Ponant Explorations Group unveils status match across brands

Ponant Explorations Group has launched a Status Match initiative across the loyalty programmes of its entire brand portfolio.

The move comes after the company completed the acquisition of Aqua Expeditions in January 2025.

Historically, Ponant Explorations, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Ponant Yachting have shared a unified loyalty program - the Ponant Yacht Club - while Aqua Expeditions operated its own, Circolo Aqua, launched September 2025.

With this new Status Match initiative, the company now brings all its loyalty programmes under one framework, offering guests enhanced recognition and benefits across the Group’s brands.

Building on the success of its Circolo Aqua global loyalty program, Aqua Expeditions introduces reciprocal privileges through the Ponant Explorations Group status-match program.

For Circolo Aqua members, this means access to tier-matched privileges when booking with PONANT brands, including additional onboard credits of up to EUR 50 per person (approximately $55 USD), priority services, and dedicated support from the Ponant Reservations team.

Circolo Aqua members will enjoy these benefits from their first sailing with PONANT, maintaining their status tier across future voyages.

Circolo Aqua Members will be matched to their respective Ponant Yacht Club tiers as follows:

• Navigator → Major
• Explorer → Admiral
• Legend → Grand Admiral

Exclusive access to Aqua for Yacht Club members 

This distinction is available exclusively to Ponant Explorations Group guests, as no other cruise company offers such recognition.

Ponant Yacht Club Members will be matched to their respective Circolo Aqua tiers as follows:

• Major → Navigator
• Admiral, Grand Admiral → Explorer
• Commodore → Legend

Depending on the matched tier, guests will receive the allocated Circolo Aqua loyalty benefits accordingly. In addition, guests will also receive USD 50 of onboard credits on their first sailing

To enjoy these benefits on an Aqua Expeditions cruise, guests must first obtain their Circolo Status equivalence by contacting the Aqua Expeditions team via this contact form.

Once guests have achieved their Circolo Aqua status, they will earn Miles on eligible bookings, calculated based on the applicable earn rate and their share of the booking value. Accumulated

Miles will allow guests to reach higher status levels and unlock additional benefits.

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