The Reason We Stepped On Board

When we first started working with PONANT, it was the cultural voyages and expedition sailings that caught our attention. Conversations with their team continued over months after they presented at our Cruises & Concerts events in early 2026. Ship layouts, routes, artists, and past sailings were discussed in detail, often with specific references to previous itineraries.

The next step for us was to experience it ourselves for our clients. Le Dumont d’Urville, one of their flagships, became the natural reference point for a voyage to experience it first-hand.

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A Small Ship in Valletta

Boarding Le Dumont d’Urville was an experience by itself. The ship is a pure delight to look at and with the captain greeting us before stepping on board, we felt truly welcome. He remained visible later that evening and in the following days, crossing lounges and stopping for short conversations.

Inside, corridors were quiet and precisely maintained. Light wood, clean surfaces, and open sightlines shaped the interior, chic but not stuffy. Staff were positioned across to greet us at different points of the ship rather than clustered at reception.

In our beautiful cabin, luggage had already been delivered. Documents were placed on the desk. An invitation to the captain’s table for our dinner was already prepared. Shortly after arrival, the steward introduced herself by name. A pressed shirt returned within half an hour which allowed me to present myself properly in the restaurant. Our names were used consistently across the voyage and requests were handled instantly to make us comfortable.

Food, Wine, and Daily Rhythm

Meals followed the itinerary rather than fixed dining hours. Breakfast was calm and presented in a relaxed manner. Lunch aligned with sea passages or approaching ports. Menus changed daily and were of excellent, French inspired, quality. Along the Italian coast, pasta dishes appeared with regional notes printed on the menu card.

A chocolate dome dessert appeared one evening for Marisa, and my jealousy of that dessert (as I ordered a simple coffee) was instantly met with a dome for myself. Bread was refilled throughout each service, with several varieties available at every meal.

The sommelier moved between tables during dinner, opening bottles and offering tastings. Wines ranged from included selections to higher-end bottles on request, including labels such as Château Latour. Our food allergies were recorded once at the beginning of the voyage and then followed without reminders, which made us feel comfortable in front of our dinner-table company.

The Ship Itself

Le Dumont d’Urville remained visually present in every port. In Portoferraio, people on the waterfront paused to take photographs as the ship turned slowly in the harbor.

Onboard, lounges are rarely filled completely. Deck spaces stayed open and quiet even during scenic passages. The cabin was compact but precisely arranged, with everything assigned a fixed place. At sea, we enjoyed the view from the balcony, with direct sound from the water below.

One afternoon, the captain invited a three people onto the bridge during departure from Elba. Fortunately I was one of the lucky ones invited. Navigation screens, radio communication, and harbor movement were explained while the ship slowly left port.

Who We Believe Will Love PONANT

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After sailing with PONANT ourselves, we would confidently recommend the experience to travelers who value culture, gastronomy, personal service, and smaller ships. Those who enjoy being treated as individuals rather than cabin numbers will find much to appreciate here.

We know that some of our clients raised the question of the French line and the reputation of being 'too' French. We can honestly say that we never had such feeling and the French only shows in the wonderful refined boats and their incredible food. If given the choice between returning to Le Dumont d'Urville or sailing on a much larger luxury vessel, our decision would be easy. We would return to PONANT because the experience felt authentic, personal, and aligned with exactly what the company promises to be.

The kindness of the crew. The genuine care shown by everyone on board and the willingness to go beyond expectations without making a show of it. Those moments created the strongest memories of our voyage.

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Why book PONANT with DeSalvio Travel?

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As we are Virtuoso affiliated we can give a $100 shipboard credit. We have great connections with our representatives of Ponant who will do their utmost for us and for our clients. This sometimes results in free room and cabin upgrades, extra care on board and a seamless handling by our agency. Our connection goes far beyond agent-supplier, with our Concert&Cruises events, we were able to create something unique that bonded us.

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Robert Poortinga  
Travel Booking Assistant  
River cruise & Europe destination expert  
Culinary and art travel specialist

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Some more impressions of our cruise: 

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