How PONANT and Paul Gauguin Cruises Merge Excellence in Expedition and Exploration Travel

The room was buzzing at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver last Tuesday, where 70 top travel advisors gathered with PONANT and Paul Gauguin Cruises to celebrate and lean into the growing demand for expedition travel.

So, what was the buzz all about?

“I wanted to share news of my expanded role,” said Vicky Lubyk, regional director for both brands, “and how together, they offer advisors an even greater opportunity to lead clients into the future of exploration travel.”

The event sold out in hours. One advisor booked a cruise the next day using the 10% offer—with more to follow. The market is clearly ready in a way it has never been before.

According to Travel Market Report’s 2024 Expedition Cruise Outlook, six in 10 advisors expect double-digit growth in the segment. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports a 71% rise in expedition cruise passengers since 2019.

This isn’t a trend—it’s a shift, and clients are hungry for it.

Ellen McIlvaine, vice president of sales, welcomed advisors to the event and emphasized that PONANT and Paul Gauguin are designed for the new luxury client—those ready to push boundaries and seek deeper meaning in their travels.

Longevity, Sustainability, and Memorability

Lubyk emphasized that Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the world’s longest-standing ship dedicated to one destination—French Polynesia. This longevity sets them apart with uncommon loyalty among crew members, who have been delighting guests for decades. After a multi-million-dollar dry dock, the line’s first move was replacing its heavy fuel usage, reflecting a deep commitment to sustainability and the people in the communities they serve.

One of the evening’s standout moments came when Photo Ambassador Cindy Miller shared her personal story of being onboard as PONANT made history—reaching the North Pole of Inaccessibility, the most remote point in the Arctic Ocean.

“We think the closest humans to us were in space,” she joked.

The voyage was made possible because of Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury icebreaker. With hybrid-electric engines, it can cut through 15 feet of polar ice and reach places no other ship can go. A significant benefit based on the vast number of ships heading to the same popular penguin breeding grounds and scenic highlights in the Wendell Sea and The Larsen Shelf.

PONANT also stands out with innovative shipboard features like The Blue Eye Lounge—a one-of-a-kind, multisensory underwater observatory featured on PONANT’s Polar Class ships. It gives guests the underwater experience without having to doing a polar plunge.

Where Can Advisors Find these World Explorers?

“They’re hiding in plain sight—and in your database,” said Lubyk.

Both brands attract the same discerning traveler profile:

• Aged 50–70 (average: 62)
• 25% are new to cruising
• 20% travel solo
• Highly educated, affluent, and well-traveled
• Seeking authenticity, sustainability, and like-minded company

But finding ideal expedition cruisers isn’t just about looking at demographics—it’s a mindset.

“My clients are experienced travelers always looking for something different,” said advisor Jan Umbach. “They’ve become very knowledgeable about expedition cruising.”

Advisor Dean Nelson added, “My well-heeled clients are looking for experiences they can put on their coffee table. They want the photos, the story, and the bragging rights.”

Voyages Worth Sharing with Your Clients

During the event, advisors were introduced to signature itineraries as a strong starting point, with one important reminder: “Polar bears and penguins will always be pen pals,” Miller joked, noting how many guests mistakenly expect to see both on the same voyage.

Some of the most sellable itineraries the two brands offer are:

• A 16-day Geographic North Pole expedition aboard Le Commandant Charcot, featuring majestic ice flows and roaming polar bears
• The Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea, uniquely accessed by PONANT as the Charcot breaks through the Antarctic ice to the other side of the peninsula
• Paul Gauguin’s seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands, a best-selling South Pacific escape on its newly refurbished ship

PONANT also partners with Smithsonian Journeys, offering expert guest lecturers on 36 voyages in 2026.

While these itineraries offer a great starting point, 30% of PONANT guests return—especially drawn to life onboard in the polar regions.

Marketing Tools to Help You Sell

Marketing Tools to Help You Sell

To support advisors, PONANT offers fully customizable tools through the INSPIRES platform, including stunning photography, sharable videos and emails, and social media frames.

PONANT and Paul Gauguin Cruises also offer strong booking incentives, including no single supplement options and a 5% discount for Canadian guests.