Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced the addition of Global Cruise Line Member, PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions. A French luxury yacht-style cruise line and a world leader in Polar cruising, PONANT joins the growing number of CLIA’s Global Cruise Line Members, now totaling 28 cruise lines.

Last month, CroisiEurope, Europe’s largest river cruise line, also joined as a CLIA Global Cruise Line Member. PONANT and CroisiEurope are both a part of the CLIA Specialty Cruise Collection, a group of 17 cruise lines representing the rapidly growing small ship, river, coastal, luxury, adventure and sailing ship member lines.

“It is evident that the cruise industry is continuing to flourish and we are thrilled to see prestigious cruise lines around the world, such as PONANT, recognize the benefits of joining CLIA as a global member,” said Adam M. Goldstein, CLIA Global Chairman and President/COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Global Cruise Line Members take advantage of access to thousands of CLIA travel agent and agency members as well as tap into vast marketing and promotional activities across CLIA’s 15 global offices.”

“As the only French cruise line that specializes in luxury cruises and a world leader in Polar Expeditions, we are thrilled to move our CLIA membership to a global level and join its Specialty Cruise Collection,” said Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, Founder and CEO, PONANT. “With the development of our sales offices in the USA or Australasia, we look forward to engage fully with CLIA’s office and CLIA travel agent and agency members around the world over the coming years.”

PONANT specializes in luxury cruising aboard its fleet of intimate yacht-style vessels (32 to 122 staterooms) embodying a lifestyle “à la française.” These elegant, small-capacity yachts offers chic cruising without the crowds, being small enough to reach ports that are inaccessible to bigger ships with destinations to Antarctica, Alaska & the Arctic, the Caribbean, Central & South America, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe & the Baltic, West Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The latest eco-friendly technologies, attentive five-star service, bilingual crew, luxurious staterooms and suites, a gourmet cuisine and meticulously planned excursions guarantee a voyage that is unique and full of emotionally moving experiences.