Ponant has received a temporary permission to operate in New Zealand waters
Ponant announced it was authorized to operate cruises exclusively in New Zealand Waters, this permission is temporary for Le Lapérouse, and only New Zealand Citizens will be allowed to sail from February 2021.
Ponant and her sister company, Paul Gauguin Cruises, have operated “collectively more than 60 expeditions and cruises in the last six months”, with eight of their 11 small ships operating in France, Iceland, the Arctic, Russia, Corsica , Sardinia and French Polynesia. “No other tourism company has had its health and sanitation protocols so solidly tested by multiple jurisdictions,” the company said.
Sarina Bratton, Chairman Asia Pacific for Ponant ,said: “Our excitement is two-fold. Firstly, to have the opportunity and privilege to offer ‘Bubble Expeditions’ for Kiwis, enabling exploration of some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of that country, so rich in natural beauty and extraordinary wildlife. And secondly, to support our partners and deliver economic benefit to New Zealand.”
“Kiwi travel agents, tour operators, ground operators, airlines, port authorities, food and beverage suppliers, technical suppliers, fuel suppliers, service and waste suppliers all benefit from our small ship operation,” added Bratton.
“Whilst presently in Australia we cannot travel internationally, I am so pleased that Ponant is once again able to offer Kiwis local expeditions to visit remote and often difficult to get to parts of New Zealand. PONANT’s relaxed, refined and French-inspired style complements this extraordinary experience.
“This is an important step forward and it takes us closer to the time when borders re-open and cruising resumes in Australia – and to when we will be able to confirm the return of our luxury expedition small ships,” she added.
Sources: cruises-info.com / cruiseindustrynews.com
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