Seychelles

[Lukec]

Anybody cruised to Seychelles with Ponant since cruising resumed last month?

[AussieBoyTX]

We will be there shortly. What would you like to know?

[Lukec]

Just about your experience and whether travel restrictions or health protocols affected the trip. If you would recommend it or not.

[AussieBoyTX]

I'll create a thread and leave updates next week.

 

In the meantime, Seychelles & Ponant require PCR tests to enter the country and board the ship. Fortunately, we have one-day turnaround on PCR tests now, so that won't be an issue.

I have seen some people in French-language forums posting pictures from Le Bellot this week and the views are certainly spectacular.

[Gil3]

Hi!

We're just back from the 12 day cruise "Secret Islands of the Seychelles". It was a very nice cruise. We had nice weather in general but had to skip Astove because of bad weather coming from Madagascar. It was replaced by 2 landings the morning on Anse Lazio, a stunning beach on Praslin island and in the afternoon a landing on the island of Grande Soeur.

Generally speaking, the expedition team, the captain and the crew did their best to allow us on land even in some very windy conditions.

We had 2 nice snorkelings from the zodiacs in Poivre and in Rémire.

Be prepared for wet landings, sometimes in very choppy seas and you will sometimes be drenched in the zodiac.

We had a very rainy day when disembarking the ship in Mahe. It was the beginning of the monsoon season, the locals told us.

Regarding the ship, she is very nice, the crew was wonderful, always eager to please, smiling and efficient.

The food was very good (but we're french, so it matches our tastes) the bread was really delicious.

We also had a bunch of moaning passengers on board but in our views, there was nothing to moan about, so we just ignored them.

We had to be tested for Covid 72h before boarding. Then we had an antigenic test on board ( free).

Ponant also organised a PCR test on board the day before we disembarked when the french governement announced that we had to be tested 48h before re entry when coming from outside EU. This test costed 145 euros pp and was delivered by a local lab.

On board, you have to wear masks when you circulate or when queuing but you can remove it when seated, even in the theater. You don't have to wear them on board the zodiacs but it's mandatory in the tender.

 

Hope it helps

 

Valérie

Edited December 10, 2021 by Gil3

[Lukec]

Thanks Valerie. That sounds like an awesome trip.