Ponant Explorations has launched the Status Match initiative across loyalty programs in its brand portfolio to unify its guest experience.

The launch follows the company’s acquisition of Aqua Expeditions in January 2025. Historically, Ponant, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Ponant Yachting shared a loyalty program, the Ponant Yacht Club.

The company said in a press release that while Aqua Expeditions operated its own, Circolo Aqua, launched in September 2025. With this new Status Match initiative, the group unifies all its loyalty programs under a single framework.

For Circolo Aqua members, this means access to tier-matched privileges when booking with Ponant brands, including additional onboard credits of up to approximately $55, priority services and dedicated support from the reservations team.

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

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

• Navigator: Major
• Explorer: Admiral, and
• Legend: Grand Admiral.

To benefit, Circolo Aqua Members must identify themselves and their Circolo Aqua status when contacting Ponant to place a booking, and a dedicated reservations team will assist in applying the respective status match.

According to the press release, this distinction is available exclusively to Ponant Explorations Group guests.

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

• Major: Navigator
• Admiral, Grand Admiral: Explorer, and
• Commodore: Legend.

Depending on the matched tier, guests will receive the allocated Circolo Aqua loyalty benefits accordingly. In addition, guests will receive $50 in onboard credit on their first sailing.

To benefit on an Aqua Expeditions cruise, guests must first obtain their Circolo Status equivalence by contacting the Aqua Expeditions team via the 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.