More than 500 agents and clients attended the Ponant events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch recently, demonstrating the real interest in small ship luxury cruising, says Ponant country manager New Zealand Alan Wilcock.
“It was over our expectations; we were delighted with the outcome and attendance at all three venues, even though the weather was against us in Wellington.” Christchurch was the stand out region and the ‘adventure market’, adds Wilcock, who says the agent feedback on the events has also been fantastic. Wilcock says Kiwis are looking at departures to Antarctica from both Dunedin and South America. Those cruising ex South America often combine their cruise with some pre- or post-touring in the region, given that Ponant cruises commence in Argentina with charter flights to Ushuaia included. The cruises ex Dunedin resonate with this market given our history and connections with explorers such as Shackleton. These cruises also explore Sub-Antarctic Islands, which Wilcock says Ponant has the highest number of DoC permits for, allowing people to go on the islands and ‘really experience’ them. The Kimberley remains popular, and he reports ‘incredible’ feedback on Ponant’s commitment of no solo supplement on expedition cruising.
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