Ponant’s spanking new vessel breaks the ice

Ice abstraction background, pattern

Luxury expedition cruise line Ponant yesterday announced it was one step closer to launching its revolutionary icebreaker, slated for a 2021 debut.

Speaking to assorted media at Sydney’s Aria restaurant, Ponant’s Asia Pacific chairman Sarina Bratton thanked them for their support.

This was followed by the cruise line’s head of expeditions, Nicolas Dubreuil provided an update on the vessel’s progress, with the news that preliminary testing was complete.

The PC2 class vessel will be a polar luxury expedition ship and a hybrid electric icebreaker powered by liquid natural gas, fitted with the latest environmental protection technology.

It will have the capacity to sail through 2.5m thick ice in northern and southern polar extremes, all while keeping guests ensconced in luxury surrounds.

The icebreaker will give passengers the chance to reach the geographic North Pole, cross the Arctic Ocean, discover Greenland’s northeast region as well as explore the Weddell Sea, the Ross Sea, and Peter Island.

The vessel will include 135 staterooms and suits with balconies including 68 suites with patio doors and private balconies.

With a complement of 187 crew, the vessel will also have 3 restaurants, a spa, and wellness centre, plus 16 expedition Zodiacs and 2 onboard helicopters.

The icebreaker’s environmental and tech credentials are extensive, with zero emissions when in electric hybrid mode as well as compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s 2020 regulations on sulfur emissions levels.

The vessel will also have an advanced wastewater treatment system and an onboard laboratory.

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]