Expedition cruises

Slip away for three nights of island life. The Bahamian isle of Bimini offers a wealth of snorkeling and dive sites, from the underwater rock formation of Bimini Road to the vivid colors of Rainbow Reef. Then stroll along the conch houses and gingerbread homes of Key West to learn of historical figures like Ernest Hemingway and Harry S. Truman who enjoyed time in this eclectic city.

Set off on an exceptional journey along the Atlantic shores, from Senegal to the volcanic islands of the Canaries via the captivating coastlines of Morocco and Portugal, where nature meets centuries-old heritage. Sculpted volcanic terrain, golden beaches battered by the ocean, ochre cliffs and secret bays form a mosaic of powerful and contrasting landscapes. From Las Palmas, the elegant island capital, to the lunar landscapes of Lanzarote, from captivating Agadir to the mythical city of Tangier, and on to the spectacular cliffs of Portimão, each stop reveals a singular identity. Over the different stopovers, legendary ports, lively medinas and maritime heritage will recount history shaped by exchanges, different cultures and the call of the open sea.

PONANT is the first cruise company to take you to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan during a cruise. On this 12-day itinerary aboard Le Jacques Cartier, from Osaka to the island of Ishigaki, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa, Yaeyama and Sakishima Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago.

Leaving from Osaka, you will head towards the island of Amami Oshima, between Kyushu and Okinawa. You will fall in love with this island punctuated with verdant peaks, covered in primary forest and monumental mangroves, and boasting strong Okinawan influences.

After calling in at Iheyajima, the most northern island from Okinawa, Le Jacques Cartier will set sail south. In the Kerema archipelago, in Zamami, you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this pristine island, known the world over for the distinctive blue of the surrounding sea, called “Kerama blue”. Facing it, fellow island Kumejima invites you to spend a timeless moment. Famous for its ‘Eisa’, a form of folk dance performed to the rhythm of traditional drums, this multifaceted island will reveal itself through its natural treasures: the mythical Mifuga rock formation.

Following a port of call in the picturesque village of Taketomijima, with its traditional Okinawan dwellings and its idyllic sandy expanses, Le Jacques Cartier will sail south to the island of Iriomotejima. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little corner of paradise will enchant you with its authentic and preserved character, with its wild beaches lying alongside traditional villages surrounded by luxurious tropical forest: jungle, mangrove, rivers, waterfalls. This unique biodiversity is made up of many endemic species.  

The landscapes on the remote island of Yonagunijima, the easternmost of the Ryukyu Islands, offer a striking contrast: cliffs, windswept meadows, wild horses.

After a final port of call in at Keelung to discover Taipei and the lush island of Taiwan, you will finish this unique journey in Ishigaki, your disembarkation port and the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT themed voyages that are specially-tailored for travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

This carefully curated voyage to Sicily combines visits to some of the most culturally rich destinations in the country with a focus also on the distinctive culinary traditions of the regions visited. Moving through Sicily, a crossroads of the many historical civilizations—Greek, Roman, Arab, Byzantine, Norman—that have flourished along the shores of the Mediterranean, you explore no fewer than seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And as you make your way, you sample the wines of Etna, as well as the breads, olives, meats, and cheeses of the island. An ideal way to experience Sicily, where food—its cultivation and preparation—has always been central to the good life.

As a special treat, acclaimed Italian chef Denny Imbroisi and his team will join you aboard to prepare authentic Sicilian and Italian dishes for you to enjoy during your voyage.

Setting sail from Malta, your first stop in Sicily is Porto Empedocle, gateway to the fabled Greek temples of Agrigento, among the most captivating ruins in the entire Mediterranean.

After rounding the western tip of the island, you arrive in Trapani for an excursion into the countryside and the ancient Doric temple of Segesta or to medieval Erice, perched on a high triangular plateau sloping down to the sea. Or opt to sample the region’s famous Marsala wine at a local winery.

Your fourth day aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville brings you to Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and becoming one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Here you will visit Cappella Palatina, a Byzantine-Arab-Norman structure featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls, and Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral. Alternatively, wander the streets of the Ballarò Market, one of the oldest street markets in Palermo, to sample traditional Sicilian street food like panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (typical Sicilian pizza), crocchè (fried mashed potatoes), and Sicilian caponata (a local eggplant dish).

In Lipari, discover the 16th-century Norman castle-turned-archaeological museum on the site of an ancient acropolis before sailing in the evening to Stromboli, whose active volcano provides the backdrop as you cruise around the island.

From Stromboli, your ship calls in the city of Reggio di Calabria on the Italian mainland. Just across the Strait of Messina from Sicily, Reggio di Calabria is home to the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia and the world famous Riace Bronzes. The surrounding area, both along the coast and in the interior mountains, boasts a number of intriguing castles and many wineries. During your time here, you may visit the hilltop Norman Castle in Vibo Valentia, the Ruffo Castle overlooking the Messina Strait, or the Aragonese Castle in the village of Pizzo, enjoying a variety of local food specialties whichever excursion you choose, including the native citrus bergamot and the ice cream and fruit delight called tartufo.

Back in Sicily, across the Strait of Messina, the beautiful resort town of Taormina, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, is home to a stunning Greek theater, an Odeon from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, and villas built by European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also your gateway to Mt. Etna and the vineyards that thrive in the rich volcanic soils of its slopes.

The final port of call before your voyage comes to an end in Valletta is Syracuse, where you may choose to focus on Ortygia, the ancient center of this once-powerful Greek colony, and on the city's extensive archaeological park; enjoy a tasting at a nearby winery; or join excursions—including one to Baroque Noto—that combine visits to historical sites with samplings of arancini, cheeses, salamis, breads, and desserts.

Your voyage ends back in Valletta.

Every suite has a seaside view from a private terrace on Evrima, your home away from home on this leisurely crossing from San Juan to Lisbon. The RitzCarlton Spa on board offers rejuvenating treatments, and specialty restaurants serve expertly crafted cuisine. During an overnight stay in Ponta Delgada, explore the forested peaks, lava tubes and crater lakes of the stunning Azores.