Ocean cruises

Let yourself fall under the spell of an itinerary whose every port of call unveils its finest assets, between the lushness of the Costa Rican jungles and the magic of Panama’s crystal-clear waters. During an unforgettable 8-day journey between Colón andPuntarenas aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville, you will set off to discover these wild regions where nature reigns supreme, but also to encounter the ancestral people who are guardians of age-old traditions and this unique biodiversity. Sail between two worlds, where the ocean whispers ancient secrets and the tropical forests shelter an infinity of wonders.

At each port of call on your trip, each guest will be able to choose one included activity from the selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, set off to encounter an Emberá community in the heart of the Darien Park jungle, from Playa Muerto; or discover the beauty of the San Blas archipelago, between idyllic beaches and an encounter with the Kuna community, from Holandes Cayes. The diversity of options on offer promises intense and varied experiences. (Find the full list of excursions under the Itinerary tab.)

Your journey in Central America will start with the discovery of Holandes Cayes’s white sands and paradisiacal waters, right in the heart of the coral islets of the San Blas archipelago.

You will then sail towards the Panama Canal, the legendary maritime route crossing the Isthmus of Panama and linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. You will navigate the Miraflores locks , which make up the canal’s final section before the Pacific Ocean, and arrive in Fuerte Amador. On this artificial peninsula on Flamenco Island, you will be captivated by the dense, pristine vegetation and its unique biodiversity.

Then, Le Dumont-d’Urville sails to the beautiful Darién National Park in Panama. This little corner of paradise is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to remarkable plants and wildlife. Sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, mangroves, swamps and tropical rainforests vie with each other for beauty. This will also be an exceptional opportunity to journey back in time as you discover the Embera tribe. These proud people have successfully preserved their traditions and their ancestral way of life.

Sailing northwest! You will leave the Panamanian shores to head for the Costa Rican coast. In Golfito, admire unique tropical vegetation. As the gateway to explore one of Central America’s largest primary tropical forests, Golfito represents a veritable enchanted interlude.

As a grand finale, you will arrive in Puntarenas, which is the end of your journey between the Panamanian shores and the Costa Rican coastline.

 The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.

On St. Martin, legendary beaches and French bakeries beckon, while Antigua attracts with its impressive maritime history. Anchored off the pristine coast of Anguilla, go kayaking from the yacht’s Marina before heading ashore to ring in the New Year with the island’s festive celebrations. Then unwind on the sugary sands of the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

On this roundtrip journey from Bridgetown, the coral reefs of the Grenadines teem with luminescent marine life, while the aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon scent the air on Grenada. The easy-going ambiance of Guadeloupe is ideal for relaxing on the beach, and St. Lucia’s Pitons are best viewed on a scenic hike along the Tet Paul Nature Trail. 

Between the volcanic archipelagos of Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, PONANT invites you to an unforgettable 11-day interlude, leaving from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This journey aboard Le Lapérouse will take you into the heart of uniquely and wildly beautiful landscapes, featuring majestic volcanos, lush green valleys, isolated inlets, verdant cliffs and historic cities with multiple sources of heritage.  

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, wander the virgin expanses of the island of Santo Antão from Mindelo, admire the natural beauty and stunning scenery of the Teide National Park from Los Cristianos, or discover the cultural heritage of Praia’s historic town centre. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the emblematic island of Gran Canaria, your ship will sail west to reach the vibrant town of Los Cristianos. Succumb to the charms of its atmosphere unlike any other, its mythical Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, and its long stretches of fine sand lapped by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic. You will then discover Lanzarote, also called ‘island of fire’.

After a call in à Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Le Lapérouse will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve. This island is also renowned for its whistling language, Silbo, that the inhabitants use to communicate from one valley to another.

Le Lapérouse will then sail further south, heading for Cape Verde. On the Islands, formed from volcanic lava and sculpted by the power of the Atlantic’s waves, you will experience the raw beauty of incomparable nature. Soft music rises from Mindelo, the music of Cesária Évora, “the Barefoot Diva”, who is inextricably linked to her island and her town, where she remains revered. The pastel colours of the façades and the former colonial buildings dot the Cape Verdean towns and villages that you will discover from the sea. Then, you will explore Praia, the capital of Cape Verde with its diverse influences, planted with tamarind and silk trees. Wherever you go, you will be captivated by the markets with their bright colours and fragrance-filled stalls.

The final port of call of this journey is Dakar, the Senegalese capital renowned for the appeal of its districts and its diverse natural environment.

Through PONANT’s alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature award-winning director and producer Natalie Hewit. Making prime-time documentaries for international broadcasters for more than a decade; her most recent project documented an expedition to Antarctica to find the wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance in the toughest conditions on the planet.

PONANT invites you to discover the wild and untouched beauty of New Zealand’s Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands. Set sail on a 15-day expedition cruise with an exceptional itinerary and allow yourself to be transported to another world where the wildlife rules and you are but visitors.

From Dunedin, the Edinburgh of New Zealand that is a lively student city with a rich Scottish Heritage, you will reach Ulva Island. This first call on Paterson Inlet is renowned as an extraordinary nature sanctuary. Our team of naturalists and destination experts will be on hand to show you some of the rarest bird species in the world.

You will follow your voyage towards Fiordland National Park, which is part of Te Wähipounamu, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, home to the majestic Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.  You will enjoy a zodiac cruise and spot Fiordland crested penguins, get up close to spectacular waterfalls and enjoy the vistas from the ship’s outer decks.

You will then head to the Snares islands, a haven for the country’s wildlife with some 35,000 endemic Snares Gorfous and a colony of around a thousand fur seals before discovering Macquarie Island, part of Australia.

Often described as the Galápagos of the Southern Ocean, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are among some of the best preserved and protected environments on the planet, where you will experience scenery and wildlife like nowhere else on Earth. You will be captivated by the breathtaking scenery, meadows of megaherb forming a colourful tapestry, and towering cliffs buffeted by the power of the waves and wind - the playground of the Royal Albatross. With a myriad of penguins patrolling the black sandy beaches it is truly a nature-lover’s dream come true.

Your ship will finally reach Dunedin, the end of your voyage.

Any disembarkation on the Subantarctic Islands is subject to weather conditions and on obtaining the authorisation of the local authorities. To preserve the wild environment of these islands, the number of visitors is in fact strictly controlled. Wherever possible, we will run Zodiac excursions around their shorelines in order to guarantee the best possible experience for all guests if it is not possible to disembark.