Luxury expedition line Ponant has announced the dates for its 2024 UK-wide ship visit programme for its trade partners, with registration opening this month

With more than 450 places for agents to experience the line’s vessels, the programme, which will take place between April and September 2024 across UK ports, will include time on board Le Lyrial, Le Boréal, Le Champlain and Le Dumont d’Urville.

They will take place across twelve regional ports in the UK and Ireland, including Dartmouth, Cobh, Dublin, Douglas, Aberdeen, Rosyth, Belfast, Glasgow, London, Dover, Cowes and Portsmouth.

Each ship visit will see agents welcomed by the trade team, followed by a short verbal introduction to Ponant and an overview of the types of sailing offered. Visitors will then join a full ship tour before tasting onboard gastronomy.

Le Dumont d’Urville will host agents in London on 21 May, Dover on 22 May and 21 September, Cowes on 23 May, Portsmouth on 6 June, Glasgow on 14 June, Rosyth on 21 June and 28 August and Aberdeen on 27 August.

Agents to sample Ponant’s on board offerings

Meanwhile, Le Champlain will offer on board events in Dartmouth on 14 May, Dublin on 16 May and Belfast on 17 May before heading to Glasgow for visits on 18 May and 15 June.

Le Boréal will begin its programme in Cobh on 8 May before heading to Dublin on 9 May. It will then host agents in Douglas on 10 May and in Glasgow on 18 May.

Agents will have the chance to visit Le Lyrial in Dartmouth on 29 April, in Aberdeen on 10 May and in Rosyth on 11 May.

Last year, Ponant unveiled design concepts for a new ship that it says will produce “zero greenhouse gas emissions when sailing, manoeuvring, in port or at anchor”.