Ocean cruises

Departing from Istanbul, PONANT brings you an itinerary along the coastlines in the Aegean Sea, to discover outstanding natural and historical sites. During this 9-day cruise, Le Boréal invites you to a sensorial and cultural journey to the heart of the ancient treasures of Turkey and Greece.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, discover the typical villages of Lefkes and Naoussa on the island of Paros, discover the Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where the last book of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle, from Patmos, or visit the southern part of charming Symi. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

After a unique sailing experience in the Dardanelles Strait, Le Boréal will head towards Bozcaada, a tranquil haven renowned since ancient times for the fruit of its vines. With its charming, cobbled streets, the island reveals a fine combination of Greek and Turkish influences and offers many opportunities to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

Head for the Dodecanese islands, at the crossroads of the Orient and the Occident. You will also fall under the spell of charming Patmos. Known as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea'. This island, where Saint John is said to have written the Apocalypse, offers unique landscapes combining white sandy beaches and rocky coves. The beautiful neoclassical houses surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and cypresses make Symi one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago.

In the south-eastern Aegean Sea, the Cyclades archipelago invites you to enjoy the wild and appealing beauty of its islands. Amorgos, the easternmost Cyclades Island, is sure to win your heart. Wild and mountainous, Amorgos is a stunning, protected island which has been used for many things including filming Le Grand Bleu. Following an unforgettable sailing experience opposite the Santorini caldera, Paros, renowned for its stunning white marble, offers a real concentration of Greek beauty, with its whitewashed houses, olive groves and ancient monuments. The serene atmosphere of this spiritual centre infuses its sumptuous scenery. The landscapes of Milos, between limestone cliffs and small confidential coves can be discovered in a soothing atmosphere. You will then make a detour via the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light and the calm of its small streets on which all motorised traffic is banned.

Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments, which form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic ensemble bequeathed to the world by Ancient Greece, will mark the end of this exceptional odyssey.

Set sail on an unforgettable 8-day cruise aboard Le Lapérouse, between Celtic lands and Viking territory. Historical discoveries and stunning scenery will punctuate this trip taking you from Scotland to Norway.

At each port of call on your trip, every guest will be able to choose one included activity from the selection offered by Ponant. During this cruise, admire the incredible panorama composed of waterfalls and craggy peaks from aboard the Flåm train, one of the steepest and most famous railways in the world. Visit the Neolithic treasures of the Orkney Islands from Kirkwall, or discover the mythical Highlands region and the Glencoe visitor center from Fort William. The diversity of options on offer promises intense and varied experiences. (Find the full list of excursions under the Itinerary tab.)

Departing from Bergen, famous for its Hanseatic wharf which still bears some traces of the city's rich Viking past, your first stop will be Flam. Nestled in the heart of the Aurlandsfjord between verdant mountains, this picturesque village with colourful houses is home to the famous Flam Railway.  

Next, you will sail to Eidfjord. In the ancient glacial valley of the Hardanger Fjord, the steep mountains and roaring waterfalls, including the Voring Falls, among the highest in Europe, are an awesome display of nature.

You will then head for the Orkney archipelago and its windswept moorland landscape. Le Lapérouse will sail towards Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands, where numerous seabirds, such as gannets and European shags, have taken up residence. Not far from there, the Neolithic Heart of Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a striking reminder of the ancient settlements that once inhabited this timeless place.

You will also discover the Isle of Skye, known for its rich Gaelic culture, its famous bridge, and its stunning scenery, Stornoway, the largest city in the Hebrides with a warm and friendly atmosphere.

You will then sail towards Fort William. This harbour town on the shores of Loch Linnhe is steeped in Scottish history and tradition, close to the beautiful and spectacular scenery of Glencoe and the Highlands.

Finally, you will reach Glasgow, Scotland's warm cultural capital with a rich artistic and architectural heritage, your disembarkation port.

The world of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the vision of Ducasse Paris and the talent of Chef Dominique Lory: for this exceptional voyage, PONANT transforms Le Dumont d’Urville into a sovereign dining destination. Departing from the jewel of the French Riviera, embark on a 9-day cruise offering a sensory and epicurean immersion into the sun-drenched terroirs of the Mediterranean.

This journey is an invitation to savour the soul of the Riviera, where each port of call becomes a source of inspiration for an emotional, refined and authentic cuisine. Under the guidance of Dominique Lory, leading figure of Monaco’s gastronomic scene, culinary excellence comes aboard: from outstanding live demonstrations to signature dinners, discover a gourmet composition where the finest ingredients reign supreme.

Aboard Le Dumont d'Urville, discover the Isle of Beauty and the captivating shores of northwest Italy during an unforgettable trip.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, dive into the teeming waters of the wild Revellata peninsula at the gates of Calvi, discover the Villa Dei Mulini, Napoleon’s former winter residence in Portoferraio, or set off to discover the captivating nature of Portofino. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

From Nice, set sail for Calvi in the heart of the Balagne region. Between steep peaks and sublime beaches with turquoise waters, experience a wild and authentic Corsica. Further south, Propriano amazes with its rich history and surprises with its incredible beauty. Here, the coastline edging the scrubland, with its distinctly Mediterranean scents, alternates between long sandy beaches and breathtaking coves.

Le Dumont d'Urville will then stop at Porto Ercole, a charming village with colourful houses, on the Monte Argentario peninsula. Here, you will have the possibility of meeting fisherman from the Orbetello Lagoon as well as local producers. The peninsula’s rolling and lush landscapes will also provide you with opportunities for magnificent hikes. Opposite the peninsula, the island of Giglio stands before you. On this mountainous land covered by garrigue on which pine forests and vineyards grow, fine sandy beaches and hidden coves compose a landscape in which the emerald sea serves as a setting for wild nature.

After a port of call at Portoferraio, a small corner of paradise on the island of Elba, where Napoleon spent many days in exile, stop in Portofino. Built in a natural harbour protected by a pine forest, it is a picturesque and lively port that has successfully retained its authenticity and traditions.

At the foot of the mountains of Cap Corse and the Agriates desert, the beauty of the landscapes gives this ancient Genoese city a picture-postcard appearance.  

Your cruise will end in Nice, famous for its never-ending riviera.

With featured guest Ronni Kahn, founder of Australia's leading food rescue charity, OzHarvest.

Set sail for the wild and grandiose landscapes of Kimberley, following this exceptional PONANT itinerary.  

From Broome to Darwin, embark for an 11-day expedition cruise.

On the Lacepede Islands, take the time to admire the abundance of nesting birds as well as the large population of turtles residing in the lagoon. You will also visit Collier Bay, where you will be able to admire the Montgomery Reef, home to vast expanses of lagoons and immense coral reefs.

Your ship will take you along one of the most spectacular coasts in the entire region.

In one of the most picturesque parts of the region, the Hunter River, you will see wild mangrove forests where saltwater crocodiles live along with many species of birds.

During your cruise, the magnificent bays of Vansittart and Swift will offer you exceptional panoramas, between islands, secret inlets, caves and rocky overhangs.

The highpoint of this cruise will undoubtedly be the discovery of the King George River and the majestic Twin Falls, the highest falls in Western Australia.

With their falls, abrupt gorges, savannah, calm waters and desolate mountain chains, the wild lands of Kimberley are the promise of an exceptional adventure.

This itinerary is given as an indication only. Based on tide times and weather conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader may need to switch the order of certain ports of call around to ensure guests have the best possible experience.