0208 248 2355
Questions about your booking? Contact Us
Login Le Champlain offers an intimate and refined cruise experience for exploring exceptional destinations.
Equipped with the Blue Eye underwater lounge and the latest technologies to reduce environmental impact, Le Champlain invite you to experience expedition cruising in a whole new way.
This 7-day trip was the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration and education. Le Champlain sailed from Puntarenas CR and then on to Panama, to include the very remote Dairen region of Panorama, and then to the San Blas islands via a daylight transit of the Panama Canal. Just a few notes: The food is ever present and thankfully served in reasonably-sized portions that are not overwhelming. The food is uniformly excellent. My wife is vegetarian and did not need to make any compromises at all. Deserts are beyond excellent! The included wine choices are fine for me, although you could splurge on recommendations from the on-board Sommelier. Dining at the casual grill is just as good as the main dining room. All selections are available everywhere. Neither my wife, nor I gained any weight, although we very easily could have. The ship is in excellent condition, as was our stateroom. The " lower" cabin categories are fine on this trip, and do not leave anything to be desired. They are compact, but well planned. Everything is as good or better than Grills on Cunard, save for cabin size. The stateroom refrigerator was stocked with various juices and a selection of alcohol, which we did not use. Others said it was restocked, when used. Use the pool! Visit the Bridge! Visit the "Blue Eye," but don't have any expectations. All of the excursions seemed very easy, even when some are marked as moderate." I would not hesitate to choose any of them. The Smithsonian connection makes the trip a learning experience as well. We had two excellent speakers, who were fully available and always around (just like other guests). Dennis Willie Saenz and Ralph Nurnberger both get universally stellar reviews. The Smithsonian tour directors - Sandra and Julie - were also a great help and very much appreciated. It is a small ship. You will likely meet everyone before the trip is over. I generally do not like meeting people, but had a great time here. As a side note - if you have shipboard credit, check 48 hours before the end of the cruise to make sure you have time to use it, as the shop closes a day before disembarkation. All-in-all, a wonderful experience and very much worth doing. We stayed on for the two night Panama excursion in the rain forest directly adjacent to the canal route which also offered visits to historical and ecological sites.
This was our first cruise with Ponant. Our previous cruise experience was with Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity, and, for the past eight years, with Silversea. We chose this cruise because it was a expedition overseen by Smithsonian Journeys, focusing on the Panama Canal and the flora and fauna of Panama and Costa Rica. Significantly, the cruise was only 7 days, which appealed to us as every other Canal cruise left from either Miami or California and required ten to fourteen days with numerous stops in Mexico and the Caribbean. The Smithsonian-sponsored speakers gave lectures on the political situation in Central America, the history and current operation of the Canal, and the animal and bird life. They were all excellent and you had the opportunity to dine with them (at tables of 6) at various times during the week. The ship itself is beautiful and well maintained, having been launched in 2018. It is somewhat more casual in decor than Silversea, but still elegant. We had a standard veranda cabin, which at 204 sq.ft seemed pretty small compared to the 387 sq.ft. standard veranda on, say, the Silver Moon. There was enough storage, but two people definitely had to plan their movements if they were both in the room at the same time. You did not have to walk sideways to get between the end of the bed and the bureau, but two people definitely could not pass each other. I would say that the room was definitely too small for in-room dining. And on the topic of dining...one reason we chose Ponant was the excellent reviews we read about its food, especially compared to other lines in the ultra-luxury and luxury class. Ponant's bread and desserts were top notch - you could tell that many of them were made right on board every day. As to the entree's, I would say they are about the same quality that you will find on Silversea. However, where Silversea does beef better, Ponant excelled in seafood. The excursions on this Smithsonian itinerary were included, and included a stop in Darien to meet with the native Embera community. Only a few ships stop there every year. Other excursions included visits to the natural history museum in Panama (designed by Frank Geary) and hikes at national and private animal preserves in Costa Rica. We also had a "beach day" at the San Blas Islands with a beach barbecue. Several of the locations were wet landings, so bring water shoes. The entertainment was excellent, consisting of three fabulous female dancers and two singers. The shows were put on in the main lounge (not the theater), so it was like attending a supper club with a floor show - fun, energetic and very French. This cruise was geared toward English speakers, so there was no problem in communication, although hearing the French accents everywhere gave things an exotic touch.
My first Ponant , and it was pleasent , mostly French passengers , my French os not that good , I like to mention thatI never seen a captain so involved on excursion , Christmas was very well organized , food was above average , the ship is missing Jacuzzi , the pool is small and has a jet to swim , so all and all it was above average , the cabin was small in comparison to other expedition ships , the bleu Eye bar really never seem to produce real animal views under water life except jelly fish , the expedition team was excellent full of high quality guides . zodiacs , and sail boat , etc , I am smoker and the smoking area was the local spot but not the best area for my taste , the cruise was a pleasent voyage and with visiting this remote locations of Central America
Refined service
The onboard service embodies French elegance, combining personal attention and exceptional gastronomy. Every detail is designed to afford an unforgettable experience.
Private balconies
Most staterooms and suites are equipped with private balconies to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean, whether you are sailing through tropical waters or icy landscapes.
Personalised service
Featuring 6 to 165 cabins, our ships prioritise an intimate experience and attentive, personalised service.
Customized pillow
All our teams pay attention to the smallest details. That's why you can choose from our "pillow menu" the one that suits you best.
Butler
Attentive and discreet, your butler offers you a fully personalized service. The butler service is reserved for passengers traveling in one of the suites located on deck 6 aboard the Sisterships, as well as in all suites of the Shipowner, Deluxe Suites, Privilege Suites, and Prestige Suites located on deck 6 aboard the PONANT EXPLORERS.
Excellence in gastronomy
Delicious breakfasts, à la carte dishes, varied buffets, and gourmet tea times offer delightful experiences designed in collaboration with Ducasse Conseil.
Our restaurants invite you to explore: a sensory journey where flavors reveal themselves with boldness and finesse.
Whether you're dreaming of relaxation, exploration, or a far-flung escape to the heart of breathtaking nature, there's a trip for every desire. Timeless, Discovery, or Expedition: each collection offers a distinct and tailored approach, allowing you to experience your chosen destination up close.
The common areas onboard Le Champlain
Our ship Le Champlain features a number of spaces designed and arranged to serve your needs and requirements whilst at the same time preserving the privacy of each passenger.
Good times together
The common areas on board have been designed in great detail to make every moment something special. While the private nature of each of these spaces has been preserved, they have also been laid out to let you enjoy some wonderful times together with other passengers and team members throughout the day.
Lounges and bars
The cosy and refined atmosphere of the lounges and bars are perfect for relaxing, socialising or simply enjoying the moment – whatever your mood.
Take care of yourself, simply.
A conference that awakens your mind, a spa treatment that soothes your body, or a fitness session that revives your energy? On board, time seems to stand still for a moment of self-care.
Thanks to the Kid Explorers Club, children aged 4 to 13 enjoy activities organised by a team of dedicated and passionate carers.
Physical activities, board games, movie nights and learning about onboard professions, as well as supervised outings and shore walks for children (six years+).
