ocean Ship
Le Champlain
by Ponant
Built in
2018
Capacity
184
By
Ponant
Le Champlain is one of Ponant’s state-of-the-art Explorer-class vessels, purpose-built for small-ship expeditions that prioritize immersive exploration and refined comfort. Named after the famed French navigator Samuel de Champlain, the ship carries just 184 guests and is designed to access hard-to-reach destinations without sacrificing elegance or service. From the warm waters of the Caribbean to the cultural coastlines of the Baltic, Le Champlain offers a seamless blend of modern design, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable travel practices.
The ship’s interiors reflect a distinctly French aesthetic—clean lines, calming tones, and understated sophistication. Thoughtfully designed public spaces include a panoramic lounge, library, and sundeck with an infinity pool. The ship also features a full-service spa, a gym, and a theatre that hosts lectures and cultural performances. One of Le Champlain’s most distinctive features is the Blue Eye Lounge, an underwater observation space where guests can listen to the sounds of the sea and view marine life through large porthole-like windows—a multisensory experience unique to Ponant’s Explorer-class.
Accommodations aboard Le Champlain are all outward-facing, with every stateroom and suite offering a private balcony. Rooms are designed for comfort and tranquility, with a palette inspired by the ocean and amenities that include rainfall showers, fine bedding, Wi-Fi, and luxury toiletries. The ambiance is quiet and tailored to relaxation, providing a peaceful retreat after active days of exploration.
Dining aboard the ship is a celebration of French and international cuisine, with two restaurants delivering high-quality meals in beautifully designed settings. The main restaurant offers refined, multi-course dinners with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and regional flavors, while the casual grill provides open-air dining with a more relaxed vibe. Meals are enhanced by an extensive wine list curated by Ponant’s sommeliers, offering pairings from top French vineyards and beyond.
Built with a deep commitment to sustainability, Le Champlain features advanced equipment that minimizes environmental impact, including dynamic positioning and a compact size that allows it to dock in smaller ports without disturbing sensitive ecosystems. Whether navigating coral-rich archipelagos or sailing along historical coastlines, the ship is supported by a team of expert guides and naturalists who provide insight into the cultures, wildlife, and landscapes visited. For travelers seeking a refined expedition experience that values both luxury and learning, Le Champlain offers a uniquely rewarding way to see the world.
Sailings on this ship
We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on Le Champlain, plus the reasons travelers book with Small Ship Travel. Reply anytime to ask about specific cabins, dates, or itineraries.
Suites
484 sq. feet
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484 sq. feet
-484 sq. feet
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344 sq. feet
-344 sq. feet
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409 sq. feet
-409 sq. feet
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290 sq. feet
-290 sq. feet
-290 sq. feet
-290 sq. feet
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204 sq. feet
-204 sq. feet
-204 sq. feet
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204 sq. feet
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Ponant is a French luxury cruise line known for intimate, small-ship voyages that pair refined French hospitality with real exploration. Founded in 1988, Ponant runs tailor-made voyages to some of the world's most remote and culturally rich destinations. A long-standing focus on sustainability and ship design shapes trips that combine adventure with comfort and a light environmental footprint.
Ponant's fleet of yachts and expedition ships is built for a boutique-style cruise experience. Each ship offers polished accommodations, accomplished dining, and a relaxed but elegant atmosphere, which keeps the voyage intimate even on its larger vessels.
One of Ponant's most significant ships is Le Commandant Charcot. It is the world's first hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG, a cleaner-burning marine fuel than heavy fuel oil). The ship lets travelers reach deeper into polar regions with less environmental impact, and reflects how Ponant approaches sustainable cruising across the fleet.
Ponant sails across the globe, from the ice of Antarctica and the Arctic to the Mediterranean, the islands of the South Pacific, and the cultures of Asia and Africa. Each itinerary is built thoughtfully, mixing wildlife, culture, and landscape, with Ponant's French signature carried through the gourmet cuisine and the onboard service.
Ponant has pushed sustainable cruising for years, adding cleaner technologies and conservation work to its operations. It was the first international cruise line to join Green Marine, the maritime environmental certification program, reaching the program's top leadership level on most indicators in 2020. The line works to cut its carbon footprint, remove single-use plastics, and support scientific research in the places it visits.
At Small Ship Travel, we focus on the best small-ship cruise experiences, holding each one to our standards for luxury, authenticity, and sustainability. After a close look, we include Ponant in our collection for its refined approach to adventure, its environmental record, and its service.
Through our work with Ponant, we offer strong access, personalized itinerary planning, and well-coordinated travel arrangements, so your voyage runs smoothly from the first booking to the final day.
Booking with Small Ship Travel gives you expert recommendations, customized itineraries, and concierge-level service to round out your Ponant voyage. From pre and post-cruise stays to private shore excursions and travel arrangements, we plan every part of the trip with you.
Sail the world in style with Ponant and Small Ship Travel, where luxury meets exploration in some of the most remarkable destinations on the map. Contact us to start planning your next voyage.
consultation
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