Ponant is returning to its roots in small-ship cruising.

The French cruise line just added a new 79-foot sailing catamaran to its fleet. Christened Spirit of Ponant, the multihull will set sail in Corsica this July before heading to the Seychelles for the winter. The vessel can be privately chartered for week-long voyages or booked on a per-cabin basis on select itineraries.

Founded in 1988 by officers of the French Merchant Navy, Ponant has long offered exciting global itineraries that fully immerse guests in the high seas. Robb Report’s marine editor Michael Verdon voyaged to the North Pole on Ponant’s luxury icebreaker last year, in fact. The Ponant fleet has expanded over the past three decades and now includes 13 ships that range from the 492-foot ice-class Le Commandant Charcot to the 288-foot Le Ponant. Spirit of Ponant will be the smallest and most intimate vessel in the lineup.

Based on Lagoon’s Seventy 7 model, the newcomer was built in Bordeaux, France. The cat features six generous staterooms for up to 12 guests and cabins for four crew. Ponant says seafarers can expect personalized service, including a private chef, tailored activities, and other high-end touches.

 “The concept and design of this Lagoon Seventy 7 yacht has been praised by everyone in the industry, won over by the spacious interior and exterior areas,” Guillaume Le Brec, the experienced skipper in charge of this project at Ponant, said in a statement. “Guests will really appreciate the high-end finishings as much as her exceptional sailing qualities.” 

Furthermore, the itineraries are completely customizable, too. The inaugural seven-night roundtrip voyages from Bonifacio can be tweaked to the traveler’s interests, with the captain offering recommendations. After a stint in Corsica, Spirit of Ponant will cruise around Mahé, a.k.a. the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, for the winter season.

 ”The Spirit of Ponant is a new expression of our pioneering spirit, as the travel format is a first in the luxury cruise sector,” adds Ponant CEO Hervé Gastinel. “Our guests will experience what it is really like to be a sailor, including interacting with the captain to create a voyage that meets their desires and expectations.”
 
Rates start at $8,250 (€7,500) per person based on double occupancy for a single cabin booking in Corsica.  For more information or to book, visit the Spirit of Ponant website.