Why Solo Travelers Love PONANT

At PONANT, we strive to help everyone realize their dream of exploring the world, solo travelers included. We make it easy for those who travel on their own to join our luxury expeditions and journeys. In fact, we offer single-friendly itineraries – with no single supplement – the world over, from Antarctica to the Arctic, from Central America to Asia, and even the Mediterranean and the rest of coastal Europe. Need more reasons to join PONANT as a solo traveler? Read on! 

When you travel solo, you want the world to be your oyster, just like it is for everyone else. But those expensive single supplements can shut the door on opportunities to explore corners of the globe that have always called to you. If this sounds like a common refrain of yours, you’ll be glad you discovered PONANT.

We offer one of the largest selections of single-friendly expeditions in the industry. At the time of this publication, some 120 of our worldwide itineraries do not require solo travelers to pay a single supplement. 

We know that bears repeating: About 25% of our voyages have a FREE single supplement. 

But there’s more to traveling on your own with PONANT than just the cost-savings. Here’s what single travelers love about trusting their adventures to us:

You Never Feel Alone

You’re not the only traveler who wants to set out on their own—in fact, far from it! You’ll meet other like-minded solo explorers on board who enjoy the sense of freedom as much as you do. Other fellow PONANT travelers – couples, families, groups of friends – are always eager to talk about shared interests, interests that very likely brought you to PONANT in the first place. During meals, you might find yourself “making the rounds” from table to table, getting to know more people than you ever would if you had a travel companion by your side. 

No matter what voyage you decide to embark on as a solo traveler, rest assured you’ll be invited to join exclusive get-togethers for solo travelers and fun cocktail parties that we host during the first day or two of your voyage. Many of our solo travelers have told us that they’ve met lifetime friends during this sociable soirée. 

Of course, there’ll be moments when you prefer to be alone. Traveling solo, it’s easy to just step away. To contemplate the sea and the magnificent coastal landscapes. To ponder a lecture from one of our onboard naturalists. To explore by kayak. When you travel on your own, you decide what blend of socializing and “me time” is right for you.

Highly Personalized Service

With a favorable guest-to-crew ratio (almost 1:1), you’ll enjoy some of the most personal service on the seas. Our staff truly enjoys getting to know you by name, by face, and even by habit. In no time, they’ll learn how you take your coffee or tea, which wine you prefer, and other preferences. This caliber of attention goes a long way in making solo travelers feel welcome and part of our community.

During excursions and activities, you’ll never feel like the “odd person out.” Our naturalist guides engage everyone with equal passion. On an Arctic expedition, for instance, it’s common for everyone to take turns on “polar bear watch.” Binoculars in hand, you scan the icy seascape in search of the lumbering white beast, pointing out landmarks near any possible sightings, so your neighbors on deck can catch a glimpse. Shared missions such as this quickly transform strangers into friends.

“Built-In” Comfort

It’s normal for solo travelers to worry about getting lost on an unfamiliar ship. This is, of course, an understandable concern if you’re about to embark on one of those 7,000-passenger mega-liners. But PONANT ships are small – our largest ship, Le Commandant Charcot, accommodates just 245 guests—and our smallest, Le Ponant, accommodates only 32 guests. It’s never overwhelming. And should you get disoriented, there’s always someone nearby to help.

The smaller the ship, the more comforting it feels. Our ships were built at human scale. Common spaces are more intimate. Lounges are truly cozy. Dining areas are the same size as a restaurant in your neighborhood. And your room really is just down the hall, not a football stadium away. A PONANT ship wasn’t built for the masses. It was built for you and a small group of explorers like you.

Thorough Pre-Departure Communication

PONANT takes care of solo travelers during the weeks leading up to your departure date, too. We get very specific about what you’ll need to bring so you’re overly prepared for weather, excursions, and everything else. The more we can do to ease that “single traveler anxiety,” the better. 

To that end, we also station a PONANT representative to meet you at the airport when you arrive at your destination. If you have an overnight stay in a hotel before you embark your ship, we’ll get you there. We’ll also provide your transportation to the ship and, after your voyage, to your departure airport. We’ll send you all these details well before your trip, so you know precisely what to expect.

If you’re a solo traveler considering a PONANT luxury expedition, the world really is your oyster. We’d love to welcome you.

Check out our selection of voyages with no single supplement, perfect for solo travelers.