Lagoon Seventy 7 Spirit Of Ponant

The Ponant exploration cruise company undoubtedly plays the luxury card, but it is also committed, as far as possible, to respecting the environment. Its flagship vessel is, of course, the sailing ship Le Ponant, launched in 1991—it was the first ship in the world to be awarded the Relais & Châteaux label. The Commandant Charcot, meanwhile, made headlines in 2021: this hybrid electric polar exploration icebreaker is powered by liquefied natural gas. These two ships, which sail the oceans and seas allow their passengers to discover all sorts of wonderful destinations, in their luxury rented cabins or suites, all with first class onboard service. The Commandant Charcot is home to Alain Ducasse’s first gourmet restaurant at sea, Luna, and his team of chefs advise the cooks on the culinary creations served in the restaurants onboard the company’s dozen exploration ships. “In line with this spirit of exploration, the idea of offering customers an even closer and more intimate experience with nature and local culture took root,” says Guillaume Le Brec, the project manager. They decided on a fuel-efficient leisure boat—specifically, a Lagoon Seventy 7. This catamaran is able to offer services similar to those of the company’s large cruise ships while facilitating access to the sea and water sports. Living close to nature and sharing a true sailing experience but in complete comfort: the name for this large Lagoon had to be —Spirit of Ponant.

An All-inclusive Service on a Yacht

The comfort and vibe of the cabins are vital to Ponant, whose decorative signage is highly codified. Although the Seventy 7 was developed as a production yacht, it retains the option of highly personalized and exclusive customization. This has enabled Pascale Dexidour, Director of Design & Customer Experience, to work with the shipyard teams to create a unique atmosphere that reflects Ponant’s image. In terms of layout, the Spirit of Ponant has been configured with six cabins - Spirit, Grand Spirit or Prestige, depending on the space allocated. The 12 privileged guests are looked after by four crew members, consisting of a captain, a sailor, a chef selected and trained by Ponant, and finally a cabin attendant or hostess whose mission is to ensure the well-being of the passengers. Nothing very original in the world of multi-yacht charters, you might say, except that here, prices start at €7,500 per person. “Ponant’s signature cuisine, wine cellar, and cocktails, room service, and water sports are all included,” says the company. This approach, which has made Ponant an undisputed leader in the world of luxury cruises, has been transposed to the world of luxury yachting with this completely new offering. “The clientele is very diverse, but more than 70% are regular customers of the company who are attracted by the size of the vessel, the high standard of finish, and its sailing qualities,” adds Guillaume Le Brec.

Authentic Cruises

The Spirit of Ponant, launched last year, initially offered 8-day/7-night cruises in Corsica departing from Bonifacio. It then set sail for the Seychelles, where it cruised around Mahé throughout the winter. It will remain in this area of the Indian Ocean next season to offer passengers an authentic cultural and culinary adventure, as it’s not just the captain, but the whole crew that is Seychellois. The galley on the main deck creates a friendly atmosphere for enjoying local gourmet dishes prepared by the chef. Onshore excursions are fascinating with this crew, who are all knowledgeable guides and can keep you informed about the local history and customs. In line with the company’s environmental commitments, the water toys on board are respectful of the ecosystems in which they are used. Paddle boarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling offer opportunities for water excursions without polluting emissions. The sailing and discovery programs are determined with the captain in order to create a trip that responds to your wishes and for you to be able to enjoy the experience of visiting hidden anchorages. With this new luxury cabin cruise offer - or full private charter - Ponant has rendered luxury yachting services much more accessible.

Ponant is strongly committed to helping guests discover the world’s most beautiful anchorages while respecting fragile ecosystems as much as possible.

The cuisine is supervised by the consulting firm of Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse and prepared on board by a local Seychellois chef.

The six cabins are peaceful havens of rest and relaxation. They vary in size, but all are worthy of a luxury hotel.

The atmosphere on board is tranquil thanks to the décor designed by Ponant in collaboration with the shipyard and its wide range of customization options.

In order to respect the flora and fauna, the water toys are not motorized. Paddle boarding, windsurfing, and snorkeling allow you to explore the coastline without producing any polluting emissions.