Founded by veterans of the French merchant marine, Ponant seeks to combine luxury with expedition and gourmet cuisine with epicurean exploration. It operates six ships, including the recently delivered Le Laperouse, the first in the Explorer class of vessels, of which five more are on order. Ponant is also building a polar ship, Le Commandant Charcot, that when delivered in 2021 will be the cruise ship with the strongest icebreaking hull, allowing it to sail year-round in polar waters.