travel, especially on Europe's rivers).

We'll be reporting from our cruise in the next two weeks, depending of course on Internet connectivity. So please drop a note here if you have questions.

Thanks.

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

Hello. We're heading out next week on a cruise aboard Compagnie du Ponant's new Soleal. The Marseilles, France-based cruise line -- and this was interesting to us -- offers a French atmosphere onboard but we're told the line attracts quite a large English speaking passenger base. We'll see :)

Do you have any questions we can answer about the line? Note, too, that you can book it via travel agents and also via the Connecticut-based Tauck, which you might be aware of (this American tour operator is well known for well-heeled travel, especially on Europe's rivers).

We'l be reporting from our cruise in the next two weeks, depending of course on Internet connectivity. So please drop a note here if you have questions.

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

does this ship cruise Antarctica? If so, interested in its suitability for arctic cruising, tenders, etc. Thanks.

Bon Voyage, Carolyn

Thank you for doing this. We are on Le Boreal in January and while I know it will be great would have liked to have found more info on the cruise line and ship. Would be interested to know of any unique things that this cruise line does. It seems that dinner on the ships start around 7pm (which is late for us) so would like to know what room service is like for evenings and morning coffee.

It will be great to get some feedback on this ship, have a great cruise.

A lovely looking new ship , and we have looked at a number of itineraries.

We do have some concerns about language issues.. both with the crew and the passengers in general , so some info about this would be good.

Hi, Marion. This ship doesn't go to Antarctica but Austral and Boreal do....

Carolyn

does this ship cruise Antarctica? If so, interested in its suitability for arctic cruising, tenders, etc. Thanks.

Bon Voyage, Carolyn

Hi, TGH. We're told that something like 80 percent of travelers hail from English speaking countries -- will let you know....

Carolyn

It will be great to get some feedback on this ship, have a great cruise.

A lovely looking new ship , and we have looked at a number of itineraries.

We do have some concerns about language issues.. both with the crew and the passengers in general , so some info about this would be good.

I'll post some impressions, mj_holiday, here and on our Cruise Critic Facebook page (facebook.com/cruisecritic), Internet permitting!

Carolyn

Thank you for doing this. We are on Le Boreal in January and while I know it will be great would have liked to have found more info on the cruise line and ship. Would be interested to know of any unique things that this cruise line does. It seems that dinner on the ships start around 7pm (which is late for us) so would like to know what room service is like for evenings and morning coffee.

Hi, TGH. We're told that something like 80 percent of travelers hail from English speaking countries -- will let you know....

 

 

Carolyn

We did not find this to be the case in December 2011 when we sailed on a 10 night Antarctic cruise aboard L'Austral. Even with a Tauck group on-board, I think 50% or so of the passengers were French. The crew spoke English to varying degrees - from fluent to pretty broken. Even so, they all spoke more English than I spoke French - LOL!

We had a wonderful trip, loved the food (me more than my DGF), and would sail with them again in a heartbeat.

Have fun.

Thanks, Mike. I'll let you know what we find! Boarding tomorrow....

Carolyn

We did not find this to be the case in December 2011 when we sailed on a 10 night Antarctic cruise aboard L'Austral. Even with a Tauck group on-board, I think 50% or so of the passengers were French. The crew spoke English to varying degrees - from fluent to pretty broken. Even so, they all spoke more English than I spoke French - LOL!

 

We had a wonderful trip, loved the food (me more than my DGF), and would sail with them again in a heartbeat.

 

Have fun.

Now on day two of our Singapore to Bali cruise on Ponant’s Le Soleal, there are four quick impressions to share with you:

*The ship, which carries only 264 passengers, is beautiful, simple, elegant and, best of all – feels like a ship. It’s brand spanking new but somehow manages to evoke a sort of 1940s glamour. It’s pretty.

*Le Soleal is a hybrid: Part very comfortable cruise ship part expedition vessel. Obviously, measuring only 11,000 tons, Le Boreal can get into a lot of places where larger ships, even larger luxury ships, can’t go. It’s got a fleet of zodiacs on the upper deck which are lowered to take us to even more remote locales.

So for instance, today’s a “sea” day with the highlight being, at least I assumed, a sailing past the volcanic island of Krakatoa. Indeed, we did sail around it and the captain put down the anchor for photo opportunities, but the crew went beyond that. Just as someone said “tea time!” we noticed the zodiacs were being lowered, we were encouraged to don hiking shoes and wear bathing suits, and then were taken to the island, where most of us climbed up the famed volcanic island (it last erupted seven months ago!), finishing the impromptu excursion with a swim in the Pacific. Nice. Memorable. A huge wow.

But the ship also has most of the usual cruise amenities we’ve all come to expect – spa, gym, several lounges and eateries, Internet terminals (and stem-to-stern WiFi that works pretty well), observation platforms, a pool off the aft. The only things it doesn’t have: a casino and, at the moment, access to any television stations at all (no BBC, etc.). Haven’t missed ‘em.

More to come tomorrow.... And Mike and others, if you've been, please feel free to add your commentary to this!

Carolyn

Now on day two of our Singapore to Bali cruise on Ponant’s Le Soleal, there are four quick impressions to share with you:

 

*The ship, which carries only 264 passengers, is beautiful, simple, elegant and, best of all – feels like a ship. It’s brand spanking new but somehow manages to evoke a sort of 1940s glamour. It’s pretty.

 

*Le Soleal is a hybrid: Part very comfortable cruise ship part expedition vessel. Obviously, measuring only 11,000 tons, Le Boreal can get into a lot of places where larger ships, even larger luxury ships, can’t go. It’s got a fleet of zodiacs on the upper deck which are lowered to take us to even more remote locales.

 

So for instance, today’s a “sea” day with the highlight being, at least I assumed, a sailing past the volcanic island of Krakatoa. Indeed, we did sail around it and the captain put down the anchor for photo opportunities, but the crew went beyond that. Just as someone said “tea time!” we noticed the zodiacs were being lowered, we were encouraged to don hiking shoes and wear bathing suits, and then were taken to the island, where most of us climbed up the famed volcanic island (it last erupted seven months ago!), finishing the impromptu excursion with a swim in the Pacific. Nice. Memorable. A huge wow.

 

But the ship also has most of the usual cruise amenities we’ve all come to expect – spa, gym, several lounges and eateries, Internet terminals (and stem-to-stern WiFi that works pretty well), observation platforms, a pool off the aft. The only things it doesn’t have: a casino and, at the moment, access to any television stations at all (no BBC, etc.). Haven’t missed ‘em.

 

More to come tomorrow.... And Mike and others, if you've been, please feel free to add your commentary to this!

 

Carolyn

We had one (I think it was at Neko Harbor) during the middle of dinner in the Antarctic. It was the third excursion of the day. Another day (I think it was in the Weddel Sea) we slowed to a stop and made a landing on an ice floe with a single little penguin on it. We stayed far away from him, but he finally had too much company and jumped in and swam away. Those experiences might be something they do on a regular basis, but they were unexpected and special.

We have now asked for a detailed quote for KL to Colombo in march and also the btob option of sailing on to Oman.

We are also looking at the Silver Discoverer, but no amount of brand loyalty will see us pay the kind of rates SS are quoting at the moment.

I have sooo many questions...:)

How many passengers on this cruise ?

Demographic percentages?

Compared to Silversea/Seabourn ?

That was exactly what was so cool about the Krakatoa expeirence, Mike2131 -- that it was unexpected and special. We weren't told in advance because so much depended on perfect weather, Indonesian authorities' willingness to let us in, etc.!

Carolyn

We had one (I think it was at Neko Harbor) during the middle of dinner in the Antarctic. It was the third excursion of the day. Another day (I think it was in the Weddel Sea) we slowed to a stop and made a landing on an ice floe with a single little penguin on it. We stayed far away from him, but he finally had too much company and jumped in and swam away. Those experiences might be something they do on a regular basis, but they were unexpected and special.

That is so cool, tgh!

One thing to note is that the line is massively investing in serving Australians (there's one on our trip, a lovely lady from Melbourne); it's hired Sarina Bratton, who used to run Orion Expeditions, to develop the market in Oz, so that's good for all.

Okay, on to questions:

*For the three nearly identical ships of Austral, Boreal and Soleal, the max passenger count is 246. We're not full but I'd guess about 200. It's just enough to feel cozy and yet there's always someone you hadn't met.

*Demographic. Ages on this cruise skew slightly older (mostly retirees) but I've gotta say, when we beached at Krakatoa yesterday, it looked everyone made the steep hike up the mountain. So an active group. Most are from France; there's a handful of English speakers from Oz, Germany (!), the UK and US, with one fellow who hails from Helsinki (laughing, it's my husband, he's often the token Finn when we cruise).

*I note in a future post (you'll see it below) that this doesn't feel much like Seabourn or Silversea (both of which I've done); it's more like SeaDream and Windstar (which I've really loved).

Keep us posted on what you decide to do!

Carolyn

We have now asked for a detailed quote for KL to Colombo in march and also the btob option of sailing on to Oman.

 

We are also looking at the Silver Discoverer, but no amount of brand loyalty will see us pay the kind of rates SS are quoting at the moment.

 

 

I have sooo many questions...:)

 

How many passengers on this cruise ?

Demographic percentages?

Compared to Silversea/Seabourn ?

*This is a French ship, with a French flag. French is the primary language and most of the passengers are from France. But English is spoken widely (among both passengers and ship staffers and crew). Lectures, tours and announcements are given in both languages. The television has movies on demand in German, as well as English and French. Entertainment at night is low key; last night a pianist played, beautifully, classical music. Tonight’s a dance performance. Both styles of entertainment transcend language barriers.

And passengers seem very friendly, whatever the language you speak. As an English speaker, I will say I hope my French skills improve as a result of the cruise! And we’ve been made to feel very welcome.

*What other lines are comparable to Compagnie du Ponant? I’d say this experience is most similar to SeaDream Yacht Club and Windstar, which we’ve loved for their small ship cruises with a nautical ambience, and which also have excellent food and service. It’s a luxury experience but it’s a relaxed version, low-key.

So far, it’s been just fantastic….

Will keep you posted and please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Carolyn

*This is a French ship, with a French flag. French is the primary language and most of the passengers are from France. But English is spoken widely (among both passengers and ship staffers and crew). Lectures, tours and announcements are given in both languages. The television has movies on demand in German, as well as English and French. Entertainment at night is low key; last night a pianist played, beautifully, classical music. Tonight’s a dance performance. Both styles of entertainment transcend language barriers.

 

And passengers seem very friendly, whatever the language you speak. As an English speaker, I will say I hope my French skills improve as a result of the cruise! And we’ve been made to feel very welcome.

 

*What other lines are comparable to Compagnie du Ponant? I’d say this experience is most similar to SeaDream Yacht Club and Windstar, which we’ve loved for their small ship cruises with a nautical ambience, and which also have excellent food and service. It’s a luxury experience but it’s a relaxed version, low-key.

 

So far, it’s been just fantastic….

 

Will keep you posted and please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

 

Carolyn

Glad you are having a great time. I look forward to more updates.

Having studied Soleal’s deckplans before we departed from our trip, we wondered if the size of the cabins was a typo (most are between 200 – 226 square ft., which is pretty small for a luxury ship). It wasn’t. If size matters, you definitely want to book “up”. The deluxe suite (290 sq. ft, not including balcony) and the owner’s suite (484 sq. ft, again, balcony is additional) are the largest. We’re in a prestige suite (398 sq. feet) which essentially is two prestige staterooms with an opening between them, and it’s lovely (one is a bedroom, the other is a living room – with couch that turns into bed for third person, a dining table and additional bathroom).

We’d have been perfectly happy, however, in just the stateroom (though love the extra space) and here’s why: The bed is one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. The décor, cream, beige and brown, is streamlined and clean, not the least bit fussy or busy, so calming. It feels like a mix between yacht-style and Scandinavian (but not IKEA!). Lighting is lovely (adore the wide, round white lamp). The balconies are not deep but the furniture’s comfortable (two mesh chairs, small table). Everybody gets a mini-fridge which is stocked every day with whatever beverages you ask for.

Most bathrooms are shower-only (our bedroom has an actual tub. It’s a tub for very small people but a tub’s a tub!). They have a glass wall that lets you look out into the cabin (and out at sea) but you can easily draw a door across for privacy. It’s a little weird that the toilet has its own (very small, kind of claustrophobic) cubby. Storage: Good. There’s a clock radio with an iPhone charger (4, not 5).

The only thing that hits an off note is the television. It’s clearly state-of-the-art flat-screen but it’s complicated. For some reason we don’t have any broadcast channels (haven’t minded that so much as we bought an Internet package and are keeping in touch that way – Internet works really well for a ship, by the way), but still…. There’s 40 movies in English but the selection’s sort of blah.

Back to size: This ship reminds me so much of a new version of Windstar’s Wind Surf (which we absolutely love) without the sails, of course. Wind Surf has a similar double-wide suite configuration. I’ve stayed in the regular cabins at half the size, and I’ve stayed in one of the suites, and I had a blast on both cruises.

Same here.

CSB

Hi, moving any further discussion over to this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1952372

Please come join us there!

Carolyn