A Great Time on a Classic Small Ship with an Amazing Crew
by evmare
This being our first cruise with Ponant, invariably there are comparisons with other luxury trips we have taken and at first, the French-first experience was intriguing yet somewhat frustrating. However, we quickly got used to the rhythms of the ship and started feeling quite at ease- and well-taken care of. Intriguingly, this was our second expedition-style cruise within the past 3 months (Antarctica being the first) so we were delighted by the on-board culture of daily event briefings and unexpected changes in itinerary to accommodate the tides and currents, etc. The expedition team on board was amazing; we had first hand experiences with David Beaune, Expedition Leader, Jennifer Ailloud and Alessandro who each made our experiences exceptional. They each ensured that we now know more about sea cucumbers, hermit crabs and the coral reef ecosystem than ever before- and a new appreciation for each and how they contribute to the amazing aqua environment. Giuliano, Shore Excursion Manager was a whirlwind of energy and activity, focused on ensuring all efforts were top-notch; and ensuring that us English-speakers were well taken care of. One gorgeous spot on the ship is the spa, with treatment rooms and the sauna featuring large windows overlooking the ocean. Christelle, Spa Manager we met on day one and booked services with her team and we were not disappointed. It’s a calm, quiet oasis on the ship that gently lulls you into submission. As expected on a French flagged ship, the cuisine was wonderful, with classics and local options expertly prepared. We did celebrate two special occasions while on board, and each was met and surpassed in my expectations. Judicael, Head Pastry Chef is singularly responsible for my weigh-gain on board with his astonishing creations, including a delightful meringue based anniversary cake I am still thinking about. Virginie, who heads the dining room as Matire ‘d keeps a close eye on the staff and ensures that everyone is where they need to be and that dishes flow alongside wine and spirits. She was a delight, always checking in and making sure our dining experience was top-notch. We should also note the attentions of two servers, Marcus and Rizal, both of whom we had the pleasure of their attentive service repeatedly and who quickly learned our likes and idiosyncrasies. That was also carried out in the two main bars on the ship, the Main Lounge and our personal favorite, the Observation lounge where our new best friend and bartender Maria learned our fave cocktails and made sure those glasses were never empty. Quite dangerous in fact- she makes a really good gin martini… Lastly, two other key leaders made our cruise completely memorable. Johan, Cruise Director and his team were charming and funny, and were exceptional at engaging the passengers in a variety of events and activities. Smaller ships usually feature smaller experiences, and this was no exception. However, a few nights of fun engagements, like karaoke and “casino night” broke the mold and were fun and frolicksome. And all this would not be possible with out the careful guidance of Fadi Mehadji, Hotel Manager whose steady guiding hand is apparent in all the efforts undertaken by the teams making sure each effort truly worked. By the end of this cruise, we’re delighted we did this and would without hesitation book again on Ponant.
