Ponant will offer a range of Nordic, Belize and New Zealand expedition itineraries for the first time in its history as it looks to boost its trade focus over the coming years.
Speaking onboard Explorer-class vessel Le Champlain on Wednesday (7 September) during the line’s first-ever agent Seminar at Sea, head of international sales Stephen Winter outlined a selection of the line’s new sailings for 2023 and 2024.
Ponant will offer a 10-night Nordic Discoveries and Traditions sailing in March 2024 sailing round-trip from Tromso onboard Le Bellot from £7,360pp, as well as a new seven-night Belize itinerary in November 2023 that will lead in from £3,160pp.
A week-long Japanese cruise from Osaka to Ketchung, meanwhile, will depart in March 2024 onboard Le Soleal, with prices from £4,780pp. The 250-passenger vessel will also offer a new Ancient Fjords and Unspoiled Lands of New Zealand itinerary sailing round-trip from Dunedin for in January 2023. The trip leads in from £6,000pp.
Elsewhere, Ponant will sail a seven-night itinerary to Tasmania for the first time in December, with prices from £6,190pp.
"There will be opportunities to see so many parts of the world with us," said Winter. "On a number of sailings, guests will be able to add on land packages to extend their stays."
Earlier, Ponant UK and Ireland marketing and sales manager Nabil Maillard revealed the line had doubled its number of trade partners during the pandemic from 30 to 60, with the trade now delivering nearly two-thirds of the line’s business.
Maillard said his and his team’s aim was to increase this further, stressing the line would continue to "rely heavily" on the trade to boost awareness of the line. "You are the experts," he told delegates. "And we are not that well-known."
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