Le Champlain is part of a class of six Ponant ships named for famous French maritime explorers. The $150 million ships carry 180 passengers and combine expedition itineraries with luxury accommodations and amenities. Like its siblings, Le Champlain comes with an under-the-waterline lounge called Blue Eye, which has windows for viewing marine life. The sleek design and cuisine are French, but the ships are sometimes chartered by tour operators such as Tauck and Abercrombie & Kent.