Aboard Ponant's Le Soleal: Cruising the French Way Jul 23rd 2013, 23:45
Nearly three years ago I sailed on Le Boreal, the first of Compagnie du Ponant's new small luxury ships. I came away impressed by the food (not surprising given the company's French heritage), the ship’s spacious accommodations and the line's innovative itineraries. Last week I cruised from Lisbon to Galway aboard Ponant's newest vessel, Le Soleal, and my opinion of the line hasn't been changed in the slightest.
Ponant continues to deliver a cruise product unlike any available in the U.S. market. It is definitely very European, with a French flair in terms of the ship's design, the food served, the activities offered and the service provided by the crew, which is largely Filipino or Indonesian, except for the French officers.
Le Soleal is the third in a series of sister ships after Le Boreal and L'Austral (although while I was aboard last week Ponant announced construction of a fourth sister ship). The vessel carries just 264 passengers so it has lots of public space and great private places where you can read and contemplate the ocean views.
From its high-tech metallic funnel near the stern to its sleek hull and superstructure to its stylish interiors, the ship has an unmatched sense of design that seems appropriate for a French cruise line (though the vessel was built at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard near Venice). The ship's very modern interior design, which is slightly different from its sister vessels, features subdued colors of beige, brown, grey and off-white, and includes interesting artwork like the hanging sculpture in the two-deck-high atrium and reception area.
Le Soleal, which translates to “the one who shows the way,” has a very different pace from other cruise ships that I've been on. Life onboard is a bit slower, more refined and definitely not as frenetic as some other vessels I've experienced. There are fewer announcements made during the cruise (in both French and English), fewer activities packed into the day, and dinner is very often the highlight of the evening, an event unto itself.
Guests can enjoy a leisurely dinner in the ship's main restaurant, L'Eclipse, located on Deck 2, with new menus offered nightly. The food is definitely French, though regional specialties of the places visited by the vessel also are served, as well as standard offerings like a great grilled steak, vegetarian fare and pastas. Wine and beer are free with dinner, except for premium wine selections.
And if you don't want to have the formal dinner, you can enjoy a meal in the Pytheas restaurant on Deck 6 in the stern, which offers both indoor and outdoor dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'd call this a "buffet" restaurant, except it's far from being a buffet. There is a hot food station with selection of meats, grilled foods, vegetables and food cooked to order, as well as a cold food station offering up a selection of salads, cold meats, cheeses and much more.
There’s also a bread station (and the bread on board is wonderful) and a dessert station featuring a wide assortment of tarts, puddings, cakes and chocolate mousse. Add to that a special station featuring daily specials, such as cooked-to-order seafood paella, carved meats, and freshly shucked oysters and giant shrimp.
On Deck 6 in the stern just aft of the restaurant is the ship's pool. It's not large, but it serves its purpose for those interested in a quick dip and some sun. There's also an outdoor bar just up the stairs on Deck 7, affording wonderful views of the ship's wake. Also on Deck 6 overlooking the bow is Salon Observatoire, the ship's combination piano bar, lounge, card room, Internet cafe and library, a popular location for those just interested in reading a good book during the day.
Entertainment onboard is sophisticated and cultural, especially on the theme cruises, and a bit slower paced than what you'll find on other cruise ships. Yes, there are dancers and singers offering nightly “Broadway” type shows either in Cassini, the ship's sophisticated theater on Deck 4, or in the Grand Salon Galilee main lounge on Deck 3. A Celtic harpist and accompanying pianist, as well as an Irish folk band and dancers from Galway, were featured on my short cruise.
On Deck 5 near the stern the ship has a spa (Sothys Paris), with three treatment rooms, and fitness center with six exercise machines and a Kinesis device. Also on Deck 5, there’s a small lounge for kids with a selection of board games, books, a flat-screen TV and some video games. But make no mistake, this is not a vessel designed for younger children, though there were a few onboard my cruise, mostly family members of the ship's officers. Notably there is also no casino, which is prohibited by law for French-flagged ships.
Located on Decks 3, 4, 5 and 6, staterooms are all outside with balconies. The standard stateroom is spacious and well designed with a king-size bed, padded headboard and lots of good lighting, including flexible reading lights. The stateroom is furnished with a padded vanity stool, a small armchair and a small table. There are four large drawers and a double closet for storage, including a combination safe. A flat screen TV offers a limited number of English-language stations and a selection of English-language films on demand. The well-designed bathroom features a large single sink and shower and a separate WC. A panel that slides open allows light into the bathroom through a large glass window.
Le Soleal is very much focused on delivering a sophisticated luxury expedition and destination experience. Like its sister ships, it is rated for Antarctica cruises, though it won't get to the region until next year. That makes it one of the most luxurious ships afloat that can sail such an exotic itinerary, complete with a fleet of 12 zodiacs to take guests right up to onto the ice, as well as six sea kayaks. Tenders also depart from a platform in the ship's stern (unlike some other vessels), which makes it easier for guests to board and disembark.
Le Soleal will sail on some very unusual and unique itineraries well beyond Antarctica. In fact, the ship never seems to sail to the same ports twice, if its current schedule is any indication. I was onboard half of a 10-day cruise to Portugal, Ireland, Scotland and Iceland, which had a "Celtic World" theme. Well-respected French journalists and experts gave presentations on that theme, but they made an effort to give their talks in English as well.
After Iceland, Le Soleal will sail on a route through the Northwest Passage in Canada and then down into the Sea of Japan and finally to Southeast Asia, before coming around past India, up the Suez Canal and back into the Mediterranean. In effect, that means Le Soleal has been on a world cruise ever since it was christened late last month in Venice by Kiki Tauck Mahar, daughter of Arthur Tauck Jr., chairman of upscale tour operator Tauck, and wife of Dan Mahar, CEO of Tauck. Tauck uses Ponant ships extensively for its series of Small Ship Cruises, though Abercrombie & Kent also charters the vessels.
To sum up, Le Soleal is for a sophisticated, internationally oriented customer who enjoys food (particularly French food), exotic destinations, expedition cruising, comfortable and stylish accommodations, and a much slower-paced cruise that is often focused on the sea itself. No that's not for everybody, but there most certainly is a luxury clientele (probably that ubiquitous 55 plus market) that will appreciate what this sleek and stylish ship has to offer.
James Shillinglaw is editor in chief and editorial director of travAlliancemedia, which publishes TravelPulse.com, Agent@Home magazine and Vacation Agent magazine.
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