By
Alex Smith |
Ponant has partnered with pearling company Paspaley to add a 30-guest expedition ship, Paspaley Pearl, to its fleet in January 2025.
Paspaley Pearl will sail with a crew of 21, including four naturalist guides, to destinations in the Asia Pacific region including the Kimberley and north of Australia, Eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Expeditions onboard Paspaley Pearl will emphasise experiences of the Asia Pacific region’s biodiversity and local cultural traditions, according to Ponant. Voyages will include routes travelled by Paspaley founder Nicholas Paspaley and his crew in the 1970s.
The ship has recently undergone an extensive refit to add private balconies for each guest, while other features include the Sunset and Sun Deck lounges, an eight-person Jacuzzi, and regionally inspired cuisine.
The refurbished vessel will depart on its inaugural voyage as part of the Ponant fleet on 10 January 2025, sailing a 10-night expedition cruise from Dilli in Timor Leste to Bali in Indonesia. Activities will include encounters with wildlife such as whale sharks and Komodo dragons, swimming and snorkelling in the Seventeen Islands Marine Park, a visit to Lembata Island and experiences focused on traditional Alorese culture.