Compagnie du Ponant Launches Summer Arctic Cruises for 2014

ACCESS TREASURES OF THE WORLD BY SEA

Unveiling outstanding destinations where shimmering icebergs float in muffled silence, the Arctic Collection showcases Compagnie du Ponant’s long experience in sailing the Great North.

Aboard LE BORÉAL and L’AUSTRAL (two luxury yachts with 132 staterooms and suites), guests can enjoy exclusive access to remote and outstanding locations thanks to the small size and technical prowess of this latest generation of ships, specifically designed for Polar cruises. Compagnie du Ponant offers guests a unique five-star expedition concept and a true adventure in the company of renowned experts on the Great North. Compagnie du Ponant appeals to all with the soul of an adventurer wishing to experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the Pole.

New additions to the program for 2014 include the Northwest Passage crossing to Alaska and the White Sea, the gateway to Russia’s Far North, as well as the East Fjords of Iceland.

SPECIALISTS IN THE POLES FOR 11 YEARS

With 11 years of experience in the Arctic and as a leader in Antarctic cruises, Compagnie du Ponant is well-known as the specialist in the Poles. Designed and engineered for polar cruises, LE BORÉAL and L’AUSTRAL offer fascinating and unusual experiences beyond the Arctic Circle.

Both vessels have the “ice” classification, meeting clearly defined international criteria and, in terms of safety equipment, are at the forefront of technology. Stable and quiet, both were awarded Comfort 1 certification by Bureau Veritas.

On each sailing, passengers will be accompanied by captains who are highly trained to navigate these extreme zones and a team of bi-lingual Arctic experts: naturalists, guides or lecturers, all specialists in the Great North and willing to share their knowledge, experience and passion for this exceptional region of the globe.



RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Respecting the environment is a priority for Compagnie du Ponant, a member of the Charte Bleue d’Armateurs de France. From the design of the ships, which earned the international CLEANSHIP label, to the shore excursions, every care has been taken to reduce the impact on the environment – from “green” equipment and eco-friendly hull coatings to raising awareness among passengers and crew, and respecting local people.

FIVE-STAR EXPEDITION

Compagnie du Ponant offers the promise of rare and privileged moments, a chance to live an adventure in five-star comfort. With 132 stylish staterooms and suites, LE BORÉAL and L’AUSTRAL provide a unique environment, a combination of elegance, supreme comfort and well-being.

The ambiance on board is of understated luxury, warm and welcoming, with exceptional service, gourmet cuisine and great wellness offerings with Spas Sothys™. With large open outdoor areas, passengers on board Compagnie du Ponant’s yachts have the opportunity to really live and breathe the lives of this icy world. From taking part in the daily life of the crew, having access to the bridge to going on regular Zodiac® outings in small groups, everything is designed to provide a polar experience that is as close to nature as possible.

THE ARCTIC EXPERIENCE

THE WHITE SEA

On the edge of the Arctic Circle, beyond the northern point of Norway, L’AUSTRAL embarks on a whole new adventure deep into the isolated territories of Russia’s Far North, which were closed to foreigners until 1991. Scheduled for early June when nature awakens after a long hard winter, this exceptional cruise will sail among the North Cape islands and along the shores of the Kola Peninsula. Covering nearly 100,000 km2, this wilderness of tundra, forests, lakes and rivers is austere and yet strikingly beautiful; the perfect spot to see the midnight sun. Passengers will then discover the White Sea coast in the Russian Arctic, including the Solovetsky Islands, a desolate archipelago carpeted in black pine forests which is home to one of the most beautiful Russian Orthodox monasteries, and the city of Arkhangelsk.

Tromsø - Kirkenes (12 days / 11 nights) - Depart 4 June 2014 - From USD $6620 per person (direct flights included)

SPITSBERGEN & ICELAND

This new itinerary linking Kirkenes to Longyearbyen on L’AUSTRAL will include five whole days in Spitsbergen, final stop before the North Pole. In the heart of this great white desert of rugged peaks where the omnipresent light blurs the boundaries between day and night, days at sea are interspersed with Zodiac® outings to explore this polar universe and sneak a peek at polar bears, reindeer and seals at dawn.

Kirkenes - Longyearbyen (8 days / 7 nights) - Depart 15 June 2014 - From USD $5621 per person (direct flights included)

GREENLAND & THE BAFFIN SEA

This cruise on LE BORÉAL to the heart of the Great Canadian North is a chance to explore all aspects of this magnificent region of protected natural areas and to see the northern lights – plus, whale watching in the Baffin Sea and Saint Lawrence, discovering Akpatok Island (home to polar bears) and Percé Rock (gannet colony), as well as visiting the colorful Greenlandic and Quebecois villages, sailing up the Saguenay fjord, and touring Quebec City’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kangerlussuaq - Quebec (15 days / 14 nights) - Depart 4 Sept. 2014 - From USD $8922 per person (direct flights included)

NORTHWEST PASSAGE

For this second edition, the Northwest Passage crossing will leave from Greenland on a voyage that has fired the imaginations of generations of sailors and adventurers over the centuries. The last section of this legendary itinerary is along the Alaskan coast to Nome.

Kangerlussuaq - Nome (22 days / 21 nights) - Depart 26 August 2014 - From USD $15147 per person (direct flights included)

KAMTCHATKA & THE KURILES

From Nome in Alaska, L’AUSTRAL sets sail for the wild landscapes of the almost forgotten Kamtchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East. This volcanic region is spectacular and home to a diverse and abundant wildlife, such as Steller’s sea lions. There is much to see, including the Valley of Geysers, the 40 volcanoes at the heart of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Uzon Caldera, not to mention the breathtaking contrasts in colors, from the intense blue of the lake and streams, suspensions of milky sulphur to the emerald green of the algae.

Nome - Petropavlovsk (16 days / 15 nights) - Depart 16 Sept. 2014 - From USD $12301 per person (direct flights included)

To reserve or learn more, please call 1-888-400-1082 or visit https://en.ponant.com