Ocean cruises

Set sail for the wild and grandiose landscapes of Kimberley, following an exceptional PONANT itinerary.  

From Darwin to Broome, embark for an 11-day expedition cruise to one of the last unspoiled regions on the planet.

The highpoint of this cruise will undoubtedly be the discovery of the King George River and the majestic Twin Falls, the highest falls in Western Australia.

During your cruise, the magnificent bays of Vansittart and Swift will offer you exceptional panoramas, between islands, secret inlets, caves and rocky overhangs.

In one of the most picturesque parts of the region, the Hunter River, you will see wild mangrove forests where saltwater crocodiles live along with many species of birds.

You will also visit Collier Bay, where you will be able to admire the Montgomery Reef, home to vast expanses of lagoons and immense coral reefs.

On the Lacepede Islands, take the time to admire the abundance of nesting birds as well as the large population of turtles residing in the lagoon.

Your ship will take you along the most spectacular coasts in the entire region.

With their falls, abrupt gorges, savannah, calm waters and desolate mountain chains, the wild lands of Kimberley are the promise of an exceptional adventure.

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and tide 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, whilst complying with the necessary safety rules and precautions.

PONANT invites you on a 10-day cruise aboard Le Lyrial for an extraordinary journey featuring the archaeological sites and sumptuous scenery of northern Scotland, on the edge of the Highlands, in the heart of the dreamlike and mysterious Hebrides archipelago.

From?Dublin, the Irish capital brimming with convivial atmosphere and authentic charm, your ship will then take you to the?Isle of Man, located between the United Kingdom and Ireland, with a clear Celtic and Viking heritage. The capital Douglas is an authentic postcard from United Kingdom of yesteryear with a Victorian atmosphere. 

Then you will call in Portrush, where you can visit the?Giant's Causeway. This massive geological formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features over 40,000 basalt columns. 

You will then reach Rathlin Island, a small and austere territory in County Antrim, whose sheer cliffs are home to Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony. Near the surprising upside-down lighthouse, located on the west of the island, you will be able to visit the RSPB seabird centre.

Then you will set sail towards the Hebrides archipelago. Located to the west of Scotland, it has around 150 islands and will reveal its diversity.

You will make a stop on Iona, the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, home to an impressive abbey, and probably where the Book of Kells was produced. Then, you will enjoy sailing along Staffa Island and its impressive basalt columns and will reach the volcanic territory of  Lunga, in the Treshnish Isles. The small island is a protected area for seabirds and home to colonies of puffins and guillemots among others. You will continue your exploration of the Inner Hebrides on the Isle of Skye. With their granite hills and heather moorlands, the landscapes of Loch Scavaig are among the wildest in the Highlands and will be an opportunity for an unforgettable walk at Loch Coruisk. Canna, a charming islet inhabited by twenty or so souls and nicknamed “the garden of the Hebrides”, will unveil itself, with its Christian, Celtic, Nordic and Scottish vestiges, in a natural setting of great beauty, a sanctuary for rich marine birdlife. 

You will continue to the Outer Hebrides and you will discover Callanish on the Isle of Lewis. This port of call will take you back in time to between 2900 and 2600 BC, the period during which the island’s megalithic site would have been created… Before the circle of standing stones, aligned with the cardinal points, the mystery remains entire, the emotion is palpable.

Your ship will then cruise towards Ullapool on the shore of Loch Broom in the western Highlands. This former herring fishing port boasts a picturesque atmosphere made up of white cottages and colourful fishermen's boats

Next, you will reach the Shiant Isles for an unforgettable experience sailing at the foot of their cliffs, where many colonies of seabirds come to nest.

Then Le Lyrial will set sail towards Rothesay, an elegant Victorian seaside resort on the Isle of Bute. Constructed around its 13th-century castle, the small town brims with charm, with its fine dwellings in the extravagant Georgian architectural style, and its sumptuous wild and landscaped gardens.

Finally, you will reach Glasgow, your disembarkation port.

Fall under the charm of the shores of the Aegean Sea in the spring, when the sun caresses the water with soft golden light. In southern Italy, the beauty of the coasts blends with that of its historic remains and will transport you into the heart of small streets edged with churches and palaces, in an atmosphere infused with the “la dolce vita”. Greece will then roll out its typical villages and its heavenly islands bathed in crystal-clear waters. The whitewashed houses sparkle in the sun, the century-old olive trees exude their perfume, and ancient treasures, such as Olympia, recount the legends and grandeur of a past that spans millennia. At the gateway to Turkey, ancient cities will invite you to wander among ruins and lively squares and to discover a fascinating blend of influences, bearing witness to the history of these lands at the crossroads of civilisations.

With the presence of Mike Louagie, photo ambassador.

Le Commandant Charcot opens the way to new horizons and invites you aboard to explore the north-east coast of Greenland, an untouched, remote region surrounded by sea ice carried along the Transpolar Drift. During this spring season, in the comfort of this marvel of technology, be guided and amazed at the opportunities for exploration in one of the hardest to reach areas of the Far North.

In this time of year that is particularly precocious and hostile in the Arctic, ice and snow are still omnipresent. Along the Blosseville Coast, discovered by the eponymous lieutenant in 1833 during a journey that led to his disappearance, the pack ice crystallises, forming sharp peaks. You will explore this inhospitable land and attempt to venture closer to its untouched shores. Off in the distance, the dark rock formations of the alpine peaks rise from the opaline desert.

En route, you will discover the Ittoqqortoormiit region at the entrance to Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest network of fjords. The isolated villages, with their colourful traditional houses, stand out against the surrounding whiteness. Among the first outside visitors of the season, you will be warmly welcomed by the community. During privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments, you will learn about the village customs on the ice floe. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.

Farther on and higher up, the solid and powerful sea ice commands the visitors who venture out to it. To the north-east of Greenland, you will sail with humility amid the drift ice and continue your exploration at the heart of immaculate landscapes, among the icebergs revealing their blue-tinged underside below the surface of the dark water.

Aboard your ship, a kayak or a zodiac, or during a polar hike, you will have diverse opportunities to explore these hypnotic, infinitely varied panoramas, including sumptuous glaciers, huge fjords, and icebergs trapped by the ice. Le Commandant Charcot also offers exceptional conditions for observing the Arctic wildlife. You may get the chance to glimpse a blue whale at the entrance to a fjord, or the stirring silhouette of a large bear in search of food.

For seeker of polar treasures, see the beauty of the world evokes a childlike awe. In the hostile environment, you will find wonder in a ray of light or in the flight of a bird gliding along the edge of an ice monument. With frozen treasures as far as the eye can see, exploring the far reaches of the world feels like a waking dream.

Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!

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

Dive deep into the region's culture, natural wonders, traditions, and historical significance in a one-of-a-kind experience along the Rhine. Delve into the region's world-renowned museums. Along the way, indulge in Central Europe's delicious cuisine.

Oh, and did we mention the scenery? Standing on the top deck of your ship, watching the ever-changing landscape turn increasingly dramatic, you'll understand why people have been raving about the Rhine River Valley for centuries—and there's definitely no cause to stop.

Jewish Heritage Program: Our Jewish Heritage Program is the only one of its kind on the rivers and allows you to dive into Central Europe's enduring Jewish legacy with visits to museums, memorials, synagogues, and more. Due to capacity restrictions, we recommend Jewish Heritage excursions be reserved in advance. Please note: Tours that fall on Saturdays will not operate due to Shabbat, and some sites may be closed during other significant events, such as Passover.