Signature highlights
An intimate expedition ship with 184 guests, nine Zodiacs, a reinforced hull, five guest decks and PONANT’s underwater Blue Eye lounge. The ship is suited to scenic coastal exploration and remote-destination cruising.
Le Laperouse
Le Laperouse 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.
✓ Small-ship expedition travelers
✓ Passengers wanting balcony accommodations
✓ Travelers who prefer intimate lounges and shared venues
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their authors’ free licenses. Tap a photo for the credit and license.
Le Laperouse 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
- Small-ship expedition travelers
- Passengers wanting balcony accommodations
- Travelers who prefer intimate lounges and shared venues
- Guests interested in underwater viewing
- Families needing connecting cabins
Think twice if you want
- Travelers seeking many pools and large resort facilities
- Guests wanting extensive nightlife options
- Passengers needing numerous inside cabins
- Travelers who dislike expedition-style landings
- Families seeking a large children’s program
Live Position ● 2 hours ago
Heading to: MA TNG
0.0 knots
Moored
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Le Laperouse
Le Lapérouse is the lead ship of PONANT’s Ponant Explorers series, combining a compact expedition-yacht layout with upscale French hospitality. The 184-guest vessel is designed for small-ship exploration, with 92 balcony staterooms and suites, multiple lounges, restaurants, a theater, pool and wellness facilities. Its reinforced hull, nine Zodiacs and relatively shallow draft support access to ports and coastal areas unavailable to larger cruise ships.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- PONANT
- Builder / shipyard
- VARD Tulcea, Romania, with outfitting at Vard Søviknes, Norway
- Registry / flag
- France; maritime tracking databases currently list Wallis and Futuna Islands
- Call sign
- FLBD
- IMO number
- 9814026
- MMSI
- 578000900
- Draft
- 4.6 m
Onboard Experience
For families
The ship’s compact scale, casual expedition atmosphere and Zodiac excursions can work well for families with older children, although its programming and facilities are primarily designed for adults.
Pools, spa & wellness
Wellness facilities include a fitness area, spa treatments, sauna and an outdoor swimming pool with a counter-current system. The ship also provides quiet observation and relaxation spaces.
Accessibility
The ship has an elevator and two ADA staterooms, with accessible facilities identified by PONANT. Passengers should confirm mobility requirements and excursion suitability before booking.
Environmental features
Le Lapérouse incorporates environmental measures associated with the Ponant Explorers design, including energy-efficient systems and reduced-impact expedition operations. PONANT describes the vessel as incorporating green technology and continues to improve its environmental performance.
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 Upper decks balcony stateroom Deluxe Suite Prestige Suite Privilege Suite Grand Suite Owner’s SuiteDeck 5 · Deck 5
Jacuzzi Bridge Upper decks balcony stateroom Deluxe Suite Prestige Suite Privilege Suite Grand SuiteDeck 4 · Deck 4
Le Nautilus Lower deck balcony stateroom Deluxe SuiteDeck 3 · Deck 3
Grill Restaurant Main Lounge Theatre Swimming Pool Shop Excursion Desk Reception Desk Deluxe Stateroom Deluxe SuiteDeck 2 · Deck 2
MarinaCabins & suites
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe StateroomTauck deck-plan listings identify this category as Deluxe Stateroom. | Oceanview | 13 | 204 sq ft | 2 | 3 |
| Lower deck balcony stateroomCorresponds to the lower-deck Prestige Stateroom category; deck-plan codes include PR4. | Balcony | 24 | 204 sq ft | 2 | 4 |
| Upper decks balcony stateroomCorresponds to the upper-deck Prestige Stateroom categories; deck-plan codes include PR5 and PR6. | Balcony | 15 | 204 sq ft | 2 | 5, 6 |
| Deluxe SuiteDeck-plan codes include DS3, DS4, DS5 and DS6. | Suite | — | 290 sq ft | 3 | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Dining, bars & venues
11 included 3 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Grill Restaurant
Included
An outdoor grill restaurant beside the pool deck.
Le Nautilus
Included
The main panoramic restaurant with indoor-outdoor seating and buffet stations.
Bars & lounges
Blue Eye
Included
An underwater lounge with underwater viewing and audio features.
Outdoor Bar and Lounge
Varies
An exterior seating and bar area beside the pool.
Panoramic Lounge
Varies
A forward lounge with a library, bar, internet area and access to the panoramic terrace.
History & sister ships
- 2018Entered service, built by VARD Tulcea, Romania, with outfitting at Vard Søviknes, Norway.
- 2023Tauck lists the ship as renovated in 2023; the operator does not specify the scope of the work.
Other Ponant Explorers ships
Where Le Laperouse 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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other / multi-region | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Explore This Ship
Jump from Le Laperouse sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
7 Nights
Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow
Next: May 11, 2027
2 upcoming departures
7 Nights
Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow
Next: May 10, 2027
2 upcoming departures
Next: Jun 14, 2027
5 upcoming departures
7 Nights
The Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Next: Jan 22, 2027
4 upcoming departures
All 4 itineraries and their departure dates
- Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow 11 May 2027, 17 May 2027
- Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow 10 May 2027, 16 May 2027
- Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures 14 Jun 2027, 21 Jun 2027, 28 Jun 2027, 5 Jul 2027, 12 Jul 2027
- The Panama Canal & Costa Rica 22 Jan 2027, 29 Jan 2027, 5 Feb 2027, 12 Feb 2027
All Upcoming Departures
| Departure | Return | Itinerary | Nights | Region | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2027 | Jan 29, 2027 | The Panama Canal & Costa Rica | 7 | Book → | |
| Jan 29, 2027 | Feb 5, 2027 | The Panama Canal & Costa Rica | 7 | Book → | |
| Feb 5, 2027 | Feb 12, 2027 | The Panama Canal & Costa Rica | 7 | Book → | |
| Feb 12, 2027 | Feb 19, 2027 | The Panama Canal & Costa Rica | 7 | Book → | |
| May 10, 2027 | May 17, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| May 11, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| May 16, 2027 | May 23, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| May 17, 2027 | May 24, 2027 | Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow | 7 | Book → | |
| Jun 14, 2027 | Jun 21, 2027 | Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures | 7 | Northern Europe | Book → |
| Jun 21, 2027 | Jun 28, 2027 | Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures | 7 | Northern Europe | Book → |
| Jun 28, 2027 | Jul 5, 2027 | Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures | 7 | Northern Europe | Book → |
| Jul 5, 2027 | Jul 12, 2027 | Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures | 7 | Northern Europe | Book → |
| Jul 12, 2027 | Jul 19, 2027 | Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures | 7 | Northern Europe | Book → |
Le Laperouse FAQ
What flag does Le Laperouse sail under?
Le Laperouse is registered in France; maritime tracking databases currently list Wallis and Futuna Islands.
How many passengers does Le Laperouse hold?
Le Laperouse carries about 184 guests with roughly 118 crew.
How old is Le Laperouse?
Le Laperouse entered service in 2018 and was last refurbished in 2023.
How big is Le Laperouse?
At 9,976 gross tons and 132 m long, Le Laperouse is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 44% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on Le Lapérouse?
PONANT recommends casual-elegant clothing, with cocktail attire for gala evenings. Shorts and bermuda shorts are not permitted in the evening at the gourmet restaurants.
What dining and drinks are included?
Full board and access to the ship’s restaurants are included. The open bar includes a selection of drinks, while some premium alcoholic beverages and premium wines may cost extra.
Are tips included on Le Lapérouse?
Gratuities are discretionary rather than mandatory. PONANT provides an envelope at the end of the cruise for passengers who wish to leave a tip.
Is Wi-Fi included?
Free Wi-Fi is available in cabins and common areas, although connection quality can vary with navigation conditions.
Is Le Lapérouse accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
The ship has specially adapted cabins and accessibility features. PONANT identifies cabins 431 and 527 as accessible cabins on its Explorer ships; Zodiac landings and some shore activities may not be suitable for every passenger.
Can children sail on Le Lapérouse?
Children are permitted under PONANT’s age rules, which depend on the cruise type. Expedition cruises generally accept children from age six, provided they can independently follow instructions during Zodiac operations; a Kids’ Club may be offered on selected sailings.