| Compagnie du Ponant keen to grow

The French cruise line wants
to carry 1000 Australian
passengers a year by 2012.
LUXURY YACHT CRUISE OPERATOR, COMPAGNIE DU
Ponant, is the latest to chase the Australian
cruising market.
And the company is putting its money
where its mouth is, with the newest addition
to its fleet, L’Austral due to visit Australian
waters in March next year for the first time.
L’Austral launched just last month and the Stephen Winter, recently visited Sydney to
host events with Ponant’s local representative,
Travel the
World.
“Now is a
good time to
create a buzz
in the local
market,” said
Winter, who’s
pictured at
right in fine
form during a
Sydney
industry event.
“Our objective is 1000 passengers by 2012
out of Australia, combining both individuals
and groups,” he told CW.
“We combine luxury and
adventure with French style
and cuisine”.
During a series of lunches earlier this
month, Winter showcased the Ponant
product for agents with the innovative use of
iPads featuring on-board videos and images
from the ships which have Swarovski crystal
chandeliers, fine French cuisine and of
course lots of flowing Champagne.
Compagnie du Ponant had no business
from Australia prior to 2009 and its
partnership with TTW, but the past two years
has been “an easy transition”, Winter said.
Next year the 132-cabin L’Austral will sail
from Noumea to Darwin, with stops along
the Gold Coast meaning Aussie cruisers will
be able to see her up close.
The mega-yacht offers two restaurants, a
sun deck with swimming pool and bar, day
spa, crystal chandeliers and spacious
staterooms with balconies.
“We combine luxury and adventure with
French style and cuisine, we travel to exotic
locales worldwide and we do it in small ships
of maximum 260 guests,” Winter said.
Compagnie du Ponant has four other
luxury vessels – Le Ponant, Le Levant, Le
Diamant and Le Boreal.