ocean Ship
Le Jacques Cartier
by Ponant
Built in
2020
Capacity
184
By
Ponant
Le Jacques Cartier is one of Ponant’s Explorer-class yachts, designed to deliver upscale, small-ship voyages to remote and culturally rich destinations. Carrying just 184 guests, the ship offers a refined, yacht-like atmosphere with modern design, environmentally responsible technology, and access to off-the-beaten-path ports. Named after the famed 16th-century French explorer, Le Jacques Cartier blends contemporary French elegance with a spirit of adventure.
The ship’s interiors are serene and minimalist, with a palette inspired by the sea and natural materials throughout. Expansive windows flood the ship with light and offer sweeping views from nearly every space, including the panoramic lounge, library, theater, and open-air pool deck. One of its most distinctive features is the Blue Eye Lounge—an underwater observation space where guests can watch and listen to the marine world through subaquatic windows.
Accommodations are all ocean-facing, with most staterooms and suites offering private balconies. Rooms are thoughtfully appointed with fine bedding, rainfall showers, espresso machines, and modern entertainment systems. Larger suites offer more space and upgraded amenities, ensuring a high level of comfort throughout the voyage.
Dining includes a main restaurant with refined French and international cuisine, and a casual grill near the pool deck offering al fresco meals. Menus often reflect the regions visited, enhanced by a curated selection of French and global wines.
Equipped with advanced green technologies like dynamic positioning and optimized waste systems, Le Jacques Cartier is built for low-impact travel. On expedition sailings, guests are accompanied by expert guides and naturalists who lead Zodiac excursions and immersive shore experiences. Whether exploring tropical archipelagos or ancient coastal cities, Le Jacques Cartier offers a seamless blend of luxury, exploration, and cultural depth.
Sailings on this ship
We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on Le Jacques Cartier, 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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205 sq. feet
-205 sq. feet
-205 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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