Product Manager, Michaela, had an absolute adventure on a recent Ponant Kimberley Cruise. She spent 10 days onboard the and loved the expedition.
Live in the moment thanks to Ponant’s ultra luxury small-ship cruises. Travelling with Ponant Explorations means setting sail for discreet shores in style and comfort, aboard intimate ships in the company of experts and inspiring personalities. Between explorations at the edge of the world, passionate experts, unforgettable encounters, exceptional wildlife: each stopover offers profound experiences.
Learn more about Michaela’s experience onboard the Le Jacques Cartier below.
First Impressions of Ponant Kimberley Cruise
This was my first expedition cruise and I didn’t really know what to expect. But right from the moment that the captain welcomed us onboard, any doubts about this style of cruising had vanished. The ship was pristine and felt like a floating home with neutral tones and places of calm throughout.
Being a smaller ship able to accommodate 184 passengers and 112 crew, there aren’t as many options of restaurants to dine at, but that has the benefit of being able to meet and connect with your fellow passengers over meals and drinks everyday.
The Suite
On this Ponant Kimberley Cruise, we were fortunate enough to be in a privilege suite on deck 6 which was 32 sqm and featured a lounge area, double balcony and a huge walk in robe. There was a separate toilet from the bathroom with double sinks which was a great design. Being able to have enough space to order room service breakfast from our butler was a bonus when we had days at sea.
- Although we were lucky enough to experience the Privilege Suite, there are many other options to choose from:
- Lower or Upper deck balcony stateroom is a great lead in option at 19sqm.
- The Deluxe Suites are 27sqm and can fit 3 guests.
- Prestige Suites are huge at 38 sqm and can fit 4 guests (this is basically 2 interconnecting balcony staterooms joined, so feature 2 bathrooms and a sofa-bed in the second cabin which converts into the lounge).
- The Grand Suite / Owners Suite feature the same layout at 45sqm, with the only difference being that the Owners Suite has an outdoor jacuzzi and a bigger deck area. We were lucky enough to be invited to have champagne and canapes with the captain in the Owners Deck. It was truly an amazing space, and I can understand why some passengers don’t leave this space!
Dining and Food
Each day at the Grill restaurant there was a daily themed special which was always a different cuisine and something amazing! The highlight for me was the suckling pig and lamb legs they had slow cooked. It smelt and tasted amazing!
The Gourmet restaurant, The Nautilus was where breakfast was located or for a more formal lunch or dinner than the outdoor Grill restaurant.
Bars and Lounges
There were 2 gala dinners and a white night while we were onboard and everyone who attended really got into the spirit and after dinner sometimes stayed up dancing or headed to the Blue Eye lounge on Deck 1 for some karaoke or other music on offer while looking out the glass eyes into the sea beyond.
Service
Ponant is known for its luxury expedition cruises and I can see why clients book repeat cruises with Ponant. The service and cuisine was great onboard, but the naturalists are what makes the trip that much more special.
Ponant Kimberley Cruise Shore Excursions
Each day was a delight with one or two zodiac excursions each day. We were put in 4 groups according to our suite types and stuck with those the whole trip. The naturalist guides were fabulous and so knowledgeable about different aspects of the environment, animals and nature. Every day felt like we were on a David Attenborough episode!
Starting our excursions at the Twin Falls in the King George river and being served champagne was a definite highlight and a fabulous start to the cruise. Another highlight was the optional excursion of doing a helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls. What an amazing landscape to witness from above while peering out of a helicopter with no doors!
The sheer volume of water that comes cascading off the Montgomery Falls was a sight to behold as well as the Horizontal Falls and the massive tide movements that happen on the West Coast of Australia.
Then there were the days of cruising the crocodile infested waters in the Hunter River and seeing the amazing green sea turtles and dolphins around the Lacepede Islands.
You may be starting to see the theme that this cruise isn’t just about this luxury ship – Le Jacques Cartier, but also about what you are doing off the ship as well. When you arrive back from your excursions it’s like returning to a floating mansion with so many comfortable areas to relax in.
Onboard Facilities
After the morning excursions, you could choose to hit the gym, although quite small, or hang out in the observation lounge on deck 6 or main lounge on deck 3. The pool at the back of deck 3 was also a popular area during the day and also where the Grill restaurant, Le Nemo was located for lunch or dinner. The smallish pool featured a swimming jet for those who wanted a bit more exercise.
There was progressive trivia most days and various lectures along with movies or documentaries you could watch, but on other days the suite balcony was a great source of entertainment while looking into the ocean and spotting the various sea creatures in the deep. Each night there was a briefing in the Theatre about what the next day’s adventures were going to be, and also a recap of what you had seen that day while out on the zodiacs.
The sauna, day spa and gym area was quite small but was more than adequate for that many people. I used all three of these areas and quite enjoyed the quiet time to myself and the massage was quite good.
Final Thoughts on Ponant Kimberley Cruise
The only downside I could see was that there was no self service laundry onboard and no champagne or wine in the mini bar, but you could order that by the glass if you wanted to.
The positives were abundant and there was a pinch me moment nearly every day I was out in the zodiacs or back on the ship. I would recommend this type of cruise for anyone who loves nature and learning about our ancient indigenous culture and wants to experience a luxury expedition cruise in complete comfort.
To be able to cruise with Ponant in so many parts of the world is a huge benefit and I’d love to experience Seychelles, Madagascar and Zanzibar with them in the future. And the bucket list would be an Antarctica cruise! They also own Paul Gauguin cruises in Tahiti and Aqua Expeditions small ship cruising in other parts of the world.
I feel privileged to have been able to experience this 10 night Kimberley expedition cruise with Ponant and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a bit more adventure and activity than a normal luxury cruise.
Learn more about Ponant Expeditions by viewing our deals here.
