Expedition cruises

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT themed voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking 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.

 

The Baltic Sea has been a thoroughfare of trade since the days of the Vikings. And for nearly as long, it has been a crucial arena of struggles for dominance in Europe—an important element in the strategic thinking of great powers from the Reformation and the Thirty Years War to World War II and the Cold War. Today, it is once again at the center of current events as Sweden and Finland join NATO after decades of neutrality and as the Baltic States are newly anxious about their independence.

As we visit the great cities that ring the shores of the Baltic, we will explore this history in a series of lectures and discussions with a decorated career foreign service officer and an award-winning journalist, and we will have the privilege of a specially arranged, exclusive presentation and discussion with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-laureate Lech Wałęsa while in Gdansk.

But these historic cities of the Baltic, of course, offer so much more. They are great cosmopolitan centers with vibrant cultures and a legacy of art and architecture that reflects a history rich in tradition. Sailing from Stockholm , whose lively old town showcases cobblestone streets lined with 17 th - and 18 th -century buildings, Le Lapérouse calls first in Helsinki . Internationally recognized for its striking Art Nouveau architecture , Finland's capital is also home to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Suomenlinna, a massive military installation that protected the city during the 18th and 19th centuries .

During the next two days of the voyage, you encounter two more UNESCO designated sites. Tallinn's Old Town, a prominent trading center in the 13th century, retains remarkably well-preserved ramparts, public buildings, merchant houses, and warehouses. And on Gotland—the largest island in the Baltic Sea and the site of Viking treasure —the beautifully preserved medieval town of Visby , also once a stronghold for the Hanseatic League, invites exploration of both of these legacies.

Gdansk , whose shipyard served as the birthplace of the Solidarity Trade Union in 1980, is where we meet with former President Lech Wałęsa and hear the story of the wave of dissent that arose from the Solidarity movement and led to Polish independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Old Town , lovingly restored after the ravages of WWII, is a reminder of the town's proud 1000-year-old history of ship-building.

The Danish Island of Bornholm is known throughout the Baltic region for its lush farmland and rich herring fisheries and for the ruins of the medieval fortress of Hammershus and four well-preserved Nordic round churches . And the Danish capital of Copenhagen, a thoroughly modern and sophisticated city, is also proud to display its 800 years of royal history in Christiansborg Palace, which houses the Danish Parliament, and Amalienborg Palace , the winter residence of the Queen. Danish historian and tourism expert Henriette Brink will join us in Copenhagen as a special guest lecturer to share a deeper look into Danish history and culture.

Le Lapérouse's last port of call is the lively Swedish harbor town of  Gothenburg , whose stunning  Museum of Fine Arts  includes works by Carl Larsson, Edvard Munch, Anders Zorn, Van Gogh, Picasso, Chagall, and Monet. Your voyage comes to an end in Fredrikstad, a port city near the mouth of Oslo 's Oslofjord.

Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses and get an insider's look at the impressive Rheinstein Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairytale town of Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown.

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.

This cruise, in partnership with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, will cultivate the art of peaceful travel as well as a family spirit, thanks to its customised activities on board and on shore for youngsters*, with the Kid Explorers Club.  

Departing from Istanbul, PONANT brings you an itinerary along the coastlines in the Aegean Sea, to discover outstanding natural and historical sites. During this 9-day cruise, L’Austral invites you to a sensorial and cultural journey to the heart of the ancient treasures of Turkey and Greece.

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, discover the typical villages of Lefkes and Naoussa on the island of Paros, 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 visit the southern part of charming Symi. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

After a unique sailing experience in the Dardanelles Strait, L’Austral will head towards Bozcaada, a tranquil haven renowned since ancient times for the fruit of its vines. With its charming, cobbled streets, the island reveals a fine combination of Greek and Turkish influences and offers many opportunities to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

Head for the Dodecanese islands, at the crossroads of the Orient and the Occident. You will also fall under the spell of charming Patmos. Known as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea'. This island, where Saint John is said to have written the Apocalypse, offers unique landscapes combining white sandy beaches and rocky coves. The beautiful neoclassical houses surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and cypresses make Symi one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago.

In the south-eastern Aegean Sea, the Cyclades archipelago invites you to enjoy the wild and appealing beauty of its islands. Amorgos, the easternmost Cyclades Island, is sure to win your heart. Wild and mountainous, Amorgos is a stunning, protected island which has been used for many things including filming Le Grand Bleu. Following an unforgettable sailing experience opposite the Santorini caldera, Paros, renowned for its stunning white marble, offers a real concentration of Greek beauty, with its whitewashed houses, olive groves and ancient monuments. The serene atmosphere of this spiritual centre infuses its sumptuous scenery. The landscapes of Milos, between limestone cliffs and small confidential coves can be discovered in a soothing atmosphere. You will then make a detour via the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light and the calm of its small streets on which all motorised traffic is banned.

Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments, which form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic ensemble bequeathed to the world by Ancient Greece, will mark the end of this exceptional odyssey.

*for children aged 4 to 13 years old

An intimate yacht is the perfect way to explore Norway’s enchanting cities embraced by majestic fjords. Colorful buildings line Bergen’s historic wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site now housing boutiques and breweries. Stavanger boasts a charming 18th-century Old Town and the rare 12th-century cathedral that was unscathed during the bombings of World War II. Oslo’s artistry ranges from the 200 sculptures in Vigeland Park to countless museums.