Le Diamant
Le Diamant is French owned and French flagged (actually registered in Wallis & Futuna in the 'Territoires d'Outre Mer'). While she belongs to one of the largest shipping companies in the world, its cruising division, Compagnie des Îles du Ponant, currently operates a modest fleet of three small vessels, though two more are currently being built.
Size and capacity
Le Diamant can accommodate 226 but we are limiting numbers during our charter to 180, an optimum size for our purposes. Manoeuvrability, access to smaller harbours, speed of disembarkation, social cohesion, single-sitting meals and lectures – the advantages of smaller vessels for cultural cruising are overwhelming.
She is large enough to provide a range of spaces and facilities, and the number of passengers is sufficient to support several lecturers and the special openings and other arrangements ashore.
Le Diamant is rated as a four-star vessel.
Public areas
Converted to a cruise ship twenty years ago, the profile with twin funnel structures is distinctive but otherwise the design is fairly traditional. The interior decoration is undemonstrative and slightly old-fashioned, bright and light in parts without being glitzy, elsewhere neutral and recessive, homely without being dowdy.
The public areas are spread over five decks (ponts) connected by staircases and lifts. Circulation spaces have red carpets, walls of dark wood or cream-coloured panels and brass handrails.
In the Grand Salon, appropriately translated as The Theatre, the seats are arranged on a raked floor around the stage. This is where the lectures take place.
There are two restaurants (see below) and four bars including the Club Lounge and the Observatory Lounge overlooking the bows.
Other facilities include an open-air plunge pool, (7m x 3.4m), fitness room, boutique, beauty salon and hairdresser, doctor and computers with e-mail access.
Eating and drinking
There are two restaurants. Everyone (with our limited numbers) can be accommodated in the Île de France restaurant on Pont Jade (deck 3). This is an attractive space, though it has the shortcoming that there are portholes rather than windows so views are limited. The Escapade restaurant on Pont Turquoise (deck 4) has windows but accommodates only forty. The food is the same in both but there will be a system to ensure everyone has the opportunity to dine in the Escapade restaurant at some point during the cruise. In good weather breakfast and lunch may also be served on deck at the Grill.
We operate a free seating policy during our cruises, which means you can sit wherever you want. There will also be some choice about when to begin.
The cuisine is primarily French but with regional influence from other Mediterranean countries. Breakfast and lunch are buffets and dinner is à la carte. Bread is freshly baked and where possible, fruit, vegetables and fish are sourced locally. Tea, coffee and snacks are provided mid-afternoon.
Carefully selected wines are provided at lunch and dinner. This is included in the price.
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Cabins and suites
All cabins are on the outside (i.e. have a window or porthole) and are quite a good size for a smallish ship of this standard. The smallest have a floor area of 17m2 (including the bathroom), rising to 18.6m2. There are two basic types of decor in which either warm or cooler colours predominate. All have good sized picture windows except those on Pont Jade Deck (deck 3) which have two portholes.
All cabins have conventional twin beds (not bunks) which can be made up as a double, chairs, tables, good storage space including lockable drawers and cabinets. Adjustable air-conditioning, flat-screen television and CD/DVD player, telephone, minibar, large mirrors and bathrobes are standard features.
All bathrooms are equipped with hairdryers and shaver sockets. The majority have a very small bathtub with shower attachment. The exceptions are the suites with terraces which have full-length bathtubs, and the cabins on Pont Jade which have showers only.
There are two suite categories. The suites on the top Pont Diamant (deck 7) have a floor space of 30m2 plus a reasonably sized terrace with seating. These are the only cabins that open to the outside. All other suites have a larger floor space of 37m2, with a bedroom and separate living area, but no terrace.
Shortcomings are that sound-proofing between the cabins is not good and that some of the decor is a little faded and worn, though a rolling programme of maintenance and refurbishment may eradicate that before our charter begins.
The crew
Charming, congenial and elegant, the officers (mostly French) lead an international crew who provide attentive service with good humour. All speak good English.
Library
The library on board will be MRT’s own. The books mainly cover the subject matter of the cruise, with key works in multiple copies.
Technical Data
Built: 1974 and converted for cruising 1986
Gross registered tonnage: 8,282
Length, beam, draught (metres): 124/16/4.9
Total power: 5,500 kW
Maximum speed: 15 knots
Stabilisers: yes