{"id":3109,"date":"2022-09-14T12:42:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T12:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.paramountcruises.com\/?p=3109"},"modified":"2023-08-01T07:23:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T07:23:27","slug":"cruise-review-ponant-le-champlain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paramountcruises.com\/blog\/cruise-review-ponant-le-champlain\/","title":{"rendered":"Cruise Review – Ponant – Le Champlain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\nDover – Day at Sea – Bergen<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

How was the embarkation process with Ponant?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us about the accommodation on Le Champlain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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! <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Balcony<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How did you find the ship in general?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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