The top-luxury company Ponant Cruises received its 12th ship - Le Jacques Cartier - from VARD, thus completing its planned fleet of 12 newbuild superyachts. Le Jacques Cartier (Ponant's the 6th ship delivered in the last 2 years) has max passenger capacity 264, 6 decks (4 with cabins), 94 staterooms (in 8 basic types). The boat is 5-star classed, environmentally friendly and with innovative technologies.
Among the main characteristics of the newbuild is a fleet of Zodiacs to take passengers ashore, an underwater saloon on the lowest deck, a spa, salon, and gym. The ship also has an aft marina platform that will function as a launch for Zodiacs and water sports activities.
Like the sistership Le Bellot, Le Jacques Cartier will be deployed in Northern Europe - Baltic Sea, UK-British Isles, Iceland, also along Europe's west coast.
The shipbuilder VARD (a subsidiary of Fincantieri) constructed the vessel (hull and superstructure) at the shipyard in Tulcea Romania. Then it was towed to VARD Soviknes shipyard (Alesund Norway) for outfitting.
Ponant's newbuild ship series as design features ice-strengthened hull and top-notch marine expedition vessel technologies. Among those is the long-range 3D sonar "FarSounder 1000". The device is forward-looking (installed in the ship's bow) and integrated into the vessel's bridge navigation system. The sonar allows it to maneuver through icy waters, showing and mapping approaching hazards, such as icebergs or shallow coral reefs.