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Welcoming and spacious common areas, refined open-to-the-sea design, sleek exterior lines, a marina to make access to the ship's zodiac inflatables easier, hi-tech equipment, an outdoor pool, a multisensorial underwater lounge… Le Bougainville represents the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury, even in the planet's most remote and isolated regions.
My experience on the Ponant La Boungaville cruise from Malta to Nice was, for the most part, a mix of positive emotions and some disappointments. Let me start by highlighting the best aspects of this journey: The standout of the cruise was undoubtedly the presence of Andrea, the cruise director. From the moment I stepped onto the ship, Andrea proved to be an exceptional host. Not only did he know every passenger by name, but he also went out of his way to make us feel at home. His professionalism and dedication were truly admirable. Another positive aspect worth mentioning was the value for money. The cruise offered an excellent value proposition, delivering a level of service and comfort that exceeded my expectations. The onboard food was another high point. The quality of the food, especially the desserts, was outstanding. Chef Ludovick deserves praise not only for the delicious cuisine but also for personally overseeing his team and engaging with guests at their tables. The waitstaff team, comprised of Kier, Darwin, Ferry, José, Carlo, and Jay, deserves applause for their excellent service and attention. Alix, with her positive attitude and willingness to assist passengers, also stood out among the crew. The use of filtered water onboard was a positive environmental measure, though it's worth noting that the refilled bottles weren't always properly sanitized, potentially posing health risks. The ship itself was in excellent condition, having been renovated in 2019, which was evident in its overall appearance and facilities. However, it wasn't all perfect. There were negative aspects that I cannot overlook: In an effort to provide constructive feedback, I requested the hotel manager's email at reception, but unfortunately, it was not provided. The balcony glass in my cabin was noticeably dirty, diminishing the overall experience. My visit to the spa didn't meet my expectations. The service wasn't friendly, and the quality of the services was lacking. The absence of an initial preference questionnaire or inquiries about massage pressure was perplexing. There seemed to be a differentiation in treatment based on passengers' nationalities, which shouldn't occur on a cruise of this caliber. The cruise ambassador didn't put notable effort into speaking English, which hindered communication. Reception service was problematic, even when it was known that my native language was Spanish. A young lady named Lorette addressed me in English despite my ability to speak Spanish. The information provided at the excursion desk was limited and lacked detail, making decision-making challenging. Service at the buffet on the deck showed deficiencies during the final half-hour of operation when they stopped replenishing and collecting properly. Around the pool area, there was a delay in clearing empty glasses, affecting cleanliness and the overall experience. I was concerned that the smoking area was located next to the pool where children swam, especially when cigars were allowed. The availability of public bathrooms on the ship was insufficient, with only two located on decks 3 and 5. The excursions offered were expensive in relation to the services provided. In particular, the Port Ercole excursion was disappointing as it promised a beach break that never materialized, and guest safety seemed to be overlooked. The café on deck 6 should have been open for longer hours to meet passengers' needs. There was no decaffeinated coffee available in my room, which was a notable omission. The room service, while quick, had issues with punctuality and order accuracy. Additionally, on one occasion, I was denied ice cream outside the restaurant's hours, which was disappointing. Room cleaning service could be improved in terms of attention to detail. Despite my efforts, I couldn't obtain the hotel manager's email to provide feedback personally. The onboard shows felt of low quality and repetitive, which was disappointing. Finally, the quality of the bread, especially considering it was a French cruise line, left much to be desired. Despite these negative aspects, I must admit that overall, the cruise was an incredible experience, especially considering it's a ship with only 90 rooms. In fact, I've already booked the next two cruises with Ponant, as I believe they offer a very good quality-service relationship that surpasses the mentioned setbacks.
It was our second journey with Ponant, this time to Madagascar and vicinity. The ship is in great shape and feels very new. We used a regular balcony cabin and found it of a decent size and ample amount of storage space. The food and the service were fabulous. The shore tours were great. The team of naturalists was very good. Local guides were reasonably prepared. The lectures in preparation for the upcoming excursions were given separately in English and French and were very helpful. As it was one of the first expedition cruises of Ponant to the area, it is likely to improve further. Adding historical sites and lectures may help tremendously, too, and in fact may make the adventure more attractive. Entertainment was somewhat below expectations, even for the small ship. Wifi connection was slow to our taste, and reconnection required every time you moved across the areas of the ship, which became annoying. The opportunities to swim or snorkel were limited. The gym was too small and was limited to cardio machinery only. Overall, the Ponant team was great and we warmly recommend this expedition to anyone who wants take a tropical expedition in comfort.
Just like on a private yacht
The 92 staterooms and suites of Le Bougainville are the very embodiment of the PONANT spirit and approach: to offer a combination of finesse, cosy intimacy and well-being. Equipped with private balconies, they benefit from soft and gentle light and radiance throughout the day. You'll be delighted to have the elegant ambiance of your cabin to return to after a trip out in a Zodiac® inflatable or a refined restaurant dinner.
An essential component of French culture, gastronomy naturally has a place of honour onboard this PONANT EXPLORER.
Marvel at the sun rising over the pristine glaciers of Spitsbergen, set out to discover the mysteries of Scotland, enjoy enriching encounters in Alaska∘ or just relax, take your time, and choose a sun kissed journey through the Mediterranean.
The trip of a lifetime, a romantic getaway or a family holiday: cruising the PONANT way allows∘ you the freedom to organise your Odyssey∘ as a unique experience and tailor it according to your desires. Whether you have the spirit of a refined adventurer, a meditative mind or you love the great outdoors, Ponant will fulfil all your travel desires.
Take the time to extend the pleasure of a stay in a country before boarding your yacht, get to the heart of a culture or simply have fun for a while: the guides, lecturers and travel advisers are there to assist you. Music, golf, gastronomy; from port to port, the themed cruises allow passengers∘ to live their hobby to the full - or to discover a new one.
Carefully designed itineraries, quality guest speakers, attentive service: for more than 25 years, on land and at sea, or teams and their crews have been there to help you get the most out of your cruise.
Our ship Le Bougainville features a number of spaces designed and arranged to serve your needs and requirements whilst at the same time preserving the privacy of each passenger.
Leisure and well-being
Our ships* have many spaces designed to offer guests privileged moments of relaxation and comfort.
Because a cruise offers the ideal environment in which to take time for yourself, our ships offer special spaces dedicated to wellness and relaxation.
*As Le Ponant has a different layout due to its smaller size, it cannot accommodate certain equipment.
Wellness area - Deck 7
Please note: There are no designated children's facilities on board.
