Ponant plans for world's first underwater lounge on a cruise ship

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This was published 7 years ago

Ponant plans for world's first underwater lounge on a cruise ship

By Gavin Haines
Updated
Artist's impression of the Ponant underwater lounge.

Artist's impression of the Ponant underwater lounge.Credit: Ponant

Cruise passengers will be able to sip their sundowners beneath the waves in full view of passing sealife from 2018, with the launch of the world's first subaquatic ship lounge.

The brainchild of French expedition cruise line, Ponant, the underwater salon will offer passengers a fresh perspective on the world's waterways thanks to giant windows built into the hull.

The lounges will feature on four new vessels to join Ponant's fleet, the first of which is set to set sail in 2018.

Artist's impression of the Ponant cruise ship that will feature the underwater lounge.

Artist's impression of the Ponant cruise ship that will feature the underwater lounge.Credit: Ponant

"This is the latest in a raft of exciting developments for cruisers," said Telegraph cruise editor Teresa Machan. "Passengers will soon have access to purpose-built submarines, on-board amenities akin to those found on a luxury yacht and the ability to cruise to some of the most exciting destinations on the planet."

At 127m-long, the new seven-deck ships will accommodate 184 guests and, owing to its diminutive size and svelte shape, will be able to navigate smaller waterways and tigher coastline spots. Ponant says the vessels will be certified to sail in polar regions.

As well as being able to observe marine life over a gin and tonic, passengers will have access to an infinity pool, sundeck and scuba facilities.

Each of the 92 staterooms will have private balconies and passengers will have formal and casual dining rooms to choose from, plus numerous bars.

In a promotional video, Ponant claims its vessels will visit destinations as diverse as the Great Lakes, Panama Canal, Amazon, Baltic Sea, Indian Ocean, Great Barrier Reef and Mediterranean, where there will be opportunities to scuba dive, kayak and paddleboard.

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