Atlas Ocean Voyages vs Ponant: which is better for an expedition cruise?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Atlas Ocean Voyages and Ponant each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Atlas Ocean Voyages vs Ponant: which is better for an expedition cruise?

Neither is better for everyone: Atlas Ocean Voyages carries fewer than 200 guests on its yachts and prices 11 nights in Antarctica from 8 March 2027 from US$12,150 per guest with its 25% Bonus Savings, while Ponant prices in euros, such as 7 nights in Svalbard from 3 July 2027 from €9,720 per person.

What is each line?

Atlas Ocean Voyages sells polar, epicurean and cultural expeditions year-round on its own yachts, as a brand of the Portuguese company Mystic Cruises. Source

Ponant sells expedition and other ocean cruises on its own fleet as PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, which also takes in PONANT YACHTING, PAUL GAUGUIN CROISIÈRES and, since 2025, Aqua Expeditions. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Atlas Ocean Voyages sails World Navigator, World Traveller and World Voyager, launched in 2021, 2022 and 2023, with Atlas Adventurer arriving in 2028. Source

Ponant sails Le Commandant Charcot, the PONANT Explorers (Le Bellot, Le Bougainville, Le Lapérouse, Le Champlain, Le Dumont d'Urville and Le Jacques Cartier) and the sisterships Le Boréal, L'Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial; its group's other brands sail Le Ponant, Spirit of Ponant and Paul Gauguin. Source

How many guests are on board?

Atlas Ocean Voyages carries fewer than 200 guests in 100 suites and staterooms on its yachts; Atlas Adventurer will have 200 suites. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

Where does each line sail?

Atlas Ocean Voyages sells named voyages to Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia, Svalbard, Greenland, Norway and the Mediterranean, plus Grand Voyages such as Bali to Mombasa and Kobe to Cape Town. Source

Ponant sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Ross Sea, South Georgia and the Falklands, Svalbard, Greenland, Norway, the Chilean fjords, the Kimberley and Indonesia. Source

What ice class are the ships?

Atlas Ocean Voyages says World Navigator, World Traveller and World Voyager are Polar Category C and Ice Class 1B. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

Who leads the landings?

Atlas Ocean Voyages leads every Antarctica expedition with a team of up to 17 wilderness guides, naturalists, mountaineers, biologists, conservationists and other professionals. Source

Ponant sends a team of about ten naturalist guides and experts on every expedition cruise, double that on Le Commandant Charcot, covering history, marine biology, geology, marine and land mammals and ornithology. Source

How much time ashore?

Atlas Ocean Voyages takes guests ashore by Zodiac up to twice daily under suitable conditions on polar expeditions; it does not say how many land at once. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

What can you do off the ship?

Atlas Ocean Voyages includes Zodiac safaris, shore landings and the polar plunge; kayaks and stand-up paddleboards in Antarctica cost a fee; Antarctic camping is an optional extra. Source

Ponant includes sea kayaking (from age 16), snowshoeing (17), hiking (10) and the polar plunge (16) on Le Commandant Charcot, with limited places; diving and kayak outings are paid extras on some cruises. Source

What does a voyage cost?

Atlas Ocean Voyages prices an 11-night Antarctica voyage on World Navigator, roundtrip from Ushuaia departing 8 March 2027, from US$12,150 per guest, double occupancy. Source

Ponant prices Fjords et glaciers du Spitzberg, 7 nights on Le Lyrial round trip from Longyearbyen, 3 to 10 July 2027, from 9,720 € per person, double occupancy. Source

What does the fare include?

Atlas Ocean Voyages' fares include government taxes and fees, select alcoholic drinks, gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff, 24-hour room service, the minibar, binoculars and medical evacuation and trip delay cover, plus a parka and vest to keep on polar voyages; air, shore excursions, transfers unless noted, laundry, spa and optional kayaking and camping are extra. Source

Ponant's fares include the cabin, full board, an open bar (premium spirits excepted), free wifi, port taxes and one activity per call except on Paul Gauguin; polar cruises add a parka to keep and loaned boots, while visas, paid excursions, spa treatments and premium drinks are extra. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

Atlas Ocean Voyages offers a reduced single supplement from 125% to 150% of double occupancy on select expeditions; it names no solo cabins. Source

Ponant applies a single supplement automatically but waives it on a choice of cruises each season, marked 'Voyageur Solo 0%', giving a double cabin for one at no extra price. Source

How much is the deposit?

Atlas Ocean Voyages asks a 25% deposit within three days of booking when sailing is more than 120 days away, with final payment due 120 days from sailing. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

What happens if you cancel?

Atlas Ocean Voyages charges only an administration fee per person from deposit to 121 days before sailing, then 25% from 120 to 91 days, 50% from 90 to 76 days, 75% from 75 to 46 days and 100% from 45 days; taxes and fees are refunded. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

What insurance do you need?

Atlas Ocean Voyages includes an Emergency Medical and Trip Delay Travel Protection plan in the fare and strongly recommends, but does not require, extra travel insurance; it gives no minimum evacuation figure. Source

Ponant does not publish this on the pages read.

Can children come?

Atlas Ocean Voyages takes children from 8 years old on polar expeditions and from 12 months on Epicurean and Cultural Expeditions; it runs no kids' programmes or childcare. Source

Ponant accepts no children under 6 on expedition cruises and none under 8 on Le Commandant Charcot; its Kid Explorers club, run with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, sails on Mediterranean cruises. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Atlas Ocean Voyages: not the fit if you use an electric wheelchair or scooter: only collapsible wheelchairs are accepted on board. Source
• Ponant: not the fit if you want helicopter flights: the helicopter on Le Commandant Charcot is used only for navigation and safety. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Atlas Ocean Voyages: Google: 4.0 out of 5 from 86 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.
• Ponant: Google (whole company): 4.8 out of 5 from 699 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.6 out of 5 from 644 reviews, newest 7 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Which other lines sell the same voyages?

The lines that sell voyages to the same regions are compared on What are the best alternatives to Ponant in 2026?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026