After completing its acquisition of Aqua Expeditions in January 2025, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP is taking a major step in unifying its guest experience with the launch of a Status Match initiative across the loyalty programs of its entire brand portfolio.
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, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP brings all its loyalty programs under a harmonised framework, offering guests enhanced recognition and benefits across the Group’s brands.
“Uniting our loyalty programs under one framework ensures our guests are recognised and rewarded seamlessly across all PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP brands”. Says Deb Corbett, CEO Asia Pacific, “This Status Match initiative strengthens the value we offer our most loyal travellers and reflects our commitment to providing an elevated and consistent guest experience.”
PONANT Yacht Club program available for Circolo Aqua members.
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, 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
To enjoy these benefits when sailing with PONANT EXPLORATIONS Group, Circolo Aqua Members must identify themselves and their Circolo Aqua status when contacting PONANT to place a booking, a dedicated reservations team will assist in applying the respective status match.
Exclusive Access to Aqua for PONANT Yacht Club Members
PONANT Yacht Club Members will be matched to their respective Circolo Aqua tiers as follows:
- Major → Navigator
- Admiral, Grand Admiral → Explorer
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Commodore → Legend
