Review: PONANT Le Lapérouse with Smithsonian Journeys
Sailing aboard Le Lapérouse with Smithsonian Journeys gave Carol and me the chance to experience PONANT in a way we’ve never experienced luxury cruising before.
In this review of PONANT’s Le Lapérouse with Smithsonian Journeys, I’ll share our firsthand impressions of ship life, dining, enrichment, and service—and why this small-ship experience stands apart from other luxury cruises we’ve taken.
Over the past few months, we’ve already shared an overview of PONANT’s luxury expedition style, a closer look at the Smithsonian Journeys collaboration, and even a comparison of PONANT with other leading expedition brands. You can find those articles here:
- Sailing With Smithsonian Journeys on PONANT
- PONANT Cruises: Luxury Expedition Voyages Explained
- Expedition Cruise Comparison: PONANT, Silversea, Lindblad, Viking
We’ve also been sharing daily impressions through our #rbponant social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Please note: Facebook displays various advertisements in its hashtag feeds. For pure play, consider Instagram if you already have an account.
With that foundation in place, this article brings it all together in a full review of our time aboard ship.
The Onboard Experience
Blue Eye Lounge
Ship Design and Atmosphere
Le Lapérouse is part of PONANT’s Explorer-class vessels, designed to carry just 184 guests. The moment we stepped onboard, we noticed how different the atmosphere felt compared to larger luxury ships we’ve sailed.
The design is sleek and modern, yet unmistakably French, with clean lines, light-filled spaces, and an understated elegance that makes the ship feel more like a boutique hotel than a traditional cruise vessel.
Public areas are thoughtfully scaled to the size of the ship. The main lounge, observation lounge, and pool deck each offered inviting spots to relax without ever feeling crowded. One of the most striking features is the Blue Eye lounge—an underwater lounge where you can view the sea through large glass portholes while enjoying subtle sounds and lighting that reflect the marine environment. It’s a unique space that underscores PONANT’s emphasis on blending luxury with exploration.
Staterooms and Comfort
Le Lapérouse offers a variety of accommodations designed to combine modern comfort with the intimacy of a small expedition ship. With 92 staterooms and suites accommodating just 184 guests, every cabin includes a private balcony, keeping travelers connected to the sea throughout the journey. Categories include:
13 Deluxe Staterooms — 205 sq. ft. with 43 sq. ft. balconies
66 Prestige Staterooms — 205 sq. ft. with 43 sq. ft. balconies (across Decks 4–6, some interconnect to form Prestige Suites)
5 Deluxe Suites — 290 sq. ft. with 65 sq. ft. balconies
4 Privilege Suites — 345 sq. ft. with 86 sq. ft. balconies
3 Grand Deluxe Suites — 484 sq. ft. with very large terraces (344 sq. ft.)
1 Owner’s Suite — 484 sq. ft. with a 430 sq. ft. terrace and private jacuzzi
We stayed in Room 532, a Prestige Suite on Deck 5. At roughly 409 sq. ft. with an 86 sq. ft. balcony, it offered significantly more space than a standard stateroom.
The layout provided a true sense of separation between living and sleeping areas, with comfortable seating, two bathrooms, and generous storage. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors filled the suite with natural light and opened onto a spacious balcony — one of our favorite places to relax at sea. Neutral tones and sleek French design elements created a modern yet inviting atmosphere, while the thoughtful use of space ensured the suite felt both elegant and practical. It was the perfect retreat after full days of cultural exploration and enrichment.
Alain Ducasse
Dining & Culinary
Dining aboard Le Lapérouse is one of the most refined aspects of the journey, elevated well beyond what most travelers expect at sea.
PONANT partners with Ducasse Conseil, the consulting arm of world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse, whose restaurants collectively hold numerous Michelin stars. His team helps train the chefs and guide menu development across the fleet, ensuring that each voyage reflects both French culinary tradition and the creativity to incorporate regional flavors from the destinations visited. Few cruise lines can claim the imprint of a chef of Ducasse’s stature, and it shows in the consistency and artistry of the dining experience.
Le Nautilus Restaurant
The ship offers two primary venues. Le Nautilus, the main fine-dining restaurant on Deck 4, provided multi-course dinners under the leadership of Chef Marek Bruniecki.
Meals were beautifully presented and thoughtfully paced, balancing French elegance with approachable global flavors.
For more casual dining, Le Nemo on Deck 3 offered buffet-style meals with indoor and outdoor seating — a relaxed setting for breakfast, lighter lunches, or informal dinners.
“The best pork of my life — Iberian pluma bellota with roasted celeriac purée — a dish I will remember long after this voyage.”
There were many culinary highlights, but one dish rose above the rest: Iberian pork pluma bellota with roasted celeriac purée. Quite simply, it was the best pork I have ever tasted in my life — melt-in-your-mouth tender, deeply flavorful, and a perfect example of how PONANT’s culinary program can surprise and delight even the most seasoned traveler.
Other memorable moments included a festive paella prepared on deck, a tasting of Iberico ham and regional cheeses with the ham carved tableside, and the daily pleasures of croissants, breads, and pastries that reminded us of PONANT’s French heritage.
Paella prepared on deck
Carol and I greatly enjoyed the culinary experiences aboard Le Lapérouse. Not only were we treated to refined flavors of France, but we also delighted in regional specialties as we sailed from London to Lisbon — a journey as rich in taste as it was in discovery.
Carol (right) with Susan, Smithsonian Journeys Travel Director
Enrichment & Smithsonian Journeys Experts
One of the unique hallmarks of this voyage was the Smithsonian Journeys enrichment program, a collaboration between PONANT and the Smithsonian Institution. Together, they offer dozens of sailings around the world where guests enjoy the intimacy of small-ship cruising paired with the depth and rigor of Smithsonian expertise. It’s designed for travelers who want to go beyond sightseeing and truly understand the cultures, histories, and natural wonders of the places they visit.
On our journey from London to Lisbon, we had the privilege of sailing with two Smithsonian Journeys experts: Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Dr. Peter T. Bobrowsky.
Ambassador Karl Eikenberry is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (2009–2011). Over more than 35 years of service, he held senior political-military posts in Europe and Asia and later taught and conducted research at institutions including Stanford, Harvard, and Tsinghua University. His lectures aboard ship were riveting. In Normandy, he presented “Operation Overlord: D-Day and the Advance Inland”, offering perspectives from both strategic commanders and the young soldiers who stormed the beaches. Later, “The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): There and Back Again” explored the alliance’s origins, cohesion, and modern relevance. He has a gift for connecting decisions of the past to today’s geopolitical landscape, making history feel immediate and alive.
Dr. Peter T. Bobrowsky is an archaeologist and engineering geologist with a four-decade career as a scholar, researcher, and consultant around the world. He has authored nearly 500 publications, including the Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards and The Landslide Handbook, and has served in leadership roles for international scientific organizations. His talks on board showcased his breadth and enthusiasm: “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: The Mysteries of the Ocean Bottom” examined the challenges of accessing and studying the 70% of Earth’s surface covered by oceans; “A Million Years of Climate Change” traced how natural and cultural forces shape climate and what those shifts may mean locally; and “Terroir: The Heart and Soul of Wine” blended geology, climate, and culture to explain Europe’s great wine traditions.
In addition to the lecturers, there were also three Smithsonian Journeys Travel Directors aboard. They were responsible for shaping the overall programming of Smithsonian Journeys on the ship and for coordinating the shore excursions that enriched our experience each day. Their presence ensured that the enrichment extended seamlessly from the lecture hall to the destinations we visited.
What impressed Carol and me most was how accessible both experts and directors were. This wasn’t a series delivered from a stage and then forgotten—Ambassador Eikenberry, Dr. Bobrowsky, and the travel directors joined excursions, shared meals, and welcomed questions throughout the voyage. It felt like traveling with thoughtful companions eager to deepen our understanding at every turn.
For travelers who seek deeper meaning in their journeys, the combination of PONANT’s elegant ships and Smithsonian-level scholarship creates an experience that is as intellectually rich as it is enjoyable—one that lingers long after the voyage has ended.
Service & Crew
From the moment we stepped aboard Le Lapérouse, the service reflected the hallmarks of French hospitality: polished, attentive, and quietly elegant. With only 184 guests, the crew quickly learned names and preferences, giving the entire voyage the feeling of a boutique, highly personal experience.
Chef Marek Bruniecki embodied that approach. Far from being tucked away, he was a regular presence around the ship—presenting special tastings, carving Iberico ham, and greeting guests. His accessibility and enthusiasm made the culinary program feel personal, and his leadership in the dining room elevated every meal.
That same sense of openness extended shipwide through PONANT’s open-bridge policy, which invites guests at select times to step onto the bridge, meet the officers, and see the instrumentation that guides the vessel—a fascinating glimpse into the precision and teamwork behind the voyage.
The crew itself reflected a dual character: senior officers and department heads were largely French, while many day-to-day service roles were filled by a warm and dedicated Indonesian team. The result combined polish with genuine warmth—French refinement layered with gracious, welcoming service.
One practical note for travelers: on Smithsonian Journeys sailings, English is the primary language onboard. On PONANT’s regular voyages, the experience is bilingual, with French first and English second. The Smithsonian partnership ensured that lectures, programming, and daily interactions flowed seamlessly in English for us.
Throughout the ship, restaurant service was refined yet never stiff, housekeeping meticulous but unobtrusive, and the small gestures—greetings after excursions, a remembered pastry at breakfast—created a sense of welcome that felt both genuine and personal.
Senior officers of Le Lapérouse welcome guests aboard during the captain’s evening ceremony
Destinations & Excursions
While shipboard life aboard Le Lapérouse was remarkable in itself, the itinerary was every bit as memorable. Our journey from London to Lisbon included stops that blended history, culture, and breathtaking scenery — each made richer by the Smithsonian Journeys programming and carefully curated shore excursions.
One of the most unforgettable moments came right at the start: sailing up the Thames and passing under London’s Tower Bridge at dawn, something only a small ship like Le Lapérouse can accomplish. From there, we stood on the shores of Normandy’s beaches, reflecting on the sacrifices of D-Day and hearing firsthand insights from Ambassador Karl Eikenberry.
Later, we walked the medieval streets of Bilbao, marveling at the Guggenheim Museum and indulging in Basque pintxos in Plaza Nueva. And our voyage ended in elegant Lisbon, where the city’s tiled façades, vibrant neighborhoods, and sweeping river views gave a fitting conclusion to our journey.
Over the course of ten days, Carol and I shared nearly 60 social media posts capturing these destinations and the daily life of our Smithsonian Journeys voyage.
If you’d like to see more photos and impressions, search #rbponant on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to follow along with the full experience.
Summing It All Up
Le Lapérouse in Bilbao, Spain
Our voyage aboard Le Lapérouse with Smithsonian Journeys was one of the most enriching and enjoyable cruise experiences Carol and I have ever had. The yacht-style ship, carrying just 184 passengers, felt intimate and never crowded. Its modern French design was beautifully appointed, and the service we received from both officers and staff was truly outstanding.
Culinary experiences were another highlight, from refined dining in Le Nautilus to casual meals in Le Nemo. Every dish reflected a high standard of artistry, with memorable moments like Iberian pork pluma bellota and a festive paella prepared on deck. The combination of French elegance with regional flavors created a dining experience that stood out among all our past cruises.
What made this journey most unique, however, was the Smithsonian Journeys enrichment program. The lectures were nothing short of unbelievable—intellectually engaging, accessible, and perfectly paired with the destinations we visited. Having the experts and travel directors not only lead lectures but also join excursions and meals elevated the entire experience beyond what we’ve seen on any other cruise line.
For us, Smithsonian Journeys with PONANT is a highly recommended combination—luxury cruising infused with world-class cultural and intellectual depth. The only note of caution is that on PONANT sailings without Smithsonian Journeys, the onboard experience is bilingual, with French as the primary language and English second. While staff members communicate fluently in English, announcements and programs will primarily serve a French-speaking audience, with Americans and other Europeans making up the balance of guests.
That distinction aside, we found our journey aboard Le Lapérouse with Smithsonian Journeys to be a remarkable fusion of culture, cuisine, service, and exploration—an experience we would gladly recommend to our clients and repeat ourselves.
How to Book Your PONANT Smithsonian Journeys Cruise
If you’d like to experience a Smithsonian Journeys sailing with PONANT for yourself, we’d be delighted to help. At Roaming Boomers Travel Services, we’ve sailed these waters, experienced the program firsthand, and can guide you through choosing the right itinerary, ship, and stateroom.
As a Virtuoso Cruise Icon and the top-selling cruise advisor in the Virtuoso Travel Network for the past three years running, we bring unmatched expertise and insider access to your planning. Plus, when you book with us, you’ll enjoy exclusive Virtuoso perks, including $100 per person in shipboard credit.
For more information or to book a PONANT cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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This article was written with the aid of Perplexity AI, Grok, or ChatGPT. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
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