José Roncero discusses the company’s recognition at the Krooze Awards, the segment’s growth and the brand’s next steps in Latin America
By intern Sofia Kuhlmann
Ponant Explorations won the Best Expedition Cruise Line award at the Krooze Awards 2026 for the third consecutive year. The recognition follows the company’s standout participation in the 2024 and 2025 editions, when it also won the Launch – Expedition Ship category with Le Commandant Charcot.
For José Roncero, business development director for Latin America at Ponant Explorations and Paul Gauguin Cruises, the new achievement shows that the company has been expanding its recognition among Brazilian travelers and tourism professionals.
“Receiving this recognition is very important because it shows that Ponant is doing a good job. Above all, it shows that the company is positioning itself in the Brazilian market as one of the industry’s best options for expedition travel,” the executive tells Krooze.
Deep expeditions without giving up luxury
According to Roncero, one of the company’s main differentiators is its combination of exploration, comfort and care for the destinations it visits. The goal is to allow guests to discover remote regions alongside experts, without giving up high-end dining and services.
“Our motto is ‘Exploration at Heart’. It means undertaking a deep, professional expedition while always caring for and protecting the regions we visit. Ponant offers a complete luxury experience on board, with one of the finest dining offerings, while maintaining exploration and guests’ immersion in the destination,” he explains.
This experience is enhanced by the presence of naturalists, expedition guides, researchers and scientists on different voyages. In addition to activities ashore, these professionals give lectures and hold talks on board, helping travelers better understand the environments they visit.
The company also maintains a partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, an organization dedicated to ocean research. Some voyages are developed with the participation of the institution’s scientists, who share knowledge about the oceans, climate and marine ecosystems.
Le Commandant Charcot will complete a full circumnavigation of Antarctica
One of the company’s most important projects will be the first complete circumnavigation of Antarctica aboard Le Commandant Charcot. The expedition is scheduled for early 2028 and will last 61 nights, completing a 62-day voyage around the frozen continent. The itinerary is expected to cover approximately 23,000 kilometers and reach rarely visited regions. Planned stops include areas near the South Magnetic Pole and the region where the wreck of the Endurance, the ship used by British explorer Ernest Shackleton, was found.
“It will be the first time a ship in the category of Le Commandant Charcot, a luxury icebreaker, will undertake this circumnavigation. The expedition was designed to take guests to virtually unexplored places that are inaccessible to other ships.”
Le Commandant Charcot is a polar exploration ship powered by hybrid electric propulsion and liquefied natural gas, designed to sail in some of the planet’s most isolated regions.
Sustainability involves technology and local communities
Operations in environmentally sensitive destinations also require special attention. According to Roncero, Ponant’s initiatives include technologies to reduce emissions, onboard drinking water production and reduced use of single-use plastics.In the case of Le Commandant Charcot, hybrid propulsion makes it possible to reduce emissions as well as noise and vibrations at certain times during navigation. The measure helps limit the impact of sound on marine wildlife.
Relationships with local communities are another point highlighted by the executive. Before including certain regions in its itineraries, the company carries out prior outreach, consultation and joint planning.
“When the local community participates in developing the itinerary, it welcomes the ship and guests as though they were part of the family. This makes the experience much more vibrant and allows for truly deep cultural encounters,” he says.
According to Roncero, this relationship also enables access to protected regions. One example he mentions is Guerrero Negro in Baja California, Mexico, an area known for the presence of whales during the migration season.
Expedition travelers seek knowledge
In Roncero’s view, luxury in expedition travel is increasingly linked to access to remote places, exclusivity and the knowledge gained throughout the journey.
“The true luxury of an expedition lies not only in the onboard experience, but mainly in access to remote, hard-to-reach destinations. People are increasingly seeking these exclusive places, which is why I believe this segment will continue to grow,” he says.
The company’s guest profile includes experienced travelers interested in culture, nature and learning. More than simply capturing images, they want to understand the destinations and learn about the way of life of local communities.
Travel agents are key to growth
Despite the segment’s growth, Roncero believes that lack of knowledge about expedition cruises remains one of the main challenges in the Brazilian market. In this process, travel agents hold an essential position.
“Knowledge is the most important thing. We need to show that it is possible to reach these destinations and explain how these experiences work. Agencies are our main distribution channel, but many still do not know everything Ponant has to offer,” the executive emphasizes.
According to Roncero, the company’s strategy includes expanding professional training so they can identify the right customer profile and present the brand’s different possibilities, from polar expeditions to cultural itineraries accompanied by experts.
“Our great challenge is to train travel agents on everything we have to offer. In this way, they can include Ponant among the options presented to customers and also help travelers get to know the brand better.”
Philippines and Polynesia are among the highlights
Among the destinations considered to be key are the Philippines, French Polynesia and other island regions. The company is preparing new operations in the Philippines for the 2027/2028 season, with itineraries developed after field research and meetings with local communities.
French Polynesia will remain a strategic region, especially through Paul Gauguin Cruises, which operates in the destination year-round.
Over the coming years, Ponant intends to increase the number of Latin American guests and strengthen its relationship with the travel market. Brazil and Mexico are among the company’s top priorities in the region.
“Our goal is to continue growing and investing in the market. We want to work ever more closely with travel agents to position Ponant and showcase the diversity of experiences we offer,” Roncero concludes.
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