Last week Marco had the chance to set sail onboard Ponant’s small-sized, luxury explorer ship, Le Champlain. Read all about his first time onboard the French cruise line as he sailed from Dover to Bergen on this short taster voyage.
Itinerary
Dover – Day at Sea – Bergen
How was the embarkation process with Ponant?
The beauty of sailing on a small-sized ship such as Le Champlain is you don’t have to worry about long queues at embarkation. The process was smooth, we were sailing a week before Ponant were due to relax their embarkation requirements, so a quick check of our vaccination status and negative test and we were able to head to our cabins. Another positive of the small ship experience is you’re able to familiarise yourself with your new home very quickly, and if you do forget anything in your cabin you’ll never be more than a short walk away!
Tell us about the accommodation on Le Champlain
The accommodation onboard Ponant’s Le Champlain really can’t be faulted. With light woods and a fresh style, all cabins have a balcony and ensuite shower, which even features a sliding screen so you can enjoy views out to sea whilst in the shower. There is so much storage space as well as a coffee machine and complimentary mini-bar which is replenished daily. Every guest is given their own re-useable Ponant water bottle which can be refilled in various points throughout the ship.
If you’re looking for even more space then there are a couple of aft-facing suites which feature an incredible bathroom and huge wrap-around balcony with sun loungers and outdoor sofas, one of the suites even has a hot tub on the balcony!
How did you find the ship in general?
Le Champlain is part of Ponant’s Explorer class of ships, you can tell as soon as you board that this is a ship designed to inspire you to explore further. From the perfectly appointed cabins to the sleek, modern public areas. The ship has a fresh feel throughout. There are several outdoor areas to enjoy, with the pool area at the aft of deck 3 a particular highlight. There are 12 zodiacs onboard which are used for landings and certain excursions, as well as plenty of kayaks and paddleboards, plus snorkelling gear for every guest when sailing in tropical seas.
One of the most impressive venues is located down below deck 1. Head to the forward lifts and down to deck 1 from where you’ll walk down the stairs to a truly one-of-a-kind bar, the Blue Eye. Here you can enjoy a cocktail whilst looking out of the two underwater windows. As we were sailing in the North Sea we obviously didn’t get to enjoy amazing underwater views, but it was still mesmerising to see the water rushing past the reinforced 18cm thick glass. It’s certainly not hard to imagine how incredible this lounge would be in tropical waters where marine life is plentiful.
What was the food like on Le Champlain?
Cruising on a French-owned luxury cruise line I was expecting big things from the cuisine onboard, and Le Champlain certainly delivered! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the beautiful main restaurant where you can enjoy panoramic views out to sea from the floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll find a small buffet of salads, cold cuts and a generous selection of french cheeses, or simply choose from the a la carte menu which features daily specials as well as always available signature dishes.
The food throughout was definitely a highlight, with the Gala dinner featuring a delicious lobster salad on a bed of celery slaw, seared beef fillet with foie gras, and an indulgent signature dessert the Mister Ponant.
What is the entertainment like on Le Champlain?
If you’re looking for spectacular Broadway-style shows and constant entertainment then this is not the ship for you. Sailing on one of Ponant’s small-sized luxury ships is all about the destinations, exploring uncharted waters, and soaking in incredible views. The theatre at the forward of deck 3 is mainly used for lectures, port talks and seminars from the expedition guides and cruise director, however, it does also showcase nightly shows, and you can also expect to enjoy relaxing piano music or a live singer in the main lounge on deck 3 after dinner.
Does Le Champlain offer any fitness & recreational facilities?
Ponant’s Le Champlain features basic fitness facilities with a small gym and spa area located on deck 7. The gym has a couple of treadmills, a cross trainer and a couple of bikes for those looking to burn off a few calories. Meanwhile, in the spa, you’ll be able to enjoy various massages (at an extra cost) or simply relax in the beautiful sauna enjoying the breathtaking views out to sea.
There is a stunning infinity-style pool located at the aft of deck 3 from where you can enjoy views of the wake out over the marina. The pool also features a counter-current swimming system!
The marina allows guests to enjoy a variety of watersports on selected itineraries including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The marina can also be lowered to about 1.5 metres meaning guests can swim directly off the back of the ship in a safe environment.
Any tips for someone looking to cruise with Ponant?
Despite being a French-owned cruise line the ships are very much bilingual with all crew members speaking English and all menus and daily planners in English, in fact over 60% of guests who sail with Ponant are English-speaking guests. If you’re looking for a luxury experience with a more relaxed, discreet style of service this will certainly be the cruise line for you. Expect to immerse yourself in the destination, sailing with a cruise line that puts sustainability and the environment at the forefront of its ethos.
Thanks for your review. We are going on a Madagascar cruise on this ship in March. Can you speak to the visibility on deck three with the steel safety barrier? Do you think it’s worth an extra 2000 to move up to deck four? Thanks.