experiencethe luxury of a billionaire yacht voyage at a lower cost: an alluring journey on Le Ponant
Sailing Away on a Millionaire's Dream: Embarking on the Stylish Le Ponant for City A.M. - The Magazine
A nautical mile off the coast of Cassis, and I'm doing the backstroke. In the corner of my vision, I catch a speed boat doesn backwards every time I move my arms. The attentive crew member adjusts the vessel's position to mirror my strokes. I test the formula: I swim a bit forwards, and the speed boat syncs up with me again, maintaining a steady 20-meter distance. Guarding me from the bustling waterway, the black speedboat gives me a hint of Tom Cruise's swashbuckling lifestyle - a glimpse into life on a private yacht, albeit Le Ponant isn't really a private yacht, it's a public vessel in disguise.
With only sixteen bookable rooms accommodating thirty-two guests, and an almost equitable guest-to-staff ratio, Le Ponant is in a league of its own. Yacht aficionados argue it's too big to be categorized as a yacht, but there's no official definition, so we'll call it a draw. Onboard, a staff member offers me a sparkling French apple cider in a champagne flute to take the chill off as I finally step out of the brisk Mediterranean water. (Ok, maybe "chill" is an understatement, the Med in spring can make your heart race.)
As a luxury yacht, Le Ponant is riding the wave of popularity in a market worth $8.91bn in 2022 and projected to keep surging until at least 2030. The allure of these floating extravagances is undeniably hard to resist, particularly as they've shaped modern glamour since the 1950s when iconic Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton epitomized an era of Instagram-worthy yachting. Stars like David Beckham, Kylie Jenner, and Leonardo DiCaprio continue to use them today, seeking the discretion they offer in the face of constant papparazzi scrutiny. Even ol' Becksie Clarkson strips down when he's on his yacht, away from the gaze of the Cotswolds.
Le Ponant is the quintessential sailboat of your childhood dreams, the elegant ship that might just take flight at any moment. It boasts the original teak decking from the build in 1989, an anomaly on public ships with its sleek sails gracing the top deck. It's a natural stage for your own Liz Taylor impression, lounging on a sunbed, soaking up the sun and admiring the French Riviera.
Evening cocktails accompanied by soulful jazz bands are a nightly ritual on Le Ponant. One morning, I caught the bartender carrying in a new crate of Campari after I'd overdone it on Aperol Spritzes the night before.
What sets Le Ponant apart, though, is the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow travelers. Being trapped on a cruise ship with a hundred strangers can feel like a dinner party you can't escape, but the intimate size of Le Ponant offers just the right amount of sociability. You'll encounter the Aussie expat living her mother's Mediterranean fantasy, the Tatler writer, and the Belgian solo traveler who fancied a London mother duo. Cruising on Le Ponant is your chance to expand your social circle and experience the high life.
Saint-Tropez, our destination, serves as a playground for the rich and famous. LVMH has overrun the town, causing concern among locals who mourn the bohemian spirit. Despite the commercialization, there's still a democratic feel to the place.wealthy yacht owners and regular Joes rub shoulders on the promenade. Grab a €8 croque monsieur at Le Gorille, the last remaining remnant of Saint-Tropez's artistic, alternative heyday. Though Bridgitte Bardot may condemn the town, it remains an unforgettable experience.
Excursions to other coastal towns offer a chance to explore France, but Le Ponant is the destination I couldn't wait to return to each day. The last night saw us dancing to Daft Punk in the lounge until the wee hours, surrounded by friends new and old. There's always more to share when you've made the right kind of friends on a yacht.
Le Ponant is set to sail from Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik from August to October 2024, and from Athens to Athens from June to July. Seven-night voyages cost £8,280 per person based on double occupancy. You can book your voyage at uk.ponant.com/le-ponant. For airport chauffeur services, check out blacklane.com.
- The intimate size of Le Ponant, a luxury yacht, offers an opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow travelers, from an Aussie expat living her mother's Mediterranean fantasy to a Belgian solo traveler, expanding one's social circle and experiencing the high life.
- Le Ponant, with its original teak decking and sleek sails, provides a natural stage for lounging in the sun like a modern-day Liz Taylor, reminiscent of the glamorous yachting era epitomized by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
- As Le Ponant cruises towards its destination, it offers more than just excursions to coastal towns; it is a destination in itself, with evening cocktails and soulful jazz, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience that rivals the lifestyles of the rich and famous in Saint-Tropez, where wealthy yacht owners and regular Joes mingle on the promenade. When on Le Ponant, one can enjoy taxes-included luxuries, from fashion-and-beauty products to gourmet food-and-drink, and relax in the comfort of a home-and-garden-inspired cabin, before setting sail again for the next adventure.
