Azamara Cruises vs Ponant

The core difference

Azamara and Ponant are not natural competitors — they operate in different tiers, serve different travel motivations, and deliver fundamentally different experiences. But Australian travellers with an interest in small-ship cruising frequently ask how they compare, and the comparison reveals what each line does best.

Azamara is a destination-immersive premium line. Four R-class ships at 30,277 gross tonnes, approximately 700 guests each, sailing the world’s oceans with a focus on overnight port stays, boutique harbour access, and complimentary cultural events. Drinks, gratuities, and shuttle buses are included. The identity is destination-first — the ship facilitates deep engagement with the places you visit. Under Sycamore Partners since 2021, the line has sharpened this identity with over 250 Destination Speakers, 35 AzAmazing Evenings for 2026, and an US$80 million fleet refurbishment programme.

Ponant is a French luxury expedition brand. Thirteen ships — from the 32-guest sailing yacht Le Ponant to the 245-guest Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker with PC2 ice class — operate across every expedition region on earth. Rebranded as Ponant Explorations Group in 2025, the company encompasses Ponant Explorations, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Aqua Expeditions. Owned by Groupe Artemis (the Pinault family holding), Ponant is unambiguously French — Ducasse-trained cuisine, Henri Abele champagne included in the open bar, the Blue Eye underwater lounge on Explorer-class ships, and a passenger mix that is approximately fifty per cent French. The fleet reaches the Geographic North Pole, Antarctica year-round, the Kimberley, French Polynesia, and remote expedition destinations worldwide.

For Australian travellers, the choice is about purpose. If you want port-intensive ocean cruising with included drinks, domestic departures, and a competitive per-diem, Azamara delivers. If you want luxury expedition capability — the Kimberley, Antarctica, the Arctic — with French culinary distinction and a fleet that reaches places Azamara cannot, Ponant delivers.

What is actually included

The inclusion models reflect different market positions.

Azamara includes: select standard spirits, beers, and wines by the glass throughout the day, gratuities, AzAmazing Evenings, shuttle buses, self-service laundry, speciality coffees, and room service. Wi-Fi available for purchase. Speciality dining surcharges at Prime C and Aqualina (waived for suite guests).

Ponant includes: all dining across two to three restaurants, an open bar at all hours (beer, wine, spirits, Henri Abele Brut Champagne, soft drinks, coffee), daily-restocked minibar, unlimited Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, and one guided excursion per port per day on expedition sailings. Gratuities are voluntary but suggested at approximately EUR 10 to 12 per person per day. Shore excursions on non-expedition itineraries are additional.

Ponant’s open bar is broader — it includes champagne and operates at all hours with no restriction to standard selections. Ponant also includes Wi-Fi and a daily minibar restock where Azamara charges for Wi-Fi. Azamara includes gratuities where Ponant leaves them voluntary. Azamara adds AzAmazing Evenings and shuttle buses that Ponant does not offer. Both are substantially inclusive, with Ponant’s beverage programme having the edge and Azamara’s gratuity inclusion providing better budget certainty.

Dining and culinary experience

The culinary comparison pits quantity against quality — and Ponant’s French heritage shows.

Azamara offers six dining venues per ship. Discoveries Restaurant (open seating), Windows Cafe (buffet), The Patio (poolside to evening), Mosaic Cafe (coffees), Prime C (steakhouse, surcharge), and Aqualina (Italian, surcharge). The cuisine is Mediterranean-inspired with international dishes. Quality is consistent and the intimate scale allows personal attention.

Ponant’s cuisine is anchored by the Ducasse Conseil partnership — the consulting arm of Alain Ducasse. On Explorer-class ships, Le Nautilus serves four-course a la carte dinners with amuse-bouche. Le Nemo offers poolside casual dining. On Le Commandant Charcot, the Nuna restaurant features Bernardaud porcelain, Ligne Roset furniture, and menus that include soft-boiled eggs with caviar and saffron fettuccine with seafood. Pierre Herme macarons and Kaviari caviar appear fleet-wide. The bread and pastries are consistently described as boulangerie-quality. All dining is included.

Azamara wins on venue count. Ponant wins on culinary pedigree, French execution, and the quality of fundamental elements — bread, pastry, wine curation, and cheese. For food-motivated travellers who value French culinary authenticity, Ponant is exceptional. For those who want more dining choice across multiple venues, Azamara delivers more options.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation reflects different ship sizes and design priorities.

Azamara’s R-class ships offer cabins from Club Interior (158 square feet) through Club Veranda (175 square feet plus balcony) to Club World Owner’s Suite (793 to 836 square feet). Butler service from suite level. The Azamara Forward refurbishment from late 2026 adds new suite categories.

Ponant’s Explorer-class staterooms are deliberately compact. The standard Deluxe Balcony is 161 square feet plus a 43-square-foot balcony — the expedition philosophy prioritises time on deck and ashore. Prestige Suites offer 291 square feet. The Owner’s Suite tops out at 485 square feet interior with a 323-square-foot terrace and outdoor Jacuzzi. On Le Commandant Charcot, Prestige Staterooms start at 300 square feet plus balcony, and the Owner’s Suite spans 1,240 square feet interior plus 2,000-square-foot terrace. Butler service is available in top suites on Charcot only.

At comparable entry levels, Azamara’s veranda cabins are marginally larger than Ponant’s Explorer-class equivalents. At the suite level, Ponant’s Charcot offers the most spectacular accommodation but at a significantly higher price point. The comparison is secondary to the fundamental product difference — Azamara is an ocean cruise ship, Ponant is an expedition vessel.

Pricing and value

The pricing gap between these lines is substantial and reflects different market positioning.

Azamara’s per-diem for a 7-night Mediterranean voyage runs approximately US$250 to $500 per person per night for a veranda cabin, including drinks and gratuities.

Ponant’s per-diem varies significantly by ship and destination. Explorer-class expedition cruises average roughly AUD $900 to $1,500 per person per night. The Kimberley Fly, Stay and Cruise package starts from approximately AUD $14,850 per person. Mediterranean themed voyages run approximately AUD $7,500 to $9,200 per person for a 7-night sailing. Le Commandant Charcot polar voyages command a significant premium — the 2028 circumnavigation of Antarctica starts from USD $147,360 per person for sixty-two days. Ponant’s Ponant Bonus early-booking discount offers up to thirty per cent off.

Ponant is roughly double to triple Azamara’s per-diem, depending on ship and destination. This reflects the luxury versus premium positioning, the smaller ship scale, and expedition capability. The lines are not direct competitors on price — comparing them requires understanding that you are choosing different products at different tiers.

Spa and wellness

Azamara’s Sanctum Spa features Elemis products, multiple treatment rooms, a thalassotherapy pool on the Spa Terrace, and a well-equipped fitness centre with complimentary classes.

Ponant’s spa varies by ship. Explorer-class ships carry compact Sothys or Clarins-operated spas with massage cabins, a hammam, and fitness centre. Le Commandant Charcot offers the Nuan Wellness Lounge with Biologique Recherche treatments, the Ikuma sauna, Siku snow room, and the Blue Lagoon heated outdoor pool (27 to 37 degrees Celsius) where guests swim surrounded by polar ice — an experience no other cruise line can offer. An indoor saltwater pool completes the facility.

Azamara wins on spa breadth and the dedicated thalassotherapy pool on standard sailings. Ponant’s Charcot offers the most experiential wellness in cruising — swimming in heated water while icebergs drift past is extraordinary. On Explorer-class, the spa is functional but modest.

Entertainment and enrichment

Azamara’s enrichment centres on destination immersion — over 250 Destination Speakers, AzAmazing Evenings, Stories Under the Stars, and new original shows. The evening atmosphere is quiet and sophisticated.

Ponant’s enrichment draws on institutional partnerships with National Geographic, Smithsonian Journeys, and The Explorers Club. Expert naturalists, photographers, and scientists sail on expedition voyages. The Blue Eye underwater lounge provides a unique multi-sensory experience on Explorer-class ships. The Soiree Blanche (White Party) is a signature social event on warm-climate sailings. Evening entertainment is a musical duo, champagne, and stargazing. Enrichment is delivered in French first, then English.

Both lines are enrichment-focused rather than entertainment-driven. Azamara’s AzAmazing Evenings and Destination Speakers are distinctive. Ponant’s institutional partnerships (National Geographic, Smithsonian, Explorers Club) and the Blue Eye lounge are unique. The French-first delivery on Ponant is the most discussed distinction among English-speaking travellers.

Fleet and destination coverage

Azamara’s four ships visit over 70 countries and 318 ports — strong Mediterranean, Asian, and Australian-waters coverage. Consistent fleet with no ship lottery.

Ponant’s thirteen ships cover virtually every expedition destination on earth. Six Explorer-class ships (184 guests, PC6) with the Blue Eye lounge. Four Sisterships (264 guests). Le Commandant Charcot (245 guests, PC2 icebreaker). Le Ponant (32 guests, sailing yacht). Paul Gauguin (332 guests, French Polynesia year-round). The fleet enables simultaneous deployment across Antarctica, the Arctic, the Kimberley, French Polynesia, the Mediterranean, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and more.

Ponant’s fleet breadth overwhelmingly dominates — thirteen ships across more destinations, with expedition capability that Azamara cannot match. Azamara’s four ships provide consistent quality in the destinations they serve, but the destination range is conventional ocean cruising rather than expedition territory.

Where each line excels

Azamara excels in:

• Destination immersion at a competitive per-diem. Over 51 per cent of port time during late-night or overnight stays with drinks and gratuities included at a fraction of Ponant’s pricing.
• AzAmazing Evenings. Complimentary shoreside cultural events that make the destination the entertainment.
• Budget transparency. Drinks, gratuities, and cultural events included — total cost known before departure.
• Australian-waters ocean cruising. Sydney departures, New Zealand itineraries, and Asian sailings without expedition pricing.

Ponant excels in:

• Expedition capability. The only luxury line with a PC2 icebreaker, reaching the Geographic North Pole and offering year-round polar operations.
• French culinary distinction. Ducasse Conseil partnership, Pierre Herme macarons, Kaviari caviar, and boulangerie-quality bread and pastry.
• The Kimberley. Sixteen sailings per season with Fly, Stay and Cruise packages from Australian capitals.
• The Blue Eye. The only underwater multi-sensory lounge in cruising — unique to Explorer-class ships.
• Fleet flexibility. Thirteen ships across every major expedition region — far more departure dates and destinations.
• French Polynesia. Paul Gauguin year-round from Papeete, plus Explorer-class deployments across six archipelagos.
• Institutional partnerships. National Geographic, Smithsonian Journeys, and The Explorers Club.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Azamara

Melbourne to Auckland (16 nights, January departure). No international flight required. Intimate New Zealand ports with overnight stays.

Sydney to Singapore (22 nights, February departure). Australian coastal ports, Indonesia, and an easy fly-home from Singapore.

Japan Cherry Blossom Season (spring sailing). Boutique Japanese ports during cherry blossom season.

Ponant

Le Jacques Cartier: Kimberley (10 nights, May to September, Broome to Darwin). Sixteen sailings with Fly, Stay and Cruise packages from approximately AUD $14,850. King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, Indigenous cultural encounters.

Le Jacques Cartier: French Polynesia (7 to 14 nights, roundtrip Papeete, September to March). Society Islands, Tuamotu, Marquesas. Air Tahiti Nui direct from Sydney.

Le Commandant Charcot: Antarctica (various durations from Ushuaia). The only luxury icebreaker reaching deep into Antarctic waters. For the most ambitious polar traveller.

Le Soleal: West Coast Odyssey (10 nights, Broome to Fremantle, July to August). Shark Bay, Abrolhos Islands, Montebello Islands, Murujuga National Park. Domestic flights only.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Azamara

Azamara Onward — Australian-waters workhorse. Atlas Bar exclusive to this ship. Recommended for domestic departures.

Azamara Quest — First into the Forward refurbishment late 2026. New suites and Chef’s Table restaurant.

Ponant

Le Jacques Cartier (184 guests, 2020) — The most versatile for Australian travellers. Both Kimberley and French Polynesia deployments. Explorer-class with Blue Eye lounge.

Le Commandant Charcot (245 guests, 2021) — For serious polar expedition only. PC2 icebreaker. The only luxury ship to reach the Geographic North Pole.

Le Soleal (264 guests, 2013) — Kimberley and West Coast Odyssey deployments. Larger Sistership-class with proven expedition capability.

For Australian travellers specifically

Ponant has deep Australian roots. Built under Sarina Bratton AM, APAC revenue grew from less than one per cent to twenty per cent of global revenue. The North Sydney office (1300 737 178) operates Discovery Sessions across five Australian cities. Kimberley Fly, Stay and Cruise packages depart from five capitals. The Kimberley is the second most popular destination for Australian Ponant guests.

Azamara’s Australian presence has grown since independence, with Sydney departures and extended seasons. Distribution through Australian travel agent partnerships. No dedicated Australian office, but strong agent support.

The Kimberley question is decisive for many Australians. If the Kimberley is on your list, Ponant offers sixteen sailings per season with purpose-built expedition ships — Azamara cannot serve this destination. If Australian-waters ocean cruising from Sydney is your priority, Azamara serves it with a more accessible per-diem.

The loyalty question favours Ponant for long-term expedition travellers. The Yacht Club extends across Ponant, Paul Gauguin, and Aqua Expeditions. Azamara Circle stands alone.

The onboard atmosphere

Azamara’s atmosphere is intimate, English-speaking, and destination-focused. Fewer than 700 guests, resort casual dress code, adults-oriented, quiet evenings.

Ponant’s atmosphere is distinctly French. Approximately fifty per cent French passengers, with announcements in French first. The Soiree Blanche (White Party) on warm-climate sailings. Casual Chic dress code with one or two gala evenings. Champagne at all hours. The cultural environment is cosmopolitan and European rather than Anglo-Saxon. For Australians, the French dynamic is either charming or frustrating — knowing which you are before booking is important.

The bottom line

Azamara and Ponant serve different markets at different price points — choosing between them requires clarity about your priorities, your budget, and your destination.

Choose Azamara when you want destination-immersive ocean cruising at a competitive per-diem. Choose it for overnight port stays, AzAmazing Evenings, included drinks and gratuities, and Sydney departures. Choose it when you want an English-speaking, adults-oriented atmosphere on intimate 700-guest ships. Accept the 25-year-old fleet, the smaller dining programme, and the inability to reach expedition destinations.

Choose Ponant when you want French luxury expedition at the highest level. Choose it for the Kimberley, Antarctica, the Arctic, and French Polynesia on purpose-built expedition vessels. Choose it for Ducasse-trained cuisine, the Blue Eye underwater lounge, and the world’s only luxury icebreaker. Choose it for thirteen ships offering far more departure dates and expedition destinations. Accept the higher per-diem, the French-first language dynamic, voluntary gratuities, and more compact staterooms on Explorer-class ships.

For Australian travellers drawn to both, the combination is natural — Azamara for Mediterranean and Asian destination immersion, Ponant for a Kimberley expedition or Antarctic voyage. The lines complement perfectly, and the loyalty benefit of Ponant’s cross-brand Yacht Club adds value if you plan to explore their broader portfolio.