Treasures of the Arabian Gulf with Ponant

Highlights

Le Champlain

Vessel Type: Luxury

Length: 127 metres

Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins

Built: 2017/2018

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the first ship in a new series, Le Champlain will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

RESTAURANTS

As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Champlain will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism.

In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts.

To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals.

PUBLIC AREAS

Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Champlain has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger.

A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility.

A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding.

A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas.

A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening.

Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

National & Islamic arts museums (100.00 EUR)

From the pier, board your coach for a 20-minute drive to the Museum of Islamic Art. During the tour, you will visit two newly opened museums in Qatar. They will give you an idea about early life in Qatar, the culture and civilization, when pearl hunting and fishing were the main profession in the country before the discovery of natural oil in 1930s. The Museum of Islamic art is the largest museum in Qatar, and houses one of the biggest collections in the world. It contains many artefacts (metal works, ceramics, textiles, manuscripts and paintings) from the 7th- to the 19th-century, which were used in various countries, such as China, India, Spain, Syria, etc. The building itself was designed by Mr Leoh Ming Pei, the famous Chinese-American architect involved in the construction of the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Then, you will visit the new National Museum of Qatar. This museum gives voice to the unique story of Qatar and its people, from the earliest times to the present day and onwards towards its future. Designed by French architect, Mr Jean Nouvel, inspired by the local desert rose, symbolically its architecture evokes the desert, its silent and eternal dimension, but also the spirit of modernity and daring that have come along and shaken up what seemed unshakeable. Finally, you will get back to your ship. This tour involves 0.6 mile (1 km) of walking on flat ground and in the museum with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. There is no dress code imposed, but we suggest you wear conservative clothing (cover knees and shoulders). On Friday, this tour can only be operated after 3: 00 pm

Discover Doha (100.00 EUR)

From the pier, board your coach and start your panoramic drive of Doha via la Corniche. This long promenade stretches over four miles along the half-moon bay of Doha. Your first stop will be made at the Katara Cultural Village. The entire Katara complex is built in a fusion of oriental architectural and retro-romantic style, different from most of Doha’s new cultural buildings elsewhere in the city. This centre houses an opera, libraries, an amphitheatre, art galleries and other academic facilities, as well as green areas. Then, you will visit the Pearl, pride (or at least one of) of the city. The most glamorous addresses in Qatar are located on these man-made, integrated and sustainable islands of almost four million square metres of reclaimed land divided into 10 architecturally distinct and themed districts. Continue your exploration by discovering the Souq Waqif. You will stroll down the bustling alleys of the Souq Waqif for an authentic taste of traditional commerce, architecture and culture. The maze of small shops offer an array of Middle Eastern merchandise, from spices and seasonal delicacies, such as fresh dates and nuts, to perfumes, ornate jewellery, clothing and handicrafts. Finally, you will visit the Museum of Islamic Art, the largest museum in Qatar, housing one of the biggest collections in the world. It contains many artefacts (metal works, ceramics, textiles, manuscripts or painting) from the 7th- to the 19th- century, which were used in various countries, such as China, India, Spain, Syria, etc. The building itself was designed by Mr Leoh Ming Pei, the famous Chinese-American architect involved in the construction of the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris. At the end of the visit, you will get back to your ship. This tour involves 1.5 mile (2,4 km) of walking on flat ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. There is no dress code imposed, but we suggest you wear conservative clothing (cover knees and shoulders). On Friday, this tour can only be operated after 3: 00 pm.

Inclusions

Exclusions