Ocean cruises

The White Continent has piqued the imagination of explorers for centuries. Let it inspire yours when you voyage to East Antarctica’s Ross Sea aboard Scenic Eclipse, witnessing the whales, orcas, penguins and seals, the icebergs and glaciers that fascinated Shackleton and Scott all those years ago – and still leave you lost for words today.Unlike anything you have experienced before, an expedition to Antarctica’s Ross Sea Region on board Scenic Eclipse will leave you breathless. End-of-the-Earth landscapes, gem-like glaciers, immense icebergs and jagged mountain ranges are the setting for some of the planet’s most prolific wildlife displays, whether whales and orcas, penguins and seals or migratory seabirds. This is nature writ large. Over 24 days, you’ll follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest explorers. But unlike those early pioneers, you’ll be enjoying the spine-tingling outlook from the comforts of Scenic Eclipse, in 6-star ultra-luxury. The itinerary provided is an example of what you may experience. Antarctica is an incredible destination, and you will be exposed to the unpredictability of the region. The expert team on board will work with the weather and ice conditions to deliver a wonderous voyage.

Embark with PONANT aboard Le Dumont d'Urville for a 13-day expedition cruise in the Indian Ocean. A chance to discover stunning natural environments, exceptional wildlife and UNESCO World Heritage sites loaded with history. 

From Zanzibar, a city with superb UNESCO-listed buildings, blending African, Arab, Indian and European influences over more than a millennium, you will first reach the coral island of Misali.

After visiting of Pemba Island and its clove plantations and fantastic scuba diving, your next port of call will be an opportunity to discover the ruins of the 13th-century Swahili trading past of Kilwa Kisiwani.

You will reach stunning Assumption Island before setting sail for the Aldabra Atoll, a pristine sanctuary listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Edged with mangrove and fine sandy beaches, it is home to the largest colony of land turtles in the world.

Further on, the small island of Astove will provide an opportunity for snorkelling and diving in search of underwater life shimmering with colours.

You will extend these activities at sea and on land on the sublime Saint François Atoll.

Before disembarking in Victoria on the island of Mahé, a veritable picture-postcard awaits you in La Digue: palm trees, granite rocks, white sand and crystal-clear waters.

The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.

This cruise espouses South America’s west coast, travelling from Lima’s layers of ancient history to Buenos Aires’ lashings of Latin passion. Enjoy a literal taste of Pisco, before sailing to Arica, gateway to Atacama. Two days onboard promise plenty of vitamin sea to enjoy Silver Ray’s superlative comfort. An overnight stay in Valparaiso will inspire by its bohemian ambience, but it is the Chilean fjords that really take pride of place on this voyage. Glide through the serene and stunning landscape all the way to Ushuaia.

Explore Antigua Naval Dockyard – an 18th-century British maritime hub and UNESCO World Heritage site – before sailing for a trio of isles with French-Creole panache. France’s influence is evident in the cuisine of Guadeloupe, the fortresses of Martinique, and a former colonial estate in Soufrière, where you’ll find nature trails, waterfalls, mineral baths and botanical gardens.

Set off to discover Grenada’s Grand Etang National Park, a wonderland of rainforests, waterfalls and an ancient crater lake. Dropping anchor off Canouan, kayak the clear waters to observe the vibrant marine ecosystems. St. Maarten contributes delicious cuisine with a French flair, while St. John offers pure natural beauty thanks to the unspoiled acreage of Virgin Islands National Park.

If there is one place on the globe that fires the imagination of travellers and arouses in them an instant thirst for adventure, it is the immaculate and faraway lands of the White Continent. Inhabited by a surprising endemic fauna, the Antarctic will welcome you during an 11-day expedition cruise.

At the border between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, you will enter Drake Passage. At the roaring fifties and the screaming sixties, the wind blows and the waves beat against the stern of the ship. In the sky, cape petrels lead you toward their realm until you reach the first of the continent’s lands.

Ice is there in all its forms. The mountainous landscapes open up to give way to huge calving glaciers, tabular icebergs drift in the middle of the Southern Ocean, and the sea ice shimmers in the distance. On board, the naturalists share with you the secrets of this unique ecosystem. As you near the shores, the first penguins appear. Gentoo, Adélie, chinstrap: these surprising birds, emblematic of the Antarctic, share their beaches with leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals. During an outing on land or at sea, in a zodiac dinghy or a kayak, you will move through a stunning scenery bathed in polar light.

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice 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 IAATO.

Oriental fragrances, scents of spice, lush green landscapes, age-old stories: PONANT invites you on a journey to discover a mosaic of peoples and cultures. Sri Lanka and India welcome you on a 12-day cruise aboard Le Lapérouse, between charming towns and surprising nature. Let yourself fall under the spell of these eastern lands bordered by the Indian Ocean and influenced by Buddhist and Hindu traditions. 

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 Goa Chitra Ethnographic Museum and the Figueiredo Mansion from your port of call in Goa, explore the marvellous Sigiriya site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Trincomalee, or appreciate the charms of Galle as you spend time discovering the city. 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 bubbling Sri Lankan capital Colombo will plunge you into the distinctive atmosphere of the country once known as Ceylon. Renowned for its spices, such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, it is a trading location, a crossroads port between Asia and Europe.

From Trincomalee, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of historic city of Polonnaruwa, a fortified city from the 11th century, and the splendid golden Temple of Dambulla.

A little further, Hambantota is the gateway towards the luxuriant heart of the country. On an excursion into the Yala National Park, you will witness Sri Lanka’s abundant wildlife: leopards, elephants, sloth bears, monkeys and almost 200 bird species inhabit this must-see site.

Le Lapérouse will set sail for Galle, recognisable by the 16th-century fortifications that encircle the town. The successive Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisations left this city with unique architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a heritage shaped by multiple influences.

You will sail up the Malabar Coast to arrive in cosmopolitan Kochi. Constructed on a lagoon on the Arabian Sea, between islands and a peninsula, this royal city has kept its yesteryear charm. Set off aboard traditional boats to discover the surrounding fishing villages located in the ‘backwaters’, a network of lakes and canals criss-crossing the region’s dense vegetation.

Your last port of call will take you to Goa. This former colony of the Portuguese Indies is prized for its long beaches and its rich cultural heritage, in particular a collection of late 16th-century churches and convents, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Your journey will come to an end in flamboyant Mumbai. The capital of Bollywood films, the most populated city in India - nicknamed of ‘Maximum City’ - conjures up many descriptions and will offer you a unique experience to complete your cruise.