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PONANT: Luxury Yacht Cruise Review

Feb 24, 2021 | 0

This chic French line was founded in 1988 and is a Francophile’s dream. Ponant’s crew is discreet, the décor is subtle and the food is tantalizing. French desserts, cheeses and wines accompany passengers on cruises around the world , from French Polynesia and the Caribbean to the North and South Poles, and lots in between.

Passengers are a well-traveled, well-dressed international lot and the handsome captains stroll around the ship in short sleeves chatting with guests as if they are one of the passengers. Ponant is a bit of Europe no matter where the ships are sailing.

In late 2014, the company’s name was simplified from the French Compagnie du Ponant, to just Ponant, a simpler name for the company’s growing international audience, though Ponant still remains the only French-flagged, French-flavored cruise line out there.

Some sailings are directly operated by Ponant and others are under charter to well-known firms for individual sales as well as for special interest groups.

Ponant also owns Paul Gauguin Cruises, operating the ship M/S Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia and that will continue to operate under its current name.

The newest ships in the fleets are the 184-passenger sisters Le Laperouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont-D’Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier, which started to debut in mid-2018; the 245-passenger Le Commandant Charcot debuted in 2021 and specializes in polar expeditions.

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Ponant’s fleet hits the poles and lots in between. * Photo: Ponant

Le Ponant (built 1991 & 64 passengers)

Le Boreal (b. 2010 & 264 p)

L’Austral (b. 2011 & 264 p)

Le Soleal (b. 2013 & 264 p)

Le Lyrial (b. 2015 & 264 p)

Le Laperouse (b. 2017 & 264 p)

Le Champlain (b. 2018 & 184 p)

Le Bougainville (b. 2019 & 184 p)

Le Dumont-d’Urville (b. 2019 & 184 p)

Le Jacques-Cartier (b. 2021 & 184 p)

Le Bellot (b. 2020 & 184 p)

Le Commandant Charcot (b. 2021 & 245 p)

Passenger Profile

Mostly Europeans, heavy on French, Swiss and Germans, with a growing number of Francophiles from everywhere else — including North America, Australia and Brazil. Children are welcome and expected to be well behaved; there is a children’s menu, video game consoles, and when there are a number of kids on board, a few activities will be organized by a staff member.

On a handful of special family-friendly sailings per year (often a Med itinerary in the summer), a Kids Club is offered with kids’ counselors supervising games and activities for ages 4+.

Several firms charter Ponant ships (either full or partial charters), so they will determine the languages, and a number of them are in the English-speaking markets.

$$  Moderate to Expensive

Voyages are offered all over the world, from Alaska to the polar regions to Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and everywhere in between.

Fares range from $500 per person per night to about $1,000 per person per day.

Included Features

• All onboard meals
• Open bar throughout ship
• Stocked cabin mini-bar & all soft drinks.
• 24/7 room service

Ponant Itineraries

The ships roam all over the world on one- to two-week cruises (some longer) — Mediterranean and Northern Europe, Alaska and Canada, Caribbean, Central America, both coasts of South America, West Africa and Southern Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, French Polynesia and Oceania, Hawaii, Indonesia, East Asia and focus on Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Antarctica, the Arctic including the Northwest Passage, trans-ocean positioning voyages.

A few highlights include:

The Treasures of India and Sri Lanka voyages sails for 13 days around the Indian peninsula from Mumbai to Chennai. You stop at UNESCO World Heritage sites while visiting Kerala and Goa, as well as Galle and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.

A two-week Alaska cruise travels from Nome to Vancouver, exploring the route of fur traders. The ship sails the Bering Strait amid lakes, glaciers and pretty mountains.

Weeklong Best of Croatia voyages travel roundtrip from Venice and visit all the gems of Croatia, stopping in Korcula, Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split, as well as a stop in Kotor, Montenegro.

An eight-day Pearls of the Caribbean cruise is a roundtrip voyage from Fort-de-France, Martinique, to lesser-visited gems of the Caribbean, Your ship makes port stops at Bequia Island, Mayreau Island, Grenada, Barbados and Tobago Cays.

The Australia’s Iconic Kimberley cruise is a thrilling expedition into the Outback. Covering 10 days traveling from Broome to Darwin.

New for 2025 are four 12-night winter cruises along the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and the French island chain of Iles de Saint Pierre et Miquelon. Activities are camping in an Inuit community, ice fishing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and riding a fat bike. Calls are made at Saguenay, Sept Isles, Gaspe, Magdalen Island, Saint Pierre, and Sydney

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RELATED: John Roberts reviews Le Lyrial in Antarctica, while also enjoying cycling … with Backroads.

The French flare, the amazing food and gorgeous interiors — tres chic.

Ponant features incredible itineraries and well-curated voyages with a fantastic range of enrichment and learning opportunities with its expedition team.

When to Go?

The fleet cruises in different regions of the world during the best times to visit.

Ponant Activities & Entertainment

The ships are in port nearly every day, but if there’s a sea day, most people enjoy simply sunbathing by the pool and soaking up the scenery.

In the French way of doing things, there isn’t an abundance of scheduled activities or group events. There are theme cruises from time to time focused on gourmet food and wine, film and topics like oceanography, with experts giving talks and demonstrations.

Evenings, a singing duo moves around the ship before and after dinner to serenade passengers as they sip cocktails and chat about the day’s adventures and the ones that lay ahead.

At the top of the tiered decks at the stern on Le Boreal/L’Austral/Le Soleal/Le Lyrial is a wonderful al-fresco bar, an ideal place to plant yourself as the ship sails off into the sunset — likewise on Le Ponant’s sun deck.

After dinner from time to time, a dance performance or film screening may be scheduled in the show lounge.

A lovely standard cabin aboard Le Lyrial. * Photo: Francois Lefebvre

Ponant Dining

The delicious French and continental cuisine is a big part of the Ponant experience. I still sometimes dream about the dark chocolate mousses we devoured on a L’Austral cruise to Croatia (I gained several solid pounds on that cruise).

Each ship has two restaurants, one a more formal fine-dining multi-course French gourmet venue for dinner and the other a casual buffet restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating and themed offerings.

Some of the chefs are French (the pastry chef was on my last cruise) and no matter where they are from, they’ve been schooled in the French culinary tradition.

Desserts to die for. * Photo: Ponant

Meals incorporate fish and grilled seafood, and plenty of delicious soups and salads of all kinds. When possible, local ingredients are used, from cherries in Kotor, Montenegro, to rainbow trout from Nunavut, in the Arctic. Amazing desserts on offer might comprise a hazelnut mousse cake, lemon meringue tarts and that to die-to-for chocolate mousse already mentioned; easily the best desserts I’ve ever had on a cruise ship.

A selection of cheeses from France and Italy are a staple in the buffet and go well with the complimentary wines generously poured, I remember an especially refreshing French rose at lunch on route to our next Croatian port of call. You can always order a bottle off the extensive menu if you want something extra special.

The more formal of two restaurants aboard Le Soleal. * Photo: Ponant

Le Ponant is an 88-meter, three-masted sailing ship with lots of wood and nautical touches such as navy blue and white bedding and fabrics in the rooms. Most cabins are on the lowest of the four passenger decks and have twin beds — two rooms have king beds — and there are a few triples. Five larger cabins are higher up on the Antigua Deck.

Le Boreal/L’Austral/Le Soleal/Le Lyria l are nearly identical sister ships with the majority of cabins measuring between 200 and 236 square feet, not including the balconies (which all but eight cabins have). Cabins are designed in stylish neutrals of champagne, smoky greys or blues, and crisp whites with pops of color, like a red border on a bed throw or pillow.

All cabins are stocked with L’Occitane toiletries, bathrobes, mini bars and iPods, and a have a great split bathroom set-up — toilet in one little room and a large shower (and/or tub) and sink in another. They also have a desk and great adjustable reading lights on either side of the bed. Many standard cabins can accommodate three people with one on a sofa bed; ideal for families are the Prestige suites, which are ostensibly two connecting standard cabins. There are four large suites on the Deck 6 near the top of the ship.

The 184-passenger sisters Le Laperouse, Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont-D’Urville, Le Bellot , and Le Jacques Cartier feature the Blue Eye, an underwater sightseeing lounge. They make up what is termed the Ponant Explorer Class with enhanced ice-breaking capabilities.

The 245-passenger Le Commandant Charcot is the largest ship in Ponant’s fleet. It offers 123 cabins with private balconies. Four 1,011 square-foot split-level suites sit at the back of Decks 6 and 7 and offer private terraces and whirlpools.

Ponant passengers love to be outside on deck. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Public Rooms

All ships have two restaurants (except the Le Ponant sailing yacht), one main lounge, one combination lounge/bar, and a lovely outdoor bar with sea views.

There is no casino.

Each has a spa with a Turkish steam room, hair salon and an excellent ocean-view gym with a row of treadmills and recumbent bikes, plus a Kinesis wall with weights, pulls and grips for weight training.

A small library area (with a gaming console nearby) and a boutique round out the public areas, unless you also count the medical clinic.  There are two indoor lounges and lots of deck space for sunbathing. All vessels have a platform for watersports when anchored in favorable conditions.

The polar-class Le Commandant Charcot features a 270-person theater, two restaurants, main lounge and heated indoor pool in a large sun room, with a pool bar and fire pit. This vessel also offers an Observation Lounge with a library, as well as a well-equipped gym and a Wellness Lounge with massage rooms, hair salon and sauna.

Meanwhile, the intimate yacht Le Ponant has one restaurant, an outdoor bar, Bar Emeraude, an indoor bar/lounge and a small spa offering massages. The ship also has a gym and yoga sessions are offered on the sun deck.

Along the Same Lines

SeaDream is close.

Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions , 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2838, New York, NY 10170; us.ponant.com, 1-888-400-1082.

About The Author

QuirkyCruise

Ted & Heidi are long-time travel writers with a penchant for small ship cruising. Between them they've traveled all over the world aboard hundreds and hundreds of small cruise ships of all kinds, from river boats to expedition vessels and sailing ships.

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NorthStar luxury Travel Advisors expertly plan far and nearby luxury travel experiences globally with gratitude and contentment.

PONANT luxury expedition cruises include la française, sailboat cruise line, all-inclusive vacation cruise packages to exotic destinations.

Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

Estimated reading time: 33 minutes

The Results Are In, PONANT is #1!

Winner, Best Small Ships Winner, Best Expedition Ships

The votes are in, and PONANT is honored to announce the world’s most discerning travelers have voted us #1 in the Best Expedition Ships—including Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker—and Best Small Ships categories in Condé Nast 2022 Reader’s Choice Awards! It is truly an honor to be chosen by more than 800,000 voters and earn a top spot on this prestigious annual list of the best in travel. It is also a testament to the hard work of PONANT Captains, Crew, and Staff—both aboard and ashore—who are dedicated to crafting one-of-a-kind experiences for their distinguished clientele.

PONANT has been exploring to inspire for over 30 years, and with you as our clients, this path is limitless.

The Arctic & North American Departures

In 2024, embark for a bona fide adventure to the fascinating landscapes and scenery of the Far North!

NorthStar advisors invite you to set sail for the fjords and glaciers of Spitsbergen, the west coast of Iceland, the Great Lakes, or Greenland onboard Ponant\’s intimately sized, environmentally friendly luxury ships.

They\’re also offering six brand-new itineraries taking guests to explore the Faroe Islands, Canada and the Great Lakes region this season.

Discover Ponant\’s complete range of itineraries today and book now to take advantage of this special PONANT Bonus prices, a savings up to 30% !*

An Unforgettable Journey to Antarctica

Northstar invites You to embark on a 5-star PONANT Expedition!

Welcome Aboard Ponant ships built to a more human scale, you will discover this white paradise and its breathtaking landscapes , including majestic icebergs, shining white ice floes, snowy peaks and more. Accompanied by their naturalist guides, you will set out on daily zodiac trips to get a chance of seeing the absolutely unique wildlife (papuan, Adélie and chinstrap penguins, humpback whales, seals, or sea birds.

If you may have already traveled in Antarctica then you will be able to set sail on a new itinerary and explore areas such as the South Orkney Islands, the Sub-Antarctic Islands, South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula or the Antarctic Polar Circle.

With savings up to 30%*, very flexible booking conditions, vaccination requirements and increased health procedures, book your next adventure now with complete peace of mind.

PONANT is the only luxury cruise line to feature three brand new ships sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic each season with 46% market share, making us #1 in luxury expedition cruising.

Dream Come True Holiday Deals!

Where Do You want to be in 2023?

A new year opens the door to new adventures. With over 250 journeys set to embark in 2023—to all 7 continents—PONANT stands at the ready to help you fulfill whatever travel resolution your hearts desires. Whether you embark on an eco-friendly tropical discovery, a historical journey to the time of ancients, or a life-changing polar expedition, let PONANT satisfy their every wanderlust.

As a holiday gift, they are offering the chance to  save 10%  on a selection of 2023 departures, when booking now through January 7*.

Be Inspired by Nearly 50 Brand New Itineraries for You to Explore!

The wonders of India and Sri Lanka, the idyllic beaches of the Seychelles to the spice island of Zanzibar, the treasures of the Caribbean, tropical expeditions to New Zealand and Madagascar, and not forgetting Antarctica and the imposing ice floes of the Larsen ice shelf. Book now to take advantage of their ultra-flexible booking terms* and no single supplement offers (available on some cruises).

In fact, PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions is the sector chief in luxury Expeditions with extremely-current, intimate ships, presenting attentive carrier, and well-designed itineraries sailing to all corners of the globe. PONANT offers greater than 400 awe-inspiring cruises annually, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents. Their fleet of 12 purpose-built intimate cruise ships can call at iconic, worldwide ports as properly as secret harbors reachable solely to smaller-sized ships and their expeditions all consist of Zodiac landings, and onboard specialist naturalists to beautify your experience. Featured new itineraries include:

• The Weddell Sea & Larsen Ice Shelf – from Ushuaia to Ushuaia, From March 13 to 25, 2022
• Wild Nature between Argentina and the Falkland Islands (1) – from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires , From March 14 to 29, 2022
• Santo Domingo & Caribbean Treasures – from Santo Domingo to Fort-de-France, From January 4 to 16, 2022
• Treasures of India & Sri Lanka (1) – from Chennai to Mumbai, From February 11 to 23, 2022
• Zanzibar and the Jewels of the Indian Ocean (1) – from Victoria, Mahé to Zanzibar in December 2021
• From the French Riviera to Italian Shores (1) – from Nice to Civitavecchia, From May 6 to 13, 2022

(1) NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT – A limited number of double cabins are available to solo travelers at no extra charge on a selection of their cruises, depending on availability.

Sail With Confidence

Whether on land or on board, your safety is the absolute primary concern on PONANT. They have invited you to watch a video and learn how you will Sail with Confidence.

The unprecedented public health crisis we have just been faced with has been managed in an exemplary manner by both their land-based teams and their crews, with not a single case of COVID-19 detected onboard their ships. The speed and efficiency of their protocols and their state-of-the-art medical equipment together with the small size of their ships have made it possible to ensure everyone\’s safety and security. PONANT has put in place more stringent health protection measures and maximized safety levels to guarantee you a completely calm and stress-free sailing experience.

Book and sail with Confidence

• 100% stress-free booking conditions† – Rebook or cancel without charge up to 30 days before departure.
• Strict sanitary Protocols – Whether on land or onboard, your safety is Ponant\’s primary concern.
• Sustainable development – All of Ponant\’s actions for a sustainable and responsible tourism.

New Le Commandant Charcot Online Brochure!

Sailing in the midst of the ice, at the very edge of the world, trying to spot the emperor penguins of Bellingshausen, feeling the thrill of adventure as you approach the North Pole… With this very first hybrid-powered polar exploration vessel, Ponant offers our clients some truly immersive experiences , in search of the authentic spirit of the poles.

The latest addition to their fleet, a true gem of sophistication , will offer guests a level of comfort and service unequaled in these extreme areas. It is also a formidable tool for the furthering of scientific knowledge , equipped with research infrastructures (laboratories, sonar, coring, etc.). This means there will be dedicated scientists on board who will share their know-how about these fragile environments.

To make your exploratory experience even more unforgettable, many new activities are included*: participatory science, kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, polar diving without a wetsuit, polar swimming in a dry suit, and more. Over 20 naturalist guides will supervise these activities and take you to encounter the rich and fascinating wildlife during Zodiac or hovercraft trips.

Discover Ponant\’s departures aboard Le Commandant Charcot in the pages of their new online brochure, and enjoy special rates (up to 30% off**) by booking your exploration as soon as possible.

Watch PONANT | Smithsonian Journeys video to see some of the exciting experiences they have waiting for you in 2022. An exclusive hosted visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City. Diving into crystal-clear water and snorkeling in fabulous seabeds to observe colorful tropical fish in the Caribbean. In Antarctica, setting off to discover the icy vastness and the wildlife of the White Continent, including humpback whales, seals, and penguins. Making traditional udon noodles and savoring their umami in Japan.

Open for Virtuoso Exclusive Return to Sail Promotion!

You can now receive a $300 onboard credit(2) per stateroom on any PONANT departure, including our PONANT | Smithsonian Journeys collection!

PONANT | Smithsonian Journeys have some great experiences waiting for our clients. Each destination awakens through the special knowledge of Smithsonian Journeys Experts. Your Northstar Advisor invites you to enjoy an exclusive hosted visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City. Tour Ben Nevis Distillery and sample whisky in Scotland. Experience traditional Native American song and dance at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation Pow-Wow in the Great Lakes. Spy on endemic wildlife from penguins to polar bear in Antarctica and the Arctic.

Book early to take advantage of savings up to 30%* and when you reserve them before June 30, 2021 their cruise is protected by Ponant ultra-flexible booking conditions, available on all departures.†

Return to Europe—Spring, Summer & Fall 2022

Discover europe with ponant.

You are invited on POANT: set sail to lands of legend and romance on voyages that are rich in history aboard safe, Clean-certified small ships. Explore  Northern Europe  between lush mountains and moors of flowering heather in  Ireland,  bottomless fjords in  Norway  and historic cities in the  Baltic Sea.  You will discover the  Mediterranean’s  ancient sites of  Delphi  or  Ephesus,  the sumptuous panoramas of the  Greek islands,  or the islets dotting the  Adriatic coast.  From  Brittany  to the  Bissagos Islands , via the  Spanish and Portuguese coasts ,  Madeira  and the  Azores,  a cruise along the  Atlantic coast of Europe  is an opportunity for you to get acquainted with amazing cultures while they travel through a mosaic of contrasting landscapes. Guests discover the treasures left by the myriad cultures that have made Europe their home.

Book your trip early to take advantage of  savings up to 30%*  and when reserved before June 30, 2021 the cruise is protected by their ultra-flexible booking conditions, available on all departures. †

The Mediterranean

Stroll through white-washed villages and medieval streets, explore ancient ruins and dive into crystal-clear waters. The Mediterranean has it all. More »

Smithsonian Journeys

Discover Europe with the help of Smithsonian Journeys Experts ranging in fields from anthropology to history and the arts. More »

Northern Europe

UNESCO World Heritage Sites, unique glaciers with plunging waterfalls, and verdant heaths immerse visitors in a magical world formed by Vikings, kings and queens. More »

The Atlantic Coast

From the ports of France\’s \”Côte Fleurie\” to Porto, Lisbon, and the beaches of the Canary Islands, discover the Atlantic’s scattered jewels around coastal France, Spain, and Portugal. More »

Promotions Offered By PONANT

Return to sail, let the journey begin with savings, no single supplement, 30% savings, and $100 onboard credit.

Set sail and save on PONANT | Smithsonian Journeys. These curated voyages focus on culture, history, and the natural world. Each destination comes to life through the knowledge of Smithsonian Journeys experts who offer insights on topics from anthropology to the arts.

Book with your Northstar Virtuoso travel advisor to save up to 30%, enjoy $100 onboard credit per person, and solo guests sail with no supplement charge. See Offer

Solo Travelers Set Sail with No Single Supplement

Solo travel comes with its perks.

Specially designed for the independent traveler, PONANT offers a large variety of cruises with No Single Supplement!* Explore the historic Mediterranean coast, kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland, and see penguins in Antarctica all while enjoying the unique experience of freedom while traveling alone in a friendly and safe environment aboard one of Ponant\’s intimate ships.

Book yourself early to take advantage of savings up to 30%* and when you reserve before June 30, 2021 the cruise is protected by Ponant\’s ultra-flexible booking conditions, available on all departures.†

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

PONANT welcomes solo travelers on board to enjoy small-ship camaraderie with like-minded guests! Take advantage of reduced or waived single supplements on many of their departures.

THE BENEFITS OF SOLO TRAVEL

Treating yourself to a cruise is not just for couples or families. Single travelers enjoy the sense of freedom, mingling with like-minded guests, and the relaxing atmosphere aboard ship.

No Single Supplement Offer is combinable with Ponant Exclusive Offers!

• Is it you first PONANT cruise? Welcome offer: up to $600 discount per stateroom for your first cruise*
• Have you already cruised with PONANT? Discounts from 5% to 12.5% on your next cruise*

Do You Have Time for Wonderlust?

A winning combination for those with the time.

Save up to 30% on a Ponant Cruise, plus, up to an EXTRA 20% for the second departure on back-to-back voyages*! Are you tired of being anchored to one place, are you ready to sail off your mooring? Ponant invites you to extend your PONANT moment with back-to-back voyages—and save!

Sipp your way through France’s Bordeaux region and soon you will discover the lands of legends in the the Celtic Sea. Or pick up some tartan plaid to keep warm when extending your vacation to Spitzbergen and spy on a polar bear. Spend more time island-hopping in the Aegean by combining Ponant\’s Greek Island departures. There are also other possibilities in the Mediterranean between Venice’s Grand Canal and Nice including stops in Greece, Southern Italy, and Corsica. Let PONANT unlock a winning combination on your next back-to-back journey.

Extended Ultra Serenity Policy

Book by June 30, 2021 to take advantage of flexible bookings on sailings through October 31, 2022. Rebook or cancel without charge up to 30 days before departure.

Stringent Health Protocol

PONANT uses all technological, human, and material measures to ensure the highest health and safety protection. Safety is Ponant\’s main concern.

Winter Cruises: bookings are open!

We are inviting you to head back out to sea next winter. Aboard Ponant\’s 5-star ships, you will discover the stunning landscapes of Antarctica, the charm of the Caribbean, the paradise of the Indian Ocean, the treasures of the Persian Gulf, and for the first time, all the beauty of the Indian and Sri Lankan shores.

Given the current travel climate, all Ponant\’s itineraries have been designed to guarantee guests’ health and safety. Also, enjoy their Ultra Serenity policy extended on all sailings through October 31, 2022, so that you\’ll have greater flexibility in booking and, if necessary, the option of postponing or cancelling your next trip.*

For the new season, from April to December 2022, Ponant is offering 11 exceptional destinations to fulfill all longings for escape:

• The Arctic, Antarctica
• Northern Europe, European Atlantic Coast
• Mediterranean, Red Sea & Persian Gulf
• Central & South America, North America & Canada
• Indian Ocean, Asia, Oceania

You are invited to discover Ponant\’s 2022 sailings right now. By pre-booking your cruise early, you\’ll get the best rates, with a Ponant Bonus of up to 30% off.*

PONANT & Smithsonian Journeys

Europe enriched with ponant & smithsonian journeys.

PONANT | Smithsonian Journeys have some great experiences waiting for you in Europe. We invite you to discover each destination with the help of Smithsonian Journeys experts ranging in fields from anthropology to history and the arts. Celebrate Easter in the Christian pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela; step foot on one of the most beautiful glaciers in Norway, the Briksdal Glacier; take an exclusive, night-time, private tour of the Alhambra in Granada; and be entranced at the ballet in St. Petersburg.

Included Features

Every PONANT | Smithonian Journeys cruise will include two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, guided excursions at every port, transfers between the airport and the ship, and more!

Book early to take advantage of savings up to 30%* and when reserving before June 30, 2021 your cruise is protected by Ponant\’s ultra-flexible booking conditions, available on all departures.†

Is Antarctica on Your Wish List?

Explore the ultimate winter wonderland.

Because Ponant is looking forward to casting off again, they are offering our clients the chance to embark on an expedition cruise to Antarctica in the winter of 2021-22! Aboard Ponant\’s luxurious ships, set out to discover these uninhabited remote lands, once sought-after by the greatest explorers, and which only a privileged few have had the chance to see.

Immense tabular icebergs, immaculate pack ice, majestic glaciers, volcanic black sand beaches, and more. You will sail through fascinating landscapes and encounter unique wildlife on Zodiac outings led by their experienced naturalist guides.

Onboard, you will enjoy excellent cuisine, 5-star comfort, and attentive, discreet service. Ponant\’s onboard experts will share their knowledge during presentations on the history of great explorations, the fauna, flora, geology, and climatology of Antarctica.

In addition to other-worldly landscapes and endemic wildlife—including polar bears—the Arctic is also occupied by humans. Despite its cold, isolating location, warm-hearted people thrive here. PONANT invites you to discover these communities and hear tales from their daily lives and how the changing environment effects the survival of their culture.

Why visit Antarctica with PONANT?

Kayak among centuries-old, towering castles of ice, recapture your youth sliding down a slope with your arms held high, marvel at humpback breaching right before your eyes. How will you and loved-ones be awakened in Antarctica…

Luxury Exists in the Depths of the Ice … Polar Adventure with Uncompromised Luxury

This year, Ponant invites our esteemed guests to travel deeper into the polar regions, where fewer people have been than the moon. You will explore the depths of the ice without compromising any creature comforts aboard the brand-new Le Commandant Charcot. After a face-to-beak meeting with Emperor penguins or stepping foot on the Geographic North Pole, guests return to the ship, a cocoon of luxury at the end of the world. You then enjoy a warm drink from the bar and a gourmet meal in the restaurant, take a sauna (alternating between a hot room and a snow room), or take in polar vistas while wading in the ship’s heated Blue Lagoon outdoor pool. Traveling aboard Le Commandant Charcot allows you to see the polar region like never before through epic experiences, including kayaking, snowshoeing, participative science and hovercraft. Be among the first aboard Le Commandant Charcot. Reserve your space for the inaugural season in 2021/22 and you will take an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica or the Arctic’s farthest reaches.

For the SOLO Traveler

If the dream of Antarctica is yours and yours alone, maybe this is an adventure one should take on your own. PONANT offers a few departures with no supplement.

Aboard Le Commandant-Charcot

Embark on new expeditions that go further into Antarctica. Kayak, hovercraft, snowshoe, and Zodiac excursions are included experiences. Go further than ever before to the most remote parts of the White Continent—from the Emperor penguins of West Antarctica\’s Bellingshausen Sea, to Charcot & Peter I Islands, the Ross Sea, the Weddell Sea and Larsen Ice Shelf.

Aboard the Sisterships

Explore the Antarctic Peninsula aboard Ponant\’s Sisterships. Encounters with Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins, whales and seals will provide cherished lifelong memories.

The Lands of Extreme South

Witness exceptional wildlife.

Antarctica is home to a diversity of marine mammals (seals, whales, sea leopards), and birds (king penguins, gentoos, southern rockhoppers), putting on an enchanting show for travelers.

Move through incredible landscapes

Blue icebergs, sparkling towers of ice, an immaculate ice floe, imposing mountain ranges, and thousand-year-old glaciers serve as backdrops to these dreamy views.

Follow in the wake of intrepid explorers

Captain Charcot, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Roald Amundsen, and, more recently Paul-Émile Victor, great men have charted the way to make the dream of Antarctica a reality.

Savings on the Gift of a Lifetime

Save up to 30% plus an extra 5% on groups of five.

In this season of giving, Ponant is inviting you to share that special PONANT moment with the gift of a cruise. Reserve your space on any of their voyages and take advantage of the PONANT Bonus Fares, an early booking incentive with savings up to 30%. Plus, when you explore with four friends or family members, all five of you save an additional 5% * in addition to Ponant\’s Worry-Free booking policy !

Where Will You Be Next Summer?

Plan to back in the mediterranean\’s summer glow.

The Mediterranean’s mosaics of land bathed in sunshine and lined with crystal-clear waters provide the perfect mix of leisure activity, relaxation, and cultural discoveries. Aboard PONANT’s safe, Clean-certified small ships, you will be transported in luxury and comfort to the ancient sites of Delphi or Ephesus, the sumptuous panoramas of the Greek islands, or the islets dotting the Adriatic coast. Discover both the legendary and lesser-known treasures left by the myriad cultures that have made this extraordinary destination their home. Take advantage of Worry-Free booking policy !

No Supplement for Solo Travelers†

Solo travelers enjoy their voyage without paying extra.

PONANT welcomes solo travelers onboard to enjoy small-ship camaraderie with like-minded guests at no additional cost. These are a large variety of cruises, specially designed for independent travelers.

†The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.

Choose a Theme that Piques Your Interest

Now you have the opportunity to nourish your senses on a PONANT Quintessential Collection cruise, tailored expressly for the North American traveler aboard Ponant\’s intimate yachts. Watch a Geisha unravel the mysteries of a cultural tradition in Japan, feel the salty breeze flow through your hair while you stroll through an Italian vineyard after sampling fine wine, meet Poland’s former President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lech Wałęsa, or be enchanted by the strains of classical music performed by world-class musicians during private recitals in Western Europe. One of these experiences is bound to pique your interest and Ponant looks forward to sharing it with YOU!

Book now and take advantage of Ponant\’s Serenity policy. Pay only a 10% deposit to confirm your reservation and the final balance will be requested 30 days before your departure. You may cancel up to 30 days prior to departure and receive a full refund of your deposit.

Featured Cruises

You\’ll savor the experience.

Discover Europe with PONANT and you will explore the local culture through its cuisine. In Italy, you can follow proper spaghetti etiquette by twirling it on a spoon with their fork; while in Spain you can share a meal of paella with friends; and after a day exploring the Norwegian Fjords, you can treat yourselves to kaffe og kake—coffee and cake. Wherever you choose to cruise in Europe, PONANT offers a delightful temptation for every taste.

Northern Europe & the British Isles Dig into the meat and potatoes of Northern Europe. Sample Icelandic Hákarl (fermented shark), Karelian pasty in Estonia, and Norway’s traditional game and fish. SEE THE CRUISE ►

The Mediterranean & Southern Europe Olive oil, grapes, and wheat are the main ingredients of the Mediterranean diet. From pasta to spanakopita, meals are complimented by bread, wine, and lively conversation. SEE THE CRUISE ►

An Immersion in Japanese Culture Be enlightened by Japan’s art, culture and cuisine. Try your hand at rolling sushi, explore modern cities, admire ancient shrines, and enjoy a traditional Geisha performance.

A World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic Featuring discussions aboard with author Robin Wright, Ambassador Douglas Lute, Jane Holl Lute and a very special presentation by Lech Wałęsa.

A World Affairs Cruise in the Aegean This voyage offers an opportunity to talk with leading thinkers on the world stage about the current state of U.S. relations with the wider world.

Epicurean Delights of the Adriatic Feed your epicuriosity with Wine Spectator School-recommended wine educators on this moveable feast exploring the food and wine of Italy and Croatia.

Musical Odyssey in Western Europe Join Michael Parloff and an ensemble of world-class musicians from Edinburgh to Lisbon with private recitals aboard ship and a performance ashore at a historic site.

Southern Italy & Sicily This one-of-a-kind voyage in Southern Italy and Sicily is an opportunity to experience the various roles food and wine play in relation to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Flock to Crystal-Clear Waters

Savings up to 30% on an escape t o the caribbean.

Dive in and be embraced by the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. You will explore this close-to-home destination with PONANT and experience the islands’ easy Creole way of life with a group of sophisticated, like-minded individuals. Guests saunter off their ship, Le Dumont-D\’Urville, and discover secret coves and intimate ports inaccessible to larger ships.

Le Dumont-D’Urville will anchor you among a rosary of islands bound together by the beautiful coral reef of Tobago Cays National Park to discover an incredible underwater world of flora and fauna. Bequia Island’s Princess Margaret Beach will bewilder all guess with its wild coastline emerging from a tropical forest perfect for strolling and getting reacquainted with nature. Guests also observe Saint George’s lively commercial fishing harbor of colorful boats being loaded with fruit and vegetables destined for neighboring islands.

Latin America / Caribbean Sailings

Explore the natural wonders of the Caribbean aboard PONANT’s 5-star, intimate yachts. Snorkel among the most exotic schools of fish in Belize, discover the majestic peaks of St. Lucia, and the volcanic island and sandy beaches of St, Kitts, just to name a few. These Caribbean voyages blend enchanting beaches, colonial architecture, and charming local culture for an idyllic luxury vacation.

Antarctica: $3,000 Air Credit per Couple Savings

Valid for travel 01 nov 2020 – 31 mar 2021.

Book an enchanting Antarctica expedition today and save $3,000 per couple! Sail along the continent\’s incredible coasts, admire its unique wildlife — from king penguins to whales — and navigate through  immaculate white scenery , where icebergs glimmer and shine in an explosion of blues, from turquoise to the darkest of tones.

PONANT, the foremost authority on polar expedition cruising for over 20 years, offers extraordinary explorations on the White Continent. As their eco-friendly, intimate, purpose-built yachts sail through the Antarctic’s awe-inspiring waterways, you will marvel at icebergs, glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. Excursions in Zodiacs with their team of naturalist guides will allow you to cruise among ice floes, explore penguin rookeries, and learn about this extraordinary region in depth.

Winter 2020-2021 Antarctica: the snowy white dream continues

This winter, go back to the real world. A pure and vast world where the nature remains intact. From November to March , Ponant Cruises invites you to set sail for Antarctica\’s spectacular lands. Aboard their intimate ships , discover the fascinating “White Continent” with peace of mind, thanks to Ponant\’s strict health protocols. Experience unforgettable moments of sheer delight on the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands: your first steps onto the ice field, the sight of a colossal iceberg, snow-covered mountains, dazzlingly magnificent sunsets, the magical spectacle of the icy seas and the wildlife (penguin and seal colonies, humpback whales, killer whales…).

Four additional reasons to go to Antarctica!

• Ponant Bonus – Save up to 30%
• Enjoy $3,000 air credit per couple
• No Single Supplement
• Worry-Free Booking Policy

Explore Ponant list of 33 cruises

A legendary land with a history of attracting the great explorers, the White Continent continues to exert a strong fascination today. Embark for an  Antarctic expedition cruise  and sail along the continent\’s incredible coasts, admire its unique wildlife — from king penguins to whales — and navigate through  immaculate white scenery , where icebergs glimmer and shine in an explosion of blues, from turquoise to the darkest of tones.

In the Arctic – Head up north and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration to the geographical North Pole, journey through the famous Northwest Passage or discover the Arctic paradise of Northeast Greenland National Park where polar bears reign supreme.

Charming Romance of Northern Europe

Set sail to lands of legend and romance on voyages that are rich in history aboard safe, Clean-certified small ships. From lush mountains, moors of flowering heather, and bottomless fjords; from Ireland, Norway, and the Baltic Sea, discover incredible natural beauty, ancient castles, colorful villages, and architectural delights.

The Baltic Sea

Explore royal palaces, colossal cathedrals, and lavish historic centers. The cities of the Baltic Sea showcase the region\’s rich past, where empires and royalty yielded power.

Unexplored Svalbard

Discover incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites, unique glaciers with plunging waterfalls, and villages tucked away in the hollows of these undulating landscapes.

Ireland, Scotland & England

Explore lands of legends, castles, fortresses, Neolithic sites and verdant heaths that immerse visitors in a magical world formed by Kings and Queens.

Brochure – Summer 2021 Collection

Glance through our PONANT\’s Summer 2021 online brochure and be inspired by their voyages from the icy expanses of the Arctic to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, from the wonders of Asia to the jagged coastlines of Northern Europe, from the islands of the Atlantic Ocean to the archipelagos of Oceania. Next Summer, PONANT’s safe, intimate ships—including the new Le Commandant-Charcot —will be sailing the seven seas to introduce you to a host of mythical destinations and little-known corners of the world.

An Immersion in Japanese Culture

Be enlightened by the land of the rising sun, book ponant now and take advantage of worry free booking policy..

• Port Charges or Gratuities
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Shore Excursions- Expedition Cruising
• All meals while on-board ship
• 24-hour room service (special selection)
• Evening entertainment and events

Not Included:

• WiFi, sundries, spa treatments, Premium Spirits, Shore Excursions- Traditional Cruising, Airfare, Transfers, Travel insurance, Medical services, consultations, and drug, prescriptions, Laundry Visa fees, if applicable

Journey to the island nation of Japan on a PONANT Quintessential Collection cruise tailored for the American traveler. Sample Japanese cuisine and try your hand at rolling sushi, meander through modern cities and admire ancient shrines, and enjoy a specially-arranged traditional shippoku lunch in Nagasaki highlighted by a traditional Geisha performance.

On this voyage, you will discover two aspects of Japan as they are reflected in the art, culture, music, and gardens of its towns and cities. The traditional aesthetic is seen in the architecture and adornments of the  Buddhist and Shinto shrines  you will visit throughout the journey. The modernist impulse is evident in the architecture of the cities through which you will travel and is also represented in the arts on display in the Adachi Museum in Sakaiminato and the  Busan Museum of Art .

After an  included guided tour in Nagasaki , you will be  hosted for a specially arranged traditional  Shippoku  lunch and Geisha performance . Sampling Japanese food and drink; experiencing traditions of music and dance; viewing art both ancient and modern; walking through modern cities and admiring ancient shrines – these are the elements of your immersion in the culture of Japan.

To enhance your cruise experience,  enjoy discussions with art historian Timon Screech and landscape design experts Holly and Osamu Shimizu , who will join you on this cruise.

In addition,  delight in onboard music performances by Reison Kuroda, master player of the shakuhachi (Japanese traditional bamboo flute).

Feed Your Epicuriousity with the Food & Wine of Italy & Croatia

Join  Wine Spectator  School-recommended wine educators Suzanne Branciforte and Jo Ahearne, and other like-minded epicureans on this moveable feast that tells the story of Italy and Croatia through food, wine, and celebration at sea aboard the luxury small ship  Le Lyrial .

In Croatia, savor the white truffles of Istria and the renowned oysters of Mali Ston. While in Italy, taste the olive oil and burrata of Puglia, and the famed hard cheeses, pastas, and balsamic vinegar of Emilia-Romagna.

Wonderful reds and whites and sparkling wines characteristic of each region abound. A highlight of your cruise will be a visit to the  Wine Spectator  School-recommended Masseria Pizzariello for a gala wine tasting and a lunch of traditional Puglia cuisine.

Plan your 2021 Mediterranean Island Hoping

Book now for worry free booking policy.

The Mediterranean’s mosaics of land bathed in sunshine and lined with crystal-clear waters provide the perfect mix of leisure activity, relaxation, and cultural discoveries. Aboard PONANT’s sleek, Clean-certified small ships, you will be transported in luxury and comfort to the ancient sites of Delphi or Ephesus, the sumptuous panoramas of the Greek islands, or the islets dotting the Adriatic coast. As you mingle with like-minded travelers aboard one of their intimate yachts, discover both the legendary and lesser-known treasures left by the myriad cultures that have made this extraordinary destination their home.

PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

L\’austral.

In May 2011, l\’Austral joined PONANT\’s fleet. This superb mega-yacht with 132 staterooms is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L\’Austral remains faithful to their philosophy – to create a unique …

All L\’Austra l Sailings

Modern interiors, comfortable public spaces and the ultimate technological advancements combine aboard luxurious \’Le Soleal.\’ A&K guests enjoy a maximum capacity of just 199 on their exclusively chartered voyages. Join us aboard \’Le Soleal\’ in Japan. Designed in 2013 and loyal to the PONANT spirit, Le Soléal like her sisterships embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing which is Ponant’s signature. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 132 staterooms and suites)make this a rare…

All Le Soléal Sailings

LE CHAMPLAIN

As the second ship in the new Explorer series, Le Champlain will embody the unique atmosphere that is Ponant\’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy & comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed accommodations with 100% balcony.

All Le Champlain Sailings

LE LAPEROUSE

As the first ship in the new Explorer series, Le Lapérouse will embody the unique atmosphere that is Ponant\’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy & comfort. She offers innovative and environmentally-friendly hardware and elegantly designed accommodations with 100% balcony.

All Le Lapérouse Sailings

LE BOUGAINVILLE

The five-star Le Bougainville makes her maiden voyage in 2019. This small-capacity ship just 430 feet in length with just 92 staterooms features Blue Eye, the world\’s first multi-sensory underwater lounge. Le Bougainville is also equipped with the latest environmental preservation technology.

All Le Bougainville Sailings

LE DUMONT-D\’URVILLE

The five-star Le Dumont d\’Urville makes her maiden voyage in 2019. This small-capacity ship just 430 feet in length with just 92 staterooms features Blue Eye, the world\’s first multi-sensory underwater lounge. Le Dumont d\’Urville is equipped with the latest environmental preservation technology.

All Le Dumont d\’Urville Sailings

As the fifth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bellot will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy, and comfort.

All Le Bellot Sailings

LE JACQUES CARTIER

As the sixth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Jacques Cartier will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line\’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

All Le Jacques Cartier Sailings

LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT

As the  world’s first PC2 hybrid-electric polar exploration ship  powered by liquefied natural gas,  Le Commandant-Charcot  is specially designed to navigate the remote, seldom-visited sites of the polar regions to explore like never before. Journey to the geographical  North Pole , discover the  Northwest Passage  or marvel at the  Emperor penguins  of  Antarctica’s Bellingshausen Sea .

With just  135 staterooms & suites  embodying Pnant\’s hallmark French-inspired luxury, new features include an  outdoor brazier  and wraparound  heated pool ,  snow room , and  indoor pool  extended by a  winter garden .  Le Commandant-Charcot  has also been designed to  minimize its environmental impact  on the destinations they visit, as well as an  onboard laboratory  to accommodate polar scientific missions.

So join PONANT for the inaugural season in 2021/22 and take an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica or the Arctic’s farthest reaches. They also have a selection of departures with a  reduced single supplement  for solo travelers! 1

All Le Commandant Charcot Sailings

Ponant\’s online magazine  Escales  now has a brand new look!

With inspiring photos, a sleek layout, easier searching, and streamlined mobile browsing, Escales magazine\’s new format brings your dreams of faraway places to stunning, vibrant life.

Related PONANT Links:

• Paul Gauguin: past guest rewards

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Oceania & Pacific Islands Cruises

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Explore our list of 146 cruises

Snorkelling and diving aficionados, travellers in search of genuine authenticity, modern explorers… The Oceania and Pacific islands cruises have been created specifically with you in mind. With ports of call at the idyllic beaches of French Polynesia and New Caledonia, these cruises provide exceptional opportunities to go snorkelling and admire some of the most beautiful seabed environments in the world.

The wild, untamed region of Kimberley and particular parts of New Zealand's volcanic regions are home to simply spectacular scenery. Meeting the local peoples of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea is a profound experience of human brotherhood and fraternity.

All about cruises Oceania & Pacific Islands Our other destinations

• Last staterooms

Pearls of The Society Islands

Australia's Iconic Kimberley

Tahiti & the Society Islands

Marquesas in depth, Tuamotus & Society Islands

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Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

1300 737 178 (or contact your travel agent)

reasons to discover Oceania and Pacific Islands?

Their names make them sound like the Garden of Eden . Tahiti, Bora Bora, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Kimberley in Australia… Oceania and the South Pacific are packed with islands and wild landscapes with traditional cultures. Here is why these destinations are completely unique.

Essential Oceania and Pacific Islands

A vast region made up of countless islands, from the little dots of Micronesia to huge Australian territories, exploring Oceania and the South Pacific Islands involves the water, fabulous excursions and unforgettable encounters. Here are 10 things you must do .

Explore Oceania and Pacific Islands

Meet the Remote Populations in Oceania

Dance, diving and traditional Kai Kai: experience a day in the Marquesas

Take a closer look at… the Kimberley, the untamed Australian treasure

4 reasons to discover Oceania and Pacific Islands?

To learn about ancestral cultures

In northern Australia, meeting the locals is quite the experience. Papuans from the Asmat region, Tiwi people from the "islands of smiles", the Yolngu from Elcho Island, the Yirrkala: all are proud to share their customs and traditional dances with visitors. The same goes for the Maoris of New Zealand, the Polynesians and the tribes of Vanikoro and Vanuatu. The warm welcome given to travellers is always an emotional moment .

For unforgettable dives

The turquoise lagoons of Bora Bora, the translucent waters of Tahiti, the Micronesian islands and Kouaré Island in New Caledonia, the open-air aquarium in Rangiroa, considered one of the most beautiful underwater sites on the planet by Jacques Cousteau… Watching tropical fish, multicoloured coral, manta rays and grey reef sharks never gets boring, whether you're scuba diving or freediving.

For the variety of unspoilt scenery

Oceania and the Pacific Islands are destinations that are all about land and water . The myriad of blue shades in the water are offset by a palette of every imaginable green . As well as turquoise lagoons, clear waters, tempestuous waterfalls and deep seas, there are mangroves, beaches edged by coconut trees, rocky peaks, mountains and volcanoes covered with trees, jungles and tropical forests. These nuanced patchworks of scenery and varied landscapes are reliably enchanting.

For the historic sites

Oceania and the Pacific are brimming with important historical sites . Remnants of the Second World War can still be found in Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) and on Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands), where the Battle for Henderson Field took place in 1942. Lovers of wreck diving will find the remains of the entire Japanese army, air force and navy fleet in Chuuk, Micronesia. The Japanese were bombed by the Americans in February 1944 in retaliation for the Pearl Harbour attack.

See the water music women in action - Maewa Island, Vanuatu

Vanuatu is one of those idyllic archipelagos in the South Pacific. White-sand beaches, sparkling waters and wild "blue holes" surrounded by lush vegetation create just the kind of picture-postcard scenery you might imagine. This region has its own unique music tradition. This is performed by the water music women , who sing and hit the water to the beat using precise techniques passed down from mother to daughter. The result is a poetic melody that is harmonious and full of emotion.

Dive off idyllic islands and atolls - Micronesia

With its 607 islands dotted across 3,000 kilometres in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Micronesia is a real wonderland for divers . It offers a range of underwater playgrounds. The most unusual site is undoubtedly Chuuk Lagoon, with its wrecks from the Japanese fleet sunk by the US army during the Second World War. However, Micronesia's location on the fringes of the Coral Triangle means it has huge biodiversity in its caves and on its walls and other faults. This area contains 76% of known coral species and 56% of known reef fish. Depending where you dive, you may see manta rays, grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, blacktip reef sharks, whale sharks or thousands of fish.

Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Big Island, Hawaii

Hawaii has several volcanoes, including two with world records. Kīlauea, one of the most active in the world, and Mauna Loa, the highest on the planet (17 km tall), are part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and create spectacular landscapes. A solidified lava lake emitting steam, a lava tunnel formed 500 years ago, boiling water, magma flows pouring into the sea... This intense volcanic activity is making the island grow each year: 200 hectares have been created in the past 30 years!

Watch dolphins and whales - Moorea, French Polynesia

Moorea is a great place to watch dolphins and whales in French Polynesia. You can see spinner dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins and pilot whales along the coast all year round. Excursions are led by Dr Michael Poole: an American dolphin and whale specialist who has lived in Polynesia since 1987 (or his assistant). From August to mid-November, humpback whales also come to mate or give birth in the lagoon.

Try Polynesian wine and rum - Tuamotus, French Polynesia

Although it might seem unusual, Polynesia does make wine and rum. The Rangiroa Winery produces dry and sweet white wines and rosé in the heart of the Tuamotus. These fresh wines are the fruit of work by men and women who are keen to showcase their terroir and share its riches. Visiting the estate will teach you more about the history of wine in Polynesia and give you the chance to try Manao rum : Polynesia's first pure sugar cane rum.

See the moai - Easter Island

Over 4,000 kilometres from the coast of Tahiti, Easter Island is one of the world's most isolated...and the most mysterious. It has many huge statues known as moai . Ahu Tahai and Ahu Akivi are the most iconic sites. The latter, built around 1460 BC, has no fewer than seven statues which are four metres tall and weigh 12 tonnes.

Walk through the thermal marvels of Wai-O-Tapu - New Zealand

The Wai-O-Tapu site (meaning "sacred waters") is totally unique. This geothermal basin sculpted by millennia of volcanic activity has various walks that take you to its different marvels: the steaming "champagne pool" in orange and green shades, fumeroles, huge volcanic craters, colourful hot and cold water springs , and more.

Be moved by the beautiful Marlborough fiord landscapes - New Zealand

The Marlborough fiords are an amazing set of submerged and interlaced valleys. The vegetation on the sides of the cliffs plunges into colour-changing waters that are sometimes turquoise and sometimes navy. Walkers can go along the Queen Charlotte Track to enjoy fabulous viewpoints taking in the surroundings and coast below.

Fly over the Bungle Bungle Range - Kimberley, Australia

The Kimberley is one of the last-remaining fully wild areas on the planet. This huge region in ochres and reds has some extraordinary scenery. In Purnululu National Park , the Bungle Bungle Range has orange and grey striped domes (thanks to iron and clay) which have been gradually eroded for millennia. Although this Park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003, is accessible by road, the best way to see it is to fly over it in a Cessna-type plane. Seen from above, you can take in the territory's 3,000 square metres of rocks, dry river beds, gorges and maze-like landforms.

Meet the Asmat warriors - Papua New Guinea

The Asmats are famous warriors. Although their period of cannibalism is over, their ancestral culture endures. According to their belief system, reality and the supernatural are as one and items that belonged to previous generations, which some consider primitive art, are actually sacred. For the Asmat people, shields, statues, musical instruments and masks contain the souls of their ancestors. Today, locals welcome travellers on board their superb war canoes, share their traditional ceremonies and dances and give tours of their village.

Our cruises Oceania & Pacific Islands

Papua new guinea, vanuatu & solomon islands, french polynesia, easter island, new zealand, the kimberley, new caledonia, ports of call in oceania.

Tahiti, Bora Bora, Vanuatu, Moreea, Easter Island... Oceania and the Pacific Islands are like the Garden of Eden: from the heavenly beaches of Polynesia and New Caledonia to the discovery of the wild Kimberley region, the fabulous panoramas of New Zealand and the ancestral cultures of Polynesia, your cruise will take you under enchanting skies, to discoveries rich in emotion.

View Ports of Call

• Abrolhos Islands Marine Park (Australia)
• Adamstown, Pitcairn Island (Pitcairn)
• Aitutaki (Cook Islands)
• Akaroa (New Zealand)
• Albany (Australia)
• Alotau (Papua New Guinea)
• Amédée Island (New Caledonia)
• Anaa, Tuamotu Islands (French Polynesia)
• Antipodes Islands (New Zealand)
• Ashmore Reef (technical stop) (Australia)
• Asmat, Papua (Indonesia)
• Atuona, Hiva Oa Island (French Polynesia)
• Auckland (New Zealand)
• Badas, Sumbawa (Indonesia)
• Banda Neira, Maluku Islands (Indonesia)
• Barat Daya Islands (Indonesia)
• Bay of Islands (New Zealand)
• Benoa, Bali (Indonesia)
• Beqa Island (Fiji)
• Bora Bora, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
• Bougainville (Papua New Guinea)
• Broome (Australia)
• Burrup Peninsula (Australia)
• Cairns (Australia)
• Campbell Island (New Zealand)
• Cape Peron (Australia)
• Cape York (Australia)
• Careening Bay (Australia)
• Cenderawasih Bay (Indonesia)
• Chuuk (ex Truk) (Micronesia)
• Collier Bay (Australia)
• Crossing the International Date Line
• Darwin (Australia)
• Dili (East Timor)
• Dobu Island (Papua New Guinea)
• Doubtful Sound (New Zealand)
• Dunedin (New Zealand)
• Dusky Sound (New Zealand)
• Enderby Island, Auckland Islands (New Zealand)
• Esperance (Australia)
• Espiritu Santo Island (Vanuatu)
• Fakarava, Tuamotu Islands (French Polynesia)
• Fergusson Island (Papua New Guinea)
• Fleurieu Peninsula (Australia)
• Fremantle (Australia)
• Gaferut Atoll (Micronesia)
• Ghizo Island (Solomon Islands)
• Gisborne (New Zealand)
• Guam (Guam)
• Hakahau, Ua Pou Island (French Polynesia)
• Hakahetau, Ua Pou Island (French Polynesia)
• Hanavave (Bay of Virgins), Fatu Hiva Island (French Polynesia)
• Hanga Roa, Easter Island (Chile)
• Hapatoni, Tahuata Island (French Polynesia)
• Hatiheu, Nuka Hiva Island (French Polynesia)
• Hobart, Tasmania (Australia)
• Honiara, Guadalcanal Island (Solomon Islands)
• Huahine, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
• Hunter River (Australia)
• Ifalik Atoll (Micronesia)
• Jayapura, Papua (Indonesia)
• Jurien Bay Marine Park (Australia)
• Kaikoura (New Zealand)
• Kalabahi, Alor (Indonesia)
• Kei Islands, Maluku Islands (Indonesia)
• King George River (Australia)
• King Island, Tasmania (Australia)
• Kiriwina Island (Papua New Guinea)
• Kitikiti Waterfall, Mommon (Indonesia)
• Komodo National Park (Indonesia)
• Kopar (Papua New Guinea)
• Lacepede Islands (Australia)
• Lamotrek Atoll (Micronesia)
• Lautoka, Viti Levu Island (Fiji)
• Lifou (New Caledonia)
• Lizard Island (Australia)
• Lusancay Islands (Papua New Guinea)
• Lyttelton (New Zealand)
• Macquarie Island (Australia)
• Madang (Papua New Guinea)
• Makatea, Tuamotu Islands (French Polynesia)
• Malaita Island (Solomon Islands)
• Maria Island, Tasmania (Australia)
• Marlborough Sounds (New Zealand)
• Maré, Loyalty Islands (New Caledonia)
• Maumere, Flores (Indonesia)
• Milford Sound (New Zealand)
• Montebello Islands (Australia)
• Moorea Island (French Polynesia)
• Morobe Harbour (Papua New Guinea)
• Motu Mahana, Taha'a Island, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
• Musgrave Inlet, Auckland Islands (New Zealand)
• Napier (New Zealand)
• Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area (Australia)
• Njari Island (Solomon Islands)
• Norfolk Island (Australia)
• Nouméa (New Caledonia)
• Oban, Stewart Island (New Zealand)
• Omoa, Fatu Hiva Island (French Polynesia)
• Papeete, Tahiti Island (French Polynesia)
• Parai Beach (Indonesia)
• Picton (New Zealand)
• Port Lincoln (Australia)
• Port Vila, Efate (Vanuatu)
• Promise Bay, Tasmania (Australia)
• Puama'u, Hiva Oa Island (French Polynesia)
• Pulap Island (Micronesia)
• Rabaul, Bismarck Archipelago (Papua New Guinea)
• Raiatea, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
• Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua (Indonesia)
• Rangiroa, Tuamotu Islands (French Polynesia)
• Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
• Recherche Archipelago (Australia)
• Rikitea, Gambier Islands (French Polynesia)
• Roderick Bay, Florida Islands (Solomon Islands)
• Ross Sea Region (Antarctica)
• Sailing Doubtful Sound (New Zealand)
• Sailing Dusky Sound (New Zealand)
• Sailing Milford Sound (New Zealand)
• Sailing Tasman Peninsula (Australia)
• Sailing in the Marlborough Sounds (New Zealand)
• Samarai Island (Papua New Guinea)
• Santa Ana Island (Solomon Islands)
• Satawal Island (Micronesia)
• Savusavu, Vanua Levu Island (Fiji)
• Semarang (Indonesia)
• Shark Bay World Heritage Area (Australia)
• Singapore (Singapore)
• Stanley, Tasmania (Australia)
• Surabaya, Java (Indonesia)
• Suva, Viti Levu Island (Fiji)
• Swift Bay (Australia)
• Taiohae, Nuku Hiva Island (French Polynesia)
• Tamar Valley, Tasmania (Australia)
• Tami Islands (Papua New Guinea)
• Tasman Peninsula (Australia)
• Tauranga (New Zealand)
• The Snares (New Zealand)
• Thursday Island (Australia)
• Triton Bay, West Papua (Indonesia)
• Tufi (Papua New Guinea)
• Ulva Island (New Zealand)
• Vansittart Bay (Australia)
• Vava'u Islands (Tonga)
• Waiheke Island (New Zealand)
• Wellington (New Zealand)
• Whakatane (New Zealand)

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Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

Discover the treasures of the earth by sea aboard luxurious yachts built for an intimate small number of guests: French crew, professional competence, attentive service, and gastronomy. 

Set sail in a five-star environment and enjoy an authentic and, at the same time, sophisticated travel experience. Worldwide, Ponant has designed special routes for you that are rich in encounters and discoveries. Mooring in the heart of secret bays in the Mediterranean, sailing between the majestic icebergs of the Antarctic, expeditions to the remote areas of Alaska, or island hopping in the Caribbean.

INSIDER TIP PONANT CRUISES

Ponant is the only luxury cruise line with three brand new ships that sail to Antarctica and the Arctic each season. With a 46% market share, Ponant is number 1 in luxury expedition cruises.

WHY TRAVEL WITH PONANT?

• These luxury ships sail to the world’s unexplored corners, including many ports and islands that are inaccessible to large cruise lines.
• From five-star expeditions to themed cruises, the itineraries offer a wealth of fascinating experiences.
• The latest environmentally friendly technologies, attentive service, bilingual crew, luxurious cabins
• Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions is the world’s only cruise line under the French flag and the world’s leading cruise line for polar expeditions.
• Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions has distinctive and intimate ships that embody the essence of a private luxury yacht

Exclusive benefits

Personal concierge

Deluxetargets cocktail party

20 0 USD onboard credit

Get in touch with one of our travel advisors and request more details about upcoming cruises from this luxury cruise line .

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• World's Best
• World's Best Awards 2024

Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite Intimate-ship Ocean Cruise Lines of 2024

Readers in our annual “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2024 saved their highest marks for intimate cruise ships.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Sometimes the best things come in small packages and Travel + Leisure readers say the same thing about the most intimate cruise ships . In fact, these ships with 150 or fewer cabins had some of the highest marks in the cruise category of our World’s Best Awards voting. See which ones came out on top in this year’s rankings.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories based on number of cabins.

Ships were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Cabins/facilities
• Itineraries/destinations
• Excursions/activities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Courtesy of Quasar Expeditions

All the intimate ships in this category received top scores in this year’s voting, readers showing delight in having a ship practically to themselves. Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) moved up from No. 4 last year to claim the No. 2 spot, voters citing friendly staff as a differentiator: “Every one of the crew was the most personable and helpful that I have ever seen,” said one reader.

Aqua Expeditions (No. 3), with vessels such as the 20-suite Aqua Mekong , held onto its same spot in the tankings. “Unique excursions and experiences that you could not get anywhere else,” praised one voter of the company. Rounding out the top five are well-known brands Lindblad Expeditions (No. 4) and the expedition ships of Seabourn (No. 5).

The top line once again this year is Quasar Expeditions, with its intimate exploration of the Galápagos.

Quasar Expeditions

With two intimate ships, the 32-passenger Evolution and 16-passenger Grace , Quasar remains a perennial favorite of T+L readers, many voters calling a cruise with the small company a trip of a lifetime. “The Grace was the best cruise I've ever been on and one of the top three travel experiences of my life (and I've traveled several million miles around the world!),” said one reader. “I travel extensively and can honestly say that my Quasar Evolution expedition was the most amazing vacation adventure I have taken in my life.” said another. “Service was first class, yet the entire trip was casual, friendly, and unpretentious.”

I travel extensively and can honestly say that my Quasar Evolution expedition was the most amazing vacation adventure I have taken in my life. Service was first class, yet the entire trip was casual, friendly, and unpretentious.

1. Quasar Expeditions

Reader Score: 97.81

2. Overseas Adventure Travel

Reader Score: 97.55

3. Aqua Expeditions

Reader Score: 94.81

4. Lindblad Expeditions

Reader Score: 94.40

5. Seabourn

Reader Score: 94.35

6. Celebrity Cruises

Reader Score: 93.94

7. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Reader Score: 92.86

8. Variety Cruises

Reader Score: 92.35

Reader Score 91.73

10. Silversea

Reader Score 91.33

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• Corsican shores, under Sail Aboard Le Ponant Nice - Nice

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Corsican shores, under Sail Aboard Le Ponant

Nice - nice, dates: 5/17/2025 to  5/24/2025.

Excursions included

Le Ponant , the first Relais & Châteaux sailing yacht.  The finest travel address on the waters of the world.

“Eternity. It is the sea mingled with the sun”, according to a poem by Rimbaud. Whether you are a lover of the sea or a curious traveller, experience once again the indescribable joy of navigating under sail, bathed by the wind and sea spray, surrounded by the elements. Take your place aboard  Le Ponant , a majestic three-mast yacht with elegant lines and an interior design created by the Jean-Philippe Nuel studio to be a warm and intimate setting with a very distinctive personality. As if you were on your very own yacht, match your inner  tempo  to the boat’s subtle oscillations and savour the freedom of living in the moment, being fully present for your trip.

Aboard its emblematic yacht, PONANT is reshaping the contours of cruising and invites you to experience a new way of discovering the wonderful Corsican shores. Departing from Nice, between wild paradises and heavenly beaches, iconic ports of call and private moments, the very essence of the Isle of Beauty will reveal itself.

As you are carried by the wind from one cape to the other, discover the multiple facets of the island. To the north, in Calvi or Saint Florent , the craggy terrain of the Balagne region and Cap Corse stretch out towards the sea. There, under the watchful eye of emblematic summits and of shores eroded by sea spray, the historic citadels and the villages clinging to the heady maquis invite you to immerse yourself in this still-unspoiled natural environment.

Slowly, the south of the island and its idyllic beaches will beckon you. Drawn by the spellbinding song of these sandy sirens, you will heed the call at full sail. On the way, the stunning spectacle of the archipelago formed by Pointe de la Parata  and the Sanguinaires Islands indicates the entrance to the Gulf of Ajaccio . This long line of crests seems to extend the coast like a backbone and, for a moment, your vessel, and perhaps even time, seem brought to a standstill.

You will then set a course towards the southern tip of the Isle of Beauty, to uncover its dreamy scenery. In the Gulf of Sant’Amanza , the azure Mediterranean and its fish-rich waters merge with the different varieties of plants and shrubs warmed by the sun, inviting you to refocus on what is truly important. With your senses awakened, you will then sail towards the incredible landscape offered by Bonifacio and the fortress with winding streets suspended on its ivory cliffs .

In the Gulf of Roccapina , on the beach of Erbaghju, the iconic Domaine de Murtoli  emerges. Nestled between fragrant scrubland and turquoise sea, shielded from prying eyes, this unique hotel destination invites you to celebrate the Corsican way of life at its most vibrant and generous.

The activities, designed for you and with you, create possibilities for returning to what is essential, in a setting conducive to contemplation.

At your own pace, immerse yourself in wild and stunning panoramas, away from the crowds, and enjoy moments spent in harmony with nature.

* The activities on offer will be confirmed on board by the captain according to the weather conditions, the itinerary and the cruise plan.

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Enjoy the extraordinary experience of sailing aboard Le Ponant as though you were on your own private yacht. A limited-capacity yacht: a maximum of 32 passengers and as many crew members; a dedicated...

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Important trip details

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1 888 400 1082 or contact your travel advisor

Choose your stateroom

Mistral Stateroom  

From $11,650 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Mistral Prestige Stateroom  

From $12,210 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Mistral Junior Suite  

From $15,630 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Mistral Prestige Suite  

From $16,770 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Alizés Stateroom with balcony  

From $17,920 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Alizés Prestige Stateroom with balcony  

From $18,140 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Alizés Privilege Suite with balcony  

From $21,340 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Grand Privilège Alizés Suite with balcony  

From $24,980 per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Owner Suite with balcony  

From $35,460 per person

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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

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Services provided

• Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
• Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
• Individually-controlled air conditioning
• Dressing room with shelves and closet
• Dressing table and hairdryer
• Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
• Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
• Electronic safe
• Direct line telephone
• Bose Bluetooth speaker
• Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
• 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
• No lift, not suitable for people with reduced mobility

Select your stateroom category

Stateroom size

• - than 269 ft²
• + than 269 ft²

Mistral Stateroom

30% Ponant Bonus

Mistral Prestige Stateroom

Mistral Junior Suite

Mistral Prestige Suite

Alizés Stateroom with balcony

Alizés Prestige Stateroom with balcony

Alizés Privilege Suite with balcony

Grand Privilège Alizés Suite with balcony

Owner Suite with balcony

Boarding conditions and passenger travel abilities

We invite you to read our boarding conditions and passenger travel abilities by clicking here . 

Any new reservation implies the acceptance of these conditions.

To guarantee your entry into one or several countries, you must ensure that you comply with the formalities and health requirements specific to each destination. In just a few clicks on our online search engine, find all the formalities you must complete prior to your departure (visas, entry authorisations for each country, vaccinations, etc.).

The international situation can change rapidly, so be sure to check this information regularly prior to your departure. However, please note that we always recommend our guests contact the relevant national immigration and customs and border control authorities directly to find out what rules apply to their specific situation. PONANT is not responsible for any decisions made by guests based on the information provided by the online search engine.

The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.

Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, PONANT will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.

Diving - This sanitary formality is likely to evolve in accordance with the sanitary measures related to Covid-19.

Passengers may take part in scuba diving activities, providing certain conditions are respected, in line with the applicable health, scientific and medical conditions in force on the day of the dive.

In order to participate in diving sessions, guests must have with them a medical certificate less than 1 year old and their up to date dive book.

List of items prohibited on board

To guarantee the safety and well-being of our guests, certain items are strictly prohibited on board. Should you have one of these products or objects in your possession, they will be confiscated immediately and will not be transported on the ship. When an item transported aboard is considered illegal, the relevant authorities will be notified systematically.

Click here  for the full list of items prohibited on board. 

Warning about the use of drones : the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.

Ideal clothes for life on board:

During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.

Informal evening:

In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire.

For women: simple dress, skirt or trousers, blouse, polo

For men: pleated trousers or chinos, sports jacket, shirt, polo

ACCESSORIES:

• Polarized sunglasses
• Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
• Mobile phone charger

HEALTH CARE:

• Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
• Medications and prescriptions

OUTFITS ON BOARD:

• Casual outfits for the day
• Smarter outfits for dinners
• White or black and white outfit for a Theme evening.

PRECAUTIONS:

In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.

All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.

Diving & initiation dive

Supervision of the dives

Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.

Level required for scuba diving on this cruise

The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 1 star CMAS or the PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.

Process of the dives (certified divers)

The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 metres will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:

• For those with PADI Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 20 metres.
• If two Stars CMAS or PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 20 metres.

Process of the initiation dives (novice divers)

Before your initiation dive, your instructor will show you the equipment and will explain to you how to communicate underwater using hand gestures and how to breathe through a regulator. Once in the water, equipped with your material, you will learn how to breathe through your regulator on the surface for a couple of minutes. When your instructor feels you are ready, he will immerse you in water for about 20 minutes to a depth of 6 metres maximum.

Duration of the dives

The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.

Supplied equipment

• Diving wetsuit
• Stabilising jacket
• Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
• Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)

Mask and snorkel: for health reasons due to Covid-19, we strongly recommend that you come on board with your own mask and snorkel .As an exception, you will be able to borrow them in accordance with sanitary conditions.

The passenger may participate in scuba diving activities, subject to compliance with certain conditions established in accordance with the health, scientific and medical measures applicable on the day of the dive.

* within the limit of available stock.

• Enjoy the extraordinary experience of sailing aboard Le Ponant as though you were on your own private yacht.
• A limited-capacity yacht: a maximum of 32 passengers and as many crew members; a dedicated chef.
• Sail on a ship propelled by the wind and enjoy the wonderful opportunities nature offers us to adapt the programme and navigate under sail whenever possible.
• As the wind carries you, rediscover your taste for shared happiness and the essential.
• A brand-new stop at Domaine de Murtoli, exclusively through PONANT.
• (Re)discover the deep and secret soul of Corsica and enjoy ports of call off the beaten path, revisited to offer you exclusive experiences.
• On board as on shore, soak up the local riches and traditions of Corsica, and savour authentic moments through cultural encounters and gastronomy.
• Between the sea and the mountains, tailor-made activities to reconnect with nature.
• A varied programme of included excursions.

*Pre-bookings open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests are processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.

Ports of Call & Excursions

May 17, 2025 - Nice

Embarkation 5/17/2025 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Departure 5/17/2025 at 6:00 PM

Capital of the Cote d’Azur , Nice is surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills and mountains that protects it from the wind. You will probably want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can sit on one of the famous blue chairs laid out opposite the baie des Anges. The Château hill is also a very pleasent place to walk. This is the entrance to the old city, with its bustling markets and regional products along the main street, the Cours Saleya.

May 18, 2025 - Saint-Florent, Corsica

Arrival 5/18/2025 mid morning Departure 5/18/2025 late afternoon

In the hollow of one of the most beautiful gulfs of the Mediterranean to which it owes its name, Saint-Florent is an ancient Genoese city whose citadel dominates the bay with its circular architecture. A link between the mountains of Upper Corsica and the Agriates desert , the fishing village has become a renowned seaside resort. In front of this jewel nestled in the hollow of a wild and isolated region, sublime beaches of fine sand border a sea of infinite turquoise shades. At the western tip of the gulf, the Tower of Mortella , built in the 16 th century under the Republic of Genoa to prevent from invaders, stands watch. Like most of the towers that dot the Corsican coast, it is an emblematic and familiar symbol of the island.

May 19, 2025 - Ajaccio, Corsica

Arrival 5/19/2025 early morning Departure 5/19/2025 mid afternoon

Birth town of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ajaccio occupies a privileged location on the Île de Beauté. Rich in history and culture, the old “imperial city” is imbibed with the memory of this son of the soil. His presence is tangible, from the citadel to the imperial chapel, without forgetting the statues of the emperor in several of the city’s squares. As you stroll through the shaded streets in the old town centre, you’ll come across the central market on place Foch, where you can taste one or two local specialities, for instance, brocciu, lonzu or the famous canistrelli.

May 20, 2025 - Gulf of Sant'Amanza, Corsica

Arrival 5/20/2025 early morning Departure 5/20/2025 mid afternoon

In the south-east of Corsica, between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio, the gulf of Sant'Amanza , famous for its magnificent sandy beaches, is revealed. You will benefit from exceptional viewpoints over the landscapes of rare beauty formed by the limestone cliffs, covered with scrub, plunging into the turquoise waters and the granite rocks on the water's edge.

May 21, 2025 - Bonifacio, Corsica

Arrival 5/21/2025 early morning Departure 5/21/2025 late evening

The spectacular town of  Bonifacio  located on the very tip of southern Corsica, clings to a narrow promontory of white rock overhanging the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You can admire its limestone cliffs hewn out by the wind, before setting off on a cultural tour of its cultural treasures. From the little paved streets in the ancient  Haute Ville, to the promenade on the open-air medieval  chemin de ronde, this stunning town will take you on a journey back in time. Frequented or secluded, there are numerous beaches to choose from, all in keeping with the high standards of the “Île de Beauté”.

May 22, 2025 - Gulf of Roccapina

Arrival 5/22/2025 mid morning Departure 5/22/2025 early evening

Nestled between Bonifacio and Sartène, the Gulf of Roccapina offers some of the most iconic landscapes in Corsica. Along the shore, rocky cliffs sculpted by erosion stand as guardians of idyllic beaches, basking in the delightful scent of myrtle. The nearby maquis hides a true treasure: the iconic estate of Murtoli . Stretching to the paradisiacal beach of Erbaghju, this hotel destination celebrates the Corsican way of life and its island traditions like nowhere else.

May 23, 2025 - Calvi, Corsica

Arrival 5/23/2025 early morning Departure 5/23/2025 late afternoon

Nestled on a rocky spur in the north-west of Corsica, the port of Calvi offers its whiteness between two sapphire-coloured bays. Capital of the Balagne region, the Genoese city benefits from an exceptional natural setting between the abrupt relief of the central chain, fertile hills and long sandy beaches. From the promontory of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Serra chapel , built in the 19th century on the ruins of a 15th century sanctuary, you will not miss the sublime panorama of the seaside, the mountains and the Calvi citadel. A little further west, you will have the opportunity to discover with the peninsula of Revelatta , a wilder and more preserved part of Corsica.

May 24, 2025 - Nice

Arrival 5/24/2025 early morning Disembarkation 5/24/2025 at 8:00 AM

This legendary yacht offers a uniquely exclusive voyage experience. An invitation to sail, revitalise oneself, share, contemplate and respect the world around us. An ode to freedom and the treasures of nature.

With its common areas open extensively to the horizon, you will have never felt such communion with the elements. With one crew member per passenger and just thirty-two guests on board, you will have never enjoyed so much attention. With navigation under sail the moment conditions allow, you will have never savoured each second that passes to such an extent. 

Find out more about Le Ponant

During your journey, enjoy an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. Whether this is the visit of an emblematic museum or a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an activity in the heart of nature or a tasting of local products, or one of many other highlights, you will benefit from a careful selection of activities throughout your itinerary.

Find out more here

Pre-bookings will open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests will be processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.

During an introduction to scuba diving or a more advanced dive for holders of the necessary certifications (level 1 on yachting cruises and 2 on expedition cruises), explore the planet’s most beautiful underwater environments in the company of a PONANT diving instructor, as well as a local instructor when required by local legislation. They will ensure that your dives are conducted smoothly and safely: supervision of four certified divers at a time, evaluation of diving skills and experience, adherence to safety stops, zones and the maximum depth authorised.

A recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to the main diving instructor.

Seabourn Pursuit cruise ship review: An expedition vessel built for luxury lovers

Editor's Note

Are you looking for a cruise ship that can take you to the most remote places in the world in style? Seabourn Pursuit will surely be on your short list of candidates.

Unveiled in August by Seabourn , one of the world's best-known luxury lines, Seabourn Pursuit is a small and agile expedition ship designed to visit such hard-to-reach and rugged destinations as Antarctica and Australia's Kimberley coast. But it's also a luxury ship that delivers some of the highest levels of service and pampering at sea.

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As I saw during a recent 10-night voyage in the Kimberley region, Seabourn Pursuit combines some of the best attributes of both expedition ships and traditional luxury ships to offer an unusually upscale adventure experience.

The biggest caveat to picking this ship: It doesn't come cheap. Suites on the vessel — and every cabin is a suite — often start at around $2,000 per day.

Overview of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn Pursuit is one of the world's newest and most elegant expedition ships.

Like all expedition ships, it's specifically designed and equipped to get travelers to remote and hard-to-reach places like Antarctica that most people never get to see.

For starters, it's built to be inordinately tough. Its strengthened hull allows it to bump through ice in polar regions, and its unusually large fuel tanks and food storage areas allow it to operate for long periods in remote areas without reprovisioning.

Additionally, it travels with its own landing craft — small rubber Zodiac boats — to get passengers ashore in remote areas. It also carries other adventure gear for exploring remote areas, including kayaks, snorkeling equipment and scuba gear, and it has two submarines for exploring deep underwater.

Related: Expedition cruises: The ultimate guide to cruising to remote, hard-to-reach places

As is typical for expedition ships, Seabourn Pursuit travels with a large expedition team of experts on the places it goes. The members of the team lead landings and lecture on board.

While small compared to most cruise ships, including Seabourn's five traditional luxury ships , Seabourn Pursuit is relatively large for an expedition ship at 23,615 gross tons — something that has both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to operating expedition-style trips.

Twice the size of the latest expedition vessels built for such expedition cruise leaders as Lindblad Expeditions and Quark Expeditions, it offers a wider array of eateries, lounges and other onboard venues than is typical for such a vessel. But its bigger size also comes with a capacity for more passengers, which can be a drawback when operating expedition-style landings in remote areas.

Seabourn Pursuit is the second of two nearly identical expedition ships that Seabourn has launched over the past two years as it moves into the expedition cruising space for the first time. The first vessel in the series, Seabourn Venture , also sails to remote parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic.

What I loved about Seabourn Pursuit

Its elegant and upscale onboard experience.

Seabourn Pursuit offers an elegant and upscale onboard experience that is unlike almost anything else found in the expedition cruise space. Its onboard venues, including its restaurants, lounges and spa, are beautifully designed, as is typical for Seabourn ships. It also sails with an extraordinarily high ratio of crew to passengers, allowing for high service levels (on my sailing, the ratio was exactly one-to-one, with 238 crew and 238 passengers).

Essentially, what Seabourn has done with Seabourn Pursuit is create an expedition ship that mimics the luxury feel of its traditional ocean ships. Or, to put it another way, Seabourn Pursuit is a luxury ship with all the adventure-focused trappings of expedition cruising overlaid on top.

This is relatively unusual in the expedition cruise space. Some of the best-known luxury cruise operators, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Crystal, don't operate expedition ships. Those that do, such as Silversea Cruises , don't always operate expedition vessels that are as elegant and upscale in feel, in part because they sometimes are older vessels.

Its always available caviar

Speaking of elegant and upscale, one of the wonderful little luxury touches on Seabourn Pursuit is that you can order caviar to your room or anywhere else you happen to be on the ship at any time, day or night. There's no extra charge. It's a small thing, but it speaks to the luxury level you'll get when sailing on Seabourn Pursuit. Just note that Seabourn doesn't advertise this much on board, presumably because of the cost. You sort of have to be in the know (and now you are, so ... order away).

What I didn't love about Seabourn Pursuit

The high passenger count.

Seabourn Pursuit can carry up to 264 passengers — a large number in the expedition cruise ship space. The newest ships from two of the best-known expedition cruise operators, Lindblad Expeditions and Ponant, by contrast, carry just 126 passengers and 184 passengers, respectively. New ships from Aurora Expeditions are built to hold 132 people. In expedition cruising, this sort of differential in passenger capacity is a big deal. It can make a considerable difference in the quality of the expedition cruise experience.

The more passengers an expedition ship has on board, the more its expedition guides have to break them up into separate groups for landings, slowing down the process of exploring at any single landing site. The result is that passengers on smaller ships often get to see more wildlife and scenery up close than passengers on bigger ships. This is particularly true in polar destinations such as Antarctica, where passenger landings are restricted to 100 people at a time.

Related: Is this the ultimate Antarctica cruise ship? Our take on Lindblad's National Geographic Resolution

Seabourn built Seabourn Pursuit larger than many existing expedition ships in part to offer passengers the same sort of luxury experience that they get on the line's traditional ocean ships. The ship had to be bigger to make room for all the upscale venues, including multiple restaurants and lounges, that Seabourn passengers expect. But in expedition cruising, sailing on a smaller vessel with fewer people is its own type of luxury.

Seabourn Pursuit cabins and suites

Picking a room on Seabourn Pursuit isn't as complicated as it is on some ships. There is basically just one main cabin category that accounts for the vast majority of the 132 accommodations on board: the Veranda Suite.

On paper, there are five categories of Veranda Suites, but all the rooms in these categories — 101 in all — are basically the same, with the only difference between them being their location. Higher-category Veranda Suites are toward the middle of the ship, which is considered more desirable. Lower-category Veranda Suites are toward the front of the ship.

My cabin was one of the lower-category Veranda Suites toward the front of Deck 6, and just like the higher-category Veranda Suites, it measured 355 square feet — a generous amount for an expedition ship cabin. That space included a 78-square-foot balcony area, the same as you'll find with higher-category Veranda Suites.

As with all Veranda Suites, my room featured a queen-size bed that could be split into two twin beds, a built-in cabinet and wall-mounted TV opposite the bed and an adjacent seating area with a sofa, a chair and a built-in desk. There was also a walk-in closet and a bathroom.

Decor-wise, it was a lovely cabin with all the high-end finishings and amenities you would expect on a luxury ship. The look was contemporary and residential, with synthetic walnut and bronze cabinetry topped with expensive marble, quality bone white furnishings, patterned mocha and bone carpeting and walls covered in faux parchment.

I particularly liked the custom bedside panels with perfectly placed built-in bedside lights and foldaway reading lamps controlled by vintagelike toggle switches. The bed itself was opulent, with a super-comfortable mattress and high-end sheets. Each side of the bed was topped with three large white pillows that, from top to bottom, were extra firm, firm and soft (as explained on a pillow menu). Two red patterned throws and a sumptuous faux fur pillow rounded out the high-end look.

Among thoughtful touches to the room were its heated compartment for fast-drying wet clothing after Zodiac landings and Swarovski Optik binoculars to borrow during the voyage. A minibar was also stocked with almost any drink I wanted. (Though the one drink I wanted most in my cabin, a morning coffee, was unavailable. Unlike many cabins on high-end ships, the room had no espresso maker.)

On a practical note, the room was loaded with power outlets of all sorts — enough to keep even the most device-laden traveler fully charged. The bedside panels on both sides of the bed had both U.S.-style 110-volt and European-style 220-volt outlets, as well as two USB ports (alas, there were no fast-charging USB-C ports, something that is increasingly standard on new ships). More outlets and USB ports were located at the desk area and above the cabinet across from the bed.

If there was a flaw to the room's design, it was its storage space, which seemed to take a back seat to the overall look. The built-in cabinet across from the bed was stylish but too narrow to be practical. The desk across from the sofa lacked drawers that would have made it more functional — no doubt to keep its minimalist line.

More notably, perhaps, the room's walk-in closet was just a tad too narrow to be fully functional. It offered lots of room for hanging clothes on one side but was light on shelving for sweaters, folded shirts and the like — the result of a significant amount of its space having been left open so that passengers could walk into it. A less elegant but more practical use of this block of space would have been to forgo the idea of a walk-in closet and create large built-in wardrobes that opened from the outside.

The same sort of style-over-practicality in design was evident in the bathroom. It was a beautiful space with marble tile walls and floors, a built-in marble vanity and high-end Grohe fixtures, but it wasn't optimally designed for function. Despite being larger than the typical cruise ship bathroom, it had a comically tiny shower (so tiny it was an exercise in contortion to soap up) and lacked a single drawer for hiding away toiletries. The only storage was three impractically small and narrow shelves to the side of the vanity and several hard-to-reach shelves tucked under the corners of the vanity.

The bathroom also contained a bathtub that few people would use. A bathtub is a nice touch when there is room for one, but in this case, there wasn't. The bathtub ate up the space that could have allowed for a bigger shower — something everyone expects these days.

For those who want something more spacious than a standard Veranda Suite such as mine (and are willing to pay significantly more for the privilege), Seabourn Pursuit also has more than two dozen larger suites — a few truly spectacular.

The most over-the-top suites on the ship, by far, are its two Wintergarden Suites. Measuring a whopping 1,175 square feet, they are two-story-high apartments that each have an expansive living area on their lower floors and a stunning bedroom with a bed facing floor-to-ceiling glass walls on their upper floors. Both of the suites can be combined with an adjacent Veranda Suite to create an even larger two-bedroom complex that measures 1,605 square feet.

Also spectacular are the ship's two rear-facing Signature Suites, which fill up the entire back of Deck 8. Each of the suites measures 1,380 square feet, not including its balcony, and has a massive living area overlooking the ship's wake in addition to a bedroom. Each also has a seemingly endless wraparound balcony with its own Jacuzzi and elegant lounge furniture.

Related: Ditch the polar gear: 7 warm-weather expedition cruises that will wow nature and adventure lovers

Two more larger suites on the ship are its Owners Suites, which measure 1,023 square feet, including balcony space. Located at the front of the vessel, they also have large living areas separate from their bedrooms.

Two other categories of suites on Seabourn Pursuit that are larger than the standard Veranda Suites but not nearly as big as the Wintergarden, Signature and Owners suites are its nine Penthouse Suites and 16 Panorama Veranda Suites. These two categories of rooms measure 527 square feet and 417 square feet, respectively, including their balcony space.

Seabourn Pursuit restaurants and bars

As is typical for small ships, Seabourn Pursuit has just a handful of eateries. Still, it manages to offer a wide range of cuisines with rotating theme nights in one of its restaurants. Several bars and lounges offer a diversity of drink choices.

Restaurants

Seabourn Pursuit has two main restaurants: The Restaurant and The Colonnade.

The Restaurant is the more formal of the two, offering a fine dining experience in a stylish space filled with custom-designed, modern Italian furniture and bronze-framed wine displays.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Restaurant offers classic cuisine such as eggs Benedict in the morning and grilled snapper and beef tenderloin in the evening.

The Colonnade is a more casual alternative eatery that offers a buffet service for breakfast and lunch (augmented with some a la carte menu items that you can order from your waiter). It then transforms into a waiter-served sit-down restaurant at dinnertime.

The Colonnade's cuisine at dinner changes daily, offering passengers a more diverse dining experience in the evenings than one might expect from a ship with just two restaurants. One night, it'll have a French focus, the next, Spanish. When I was on board, nights devoted to Australian, Thai, Italian and American cuisines were also on the schedule.

Additionally, on several nights of each cruise, The Colonnade morphs into a pop-up eatery called Earth & Ocean that offers an eclectic mix of dishes inspired by the places the ship visits around the world.

The Colonnade has both indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor area known as The Patio. Seabourn touts The Patio in its marketing material as a separate eatery, but it's not really.

In addition to the above, passengers will find sushi made to order every evening in The Club, one of the ship's bars. A nod to the popular sushi eateries found on Seabourn's bigger ships, the sushi dishes at The Club can be something you order as an appetizer before heading to The Restaurant or The Colonnade for dinner, or they can be your full meal. Just note the sushi menu is relatively limited.

You'll also find quick grab-and-go bites available during the day in The Bow Lounge, a small, unstaffed lounge space overlooking the ship's bow. It has a refrigerator stocked with small portions of salads and wraps in glass containers. The Bow Lounge also has a self-serve espresso machine for cappuccinos, lattes and other espresso drinks.

Additional small bites are available throughout the day at Seabourn Square, a living roomlike lounge space that is home to the ship's main coffee bar, guest services desks, games tables and a library area.

Along with barista-made coffee drinks, Seabourn Square's European-style coffee bar serves pastries in the morning and small sandwiches, homemade cookies and desserts during the day. It's also one of two places on the ship where you'll find lovely homemade gelati — the other being The Colonnade (at lunchtime).

Should the above options not be enough to keep you satiated, you can always order room service. Seabourn Pursuit offers in-suite dining around the clock, with an all-day menu of six starters, a dozen mains and various desserts. The menu is a mix of casual items such as sandwiches and burgers and more elegant dishes such as a Black Angus New York steak. During dinner hours, passengers can also order anything they want off the day's The Restaurant menu.

In general, the cuisine on board Seabourn Pursuit is high-end but nothing that will leave you wowed. Dishes in The Restaurant skew to classic continental fare that is traditional and safe, with relatively simple plating. A typical night might bring such main dishes as a filet of red snapper draped over cooked Swiss chard with piped mashed potatoes on the side or slices of pork tenderloin over polenta with vegetables. The choices don't typically include anything overly innovative. On my sailing, the execution was also hit-or-miss.

Additionally, for those who like flavorful food, be warned that dishes at both The Restaurant and The Colonnade come out very unseasoned — that is, they are very light on salt, pepper, herbs and spices. This is by design, as Seabourn has many older customers who are on low-sodium diets or have other health or taste concerns for which they have requested blander dishes. Still, it could be a turnoff if you're the type of luxury traveler who travels in part for distinctive culinary experiences.

Foodies also should note that the complimentary wines included with meals are more down-market than you might expect for a luxury ship. On my sailing across Australia's Kimberley region, the ship was serving a 19 Crimes shiraz as its main red on some nights that retails in Australia for under 10 Australian dollars (about $6.70). Tastewise, it was about what you'd expect at that price point.

There are plenty of wonderful wines on Seabourn Pursuit, for sure. But for the most part, they're only available with an upcharge.

One standout element of Seabourn Pursuit's culinary offerings is its breakfast buffet in The Colonnade. I loved such luxury touches as the giant juice machine for making fresh orange juice to order; the wide array of available fruits, including fresh berries (something you generally only find at breakfast buffets on luxury lines); the array of homemade breads; and the congee station.

If you're heading out for a drink in the evening on Seabourn Pursuit, you're probably heading to one of three places: the Expedition Lounge, the Constellation Lounge or The Club.

Just outside the ship's theater, where expedition-related briefings take place, the Expedition Lounge is a cozy space that evokes the age of exploration with steam trunk-inspired leather and fabric furnishings. Anchored by two fireplaces with faux flames, with a bar tucked into the wall in between, it lacks a menu of signature drinks, but its bartenders will make you whatever you desire.

Given its location, the Expedition Lounge is popular as a drinking spot just before and after the evening expedition briefing.

Five decks higher at the top front of the ship, the Constellation Lounge is a classic observation lounge with stunning 270-degree views through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. As its name suggests, it takes its theme from the night sky with carpets and cushions patterned from the constellations. Even the lighting follows the theme, with dozens of ceiling-mounted lightbulbs mimicking the stars above.

Unlike the Expedition Lounge, the Constellation Lounge has live music every night (on my sailing, it was a singing and guitar-playing duo), and it's also home to a signature cocktail menu designed by mixologist Brian Van Flandern — a well-known drinks creator. In the early evening, it offers a self-serve buffet of tapas along its back wall.

The Club, on the same deck as the Constellation Lounge but at the back of the ship, is another cozy space with a faux fireplace and warm, residential furnishings. As noted above, it features sushi made to order in the evenings. It also has a signature drinks menu with an array of sake-infused Saketinis, as well as handcrafted cocktails with such names as Smokin' Margarita and Honey Dew Wop.

Like the Constellation Lounge, The Club has live music nightly. During my sailing, it was home to a piano player.

Because of its made-to-order sushi bites, which are popular, The Club is always the busiest of the bars at night. There were times in the early evening when I had trouble finding a table.

The Club also has the most interesting cocktail menu on the ship. That said, in general, the cocktails on Seabourn Pursuit aren't as cutting edge as what you'll find at high-end cocktail lounges on land, despite the brand's relationship with mixologist Van Flandern. You're not going to find sophisticated garnishes, handmade bitters, smokers for infusions or unusually shaped ice cubes as you do nowadays at upmarket cocktail bars on land. The bartenders don't appear particularly steeped in cocktail culture.

Related: The most epic cruise ever? What it's like traveling to the North Pole on a luxury icebreaker

I was especially surprised to find Old-Fashioneds and Negronis ordered at the ship's bars arrive loaded with small machine-made ice cubes of the sort you get in your soda at a fast food outlet. These ice cubes melted fast and diluted the drinks to a point where they were undrinkable after a few sips. If you want a mixed drink, be sure to order it "up" (served without ice).

In addition to the above, Seabourn Pursuit offers two small outdoor bars that are open part of the day: the Sky Bar and the Patio Bar.

The Sky Bar is at the top of the ship just outside of The Club and serves a small outdoor sunning area with hot tubs. It's also the one bar area on the ship where you can smoke.

The Patio is the bar for drinks around the infinity pool at the back of the ship.

Seabourn Pursuit activities

As is typical for expedition ships, the activities on Seabourn Pursuit revolve heavily around experiencing and learning about the wildlife and natural wonders of the mostly remote destinations that the vessel visits.

Seabourn Pursuit sails with a 24-member expedition team that includes experts in geology, marine biology, ornithology, local cultures and other topics of relevance. The team leads outings for exploring, typically by Zodiac boat, and lectures on board about what passengers are seeing on such outings.

A typical day in Antarctica, for instance, might include a Zodiac landing to see penguins, a secondary Zodiac outing to cruise coastal waters in search of whales and icebergs, and an onboard lecture on the history of Antarctic exploration.

In Australia's Kimberley, a typical day might bring a Zodiac cruise down a mangrove-lined river in search of crocodiles or an up-close look at the region's otherwordly red rock formations, followed by a lecture on the region's thousands-of-years-old Indigenous Australian rock art.

The hub for such activities is the Discovery Center, a theaterlike space used for daily lectures, recaps of the day's explorations and briefings on the next day's off-ship exploring.

Seabourn Pursuit also has two side-by-side mud rooms (called The Landing Zone) with lockers where passengers can change, clean and store their boots and gear following excursions.

Just off the mud rooms are the side-of-the-ship portways where passengers board Zodiacs for the daily outings.

Seabourn Pursuit sails with a fleet of 24 Zodiacs for such outings, stored at the very top of the ship and lowered by cranes during landing operations. The ship also carries eight sea kayaks for included-in-the-fare kayaking tours, snorkel gear for snorkeling during outings and two submarines for extra-charge underwater exploration. The latter is still relatively rare on expedition ships.

Both kayaks and submarines are used on the ship's Antarctica and South Pacific sailings but not in the Kimberley. The presence of crocodiles in the Kimberley makes the use of kayaks risky. Other factors, such as strong tides, keep Seabourn from using the submarines in the Kimberley.

In addition to the above, Seabourn Pursuit offers complimentary scuba diving sessions led by an onboard divemaster in select warm-water destinations in the South Pacific.

While expedition cruise-style adventure is the focus of trips on Seabourn Pursuit, the vessel also offers traditional cruise ship allures such as a sun deck with an infinity pool, two whirlpools and chaise lounges at the back of Deck 5. More chaise lounges are located at the backs of Deck 6 and Deck 7. There are two more whirlpools at the back of Deck 9.

Seabourn Pursuit also has a small but elegant spa and wellness center with four treatment rooms (including a room for couples treatments), separate men's and women's saunas that offer stunning views of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows, a hair and nail salon and a small fitness room.

Just be prepared to pay up for spa services. As is often the case on cruise ships, particularly luxury cruise ships, the pricing is sky-high. A 50-minute facial, for instance, will cost you about $270, including an 18% gratuity that is automatically added to bills.

Unlike on Seabourn's bigger ocean ships, there is no casino on Seabourn Pursuit. Seabourn regulars also will notice the ship lacks a back-of-the-ship marina or a secondary pool area.

Another difference with Seabourn's bigger ocean ships is its open-bridge policy. On most days, while the ship is underway, passengers can visit the bridge at will and watch it in operation. This is more common on expedition ships than on bigger traditional vessels.

Seabourn Pursuit itineraries and pricing

Seabourn Pursuit currently spends its summers in the Kimberley region of Australia and its winters in Antarctica. In both cases, the ship operates expedition-style trips that revolve around landings to see wildlife and scenery.

Seabourn Pursuit also offers a few one-off sailings across the South Pacific and down the coast of Chile in the spring and fall, traveling between the Kimberley region of Australia and Antarctica.

The Kimberley sailings are mostly 10-night trips that follow one-way routings between Broome and Darwin, Australia. The Antarctica sailings range from 11 to 21 nights in length, with the longer sailings including visits to South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands.

Fares start at $8,499 per person, based on double occupancy, for a 10-night Kimberley cruise.

An 11-night Antarctica trip that includes 10 nights on the ship and a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, starts at $8,498 per person.

What to know before you go

Required documents

Seabourn Pursuit sails global itineraries for which passengers always need a valid passport. For some itineraries, passengers also need visas to enter countries on the schedule. Be sure to research visa requirements far in advance of your sailing so you have time to get everything in order before you go. Visa processing can be a time-consuming process. Note that you will very likely be denied boarding if you arrive for your cruise without the proper travel documentation. In such cases, you are not eligible for a refund.

When assembling your documents, be sure your passport will be valid for six months beyond the end of your cruise, as that's a requirement to enter many countries .

You will also need to fill out preboarding documents online before your cruise.

Related: When and how to renew your passport, according to the State Department

Seabourn's all-inclusive fares cover all crew gratuities, and passengers thus aren't expected to tip when on board Seabourn ships. The only time you might be expected to tip while on a Seabourn cruise is during an off-the-ship excursion, as gratuities for tour guides and drivers on shore tours are not included in fares.

All passengers can access the ship's Wi-Fi for free. Passengers in Ocean View and Verandah suites receive unlimited standard internet service (basic browsing, messaging and emailing) on one device, while passengers in higher-category Penthouse and Premium suites get unlimited premium internet service (streaming and video calling) on multiple devices. Passengers who have reached the Diamond tier of the Seabourn Club loyalty program also will receive the faster premium service, no matter their suite category.

Passengers in suites that only come with standard internet service can pay about $20 a day to upgrade to the premium service that allows for streaming. Upgrading also lets you access the internet on up to four devices simultaneously.

Carry-on drinks policy

All drinks are complimentary on Seabourn Pursuit, with the exception of the most expensive wines and liquors. However, if you are particular to certain brands, you can bring on board an unlimited amount of wine and liquor, both on embarkation day and in ports of call, and you do not have to pay a corkage fee.

Smoking policy

The only place you can smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes on Seabourn Pursuit is along the starboard half of the ship's outdoor Sky Bar area. Smoking such items anywhere else on the ship, including in all interior areas, in suites and on private balconies, is prohibited.

The rules are slightly looser for electronic cigarettes, which can be smoked in passenger suites and the Sky Bar area.

Passengers caught smoking traditional cigarettes, cigars or pipes in their suites or on balconies will be charged a $250 per day cleaning fee.

You have two options for doing laundry on Seabourn Pursuit. You can pay to have your clothes washed, pressed or dry-cleaned by the ship's laundry service, or you can clean them yourself for free using the self-service launderette found on Deck 5.

If you choose the former option, your suite attendant will pick up your dirty clothes and bring them back clean. Prices for such service range from $6.50 for a men's shirt to $11 for a dress unless you have status in Seabourn's loyalty program. If you do, you might get some or all of your send-out laundry done for free. The amount depends on your loyalty level, with top-tier Diamond Elite members getting complimentary normal laundry and pressing services throughout their sailing, plus limited dry cleaning services.

For those doing their own laundry, the ship's launderette has washers, dryers, complimentary detergent and ironing boards.

Electrical outlets

Seabourn Pursuit suites offer both U.S. 110-volt and European 220-volt outlets, as well as USB ports next to beds. You'll find additional outlets and USB ports at the built-in desks in suites and above the cabinets across from beds in Veranda Suites. Americans may want to bring an adapter for charging devices in public rooms, where the outlets are all European-style.

The onboard currency is the dollar, regardless of where Seabourn Pursuit is in the world. The ship operates on a cashless system. You will use your cruise keycard to pay for all purchases and then receive a final bill at the end of the cruise. You can pay that bill with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express or Discover) that you've registered with the ship or with cash.

You can request a cash advance on board but will be charged a 3% fee on the amount.

Drinking age

The minimum drinking age on Seabourn Pursuit is 21, with some exceptions. On sailings departing and returning to Australia, New Zealand, Europe and some parts of Asia, the drinking age is 18. For cruises departing and returning to Japan, the drinking age is 20.

The ship's crew can also refuse to serve alcohol to anyone they deem excessively inebriated or a danger to others on board.

Pack for your cruise like you would for a stay at a high-end resort. During the day, you'll want casual outfits suitable for the day's weather and activities, including appropriate swimwear cover-ups and comfortable shoes for walking. Guests tend to be stylish and elegant even when dressed casually, but shorts and jeans are welcome in all lounges and dining venues.

In the evening, after 6 p.m., guests should adhere to Seabourn's "elegant casual" dress code. For men, it's slacks with a collared dress shirt or sweater; jackets are optional. For women, it's slacks or a skirt with a blouse, a pantsuit or a dress.

Seabourn makes a point of noting jeans are not allowed in The Restaurant after 6 p.m.

Bottom line

Seabourn Pursuit is one of the most elegant and upscale expedition ships currently sailing the world's oceans. Like all Seabourn ships, it features lovely interior venues designed by noted hospitality design firm TIhany Design, and it has spacious, high-end accommodations, including some truly spectacular suites. It sails with a large number of crew to passengers, ensuring high levels of service. If you're looking to explore the ice-filled coast of Antarctica or the rugged shores of Australia's rugged Kimberley region in the utmost style and are willing to pay up for the privilege, this could be the ship for you.

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PASPALEY PEARL by PONANT inaugural ebrochure

New digital guide to ponant's 30-guest expedition yacht, launching january 2025.

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PASPALEY PEARL by PONANT has released its inaugural digital brochure, detailing the transformative experiences curated for the 30-guest expedition yacht. Commencing operations in January 2025 the new boutique yacht will feature a new immersive level of expeditions when operating through East Indonesia, The Kimberley and Papua New Guinea.

Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.

Venturing into some of the most pristine, wilderness and protected areas on our planet, PASPALEY PEARL and her team of 21 crew, including 4 expedition guides will provide guests with the option of immersing themselves within ancient cultures unaffected by western influence; wildlife rarely seen or encountered like whale sharks, Komodo dragons, birds of paradise and crocodiles. Snorkelling or diving in the most bio-diverse areas of Raja Ampat in Indonesia, the Rowley Shoals in Australia or Tufi in PNG.

With 80+ years of exploring the Kimberley coast, the partnership of PASPALEY and PONANT will open new and exclusive Kimberley experiences.

The inaugural brochure highlights the three regions PASPALEY PEARL will operate in 2025 and incorporates videos showcasing the expedition experience, cuisine, and a personal note from Chairwoman, Sarina Bratton AM .

View the brochure online here .

For more information and bookings, visit the website here or contact the dedicated Yacht Concierge.

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Condé Nast Traveler

The 11 Best Cruise Lines for Adults

Posted: February 28, 2024 | Last updated: March 19, 2024

The world's best cruise lines for adults have one major perk in common: the child-free utopia passengers are afforded while sailing. Daydreaming on deck , leisurely romantic dinners, dancing into the wee hours, popping champagne, and even getting tatted—such unabashed joys have everything to do with being grownup and nothing to do with kids.

The best adult cruises allow passengers to pursue relaxation, rejuvenation, and indulgence, undisturbed by tantrum-minded toddlers and other children potentially ruining your me-time groove. For when it's time to sail away from the stresses of life on land, we've pulled together the very best cruise lines for adults, plus their most exciting itineraries available for booking in 2024 and early 2025.

Note that while some of these lines are strictly adults-only, others are adults-oriented, meaning that they may have some well-behaved older children on board during school holidays but otherwise, rarely do. Most are small ship experiences with geared-to-grownup itineraries spanning the globe and leaning into all-inclusiveness and luxury—all the better to admire when it’s all about you.

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Formerly Crystal Cruises, the adults-driven luxury line was purchased by Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, then dramatically remodeled and reborn as Crystal. Its legions of fiercely loyal fans are largely back, as are many familiar crew who pamper passengers incessantly. Its two gorgeous ships, 740-passenger Crystal Serenity and 606-passenger Crystal Symphony , fairly ooze sophistication and style. Crystal renewed its partnership with Nobu Matsuhisa; the line's award-winning onboard restaurant Umi Uma presents the globally renowned chef’s only plates at-sea. These ships voyage most of the world, with inclusions like nearly all dining, alcohol, 24-hour room service, gratuities, butler service, and WiFi.

The sailing to take this year: Crystal Serenity offers a 12-day Cape Town to Tema, Ghana , visiting Namibia , Angola, and São Tomé, a dual-island nation dubbed Africa’s Galápagos. Incredible outings include climbing Walvis Bay’s colossal sand dunes and exploring São Tomé’s pristine forests with nearly 200 endemic species. Departs May 5, 2024, from $6,900 per person .

This adults-oriented luxury French line of small sleek ships include its six newest 184-passenger “Ponant Explorer” vessels, four 264-passenger expedition sister ships, and 32-passenger yacht Le Ponant . While many cruises are bilingual, sails in partnership with the prestigious Smithsonian Journeys are English-only. Count on some 44 such itineraries including onboard talks given by world-class experts, one excursion in each port, and other fare-included perks such as dining, alcohol, WiFi, and gratuities. So many Smithsonian Journeys compel, such as a nine-day Celtic Voyage, eight-day Cultural and Natural Treasures of Japan by Sea, and a nine-day Circumnavigation of Sicily.

The sailing to take this year: Hats-off to Le Champlain’s immersive Sicily voyage sailing roundtrip Valletta, Malta . Besides noted ports, this sail includes visits to Ggantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Maltese isle of Gozo; and another UNESCO stunner, Lipari in the Aeolian Islands. The line's 2025 departures add Tunis as a further temptation. Departs April 14, 2024, June 2, 2025, and August 29, 2025, from $8,580 per person .

Seabourn, an ultra-luxury adults-oriented line, recently introduced twin polar-class expedition ships, 264-passenger Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture, with exploration toys like submarines and a 24-expert team to guide and engage passengers. Luxe elements include all-suite accommodations, complimentary caviar, and eight dining venues. Seabourn’s five all-suite ocean liners include the two newest and most glam 600-passenger sister ships, Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Encore . Seabourn fares include all the restaurants on board (including the new Mediterranean venue Solis on non-expedition ships), alcohol, 24-hour suite dining, dancing on deck, and caviar in the surf beach barbecues.

The sailing to take this year: Seabourn ships roam the globe, with knockout itineraries like a 12-day “Canary Island Jewels and Morocco” on Seabourn Ovation , sailing roundtrip Lisbon . Imagine sipping local wine in the westernmost Canaries, wandering lively souks in Tangier, and learning to cook delicious Moroccan specialties. Departs April 26, from $6,204 per person .

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ultra-luxurious and opulent, this adults-oriented six-ship line is inclusive to the max: think business-class airline tickets for international flights, fine dining, all-suite accommodations, 24-hour suite service, alcohol, dining, valet laundry, gratuities, transfers, and some shore excursions. Multi-million-dollar art collections on the three newest ships stun. On brand-new 744-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur , revel in 1,600 masterpieces including multiple Picassos and a Fabergé egg, the first to reside at-sea. The entire ship’s design is jaw-droppingly beautiful and restaurants, like pan-Asian Pacific Rim and the French Chartreuse, excel.

The sailing to take this year: This ship sails many locales, like an enchanting 12-day fall foliage cruise from Boston to Montréal , with complimentary excursions like visiting Kennebunkport, Maine , a Nova Scotia pub tour, and high tea at the iconic Château Frontenac in Quebec City . Departs October 1, 2024, from $12,699 per person .

Windstar Cruises

This luxe-minded, adults-oriented line counts six vessels that accommodate between 148 and 342 passengers. Three are tall-sails Wind Class ships; three are all-suite Star Plus Class yachts. All offer a relaxed, friendly on-board ambiance, with itineraries leaning into small ports, late-night departures, and port overnights . From the water sport platform, guests can kayak, paddle board, snorkel, or water trampoline. Besides the Caribbean and Mediterranean, Windstar ships also ply far-flung waters, from transatlantic crossings to cruises in South America and Iceland . Star Breeze now sails Tahiti voyages, cruising the unforgettable turquoise waters of French Polynesia year-round.

The sailing to take this year: “Tahitian Treasures and Magnificent Marquesas ” (the latter a cruise rarity) sails 14-days roundtrip Papeete, including visiting Paul Gauguin’s former home on Hiva Oa, exploring a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and ogling the Pacific’s largest Tiki sculptures. Departs July 4, 2024, from $6,199 per person .

Scenic is an adults-oriented, ultra-luxury polar-class expedition line with two 228-passenger vessels, Scenic Eclipse I and Scenic Eclipse II . The ships feel sexy and sophisticated, with all-suite accommodations, butler service, up to 10 dining experiences, nine bars and lounges, and a huge spa with a yoga and Pilates studio. Expect numerous inclusions, like alcohol, dining, WiFi, gratuities, and shore excursions (other than helicopter or submersible rides) led by seasoned experts. Scenic explores the globe, emphasizing polar itineraries .

The sailing to take this year: The line recently introduced a Scenic Eclipse II Western Australia Kimberley region itinerary. Expedition highlights include coral islands with thousands of endemic birds, vertical waterfalls, and ancient Indigenous rock art. Sailing May until September, 11-day voyages between Broome and Darwin, Australia, begin at $11,730 per person .

Virgin Voyages

If you want to cruise with the cool kids, book an adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise. This line puts the hip in hipster; it calls cruisers sailors , is LGBTQ+-friendly, and attracts everyone from 20-something groups of friends to middle-aged-and-up couples. The premium line’s fares includes complimentary dining in a whopping 20 restaurants like Gunbae, a Korean bbq hotspot, WiFi, group fitness classes, and gratuities. Think high-energy happy campers, er, sailors, who celebrate with new tats done on board, many cocktails (don’t miss the Champagne Lounge), dance parties, pop-up circus performances, and hanging in port late-night. The three 2,770-passenger sister ships Scarlet Lady , Valiant Lady , and Resilient Lady sail the Caribbean and Med.

The sailing to take this year: Find fast fun on Scarlet Lady five-day roundtrip Miami cruises, like “Fire and Sunset Soirées,” with a private Beach Club experience in Bimini, Bahamas ; it’s abuzz with private cabanas, beach bonfires, and floaty pool parties. Departures March 20, April 17, May 1, December 11, from $1,620 per person .

An adults-oriented ultra-luxury line, Silversea offers both polar-class expedition ships and ocean liners that sail to more than 900 destinations across all seven continents. Fares include all-suite accommodations, butlers, caviar service, gratuities, alcohol, most dining, and some shore excursions (all outings on expedition ships).

The sailing to take this year: Among itineraries, consider cruising Antarctica on board the intimate and glam 200-passenger (in polar regions) Silver Endeavor . With spacious suites, four restaurants, and a passionate expedition team, the ship sails the region between late October 2024 into March 2025. Six-day itineraries include roundtrip flights to Antarctica, bypassing the often-turbulent Drake Passage. Sailing six to 18-days roundtrip from Puerto Williams, Chile, starting at $12,150 per passenger .

On this adults-only cruise line, choose between river , ocean, and expedition vessels. Viking ships sail all seven continents. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris explore the poles but also sail Niagara, the Great Lakes, and Chilean fjords. While categorized as upper premium, Viking’s ocean and expedition fleet includes many amenities, such as one shore excursion per port, all dining, afternoon tea, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, spa Thermal Suite access, WiFi, and 24-hour room service.

The sailing to take this year: Since Viking is Norwegian, start with a “Viking Homelands” cruise. The 15-day voyages on various 930-passenger ocean-going sister ships sails between Stockholm and Bergen, Norway, and visits six countries including Poland, Denmark, and Germany. The packed itinerary includes sailing fjords and hiking remote Swedish islands, to touring Berlin and Copenhagen . Departures from May 3, 2024 to August 36, 2024; from $7,999 per person.

SeaDream Yacht Club

Pajamas embroidered with your name, sleeping under the stars on Balinese Dream Beds, candlelit dinners under the stars, water sports from the ships’ marina with a slide into the sea—there are so many allures of the adults-oriented, privately-owned 112-passenger Sea Dream I and Sea Dream II . The extensively remodeled luxury ships feel like exclusive yachts, with crew quickly learning your personal preferences. Elegant staterooms and suites offer amenities like organic bath toiletries, plush robes, and 24-hour room service. Stellar cuisine includes raw, plant-based, and organic selections with included wine pairings.

The sailing to take this year: The mega-yachts primarily cruise the Med and Caribbean, with standouts like Sea Dream I ’s seven-day “Secluded Southern Spain and Morocco” itinerary from Lisbon to Málaga . Excursions include a Seville, Spain , overnight with flamenco performance, visit to an Algarve, Portugal , fishing village with wine-tasting and exploring historical Cordoba, Spain . Departs May 13, 2024, from $7,699 per passenger .

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Adults-oriented Uniworld has a stunning fleet of 17 river cruise ships . Awash in antiques, custom fabrics, and original art, the vessels resemble luxurious European boutique hotels rather than typical riverboats. Each possesses its own vibrant personality, reflecting the waters it sails. Count handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, marble baths with Asprey toiletries, and towel warmers among posh amenities. Alcohol, farm-to-table dining, airport transfers, excursions, gratuities, and wellness classes are included, and often-local entertainment. These posh boats sail throughout Europe and Asia , as well as Peru , with some offering land or rail extensions.

The sailing to take this year: Beloved by oenophiles, S.S. Bon Voyage’s Brilliant Bordeaux sails eight days roundtrip Bordeaux, France on three rivers, promising multiple wine tastings, and village and heritage walking tours. Departing March 31, 2024 to October 27, 2024 from $3,599 per person .

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• Fjords and glaciers of Spitsbergen Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

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Fjords and glaciers of Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen, spitsbergen - longyearbyen, spitsbergen, dates: 18/07/2026 to  25/07/2026.

Guest Speaker

Flight Paris/Longyearbyen + Transfers + Flight Longyearbyen/Paris

Somewhere in the High Arctic, between 76 and 80 degrees latitude North, Spitsbergen, meaning "pointed mountains”, awaits you for seven days of unforgettable travel looking out for wild life.

You will lift the anchor in Longyearbyen, where colourful wooden homes dot the landscape with a human presence that will certainly be the last you see for a while.

The sea rolls on, and the white-striped mountains, which gave the region its name, rise up from deeply tinted waters. The polar light combines with the changing weather of the Arctic, a big blue sky, the horizon scattered with clouds, the enveloping mist erasing the border between the land and the sea: these variations all provide the magical, almost surreal, setting with new nuances.

The ship is escorted by Arctic fulmars. The first ice appears; still discreet, it seems to be dancing around you. At the end of a fjord, you will find yourself before an immense glacier. Black-legged kittiwakes share an iceberg, while Arctic terns fly over the area. Aboard the ship or a Zodiac dinghy, you will admire the power of nature while becoming aware of its fragility. The music of the thaw has begun its soft melody: a combination of cracking, roaring, murmuring and fizzing defies the silence of the polar desert.

On land, you will set foot on malleable earth, known as moraine. Only moss, lichen and a few rare flowers have managed to adapt and to take hold here, forming the tundra. On these inhospitable lands, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes coexist with walruses, lying on the beach. It has been a long time since the Pomor settlers, of which traces remain, came to hunt them.

Here, the lord of the Arctic, the polar bear, is never very far away. The crucial aspects of this cruise involve searching and keeping an eye out. On board, the team of naturalists will scan the horizon so they can provide you with marvellous sightings of wildlife and, in particular, the polar bear. The region’s elusive fauna upholds its mysteries while the uncertain nature of the encounter bestows an indescribable magic upon it.

Itinerary is subject to change according to port authorizations and government regulations. We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the AECO.

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A cruise to discover the riches of Svalbard, in search of mysterious wild fauna, in the comfort of an exceptional ship. Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist...

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From 18.710 € per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6  

From 21.230 € per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Grand Privilege Suite  

From 24.830 € per person 30% Ponant Bonus

Owner's Suite Deck 6  

From 37.330 € per person

Complete your trip

Included in your cruise For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.

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Additional services For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.

Additional services

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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

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Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean

Services provided

• 24-hour room service
• Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
• Individually-controlled air conditioning
• Dressing room with shelves and closet
• Dressing table and hairdryer
• Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
• Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
• Electronic safe
• Direct line telephone
• Bose Bluetooth speaker
• Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
• 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
• Three ADA staterooms

Select your stateroom category

Stateroom size

• - than 25 m²
• + than 25 m²

Superior Stateroom

30% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3

Prestige Stateroom Deck 4

Prestige Stateroom Deck 5

Prestige Stateroom Deck 6

Deluxe Suite Deck 6

Prestige Suite Deck 5

Privilège Suite Deck 6

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6

Grand Privilege Suite

Owner's Suite Deck 6

Boarding conditions and passenger travel abilities

We invite you to read our boarding conditions and passenger travel abilities by clicking here . 

Any new reservation implies the acceptance of these conditions.

To guarantee your entry into one or several countries, you must ensure that you comply with the formalities and health requirements specific to each destination. In just a few clicks on our online search engine, find all the formalities you must complete prior to your departure (visas, entry authorisations for each country, vaccinations, etc.).

The international situation can change rapidly, so be sure to check this information regularly prior to your departure. However, please note that we always recommend our guests contact the relevant national immigration and customs and border control authorities directly to find out what rules apply to their specific situation. PONANT is not responsible for any decisions made by guests based on the information provided by the online search engine.

The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.

Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.

List of items prohibited on board

To guarantee the safety and well-being of our guests, certain items are strictly prohibited on board. Should you have one of these products or objects in your possession, they will be confiscated immediately and will not be transported on the ship. When an item transported aboard is considered illegal, the relevant authorities will be notified systematically.

Click here  for the full list of items prohibited on board. 

Warning about the use of drones : the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.

Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.

Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, position of ice, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.

Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience in remote areas: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.

Clothing tips:

• A PONANT polar water-resistant parka is offered on board for all departures with an Expedition programme (no children sizes, in case of consecutive cruises, only one complimentary parka).
• Half calf rubber boots with non-slip soles, which will allow you to go ashore in 20 cm of cold water, keeping your feet dry for walks and visits on steep paths. Boot rental will be offered onboard (for adults only) on Expedition cruises.
• Comfortable trousers: classic Winter trousers, warm cotton tracksuit, wool leggings
• Waterproof and windproof over-trousers – MANDATORY
• Winter trousers with waterproof over trousers are the ideal combination: water-resistance and comfort of trousers are essential
• Pullover, sweat-shirt or fleece jacket
• Woollen or thermolactyl Thermal underwear
• A warm hat, woollen ear muffs or fleece ear muffs, fleece or woollen neck warmer (avoid scarves that do not stay in place)- MANDATORY
• Wool or silk glove liners, water-resistant and supple gloves
• Thick warm socks (ideally woollen)

Accessories:

• Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
• Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
• Highly protective sunglasses.
• Walking poles (highly recommended).

Ideal clothes for life on board:

During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.

Informal evening:

In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.

• Simple dress
• Skirt or trousers
• Pleated trousers or chinos
• Sports jacket

Officer’s evening:

For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).

Gala evening:

During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.

• Cocktail attire
• Evening dress (if you wish to)
• Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)

A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.

A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.

INSULATED BASE LAYER:

• Wool or thermolactyl technical underwear
• Polar or technical jacket
• Polar sweater or sweatshirt
• Silk or wool glove liners
• Wool leggings
• Warm hiking socks

WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:

• Waterproof over-trousers - Mandatory
• Waterproof parka - Offered on board (not available in children’s sizes)
• Windbreaker – Mandatory
• A warm woollen hat covering your ears
• Polar or woollen neck warmer
• Waterproof technical gloves
• Hiking shoes

HEALTH CARE:

• Lip protection balm
• Mosquito repellent, anti-itch balm and mosquito head net (Greenland)
• Medications and prescriptions

OUTFITS ON BOARD:

• Casual outfits for the day
• Smarter outfits for dinners
• Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
• White or black and white outfit

ACCESSORIES:

• Highly protective sunglasses
• Walking poles
• Small waterproof backpack
• Swimsuit (for the spa on board)
• Gym wear (fitness)
• Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
• Mobile phone charger

PONANT activities

• A cruise to discover the riches of Svalbard, in search of mysterious wild fauna, in the comfort of an exceptional ship.
• Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides. 
• The possibility of hiking on the island, between tundra, beaches and glaciers.
• The history of Spitsbergen connected to hunting and fishing, the mining industry and polar exploration, with the possibility of discovering Ny-Alesund.
• Discovering the incredible geology of Spitsbergen, easily observable with the naked eye due to the archipelago’s short vegetation.
• Scenic sailing past glaciers or cliffs, inside huge fjords, between dazzling blue sky or mysterious polar mist.
• Landscapes: rugged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, deep valleys, striated cliffs, vertiginous walls, gigantic glaciers, glacier fronts, tundra and the possibility of observing the ice floe.
• Wildlife: polar bears, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, walruses, bearded seals, harbour seals, Arctic fulmars, Arctic terns, black-legged kittiwakes, eiders, guillemots, blue whales, minke whales, orcas.

Ports of Call & Excursions

18 July 2026 - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Embarkation 18/07/2026 from 16:00 to 17:00 Departure 18/07/2026 at 18:00

Longyearbyen  is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

19 July 2026 - Ny-Alesund, Spitsbergen

Arrival 19/07/2026 Departure 19/07/2026

During your cruise, discover Ny-Ålesund , a former mining town that has been transformed into a scientific base. Founded in 1916, this small town was the departure point for many Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen . Don't miss a visit to the museum and its famous post office, considered to be the most northerly in the world!

20 July 2026 - North-West region of Spitsbergen

Arrival 20/07/2026 Departure 20/07/2026

A kingdom of contrasts and natural marvels dotted with islands and peninsulas, northwest Spitsbergen fascinates with its preserved beauty. On these pristine lands, infinity unveils itself, treating the eyes to beauty sculpted by nature and enhanced by the changing light. The fjords bathed by icy waters, the jagged mountains and the imposing glaciers stand majestically before you, like monumental sculptures. In these lands, where souls are filled with deep serenity, only the murmur of broken ice, bearing mysteries and legends, disturbs the calmness. Aboard our Zodiacs and in the company of naturalist-guides, get as close as possible to this unique fauna and discover this centre for scientific expedition departures. In the distance, majestic whales glide silently through the glacial waters, whereas seals, walrus and Arctic foxes add a playful touch of life. As Svalbard reindeer wander the vast expanses, Arctic terns liven up the polar sky with their gracious flight and polar bears, which you may be lucky enough to see, patrol magnificently along the icy shores.

21 July 2026 - Sailing toward the ice floes

Arrival 21/07/2026 Departure 21/07/2026

Your captain will sail right up to the limit of the ice , to the edge of the ice floe . Weather conditions and state of the ice allowing, you will be able to go out in a zodiac dinghy for a unique experience in the middle of these floating slabs of ice. In addition to this grandiose journey through the middle of these floes with their cut and blue-tinged edges, sometimes over 2 metres thick, it is also often an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe: birds, seals and polar bears .

22 July 2026   23 July 2026 - North-West region of Spitsbergen

Arrival 22/07/2026 Departure 23/07/2026

24 July 2026 - South-West Region of Spitsbergen

Arrival 24/07/2026 Departure 24/07/2026

Set sail for southwest Spitsbergen , immerse yourself in this environment unlike any other and explore its unexpected riches. In this natural sanctuary, the polar light combines with the changing weather of the Arctic, a big blue sky, the horizon scattered with clouds, the enveloping mist erasing the border between the land and the sea. Follow in the footsteps of the first explorers and admire the majestic fjords and glaciers sculpting the breathtaking landscapes, their icy waters shimmering beneath the midnight sun. The fjords, veritable cathedrals of ice, reveal their millennial secrets, while the glaciers, like sleeping giants, move slowly towards the sea, setting free sparkling icebergs. On the water, you might spot belugas and rorquals, while on the shores, seals and Arctic foxes add a touch of mystery to this living tableau, where the steep cliffs become breeding grounds for thousands of seabirds, like guillemots. Southwest Spitsbergen is an ode to nature in its rawest and purest form.

25 July 2026 - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Arrival 25/07/2026 early morning Disembarkation 25/07/2026 at 08:00

First introduced in 2015 and the fourth ship in the Sisterships series, Le Lyrial is the very embodiment of this new generation of intimately sized cruise ships . Its exterior and interior lines, all sober understatement and refinement, make it a yacht of a rare and innovative kind.

For the interior decoration, we took inspiration from the tones and colours of our destinations and used a palette made up of blues , from the soft, luminous grey-like tones of the polar ice to the vivid notes and turquoises of Mediterranean inlets and coves.

Find out more about Le Lyrial

For your serenity, PONANT selects flights and organises transfers between the airport and the port (and vice-versa). This package is included in your cruise fare.

Embarkation day - Paris/Longyearbyen

Flight Paris/Longyearbyen selected by PONANT. Approximate flight duration: 4 h 30 We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure. We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.

Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative. According to the arrival time at Longyearbyen, PONANT adapt its services or activities before your transfer to the pier for embarkation.

- Cruise aboard your ship -

Disembarkation Day - Longyearbyen/Paris

Disembarkation Meet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative. Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Longyearbyen/Paris selected by PONANT. Flight Longyearbyen/Paris selected by PONANT. Approximate flight duration: 4 h 30 We highly recommend you stay one night in Paris after this flight.

This programme includes:

• Flight Paris/Longyearbyen and Longyearbyen/Paris selected by PONANT in economy class.
• Transfers mentioned in the programme.
• English-speaking assistance.

This programme does not include:

• Personal expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

• Flights included in the programme are as of today, operated in economy class, on a European airline.
• Due to limited local transportation resources, waiting might be generated.
• For passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris before and after these flights.
• Programme and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.
• PONANT will adapt the content of the transfer offer from and to airport according to your flight schedule.

Make your dreams of adventure come true, explore the boundaries of the world, and discover wild and legendary territories. The icy immensity of Antarctica, the constantly changing glaciers and icebergs of the North Pole, the mysterious mists of the North European coastlines, the most remote fjords on the planet… Every destination unveils unrivalled landscapes, home to increasingly varied fauna. Our team of naturalist-guides will share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology, the fauna and flora, and will invite you to share special moments with the local populations.

Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.

FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT *

*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.

Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands

17/07/2026 - COMFORT PACKAGE: NIGHT IN PARIS CDG AIRPORT + TRANSFER HOTEL/AIRPORT

25/07/2026 - COMFORT PACKAGE: TRANSFER AIRPORT/HOTEL + NIGHT IN PARIS CDG AIRPORT

COMFORT PACKAGE: NIGHT IN PARIS CDG AIRPORT + TRANSFER HOTEL/AIRPORT

For your serenity, PONANT selects for you an ideally located hotel and organises your transfer to the airport.

Day 1 - Roissy CDG

Meet-and-greet and check-in in Pullman Roissy CDG hotel, from 4:00 pm.

The rest of the day and the evening are at leisure.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - PONANT selected flight for embarkation

Breakfast is at leisure.

Group transfer from the hotel to the airport terminal, in time for check-in of flight selected by PONANT.

Your hotel:

The Pullman Roissy CDG hotel is a four stars property located in Roissy. Located at 2 minutes walking from Roissypole, RER and CDGVal station, you will easily be able to join it.

Ugraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

• 1-night accomodation in Classic Room at the Pullman Roissy CDG 4* local standards (or similar). 
• Transfer mentionned in the programme.
• A soft welcome drink, upon arrival at the hotel.
• Dinner of day 1.
• Breakfast of day 2.
• Tips and gratuities.
• All personal expenses (meals and drinks, sightseeing, etc.)
• Early check-in, late check-out and other services not mentioned in the programme.
• Official hotel check-in time is 4:00 p.m
• Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.
• Early check-in or late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.
• Departure time of the hotel will be communicated by our representative.
• This programme is not suitable for people with reduce mobility.

Contact of your hotel :

Hôtel Pullman Roissy CDG 4* 3 Bis Rue de la Haye 93290 Roissy-en-France

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Total : 210 €

COMFORT PACKAGE: TRANSFER AIRPORT/HOTEL + NIGHT IN PARIS CDG AIRPORT

For your serenity, PONANT organises your transfer and select for you an ideally located hotel.

Day 1 - Disembarkation Day

After landing of your flight selected by PONANT in Paris, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the Pullman Roissy CDG hotel.

Check-in in your room.

Evening and dinner at leisure.

Day 2 - Roissy CDG

Breakfast on your own followed by check-out.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

• 1-night accomodation in Classic Room at the Pullman Roissy CDG 4* local standards (or similar).
• Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 p.m
• Late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.
• This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Contact of your hotel:

Pullman Roissy CDG Airport 3 Bis Rue de la Haye 93290 Roissy-en-France Phone: +33 01 70 03 11 63

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