Le Bellot

Le Bellot is the fifth ship of the Ponant Explorers class, delivered to Ponant in March 2020. Carrying 184 passengers across 92 staterooms, she's a small, luxury expedition vessel, named after Joseph René Bellot, a French naval officer and Arctic explorer, part of a broader fleet tradition honouring pioneering French explorers.

Built for expedition travel rather than conventional cruising, she measures 131 metres in length with a shallow draught, carrying 184 passengers and 110 crew across 7 decks. Like her sister ships, she features an ice-strengthened hull and advanced expedition technology, alongside an aft sundeck with a swimming pool and a retractable marina for watersports and Zodiac launches. Interiors were created by Jean Philippe Nuel, giving the ship a polished, contemporary feel throughout.

Her standout feature is the Blue Eye, a signature space shared across all Explorer class ships. The world's first underwater cruise lounge, it sits 2 to 3 metres below sea level and features curved porthole windows shaped like cetacean eyes, hydrophones capturing sounds within a 5 kilometre radius, and sofas that vibrate gently in harmony with ocean rhythms. Digital screens project live footage of surrounding marine life, making it a memorable retreat between ports.

Onboard dining and beverages reflect Ponant's all-inclusive approach, with unlimited complimentary beverages throughout the voyage, from fine wines and champagnes to spirits, bottled water, and soft drinks. Le Bellot offers two restaurants, one indoor and one outdoor, along with four lounges and bars, and a wellness complex including a beauty salon, spa, and fitness facilities, with quieter spaces tucked throughout for those after refuge from organised activities.

Cabins are surprisingly spacious for a ship of this size. All 92 staterooms, including 55 suites across nine categories, come fitted with king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms, lounge areas, smart televisions, Wi-Fi, and individual air conditioning, with suite guests also enjoying complimentary butler service.

Le Bellot suits explorers and curious travellers who prefer smaller, more intimate ships capable of reaching remote waters, offering genuine expedition credentials alongside real comfort and culinary care.

Cruised aboard this French expedition yacht? Log your Le Bellot voyage on The Cruise Globe to trace the precise route that your specific cruise took!