Luxury Cruise Holidays Your Way

Set sail along three stunning rivers, the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde, on one fascinatingly historical and invigorating journey. Explore the country's breathtaking backdrops, wines, and cultural treasures across the region in Bordeaux, Fort Médoc, Cadillac, Blaye, Libourne, and more. Wander through archaeological marvels, historic landmarks, and magnificent vineyards where you'll be treated to a sampling of quintessentially French experiences.

Embark on a scenic drive from Blaye to Bourg along the Route de la Corniche Fleurie and marvel at the sights of Blaye Fortress and Lansac Windmill along the way. Slow things down in Libourne and on your return to Bordeaux with multiple wine tastings, village tours, a farmers' market visit, and Bordeaux heritage walking tour. Join us on a showcase of the best Southwest France has to offer.

Premium Golf Package (select dates): Available on select summer 2026 departures, our Premium Golf Package includes 18-hole rounds at two different courses in the Bordeaux region and special inclusions designed with golfers in mind. Due to capacity restrictions, the golf package must be reserved in advance.

Cruise the Rhône and Saône rivers, enjoying the region's incomparable wine and cuisine and discovering its many treasures. Stroll the very streets of Arles made famous by Van Gogh. Visit Avignon's majestic Palace of the Popes. Experience "Village Day" in enchanting Viviers. And for those who wish for a more active exploration of the area, you can hike the vineyards of the Rhône and pedal through Lyon, a city designed with bike riders in mind. Explore unforgettable "Burgundy & Provence" where tradition is as deeply rooted as the historic grapevines on the hills.

Generations Family Program (select sailings): Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they're also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning.

The shimmering waters of the fabled Danube River flow for thousands of miles through the very heart of Europe, silent witness to centuries of artistic achievement and historical events. This perfectly composed journey provides an immersive cultural tasting menu of four equally beguiling countries—ideal for first-time river cruisers as well as seasoned travelers seeking to experience yet another dimension of these much-loved destinations.

Our locally-based destination experts will take you well beyond the "must-sees" of each region, offering fresh takes on classic sites, insider knowledge of delightful under-the-radar locales, and VIP access to places only a privileged few will ever experience—such as a private early-morning viewing of the acclaimed art collection of the Kunstkammer Vienna.

Generations Family Program (select sailings): Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they're also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning.

Cruise from Paris through Normandy's countryside, uncovering its many charms: Château de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet's beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches.

Experience a different side of Northern France's history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

See the best of Paris in one of three ways: via panoramic tour, a bicycle ride along the Seine, or a walk through the Latin Quarter with a local guide. There are plenty of opportunities to take part in more active experiences, such as golfing atop the cliffs of Étretat, perched on the cliff high above the sea, making playing golf here a memorable experience and visual feast.

With the participation of Chef Alastair McLeod, who will host three culinary demonstrations throughout the cruise and will also create three signature dishes, featured à la carte on different occasions during the voyage.

PONANT invites you to experience the exceptional by discovering the east coast of Greenland and following the ice to the majestic lands of Spitsbergen during a 17-day cruise. In the footsteps of the great explorers and Norwegian trappers, plunge into the history of these remote territories, during a period of extreme conditions when the ice still envelops the wild and deserted landscape.

Thanks to Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration ship, you will brave the elements, to reach Greenland and the Scoresby Sound region. In the heart of this hostile yet sublime world of ice, you will navigate in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who was deeply connected to the Inuit land, where vestiges of his passage remain. The sumptuous decor is made up of snow-topped peaks and majestic fjords, icebergs of poetic shapes, and ice as far as the eye can see.

You will then set sail towards the Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: here, the trappers’ cabins are lost in the immensity of the magically coloured alpine landscapes and the impressive glaciers. You will go where few have had the chance, to the sites of the Arctic tales written by Jorn Riel. This immense territory, which represents almost 45% of the total area of Greenland, is home to the King Oscar Fjord and Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, where the bare ochre cliffs disappear into the boreal sea. Polar bears and musk oxen live in these distant lands and you may be lucky enough to spot them on the horizon. 

Follow the ice and cross the Greenland Sea to reach the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park much further north. Former whalers, once settled on the sites that are now home to the graves of many sailors, have made way for various species of cetaceans and walruses, which have recolonised their lands.

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this factor 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.

In collaboration with The Explorers Club, this unique voyage will feature Dr. Alison Ormsby, an interdisciplinary environmental scientist who specializes in forest conservation, park management, environmental education, biocultural conservation through sacred natural sites, and global sustainability.

In New Guinea, the traces of the modern world end at the edge of impenetrable rainforests, mysterious volcanic fjords and pristine coral reefs. These last wild frontiers are home to countless communities with ancestral and secret traditions. In Papua New Guinea, on the shores of Alotau, Tufi, Madang and Kopar, at the mouth of the Sepik River, meet them amidst traditional ceremonies and fascinating landscapes. In Indonesian territory, unspoilt nature reveals its treasures: whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, the karst islands of Triton Bay and the immaculate beaches of the Kai Islands are all invitations to explore.

The wildlife encounters are possible experiences and cannot be guaranteed.

Culinary delights on this voyage range from Italy’s fresh pasta and traditional pizza to the black risotto of Croatia, while historic sites include the remarkably preserved ruins of Pompeii outside Sorrento and the UNESCO-protected ramparts of coral-roofed Dubrovnik. The secluded beaches and coves around Hvar are perfect for a private boat excursion, and the national parks outside of Zadar add natural wonders to this journey’s adventures.

 

View Sample Shore Experiences in the Mediterranean.