How does Ponant compare to SS Expedition cruises?

[Aussieflyer]

12 hours ago, TrulyBlonde said:

Hi again. Final note: If you are prepared to be in a Maytag washing machine for 8 sea days, go for it! It is Hit or Miss when you visit S. Georgia and Antarctica.

 

After having visited most of the World, we much prefer floating around the South of France and Amalfi Coast. 

 

;-))

Really? You prefer the Med? We loved Antarctica and yes it was rough at times, but we don't mind that. Never sea sick though quite a few on board were and we saw a lot with patches. 

The landscape and the penguins were amazing. We weren't in high whale season but friends who went a couple of months later saw lots. South Georgia was such a special place to visit as well as the peninsula so we are very glad we chose an itinerary that included it.

 

[drron29]

Absolutely agree Aussieflyer.It is worth putting up with the rough seas.As you say South georgia is special.Unfortunately not every cruise can get there.We missed Tristan da Cunha because of a force 12 gale.Disappointed but still glad I went.

[Fletcher]

On 10/18/2019 at 11:45 PM, drron29 said:

Absolutely agree Aussieflyer.It is worth putting up with the rough seas.As you say South georgia is special.Unfortunately not every cruise can get there.We missed Tristan da Cunha because of a force 12 gale.Disappointed but still glad I went.

 

I believe great efforts have been made at Tristan to improve the little landing jetty by deepening the channel that leads to it.  Not sure when you tried to get there, drron, but the chances are better than they once were.  Seabourn even successfully launched tenders last year.  Normally it's just zodiacs that attempt it. 

 

There was a major hurricane/storm a few months ago which destroyed much of the island's minimal infrastructure, including the visitors' centre. 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2019 by Fletcher

[drron29]

It was in a Force 12 gale when we sailed past.wasn't going to happen.

[Aussieflyer]

On 10/19/2019 at 9:45 AM, drron29 said:

Absolutely agree Aussieflyer.It is worth putting up with the rough seas.As you say South georgia is special.Unfortunately not every cruise can get there.We missed Tristan da Cunha because of a force 12 gale.Disappointed but still glad I went.

I think that might be you drron - Love_the_life here 😀

Just booking a Silver Muse cruise for over Christmas.

Edited October 25, 2019 by Aussieflyer

[drron29]

It sure is me LTL.A small world.

[ging466]

Hi JP

 

I've got 3 Ponant trips booked during the next 12 months. I booked them purely for the itinerary and I'm not expecting them to be as good as SS. They are also giving me a better single supplement than SS so I'm keen to try them out. 

 

Cheers

Jennifer

[jpalbny]

Thanks, Jennifer! 

 

We are booked on a November 2020 trip from Singapore to Darwin, excited to try them as well!

[Fletcher]

I was about to book a second Ponant trip - on the Dumont D'Urville from Martinique to Dakar via the Amazon.  Not only have we decided not to go ahead  we have also cancelled our Ponant trip to the South Pacific.  Lots of reasons (mainly the flights through LAX are a total nightmare prospect) but also several Ponant-specific reasons, principally their smoking policy which allows smoking anywhere on the outside decks, including adjacent to restaurants.  I just can't tolerate that, especially not on a small ship like the otherwise stunning-looking Dumont d'Urville.

Edited December 3, 2019 by Fletcher

[tgh]

I am about to "sea test" Coral adventurer, one of two new ships with  au operator , Coral Expeditions.

Specialising in the au coast, Papua east and west ,the adjacent Indonesian islands and the Indian Ocean.

Reports suggest a well run operation with a minima of waffle and a maxima of adventure

 We shall soon see….

[rojaan19]

On 10/25/2019 at 5:31 PM, Aussieflyer said:

I think that might be you drron - Love_the_life here 😀

Just booking a Silver Muse cruise for over Christmas.

LTL - we LOVED the Muse - you will have a great time !  Make sure you try all the restaurants.   (mrs.dr.ron) 

[Aussieflyer]

On 12/5/2019 at 5:32 PM, rojaan19 said:

LTL - we LOVED the Muse - you will have a great time !  Make sure you try all the restaurants.   (mrs.dr.ron) 

And you too 😀It's a small world.

 

Back on topic. We have been looking at Ponant for a Russian Far East. expedition cruise - the very small cabin is putting us off  a bit but it is a much cheaper price than SS. Part of us says, cheaper means more travel opportunities, another part is not quite so sure. 😀