Compagnie des Isles du Ponant

CIP confirms it will go ahead with it's two new builds

Marseilles, March 2008: Few weeks after the signature of a MOU with Italy’s Fincantieri shipyards, Ponant Cruises (Compagnie des Iles du Ponant (CIP)), subsidiary of the CMA-CGM Group has officially confirmed and signed on March 10^th, 2008 its order for the construction of two luxuriously small capacity cruise ships.  

These elegantly trim vessels are mega-yachts (140 meters long) that accommodate a limited number of guests (up to 132 all-outside cabins and suites including 95% with balconies).  They will be delivered in the spring and the summer of 2010 and are to be French flagged.  The vessels will be equipped with the latest advances designed to protect the environment including a dynamic positioning system that enables them to avoid damaging the sea floor during mooring. 

Another key feature of the new ships will be the flexible configuration of the accommodation with the possibility to convert up to 58 Deluxe Staterooms into 26 large Deluxe Suites. Hence enabling the possibility to offer any configuration between 132 cabins (up to 264 passengers) to 104 cabins and suites (up to 208 passengers) 

As new additions to the current fleet (including Le Ponant, Le Levant, and Le Diamant), these ships will offer a unique cruise experience and first-class quality service sailing to uncommon destinations. Guests will take advantage of theme cruises as well as adventure itineraries in a highly personal setting designed to pamper passengers. 

“Our decision to expend shows our commitment to become a key actor in the international cruising industry and in particular in the small capacity upscale shipping niche where we anticipate to become one of the world leader” explains Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of Ponant Cruises.  “And it is combined with the growing demand from affluent travelers for upscale cruising on smaller cruise ships that we forecast both on the American and European markets” 

Eric Lustman, Ponant Cruises Executive Vice-President added , “Such an increase fleet capacity with 5 unique ships covering almost all geographical areas, at the right season, with unique itineraries, already creates a substantial increase in the international awareness and demand for our cruise line both on the FIT and the charter markets.”