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It’s been a big week for expedition cruising, with Seabourn and Silversea both releasing details of their new-builds. Meanwhile the French luxury expedition line Ponant continue to grow their fleet with the launch of Le Bougainville, in Norway.
The purpose-build small luxury expedition ship is the third of six Explorer-class vessels ordered by Ponant.
“I wanted the ships in the Ponant Explorers series to embody the very best in expedition cruising. Le Bougainville is the incarnation of that”.
Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO and co-founder of Ponant
Le Bougainville is currently under sail from the shipyard where she was constructed in Norway to Spain. She will then start her maiden cruise on 15 April 2019 from Malaga. However, Le Bougainville won’t be officially inaugurated until 4 June 2019.
The launch of Le Bougainville sets new standards for luxury expedition cruising. The vessel offers expedition cruisers a unique combination of intimacy, luxury and innovation. There are just 92 staterooms and suites – all with a balcony or private terrace. There is also fine dining and the ship has cutting-edge technologies to protect the environment.
The next Explorer-class expedition ship for Ponant will be named Le Dumont-d’Urville and is due to launch in June 2019.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
