PHOTO: The company now known simply as Ponant shares its name with its first ship, a three-masted sailing vessel. (Courtesy of Ponant)

French cruise line Compagnie du Ponant has shortened its name to simply Ponant, thereby making it much easier for Americans to pronounce and spell.

The new name also is the same name as its three-masted sailing ship, the first vessel in the fleet.

“With its new name, the only French cruise line is reiterating its commitment to grow business internationally while remaining loyal to its origin as well as the core values behind its success — to discover the treasures of the world by sea, on board luxury small capacity ships flying the French flag,” the company said in a press release.

The company also operates three new sister ships with a fourth on the way in April. It has expanded globally over the past five years and has a North American sales office in Hollywood, Fla.

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