Signature highlights
The ship features PONANT’s Blue Eye underwater lounge, a theatre, pool, marina platform and several lounges. Its six passenger decks and small-ship scale are intended to provide a quieter, more personal expedition experience.
Le Champlain
Le Champlain is an 184-guest Tauck cruise ship, in service since 2018. This page lists 13 upcoming departures across 4 itineraries, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
✓ Travelers who prefer small ships and intimate public spaces
✓ Expedition-minded passengers wanting a marina and Zodiac platform
✓ Guests who value balconies in every accommodation category
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their authors’ free licenses. Tap a photo for the credit and license.
Le Champlain at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 44%
A small expedition-size ship at 9,976 gross tons — #308 of 565 ships we track. 54 tons of ship per guest.
Best for
- Travelers who prefer small ships and intimate public spaces
- Expedition-minded passengers wanting a marina and Zodiac platform
- Guests who value balconies in every accommodation category
- Families seeking a children’s area on selected sailings
- Passengers interested in lectures, performances and destination-focused programming
Think twice if you want
- Travelers wanting a large resort-style ship
- Passengers seeking numerous specialty restaurants
- Guests who require extensive nightlife and entertainment choices
- Travelers wanting extensive accessible-cabin inventory
- Passengers who prefer formal evening dress and traditional gala events
Live Position ● 1 hour ago
Heading to: Idhra (Hydra)
0.6 knots
At Anchor
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Le Champlain
Le Champlain is a 2018-built PONANT Explorer yacht designed for intimate expedition cruising. With 92 ocean-view cabins and suites, most with private balconies, it accommodates up to 184 guests. The ship combines French-inspired dining and service with expedition features including a marina platform, underwater Blue Eye lounge, theatre, pool, spa and fitness facilities. Its compact size supports access to smaller ports and scenic coastal destinations while retaining the comfort and amenities of a luxury cruise ship.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- PONANT (Compagnie du Ponant)
- Builder / shipyard
- VARD Tulcea, Romania, with outfitting at VARD Søviknes, Norway
- Registry / flag
- Wallis and Futuna, France
- Call sign
- FLBP
- IMO number
- 9814038
- MMSI
- 578001100
- Draft
- 4.7 m
Onboard Experience
For families
The ship offers a small-ship environment with a pool, outdoor spaces and a theatre. PONANT generally welcomes children from age six, subject to voyage-specific conditions.
Pools, spa & wellness
Facilities include a spa, fitness centre, pool and outdoor relaxation areas. The ship also provides room service and wellness treatments such as massages and facials.
Accessibility
Elevators serve the passenger decks, and the hydraulic marina platform is designed to assist with sea access and embarkation. Cabin and excursion accessibility should be confirmed for individual needs before booking.
Environmental features
Le Champlain was designed with PONANT’s lower-impact technology package, including diesel-electric propulsion, catalytic exhaust treatment, ballast and wastewater management, and reduced single-use plastics. PONANT has also used the ship in trials of recycled-oil B100 biofuel.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
Deck 7 · Deck 7
Spa Fitness CenterDeck 6 · Deck 6
Panoramic Lounge Art Gallery / Photo Video Prestige Stateroom Deluxe Suite Prestige Suite Privilege Suite Grand Deluxe Suite Owner's SuiteDeck 5 · Deck 5
Bridge Jacuzzi Prestige Stateroom Deluxe Suite Prestige Suite Privilege Suite Grand Deluxe SuiteDeck 4 · Deck 4
Restaurant Prestige Stateroom Deluxe SuiteDeck 3 · Deck 3
Theater Main Lounge Grill Restaurant Infinity Pool Boutique Excursion Desk Reception Desk Deluxe Stateroom Deluxe SuiteDeck 2 · Deck 2
MarinaCabins & suites
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Balcony | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe StateroomOperator booking category; standard balcony stateroom. | Balcony | 13 | 205 sq ft | 45 sq ft | 2 | 3 |
| Prestige StateroomOperator booking categories PR4, PR5 and PR6 are grouped here. | Balcony | 66 | 205 sq ft | 40 sq ft | 2 | 4, 5, 6 |
| Deluxe SuiteOperator booking categories DS3, DS4, DS5 and DS6 are grouped here. | Suite | 5 | 290 sq ft | 65 sq ft | 3 | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Prestige SuiteCreated from two connecting Prestige Staterooms; booking categories PS5 and PS6. | Suite | — | 409 sq ft | 90 sq ft | 4 | 5, 6 |
Dining, bars & venues
9 included 3 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Grill Restaurant
Included
An outdoor casual restaurant serving grilled dishes, salads and desserts.
Restaurant
Included
The main panoramic dining room with buffet service at breakfast and lunch and waiter-served dinner.
Bars & lounges
Main Lounge
Varies
The principal lounge with a bar, piano, live music and scheduled onboard activities.
Panoramic Lounge
Varies
An observation lounge with large windows, a library, piano, bar service and outdoor seating.
History & sister ships
- 2018Entered service, built by VARD Tulcea, Romania, with outfitting at VARD Søviknes, Norway.
- 2023Tauck lists Le Champlain as renovated in 2023; specific renovation work is not published.
Other PONANT Explorers class ships
Where Le Champlain sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other / multi-region | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Explore This Ship
Jump from Le Champlain sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
10 Nights
Arctic Days & Northern Lights
Next: Mar 4, 2027
3 upcoming departures
7 Nights
Cruising the Baltic Sea
Next: May 28, 2027
2 upcoming departures
7 Nights
Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow
Next: Sep 4, 2027
4 upcoming departures
7 Nights
Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow
Next: Sep 3, 2027
4 upcoming departures
All 4 itineraries and their departure dates
- Arctic Days & Northern Lights 4 Mar 2027, 14 Mar 2027, 24 Mar 2027
- Cruising the Baltic Sea 28 May 2027, 4 Jun 2027
- Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow 4 Sep 2027, 10 Sep 2027, 18 Sep 2027, 24 Sep 2027
- Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow 3 Sep 2027, 9 Sep 2027, 17 Sep 2027, 23 Sep 2027
All Upcoming Departures
| Departure | Return | Itinerary | Nights | Region | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 4, 2027 | Mar 14, 2027 | Arctic Days & Northern Lights | 10 | Book → | |
| Mar 14, 2027 | Mar 24, 2027 | Arctic Days & Northern Lights | 10 | Book → | |
| Mar 24, 2027 | Apr 3, 2027 | Arctic Days & Northern Lights | 10 | Book → | |
| May 28, 2027 | Jun 4, 2027 | Cruising the Baltic Sea | 7 | Book → | |
| Jun 4, 2027 | Jun 11, 2027 | Cruising the Baltic Sea | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 3, 2027 | Sep 10, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 4, 2027 | Sep 11, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 9, 2027 | Sep 16, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 10, 2027 | Sep 17, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 17, 2027 | Sep 24, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 18, 2027 | Sep 25, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 23, 2027 | Sep 30, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Sep 24, 2027 | Oct 1, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → |
Le Champlain FAQ
What flag does Le Champlain sail under?
Le Champlain is registered in Wallis and Futuna, France.
How many passengers does Le Champlain hold?
Le Champlain carries about 184 guests with roughly 118 crew.
How old is Le Champlain?
Le Champlain entered service in 2018 and was last refurbished in 2023.
How big is Le Champlain?
At 9,976 gross tons and 131 m long, Le Champlain is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 44% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on Le Champlain?
The onboard atmosphere is casual and elegant rather than formal. Comfortable clothing and flat shoes are recommended for expedition activities, and formal evening wear is not required.
Are dining and drinks included on Le Champlain?
Full board, meals in the main dining venues and a broad selection of drinks are included. Some premium alcoholic beverages and specialty items may cost extra.
Is Wi-Fi included on Le Champlain?
Wi-Fi is included in staterooms and common areas. Connection quality can vary with the ship’s location and navigation conditions.
Are gratuities included?
Tipping is discretionary rather than mandatory. Guests may leave gratuities for the crew at the end of the voyage.
Does Le Champlain accommodate passengers with reduced mobility?
The ship has two specially designed accessible staterooms, listed by PONANT on Decks 4 and 5. Accessibility should be confirmed before booking because expedition landings and shore access can impose additional limitations.
Are children allowed on Le Champlain?
Children are permitted subject to the cruise type and age rules. The Kids' Club is available on selected sailings, while expedition cruises generally require children to be at least six years old and able to follow landing instructions independently.