Launch in Ancona of "Le Lyrial" super luxury ship for Ponant

Thursday, October 23, 2014

"Le Lyrial”, a super luxury cruise ship ordered from Fincantieri by the French shipping line Ponant (Bridgepoint Group), was launched today at the Ancona shipyard. The ship is to be delivered in spring 2015 and will be essentially more like a mega yacht in size and for the paramount attention to her interior outfitting.

The ceremony was attended, amongst others, by Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of Ponant, Véronique Saade, the company's Deputy CEO, and for Fincantieri by Giovanni Stecconi, the Ancona yard manager. The ship's godmother was Virginia Gohagan, Thomas P. Gohagan’s wife, CEO of Thomas P. Gohagan & Company, a long-standing travel agency in Chicago.



The new ship, which will fly the French flag, is the fourth sister ship following "L'Austral", "Le Boreal" and “Le Soleal”, delivered in May 2010, April 2011 and June 2013 respectively. Like her sister ships, the unit is equipped with the very latest in environmentally friendly technology, while her small size means that she will be able to reach ports and destinations inaccessible to larger vessels. Her interior will be designed on a "human scale" with the utmost attention to detail.

At 11,000 gross tonnes, “Le Lyrial” is approximately 142 metres long and 18 wide. Passenger capacity is over 260 guests, accommodated in 122 cabins, deluxe suites, privilege suites and grand privilege suites, all with a sea view and 94% with a private balcony. The ship has been equipped with cutting edge technologies to reduce environmental impact and for energy saving. In addition, “Le Lyrial” has such low levels of vibration and noise that it has been awarded the classification “comfort class” by the certifying board Bureau Veritas.

Ponant, based in Marseille, currently has a fleet of four cruise ships targeting the super luxury market.

Fincantieri press release