About Ponant
Ponant has been long recognised as one of the world’s leading expedition companies. For many years now, Ponant has consistently delivered exceptional adventures in some of the most remote corners of the globe. Now is your opportunity to experience an expedition of an international standard both ashore and on board-right here Australia’s mighty Kimberley.
Immerse your senses…
The Kimberley is an ancient land built on 1.8 billion year old sandstone that has been uplifted, contorted and eroded to form spectacular gorges, desolate mountains and magnificent waterfalls. Here is a living indigenous culture dating back more than 40,000 years, and Australia’s oldest rock art galleries contained within the rocky outcrops.
The isolated coastline boasts more than 2,633 islands, extensive mangrove forests, wild rivers and important seabird breeding colonies. It is a national biodiversity hotspot listed in the top 3.7% of least impacted marine environments worldwide.
Some of the highlights:
- Set sail for the wild and magnificent landscapes of Kimberley, following Ponant’s comprehensive itinerary.
- From Darwin to Broome or reversed, embark aboard brand new Le Laperouse (2019) for an 11-day expedition cruise.
- At 424,517 KM SQ The Kimberley is twice the size of Victoria and one of the last unspoiled regions on the planet. Yet just ocean, or 1 unsealed min road to explore the region.
- In one of the most picturesque parts of the region, the Hunter River, you will see wild mangrove forests where saltwater crocodiles live along with many species of birds.
- The highpoint of this cruise will undoubtedly be the discovery of the King George River and the majestic Twin Falls, the highest falls in Western Australia.
- You will also visit Collier Bay, where you will be able to admire the Montgomery Reef, home to vast expanses of lagoons and immense coral reefs.
- Le Laperouseus will also take you as far as the Buccaneer Archipelago, whose coast is one of the most spectacular in the entire region.
- With their falls, abrupt gorges, savannah, calm waters and desolate mountain chains, the wild lands of Kimberley are the promise of an exceptional adventure.
Ponant Dates and Rates 2018
| Ponant – Dates 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Route | Dates | Bonus Credit |
| Darwin to Broome | ||
| Broome to Darwin | ||
| Darwin to Broome | ||
| Broome to Darwin | AUG 18-28 | |
| *Credit sale expires 30 JUN 17 | ||
| Ponant – Rates 2018 | ||
| Fares (per person, based on double occupancy) | Brochure Fare | Early Bird Saver Fare |
| Superior Stateroom | AUD 9,290 | |
| Deluxe Stateroom | AUD 10,000 | |
| Prestige Stateroom – Deck 4 | AUD 11,160 | |
| Prestige Stateroom – Deck 5 | AUD 11,700 | |
| Prestige Stateroom – Deck 6 | AUD 12,260 | |
| Deluxe Suite | AUD 17,000 | |
| Prestige Suite – Deck 5 | AUD 23,630 | |
| Prestige Suite – Deck 6 | AUD 24,130 | |
| Owner’s Suite | AUD 30,650 | |
| Safety and port taxes INCLUDED (for information purposes) | AUD 780 | AUD 780 |
| Single supplement in cabin* | Starting at + 30% | Starting at + 30% |
| Open bar | AUD 0 | |
10% SAVINGS ARE REFLECTED IN THE ABOVE PRICING. SAVINGS ARE CAPACITY CONTROLLED AND VARY FROM DATE TO DATE AND MAY SELL OUT. Single supplement from , according to cabin category. Limited availability. On board Credit expires 30 June 2017. Please call 1300 278 473 re specific dates and fares.
The rates of our cruises are per person and include all meals while on board the ship (from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation), Open Bar, room service 24h, luggage transfer from pier to the ship and vice versa and evening entertainment and events.
Ponant Dates and Rates 2019
| Ponant – Dates 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Name | Route | Dates |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Darwin to Broome | 23rd May – 2nd June |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Darwin to Broome | 12th June – 22nd June |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Darwin to Broome | 2nd July – 12th July |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Darwin to Broome | 22nd July – 1st August |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Darwin to Broome | 11th August – 21st August |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Broome to Darwin | 2nd June – 12th July |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Broome to Darwin | 12th July – 22nd July |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Broome to Darwin | 1st August – 11th August |
| 10 Nights Australias Iconic Kimberley | Broome to Darwin | 21st August – 31st August |
| Ponant – Rates per person 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Type | Price | ||
| Deluxe Stateroom | $10,455 | ||
| Prestige Stateroom Deck 4 | $11,705 | ||
| Prestige Stateroom Deck 5 | $12,283 | ||
| Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 | $12,895 | ||
| Deluxe Suite | $18,598 | ||
| Prestige Suite Deck 5 | $24,456 | ||
| Prestige Suite Deck 6 | $25,679 | ||
| Prestige Suite | $26,954 | ||
| Grand Deluxe Suite | $29,648 | ||
| Owner Suite | $31,127 | ||
Indicative images of room grades only.
Owner’s suite
484 sq.ft. + 97 sq.ft. private balcony
The Owner’s suite is situated on Deck 2. It has been decorated by Franch interior designers and will provide you a breathtakting panoramic sea view.
Cabin layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating cabins available (children welcome).
Prestige Suites
398 sq.ft. + 86 sq.ft. private balcony
20 Prestige Suites with private balcony will provide you a sea with in total discretion.
Cabin layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating cabins available (children welcome).
Deluxe Suites
290 sq.ft. + 54 sq.ft. private balcony
On Deck 3 you will find 3 Deluxe Suites with private balcony.
Cabin layout: king-size bed, or twin beds.
Prestige Staterooms
200 sq.ft. +43 sq.ft. private balcony
92 Prestige Staterooms with private balcony.
Cabin layout: king-size bed, or twin beds.
Deluxe Staterooms
200 sq.ft. + 43 sq.ft. private balcony
16 Deluxe Staterooms of 200 sq.ft.with private balcony.
Cabin layout: king-size bed, or twin beds.
Superior Staterooms
226 sq.ft.
8 superior staterooms of 226 sq.ft.located on Deck 3.
Cabin layout: king-size bed, or twin beds.
Amenities
- Individually-controlled air-conditioning
- Bathtub or shower (depending on room)
- Minibar
- Flat screen satellite TV
- Desk with stationery
- Ipod™ players
- Video on demand
- Safe
- Hairdryer
- Bath robes
- Satellite direct line telephone
- 110/220 volts outlet
- French bath products
- 24hr room service
- Internet acces wifi
- Another Flat screen satellite TV
- Large bathtub
- Sofa
- Table with 4 chairs
- Armchair & Pedestal table
Introducing Le Laperouse
Built and launched in 2018, Le Laperouse features innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms complimented by spacious lounge areas that open onto the outside balcony – this brand new state of the art yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique expedition cruise experience.
As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Lapérouse will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.
Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.
Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.
Restaurants
As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Lapérouse will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism.
- In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts.
- To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals.
Life on board
Here you will find a special ambiance, PONANT’s signature: a feeling that you are on board your own yacht.
Most-often all in the Kimberley-days will feature lectures and discussions in the theatre highlighting the sights and experiences being enjoyed ashore. Outside of thse times, relax by the pool and let the scenery come to you or enjoy one of the ships many public rooms or lounge areas. L’Austral really has been designed to meet the needs of every guest.
Spacious and comfortable cabins, nearly all with private balconies, allow you to also enjoy peace and solitude and yet not miss a moment of what’s passing you by. Roooms are designed and furnished to the highest calibre and is complimented by 24 hr room service. Your time is your own to do as you please.
There is a spa and gym on board fitted with the latest equipment (Kinesis Wall, running machine) and in partnership with the famous Sothys™ brand, the Beauty Centre on L’Austral welcomes you for some unforgettable moments of relaxation and pampering (beauty treatments, hairdresser, hammam, balneotherapy).
Click here to view all Ponant Cruise itineraries.
Introducing the ‘Multi Sensory’ Blue Eye underwater lounge
PONANT, in keeping with its pioneering spirit, is launching a world-first:
Le Lapérouse will be the first cruise ship on Earth to be equipped with a multi-sensory underwater space, called Blue Eye.
Le Champlain, Le Bougainville and Le Dumont-d’Urville will be the next.
The design of this technical prowess was entrusted to architect Jacques Rougerie, who is deeply passionate about the sea. Rougerie’s mission is to enable PONANT guests to perceive and feel the underwater universe that has never ceased to amaze and inspire him during his career through three innovative concepts.
Bionic & biomimetic
The Blue Eye lounge space’s graphical references evoke cetaceans and jellyfish. This inspiration is evident in the lines of the lounge, the furniture and the fittings. All focus is drawn towards the two portholes, shaped like the eye of a cetacean looking out upon the subaquatic world. The lighting in the lounge is developed through subtly, disseminated in the space, allowing the spirit and the eye to wonder at the spectacle unfolding outside.
The mural décor disappears to make way for the integrated digital screens projecting the images filmed live by three underwater cameras. Placed at the ship’s strategic points, these cameras enable guests to witness, for example, the spectacle of dolphins playing in the bow waves.
Global Listening
The sound staging has been entrusted to Michel Redolfi, a contemporary music composer and sound design expert. A result of his research into subaquatic music and his own inventions, the sound design of the underwater lounge develops state-of-the-art technology and offers guests an experience in acoustic immersion that is unique in the world.
An immersive sound experience can be felt in the Body Listening sofas, which discreetly vibrate in unison while offering unique sensory listening through corporal resonance. This global listening through the entire body, in harmony with the ocean’s natural cycles, will bring guests closer to the marine mammals they might see and hear behind the giant portholes.
Innovative underwater vision
The non-intrusive underwater projectors developed expressly for the PONANT EXPLORERS enable the observation of the seabed and photo-luminescent organisms from the Blue Eye lounge as well as from the outside decks, balconies and the marina-without any risk to the marine biosphere.
Public areas
Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Lapérouse has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger.
A 140 m² reception area includes:
- A reception/concierge desk,
- An excursions desk,
- The ship’s administrative services,
- The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer,
- Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories,
- Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.
A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides:
- Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship,
- Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions,
- Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding.
A pool deck offering:
- A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system,
- A pleasant solarium,
- An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas.
A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening.
Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with:
- The latest sound and lighting technology,
- A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.
Your complete Kimberley expedition with Ponant
- Experience a refined adventure on board Le Laperouse 92 staterooms & suites, all with private balcony: French lifestyle, unique comfort & service, Open Bar, Sophisticated Cuisine & Fine Wines, and the facilities of a 5-star yacht including a pool
- Join Ponant’s highly qualified local expedition team led by highly acclaimed expedition veteran Mick Fogg having led over 120 expeditions through the Kimberley.
- Enjoy regular daily Zodiac expeditions & shore visits in groups of no more than 10 with interpretative expedition leader per zodiac
- Discover billions of years-old landscapes & ancient rock art
- Listen to stories of the dreamtime from the oldest continuous culture on the planet
- Explore pristine mangrove environments, home to the world’s largest living reptile
- Witness unique tidal phenomena such as the Horizontal Falls
- Encounter the world’s largest population of migrating humpback whales
- Travel on the most environmentally sustainable vessel in the region, certified “Green ship”
Ponant Cruises
Experience the Kimberley with Ponant