PONANT, the global leader in luxury expedition cruising, has redefined the art of travel. The French brand stands not only for the very highest standards, but also for meaningful discovery and responsible tourism. PONANT’s fleet comprises 14 exclusive, smaller cruise ships accommodating a maximum of 500 guests –  ranging from luxury icebreakers to sailing yachts –  offering access to exclusive and remote destinations and ports the world over, always with an authentic French flair on board, exquisite cuisine, carefully selected guest artists, and first-class service from the North Pole to Antarctica. The PONANT Explorations Group is part of Artémis, the Pinault family’s holding company.