Ponant launched the three-masted Le Ponant in 1991, and those towering sails are raised to reach idyllic islands, from Cape Verde to the Caribbean, and smaller ports throughout the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Greek Isles. Sailings on the 288-foot-long Le Ponant are an intimate and luxurious experience, with just 32 guests looked after by a crew of 33. The ship can achieve 12 knots under sail alone, while a 13-foot draft ensures that shallow waterways and anchorages are not barriers during off-the-beaten-track itineraries.