PONANT is celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race next year, offering a seven-night cruise out of Sydney on Le Laperouse and providing passengers with front row seats as the competing yachts clear Sydney Heads on Boxing Day 2019.

The Ponant Kimberley May–August 2020 series of 10- to 13-night voyages has been released. An exceptional opportunity to explore one of the remotest regions on earth, simply stunning in size, breathtaking in colour, home to saltwater crocodiles and extraordinary in its wealth of indigenous rock art.

National Geographic Expeditions, the travel business of one of the world’s most trusted brands, and PONANT, the world leader of luxury expedition cruises, have announced a new strategic partnership to create an extensive range of co-branded, luxury expedition cruises. With a shared common vision in premium experiences and responsible travel, PONANT and National Geographic Expeditions will offer an extensive range of expedition cruises throughout the world, targeting customers in Australia, NZ and Asia Pacific.

“Le Lapérouse is a wonderful achievement for the company and the result of intensive teamwork with Vard and Fincantieri. From remarkable nautical performances to technical excellence and offering an extraordinary level of comfort, everything is in place for the PONANT EXPLORERS series to be a huge success,” says Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO and Co-Founder of PONANT.

To celebrate PONANT’s 30th year of operation, the cruise line is offering a promotion to travel agents in Australia and New Zealand on new bookings made for the Kimberley in 2019 and Antarctica in 2018-2020, from now until 31 July 2018.

Le Lapérouse underwent her sea trials at the Vard Shipyard in Ålesund, Norway. The tests, which form part of the last stage of construction, are also the first opportunity the new ship has to show off her elegant lines in open water.

A selection of five itineraries to discover the White Continent, including one that is all new.

The Ponant expedition cruises with Jean-Louis Étienne will allow passengers to benefit from the combined expertise of Ponant and this great explorer on the subject of the ecosystems of the polar regions, notably through a number of conferences aboard ship.