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Luxury Expedition - PONANT´s LE LAPÉROUSE

LE LAPÉROUSE is the first of COMPAGNIE DU PONANT's (pronounciation) Explorer-Class expedition ships. PONANT recently anounced another two vessels to be added to the new luxury expedition class vessels. LE LAPÉROUSE is named for French explorer Jean-Francois de La Perouse. Several other ships in the new class are also named for famous French explorers, cartographers or navigators: LE CHAMPLAIN for Samuel de Champlain, LE BOUGAINVILLE for Louis-Antoine de Bougainville the famous French endeavorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville, who conducted a world circumnavigation on board the frigate LA BOUDEUSE 1766 till 1769, and believed to have found on this journey `paradise on earth´, New Cythera (Île de la Nouvelle Cythère), as the Admiral and Comte titled Tahiti et ses îles. Further LE DUMONT-d´URVILLE (originally planned to be named LE KERGUELEN) for Le Dumont-d’Urville. And the last announced vessels - LE BELLOT and LE SURVILLE.
by Earl of Cruise

LE LAPÉROUSE - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
The ships are part of PONANT's investment in small expedition vessels and the first real luxury ice breaker that can sail the Polar Regions as well as the rest of the world. This investment follows after the acquisition by GROUPE ARTÉMIS (in German, French). ARTÉMIS is a French holding company owned by François-Henri Pinault. ARTÉMIS owns the fine arts auction house Christie's, winery Château Latour, Le Point, Stade Rennais F.C., and Théâtre Marigny. It is also the controlling shareholder of the luxury-goods conglomerate Kering, which includes the brands Gucci, Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga.

Deckplan of LE LAPÉROUSE Class - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT

All new ships are accommodating 184 passengers in 92 cabins, the six ships will feature a reinforced hull for polar exploration, stabilizers, five passenger decks, a fleet of Zodiacs for excursions and transfers, an infinity pool, an aft marina for sun worshipping and water sports, and an 188-seat theater. Each ship will have 88 balcony staterooms and four suites with bay windows and expansive private terraces.

LE LAPÉROUSE at VARD (Wikipedia is offering only German, Norsk or Svenska) in Romania - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT

LE LAPÉROUSE sat sail in June 2018. (Le Champlain follows in September 2018, with LE BOUGAINVILLE and LE DUMONT d’URVILLE launching in summer 2019.) Inaugural voyages will include seven- and eight-night itineraries in Iceland (including a circumnavigation of Iceland) and Norway.
All ships are built in Romania, where the steel construction is far cheaper, and outfitted in Norway at VARD. This enables the use of the Norwegian GIEK Found financing and eventually getting founds from the Norwegian NOX Founds, depending on carbon footprint avoiding technologies.
Rendering of LE BOUGAINVILLE - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
The sleek ships feature a clean and sophisticated design - the superstructure seems to follow an arch. The elegant yacht styled LE LAPÉROUSE offer a subtle blend of sophistication, with no superlative crying vulgar interior design, combined with comfort, creating the feeling of being aboard a private yacht. All ships will be equipped with a multi-sensory underwater space, called `Blue Eye´, as with coming next LE BOUGAINVILLE, LE CHAMPLAIN and the other vessels.
This novelty makes you feel like being Captain Nemo or Dr. No in their huge submarine or under water appartment, and it will be so much more than only having under water cameras, that enables to see what is going on under the surface. It is a most spectacular life show, of a planet we tend to forget - our sea. 2/3s of our planet is covered by water, but we know more about the moon´s surface, than about our seas ... scientists believe, we have discovered only 5% of the existing sppecies, but 95% we still don´t know. And we throw our waste in the oceans as if we don´t have anything to do with it.
The `Blue Eye´Lounge on board the new PONANT expedition cruise vessels - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
LE LAPÉROUSE Class Sauna - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
After a day of exploration, you can return to the ship’s spacious and luxurious surroundings and enjoy high quality cuisine with the added advantage of an open bar. Staterooms and suites are located over four decks, and all feature balconies. Public areas include two restaurants, a lecture theatre, a swimming pool, a shop, two lounge bars, a spa and fitness centre.
A standout of the Explorer-class ships is an aft water sports marina on Deck 3, which allows passengers to swim off the back of the ship when the conditions are right, or to explore via a kayak or paddleboard. This deck also features an infinity pool. It's got a counter-current swimming system and transparent wall so anyone lounging on the marina's sun deck will be able to see you.

The Marina on board the new PONANT expedition cruise vessels - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
Staterooms and suites are spread over four decks and include deluxe and prestige staterooms, both of which measure 19 square metres, deluxe suites which measure 27.5 square metres, privilege suites which measure 32 square metres, prestige suites which measure 38 square metres and grand deluxe suites and the magnificent owner’s suite, both of which measure 45 square metres. All staterooms and suites feature a private balcony ranging in size from 4 to 30 square metres dependent on cabin category. The owner’s suite also boasts a private hot tub. All staterooms and suites feature en-suite facilities, individually controlled air-conditioning, desk with stationery, minibar, flat screen satellite television, video on demand and I-pods. A security safe, hairdryer, direct dial telephone, Wi-Fi internet access, bathrobes and French bath products are also provided.

 De Luxe Cabin and Suite - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
De Luxe Cabin
Suite
 
Video - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
Whether you want to join other guests in one of the bars or to relax on your own in a quiet corner of the ship, LE LAPÉROUSE Class has been designed to meet the needs of every guest. On Deck 3 you will find the reception desk, shop and large lecture theatre. The Main Lounge leads out to the Grill Restaurant and pool with loungers and chairs. Leading down to Deck 2 there is a hydraulic platform, with adjustable height, which provides ease when embarking and disembarking the Zodiacs. Deck 4 features the Panoramic Restaurant, and on Deck 6 you will find the Panoramic Lounge offering fantastic views. Deck 7 houses the spa area which includes a massage facility, a hammam, a hairdresser and fitness room.
To design the Explorer ships, PONANT partnered with sailing expert Olivier de Kersauson. Special adviser for the new-builds, he has won awards for the fastest circumnavigation of the world via yacht and has sailed around Cape Horn seven times. Norwegian company VARD HOLDINGS Limited, of which Fincantieri owns a stake, is building the vessels.

Main Lobby - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
Explorer Bar - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
Explorer Lounge - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
Theatre - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
Main Lounge - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT

Main Lounge - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
Main Dining Room - courtesy COMPAGNIE DU PONANT
The restaurants aboard LE LAPÉROUSE feature French-inspired cuisine with menus designed in partnership with Ducasse Conseil, a company headed by famed chef Alain Ducasse. The main panoramic Restaurant, on Deck 4 aft, accommodates all passengers in one sitting - a must for 5 star rating - and features a buffet with salads, cheese and sweets, along with a la carte entrees served by waiters. The second dining venue is on Deck 3 and is more relaxed, seating just 70 people. The all-day dining menu focuses on grilled meats, salads and desserts. Some meals are created for US American tastes - Hamburgers ...
Aboard LE LAPÉROUSE Class ships, the atmosphere is akin to being on your own private yacht. The independence and space of each guest has been considered in the design of the vessel and therefore you will find plenty of places to sit and relax in solitude, as well as areas for social gatherings and to meet fellow guests. The Captain, his officers and the hotel management are European and all crew members are fully bilingual.

LE BOUGAINVILLE meets the highest safety specifications and the crew of 110 will ensure the best possible service. The ship is equipped with state of the art technology. There is also a doctor on board and lifts that serve all decks.

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