Ocean cruises

From magnificent fjords, cascading waterfalls and snow-capped mountains to remote towns and picturesque fishing villages – Norway is a delight to behold, and a breathtaking way to start your journey across the Arctic Circle to Svalbard.Set sail on an Arctic voyage of a lifetime in 6-star ultra-luxury on board Scenic Eclipse. Explore one of the world’s longest and most spectacular coastlines and join experts in engaging lectures to learn about the local culture, history, geography and wildlife. Search for polar bears and walruses, be in awe before majestic glaciers and icebergs in the High Arctic sipping Champagne. Purpose-built for unrivalled polar exploration, The World’s First Discovery Yacht’sTM will take you further into the Arctic than the ordinary traveller that will create stories for life.

With featured guest Riaan Manser, famed for being the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a kayak.

On the edge of the Arctic, with its vast glaciers, vertiginous fjords and legendary volcanoes, Iceland offers a simultaneously romantic and wild face.  During a unique 8-day journey, leaving from the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik, you will fall in love with the enchanting landscapes as well as the singular biodiversity of the western coast of Iceland.

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, explore the spellbinding Snaefellsnes Peninsula from Grundarfjördur, discover the three sites of the Icelandic “Golden Circle” (Thingvellir, the “golden falls” of Gullfoss, and Geysir) from Reykjavik, or appreciate the tranquillity of the Geothermal Sea Baths and the grandeur of the Godafoss waterfalls from Akureyri. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

This is a veritable masterpiece by Mother Nature, where you will sail the icy waters of the North Atlantic on a quest for the most beautiful treasures offered by the “land of Ice and Fire”. The lush hills and plains that border the coastline here create a stunning setting. Waterfalls tumble down jagged cliffs, their sparkling swell flowing along monumental basalt rocks, putting on a captivating spectacle. The fjords appear majestically, stretching their inlets in a protective embrace around small fishing villages full of colourful houses, while volcanoes and bubbling geysers will transport you into lunar landscapes like nothing else in the world.

It is a real nature sanctuary, where the vast lush expanses of meadows are home to a myriad of migratory birds that have come from all over the world to nest here, thus creating a melodious concert of spellbinding song.  Arctic foxes sneak silently among the grassy valleys and Icelandic horses gallop along black sandy beaches. The ocean’s cold waters are teeming with marine life, from humpback whales to orcas; these majestic cetaceans slide graciously through the waves, providing all their observers with an unforgettable moment.

Succumb to the charms of this 16-day cruise aboard Le Champlain, sailing between Iceland and Canada via the stunning landscapes of Greenland. You will embark in Reykjavik, the most northerly capital in the world, lying slightly above the 64th parallel.

You will first travel through the narrow Prins Christian Sund passage, which connects the south-east of Greenland to the south-west. Jagged mountains, rocky cliffs, waterfalls and floating ice form a wonderful wild landscape in which you might observe colonies of bearded seals.

After sailing past the stunning Kujalleq Glacier, you will make a port of call in the Qaqortoq region; it was here that Erik the Red settled to establish what would become Greenland’s first European settlement.

Le Champlain will head to Canada to call at l’Anse aux Meadows, a Viking archeological site from the 11th century listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located north of the Canadian province of Newfoundland. “The Rock” honours its nickname: the mountains here plunge into the clear sea while the fjords slip inland. Although it appears inhospitable, this territory was nonetheless one of the first sites in the New World to become known in Europe. Saint-John’s, the capital of the province is one of the oldest anglophone cities in North America. It is nestled in the heart of a stunning natural environment and strolling through its historic core or along its sloping streets lined with colourful houses is an enjoyable experience.

A little piece of France located off the coast of Canada, the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago has many charms. Here you will discover the lively island of Saint Pierre, its small houses with coloured facades and its natural harbour which sheltered many fishing boats in the past. The second island in the archipelago, Miquelon, will delight lovers of the great outdoors with its vast rolling meadows and dwarf forests dotted with small lakes and lined with cliffs that disappear into the northern waters inhabited by common seals. You will also meet the people of Miquelon.

At the mouth of Saguenay River, you will reach Tadoussac, where you may be able to observe a resident population of beluga whales. This National Park is also an unmissable site for whale watching as the mammals gather to feed before winter.

After a port of call in the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Montreal, your ship will continue its journey on the Saint Lawrence River, a prodigious waterway home to exceptionally beautiful nature.

To round off your cruise, you will sail along the shimmering waters of Lake Ontario before making your way to the cosmopolitan city of Toronto, where you will disembark.

 

Itinerary is subject to change according to port authorizations and government regulations. We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current 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 AECO. 

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.