I went to the cruising equivalent of a Tupperware party last night – a Ponant information session at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Ponant is a French cruise company that specialises in luxury expeditions with ultra-modern ships that usually carry less than 200 passengers and look like this on board …
Each year Ponant visits over 450 ports on all seven continents, often going to ports only accessible to smaller-sized ships, plus its expedition voyages include Zodiac landings and onboard expert naturalists to enhance your experience … oh and bottomless glasses of French Champagne.
There were also bottomless glasses of Champagne … or maybe it was sparkling wine … I can’t tell the difference … at the Ponant information session.
Platters of grilled prawns and arancini balls and other yummy nibbles also circulated the room.
The hosts showed lots of gobsmacking videos of The Kimberley and Antarctica and Tahiti and gave the lowdown on how big the discounts are the earlier you book and with each cruise you take.
They also throw in free laundry after your second cruise with them, which is apparently a very big deal in the cruise world.
We were saucer-eyed afterwards, grabbed every brochure in sight and, for a brief moment, wildly contemplated booking a cruise on the spot …
The words from the old Cusson’s Imperial Leather ad kept echoing in my head … “Tahiti looks nice”
We want to go on all the cruises in every brochure … except we’d run out of cash.
I expect most of the other prawn and bubbles guzzling attendees drove their fancy cars home, we caught the bus.
As the B1 made its way over the Harbour Bridge I talked DD’s ear off about the merits of Raja Ampat over Tahiti over Norway over Iceland ….
Luckily for him I got off at the first stop, so he could travel the last 50 million stops to his place in peace.
I am really craving escapism right now. Between the burden of work, the stress of the youngest’s concussion, seeing Facebook “friends” rip each other apart over the referendum and reading the latest news headlines, life feels way too intense.
The thought of sitting in a deck chair gazing at the sea and cruising far away from civilization is very seductive.
Is there somewhere remote you’d like to see?
Song of the day: Rod Stewart “Sailing”
housegoeshome 
Hi Alana! I was at the Ponant presentation also (11am). I’ve done heaps with Ponant (8 or 9). Just returned from the Kimberley. Great ships and there is nothing better than free laundry.
Hi Alana! I was at the Ponant presentation also (11am). I’ve done heaps with Ponant (8 or 9). Just returned from the Kimberley. Great ships and there is nothing better than free laundry.
Wow, fancy that! What other cruises have you been on with them that you recommend??? We are agonising over where to go
We’ve done three this year and I’ve been to 90 countries (we’re old). Do you have time (I know you’re life is crazy busy) to have a coffee/drink at my unit. I’m at Bridge End Wollstonecraft. Easy parking. If not, I would recommend you rent a house in France near Uzes (which DD liked). Combine with a Silverseas cruise out of somewhere in the Mediterranean. Disembark in Cittiavechia and make your way to Lake Como (stay at Villa Belvedere at Argengo ) and then to Lake Orta and stay at Al Dom – the most gorgeous place. Do as much as possible by train. Of course depends on what you like. I’ve seen orangutans in Borneo and millions of penguins in Antarctica which was my late husband’s choice. Ponant cruises in Europe tend to have lots of Frenchies on board whereas the Kimberley one was mostly Aussies. Just returned from Le Soleal trip. I know you’ve done the Kimberley and I loved it. Greenland looks great from a distance but is depressingly poor. Iceland is beautiful. Paul Gauguin cruises are fabulous but it’s such a pain flying to Tahiti via Auckland. I’d do that again in a heartbeat but for the flight. Went from Port Vila to Osaka (a month) on Ponant. Again lots of third world ports. Good Pearl shopping in the Philippines! Again it depends on what you want- adventure, animals or the absolute joy of sailing into Venice! Go while you’re young!
You have the most amazing insights!!! Thank you Maryann
Here’s a dream trip depending on time and budget….
Fly to Paris.
Stay Hotel du Lys. Three star but great location and accessible from airport by RER.
Join a tour with French Country Waterways.(www.fcwl.com) pricey but great.
Back in Paris take TGV to Nimes.
Collect car and spend a week in rental near Uzes exploring and dining.
Drop off car in Nimes. Train to Milan and then to Orta Miasino where owner of Al Dom collects you. Three nights there. Train to Como. Three nights at Argegno. Train to Rome and fly home… or join a cruise from Cittiavechia. . 🥰
Wow, those French canal cruises!!!!!! Imagine getting eight friends together for one
I’m trying to win Powerball. Did two French Country Waterways with late husband. His comment was “do you know how much this costs?” Upon disembarking “we’ll
do another one!” Would love to take my new boyo!
Did you see this deal? https://www.tripadeal.com.au/deals/5078-flavours-of-france-cruise-cuisine?&utm_source=TripADeal+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EDM_BAU-Multi_Marketing_23Oct2023_Tour%2bCruise&sfmc_id=00Q2x00000fEGV8EAO
I didn’t answer your question about cruises. This year we cruised with Oceania, Silversea and Ponant. My partner liked Silversea best. Friends prefer Seabourn. We’re going on two Queen Elizabeth (Cunard) next year. Nice ships but too big. Deal was good and it’s Sydney to Sydney! Silversea have lovely big cabins and bathrooms. Ponant cabins are small.
Hope I haven’t been overexcited about travelling!
Why do your friends prefer Seabourn over Silversea? What did you think of Oceania?
Oceania vs Silversea …. Decor on Oceania is more upmarket. Drinks not included. Will check with friends about Seabourn’s selling points!
Thank you!