Ocean cruises

Fall under the charm of the shores of the Aegean Sea in the spring, when the sun caresses the water with soft golden light. In southern Italy, the beauty of the coasts blends with that of its historic remains and will transport you into the heart of small streets edged with churches and palaces, in an atmosphere infused with the “la dolce vita”. Greece will then roll out its typical villages and its heavenly islands bathed in crystal-clear waters. The whitewashed houses sparkle in the sun, the century-old olive trees exude their perfume, and ancient treasures, such as Olympia, recount the legends and grandeur of a past that spans millennia. At the gateway to Turkey, ancient cities will invite you to wander among ruins and lively squares and to discover a fascinating blend of influences, bearing witness to the history of these lands at the crossroads of civilisations.

With the presence of Mike Louagie, photo ambassador.

Le Commandant Charcot opens the way to new horizons and invites you aboard to explore the north-east coast of Greenland, an untouched, remote region surrounded by sea ice carried along the Transpolar Drift. During this spring season, in the comfort of this marvel of technology, be guided and amazed at the opportunities for exploration in one of the hardest to reach areas of the Far North.

In this time of year that is particularly precocious and hostile in the Arctic, ice and snow are still omnipresent. Along the Blosseville Coast, discovered by the eponymous lieutenant in 1833 during a journey that led to his disappearance, the pack ice crystallises, forming sharp peaks. You will explore this inhospitable land and attempt to venture closer to its untouched shores. Off in the distance, the dark rock formations of the alpine peaks rise from the opaline desert.

En route, you will discover the Ittoqqortoormiit region at the entrance to Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest network of fjords. The isolated villages, with their colourful traditional houses, stand out against the surrounding whiteness. Among the first outside visitors of the season, you will be warmly welcomed by the community. During privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments, you will learn about the village customs on the ice floe. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.

Farther on and higher up, the solid and powerful sea ice commands the visitors who venture out to it. To the north-east of Greenland, you will sail with humility amid the drift ice and continue your exploration at the heart of immaculate landscapes, among the icebergs revealing their blue-tinged underside below the surface of the dark water.

Aboard your ship, a kayak or a zodiac, or during a polar hike, you will have diverse opportunities to explore these hypnotic, infinitely varied panoramas, including sumptuous glaciers, huge fjords, and icebergs trapped by the ice. Le Commandant Charcot also offers exceptional conditions for observing the Arctic wildlife. You may get the chance to glimpse a blue whale at the entrance to a fjord, or the stirring silhouette of a large bear in search of food.

For seeker of polar treasures, see the beauty of the world evokes a childlike awe. In the hostile environment, you will find wonder in a ray of light or in the flight of a bird gliding along the edge of an ice monument. With frozen treasures as far as the eye can see, exploring the far reaches of the world feels like a waking dream.

Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mostly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the coastal ice must be preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.

Dive deep into the region's culture, natural wonders, traditions, and historical significance in a one-of-a-kind experience along the Rhine. Delve into the region's world-renowned museums. Along the way, indulge in Central Europe's delicious cuisine.

Oh, and did we mention the scenery? Standing on the top deck of your ship, watching the ever-changing landscape turn increasingly dramatic, you'll understand why people have been raving about the Rhine River Valley for centuries—and there's definitely no cause to stop.

Jewish Heritage Program: Our Jewish Heritage Program is the only one of its kind on the rivers and allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues, and more. Due to capacity restrictions, we recommend Jewish Heritage excursions be reserved in advance. Please note: Tours that fall on Saturdays will not operate due to Shabbat, and some sites may be closed during other significant events, such as Passover.

In partnership with Connaissance des Arts and with featured guests Nathalie Talec, artist, and Guy Boyer, Editorial Director of Connaissance des Arts.

From Glasgow to Reykjavik, PONANT brings you a 11-day cruise aboard Le Bellot to explore the most beautiful landscapes of Ireland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands and the coast of Iceland. 

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, climb the Eldfell volcano on the island of Heimaey, observe the spectacular Langjokull glacier, or discover the three sites along the Golden Circle from Reykjavik. 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 Glasgow, Scotland’s welcoming cultural capital with a rich artistic and architectural heritage, Le Bellot will sail towards Belfast, where you will be able to visit the Giant's Causeway. This massive geological formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features over 40,000 basalt columns.

You will then set a course for the southwest Highlands to reach 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.

In the Hebrides, you will call at Stornoway, the main town on the island, built by the Vikings in the 9th century. One of the most important prehistoric sites in Scotland can be found here: the Calanais Standing Stones.

Your ship will then sail north towards the Faroe Islands, Denmark’s northernmost autonomous territory. In this isolated archipelago, you will immerse yourself in a wild and spectacular natural environment. In Suduroy, the rolling plains populated by sheep shape the scenery punctuated by sheer summits, mountain lakes and jagged cliffs looking out to the islands, offering outstanding terrestrial and maritime panoramas. In Streymoy, you will enjoy sailing around cliffs home to bird colonies. Here, the Viking legends and the Nordic cosmogony are never far away.

On the edge of the Arctic, with its vertiginous fjords, volcanoes and waterfalls, Iceland offers up a simultaneously romantic and wild face.  In the East Fjords region, where life is organised around fishing, you will discover a jagged coastline and alpine landscapes before reaching Heimaey. This is the only inhabited island in the Westman archipelago. An exceptional place composed of volcanoes and almost-desert landscapes, it is also a refuge for many colonies of birds, including gannets.

Finally, you will arrive in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital, your disembarkation port.