Led by Father Olivier Spinosa, rector of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Spirit of Ponant's blessing ceremony took place on the Mucem dock in Marseilles on 27 June. It marked the entry into the PONANT fleet of this exceptional catamaran, a Lagoon Seventy 7, built in Bordeaux, France.

Flying the French flag like all the other 13 vessels in the Ponant fleet, the Spirit of Ponant will offer an immersive experience, sailing the world's most beautiful islands.

"We are very honoured to place the Spirit of Ponant under the patronage of the Good Mother, protector of sailors," says Hervé Gastinel, Ponant CEO (and former CEO of Groupe Bénéteau, which owns the Lagoon brand). "The Spirit of Ponant perfectly embodies our pioneering spirit and our commitment to more responsible tourism. This unique travel format in the luxury cruise sector offers a true seafaring experience. I salute the commitment of the teams who have enabled its extremely rapid integration into our fleet and our offering."

The Spirit of Ponant is a 24-metre, 6-cabin maxi-catamaran offering a unique sailing experience and easy access to the sea and water-based activities. Accommodating 12 passengers and 4 crew members, including a chef, the Spirit of Ponant combines the intimate experience of sailing with the refinement and personalised service that characterise Ponant voyages.

She joins the Ponant fleet, now made up of 14 ships, all under the French flag, a guarantee of safety and security that only two cruise companies in the world can guarantee: Ponant and Club Med.

The blessing ceremony began at 6pm, in the presence of the ship's godmother, Véronique Hamdaoui Guiot, Ponant's Group Human Relations & Culture Director, Ponant Chairman Hervé Gastinel and Kevin Delannoy, the ship's Captain.

"This blessing is part of the rituals that commemorate our origins and our seafaring culture," emphasised Véronique Hamdaoui Guiot. "Through the honour of being the godmother of the Spirit of Ponant, all Ponant employees are proud to welcome this magnificent ship.
With the Spirit of Ponant, the company is adding a new offering to its catalogue, showcasing Ponant's expertise in an intimate and exclusive format. This bold and innovative choice is a further affirmation of our commitment to more responsible tourism and our attachment to sailing."

Built in France and flying the French flag, the Spirit of Ponant will offer an immersive experience, sailing the world's most beautiful islands. For its inaugural season, the ship will spend the summer of 2024 in Corsica before heading for the Seychelles in the winter of 2025.