| Ponant’s Australia sales up by 40%

In two months, the French line
has sold a yacht, ordered a
yacht, and may soon increase
its presence in Australia.
COMPAGNIE du Ponant has recorded a
strong year of sales in Australia and may be
sending its next luxury vessel down under.
A Ponant spokesperson told Cruise Weekly
that the company is “seriously looking at the
yet-to-be-named new ship spending some
time in Australian waters”.
Until then, L’Austral, launched in Apr, is set
to make its maiden visit to Australia in March
2012, calling at Townsville, Cairns, Port
Douglas and Darwin.
Represented in Australia by Travel the
World, Ponant has been encouraged by the
growth in local sales.
“We have had a good year and the sales are
significantly up on last years departures –
approximately 40%,” said Michelle Taylor,
TTW’s director of sales and marketing.
Taylor also confirmed further details about
the sale of Le Diamant to International
Shipping Partners (CW, 29 Nov).
Ponant will continue to operate the vessel
next summer for its scheduled Celtic
itineraries from 06 June to 20 Sep 2012.
“This enables CDP to honour several
charters planned for a long time and to
commercialise five Celtic cruises, which
should be as successful as last year
considering the first level of 2012 bookings,”
Taylor said.
The sale of the 37-year old Le Diamant is
part of the line’s fleet modernisation, but
Taylor said there were no plans to sell the 20-
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“CDP does not intend to sell Le Ponant,
which is an iconic ship of CDP, her three sails
being the symbol of its logo.
“Le Ponant offers unique itineraries and
moorings in the cruising industry.”
MEANWHILE, a new name has not yet been
chosen for the next yacht, which is set to
debut in June 2013, but it is likely to be
selected through a consumer competition.
“Timing is still being finalised,” Taylor said.