I’ve really taken a liking to the Compagnie du Ponant line.  This small ship line, whose 5 gorgeous ships hold between 64 and 226 guests, provides an intimate cruise experience that includes all meals, evening entertainment and events, baggage handling from pier to the ship and vice versa. 

The French registry allows the line to visit unusual locales such as Cuba and Libya, and also adds to the flavor of the International and French cuisine, with complimentary wines at lunch and dinner.  Don’t be fooled though, this sophisticated flair doesn’t lead to a stuffy atmosphere; quite the opposite.  It’s refreshing to find the ships have a fun and casual elegance, and their motto is “Leave your tuxedo and tie at home.”!

Following is some information on Le Ponant’s Mediterranean Voyages 2010…

Nice to Nice

Jul 17 – 24

7 Nights

Nice, France; Portofino-Elba Island, Italy; Portisco, Sardinia; Bonifacio, Calvi, Corsica – France, Cannes, Nice, France.

 Nice to Venice

Jul 24 – Aug 2

9 Nights

Nice, France; Portoferraio, Civitavecchia/Rome, Amalfi, Taormina, Italy; Hvar, Split, Croatia; Sailing through the Kornati archipelago, Rovinj, Croatia; Piran, Slovenia, Venice, Italy.

 Marseilles to Malta

Oct 23 – 31

8 Nights

Marseilles, Saint-Tropez, France; Portoferraio, Capri, Italy; Palermo, Syracuse, Strait of Messina, Taormina, Sicily/Italy; Gozo, Valetta, Malta.

Malta to Alexandria

Oct 31 – Nov 8

8 Nights

Valetta, Malta; Tripoli, Al Khoms, Benghazi, Darnah, Libya; Alexandria, Egypt.

Learn more about Compagnie Du Ponant!