AussieBoyTX

Hello from on board Le Commandant Charcot where we are currently in Cherbourg waiting until Tuesday for a late Diesel oil delivery. It is expected to arrive tomorrow morning (Tuesday, April 26) and fuel logistics are a small sign of the war in Ukraine, less than 1500 miles away. Anyway, the switch to Cherbourg from Le Havre was a late change necessary because the ship needed a hull inspection and Le Havre didn't have necessary facilities. To compensate, Ponant offered a complementary bus leaving from Paris and picking up other passengers in Honfleur on the way to Cherbourg. We had already planned to explore Normandy by car, so changed our plans to drop off the car in Cherbourg. On Saturday, we found out about an additional change -- to accommodate a larger ship, the AIDA Sol, our ship had been moved from the super convenient and famous Quai de France (former home of the S.S. France) to the less convenient Quai de Normandie (home of the Brittany Car Ferry) -- which caused additional logistical issues for us -- but we eventually made it on board with help from Ponant's local agent, who helped get us a ride from the car rental drop off to the embarkation point. Le Commandant Charcot is impressive and has that "new ship smell" probably more about the ship while we're en-route to Iceland. We learned about the fuel logistics issues from Captain Garcia at the Welcome on Board meeting. As I understand the briefing, the fuel needed is for the ship's generators and is needed in such quantity that it's not available in Iceland, so we can't leave without it. It is expected on Tuesday morning, so we have a bonus day in Cherbourg. Ponant has offered us complementary admission to the local museum La Cité a la Mer. Also, as soon as AIDA Sol left, we sailed back to the super-convenient Quai de France, making everything in Cherbourg city center only a ten minute walk (forty-five from Quai de Normandie). We had dinner at the Sila restaurant on Deck 9. it was lovely. Our cabin is the over-the-top Duplex Suite. I can't find words to describe it yet, so you'll have to do with pictures, once I find enough bandwidth to get them to you.

Okay, here are the highlights of the premium drinks package (known by Ponant as Pass Bar Premium). The cost is EUR 20 per person per day and both passengers in the cabin must subscribe to it. It may be paid for with cruise credit. If you receive onboard discounts as a Ponant Yacht Club member, that also applies. It must be purchased during your first two days aboard and must be purchased for the entire (the remainder of) cruise. All premium cocktails are included. Some premium spirits are included. In practice, that is all of the premium Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Gin and Beers they offer and some of the Whiskies and Champagnes. An example for single-malt Scotch: Four choices, up-to Glenfiddich 12 yr are included in the package. Glenfiddich 12 is EUR 12 if ordered a la carte. An additional four choices, from Lagavulin 16 to Glenmorangie Signet are not included and cost EUR 14 / EUR19. A premium red & white wine are included. The premium wines sold by the bottle in the restaurants are not included. The daily cruise wines are complementary at the bar. IMO, the house spirits are quite drinkable. There was very little promotion for the package. It was mentioned briefly during the cruise director's welcome. the bartender has the drink list at hand when I asked and invited me to follow up with any questions, but beyond that didn't push the package beyond that. It's also described in the Ponant app if you happen to be connected to the ship's wifi. It is worth your while to speak with the bar manager if you have any special requests / requirements.