Luxury Cruise Vacations Your Way

Moorish palaces and white sand beaches await along the southern coast of Spain where beautiful beach resorts and buzzy party capitals rub shoulders with ancient history along the sunny southeastern coast . From tourist hotspots to undiscovered gems, this itinerary will show you a slice of the Spanish good life from the comfort and luxury of Scenic Eclipse.Explore the sun-drenched cities and white-sand islands that make this part of Spain one of the world’s great holiday destinations. This unique region tells a fascinating tale of Moorish conquest, British colonisation and modern innovation. Days here are spent marvelling at crystal clear waters, wandering the alleyways of medieval town centres, discovering the ruins of 1,000-year-old Roman villas and dining on exceptional local seafood. A carefully curated selection of Scenic Freechoice excursions give you the opportunity to explore at your own pace, from relaxed artisanal tastings to challenging cycling tours.

The mildness of spring on the waters of the Mediterranean Sea promises you an unforgettable 13-day journey between Greece, Turkey and Italy. Aboard Le Dumont d’Urville, fall under the spell of the Mediterranean landscapes and the ancient vestiges that will tell you a fascinating story.

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, visit the archaeological site of Ephesus from Kusadasi, 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 admire the sumptuous archaeological sites, from the Temples of Zeus, Apollo and Athena to the Terrace of the Lions, from Delos. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab). 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 Athens, your ship will set sail for Patmos. Known as “the Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea”, the island reveals itself to offer you a dazzling time between unique landscapes of white-sand beaches and rocky bays. Your next port of call is Kusadasi, on the Turkish coastline. An old fishing village with history going back 5,000 years, not far from the Ephesus site, the town is now one of the country’s most famous seaside resorts. Further south, on the mythical island of Rhodes, let yourself be swept away by the charm of this medieval city with its gothic architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the south-eastern Aegean Sea, the Cyclades archipelago invites you to enjoy the wild and appealing beauty of its islands. Delos, a veritable open-air museum, offers a unique testimony of the succession of different civilisations during the Aegean period. Next comes Mykonos, its beaches and windmills, with Alefkandra, a district that is typical of the island, with houses built right on the water’s edge. Then, Santorini, one of the pearls of the archipelago, awaits you for an enchanted interlude, unfurling the grandiose crater of its caldera.

The Peloponnese and Nafplio - the starting point to discover the Epidaurus theater and the site of Mycenae, both classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites - beckon you, preceding the exploration of the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light and the tranquility of its streets where all car traffic is banned. After an equally mythic and remarkable crossing of the Corinth Canal, you will arrive in the small port of Itea from where it is possible to visit the incredible site of Delphi or even the Hosios Loukas monastery, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  

It will now be time to set sail towards Italy. With its ancient archaeological sites, Renaissance palaces, citrus perfumes and internationally recognised cuisine, will welcome you for a couple of days of unforgettable visits. In Reggio di Calabria, take a stroll along the famous Lungomare, with Mount Etna in the background.  In Syracuse, the Sicilian soul unfolds across the island of Ortygia - the oldest part of the city -, a maze of small streets dotted with churches, palaces, ancient remnants, sheltering a majestic cathedral in its very heart.

A unique fusion of East meets West as you explore captivating corners of Japan, all the way to the hot spots of Alaska. Starting with an overnight stay in Tokyo, you’ll drink in the beauty of Japan’s stunning charms in Hakodate one of the main cities on Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido. Cross the Bering Sea, and trace the paths of legendary explorers, as well as gain a day. Cruise into Alaska by way of Dutch Harbor for a raw, wild and utterly authentic Alaskan experience.

From the volcanic archipelagos of the Canaries and Madeira to the southern tip of Portugal, PONANT invites you on an unforgettable 11-day interlude, between Las Palmas and Lisbon. As we sail along, experience saudade: the profound songs of fado resonate in the distance, lulling the neighbouring shores with gentle melancholy, while the concertos of a line-up of virtuoso artists accompany the parade of majestic volcanoes, jagged cliffs and lush valleys. This musical journey aboard Le Boréal, in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE and with the exceptional presence of Alain Duault, will take you into the heart of uniquely beautiful landscapes as well as historic cities with multiple sources of heritage.

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, admire the volcanic and verdant landscapes of Santa Cruz de La Palma, explore the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from La Gomera, or discover the oldest banana plantation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

Your cruise will start on the island of Gran Canaria in Las Palmas, then your ship will take to the sea, sailing west to reach Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In these lands of a thousand contrasts, dominated by the emblematic silhouette of the Teide stratovolcano, discover the unique and fascinating landscapes found in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teide National Park.

Le Boréal will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve. This island is also renowned for its whistling language, Silbo, that the inhabitants use to communicate from one valley to another. 

Next, Santa Cruz de La Palma will invite you to spend a moment suspended in time. Here, the accent is on authenticity and tranquillity as you succumb to the charms of its unspoilt nature and its unusual architectural heritage featuring traditional Canarian houses with brightly-coloured wooden balconies, sumptuous palaces, and religious buildings.

Your ship will then set a course northward to carry you to Madeira, a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. On this steep island covered in luxuriant vegetation, the variety of landscapes, including sheer cliffs, levadas (Madeiran aqueducts), banana plantations, and the laurel forest – Laurisilva – listed with UNESCO, never ceases to amaze visitors.  

Your exploration will continue in the Algarve region at the country’s southern tip. Bewitching Lagos stands proud like a fortress in hues of ochre and orange, bordered by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In this town of nature and culture, stroll in the paved small streets of the historic centre whose Moorish and Portuguese influences create a delightful blend.

Further north, you will head towards the surprising and picturesque mediaeval city of Setúbal. Surrounded by vast parks and nature reserves featuring abundant biodiversity, between the Sado Estuary and the Serra da Arrábda whose waters shelter many dolphins, you will also fall under the charm of the historic heritage of this authentic fishing town.

Your cruise will come to an end in Lisbon, sitting on the Tagus River, distilling its one-of-a-kind charm imbued with rich history.

Experience the ethereal beauty of the South Pacific, journeying from the sapphire-blue lagoons of French Polynesia's white-sand beaches to precious Pacific jewels like Leleuvia. Our island-hopping adventure takes us to Tonga, the Cook Islands, and stunning Niue - with each stop revealing more blissful beaches and lush landscapes peppered with drooping mango trees. Savour the fresh taste of coconut water and immerse yourself in stunning seascapes.