Originally Posted by
Randyk47
Ponant is not well known to the American cruise market so there aren't a lot of American bias passenger reviews out there. That's not a bad or good thing just makes it harder to know what their cruises are like in terms of service so hard to say what to expect on a regular cruise much less an inaugural. I've seen their ships in the Med and they're beautiful and seeing them actually made me do some research. Have to say their less than all inclusive nature turned me off. The thought of paying luxury cruise prices then being charged to death doesn't entice me.
Ponant is French owned and over half the clientele are French.
In booking my cruise with them,I already sense a little bit of French attitude. Maybe certain Americans are reluctant to cruise on a boat where English is not the primary language.
I confused by what you mean by less than " all inclusive". The only thing it seems is not inclusive are the land tours, and from what I can gather the only cruise line that includes them at no cost is Regent Seven Seas.
I'll get back to you in 18 months with a report . I agree with you; the boats are beautiful.
By the way this new boat seems to have a very smart but minimal decoration scheme. A friend who went on Regent said the décor was kind of Las Vegas like. What you think?