Sarina Bratton welcomes Capt. Xavier Rutten to Darwin for the start of Ponant’s 2022 Kimberley season
Ponant Asia Pacific Chairman Sarina Bratton was on hand to welcome Le Lapérouse to Darwin for the start of the company’s long-awaited 2022 Kimberley season.
As previously reported, Le Lapérouse and sister ship Le Soléal have been on stand-by in Noumea during Australia’s two-year ban on international cruise ships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Le Lapérouse will sail from Darwin to Broome on Thursday, becoming the first international cruise ship to commence the 2022 Kimberley season.
She will be joined in the Kimberley in late May by Le Soleal.
Emotional moment
Bratton told Capt. Xavier Rutten, commander of Le Lapérouse, the ship’s arrival was ‘an emotional moment’ for thousands of Australians whose travel dreams have been put on hold since 2020.
‘Our suppliers, port authorities, food and beverage providers, hoteliers and last, but not least, our supportive network of travel agents and trade partners are also excited with our company restarting Kimberley operations,’ she said.
