Secret Polynesia: Unexplored Tuamotu, the Gambier Islands and the Austral Islands with Ponant Le Jacques-Cartier
14 nights
Departing 18th October 2026 from Papeete, Tahiti
At the edges of the world, set off on an all-new adventure discovering Polynesia’s best-kept secrets. Far off the beaten path, the shores of Tuamotu, the wild Gambier Islands and the Austral archipelago will unveil their sovereign nature and insular culture, which is very much still alive. Atolls just above the water, turquoise lagoons, fine sandy beaches and cliffs sculpted by the ocean serve as a decor for the special ports of call and the activities designed hand-in-hand with the local communities. Sail from island to island, encountering their unique traditions and fascinating ecosystems.
$13,500 pp*
A Symphony at Sea: The Musical Traditions of Greece with Ponant Le Champlain
7 nights
Departing 18th October 2026 from Athens
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 or performances 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 towns visited on this voyage through Greece are at the center of cultures that have flourished here since before historical time. Join us aboard Le Champlain as we sail among the Greek Isles of the Aegean Sea, discovering a sense of celebration at the heart of the Greek tradition through specially curated excursions ashore and musical performances aboard ship from a group of world-class musicians led by Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. Your musicians include pianist Jihye Chang, cellist Alistair MacRae, soprano Allison Pohl, violist Scott Rawls, violinist Wendy Rawls, and violinist Benjamin Sung.In the southern Aegean Sea, set off from Athens to discover Crete from the capital, Heraklion, built on a hillside overlooking the port and surrounded by impressive Venetian walls. Explore the Bronze age archaeological site of the Palace of Knossos, a major center of Minoan civilization. Or, in the village of Arolithos, discover Cretan traditions and customs. You may enjoy local snacks while attending a performance of traditional folkloric Cretan & Greek dancesSantorini offers a choice between browsing the sundrenched shops and restaurants of Thira and Oia, perched on cliffs overlooking the caldera of an ancient volcano, or exploring the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri, destroyed by a massive eruption of that volcano in the 2nd millennium BC, but preserved in ash and pumice just like Pompeii. Alternatively, at the Symposion Music & Mythology Cultural Center, which is dedicated to the preservation of Greek cultural heritage, take part in an immersive experience of music, art, and mythology, including a musical performance and exhibition of traditional Greek instruments.Next is the medieval town of Rhodes, whose labyrinthine streets and splendid plazas are the legacy of the Crusader Knights of St. John. Enjoy an exploration of the Acropolis of Lindos, which has been used since the 6th century B.C. as a citadel and place of worship successively by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, the Knights of St. John, and the Ottomans.At Bodrum, on Turkey’s famed Turquoise Coast, you will visit the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology and the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.The island of Delos was sacred to the ancient Greeks—the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to countless shrines and temples—a veritable open-air museum. Mykonos, by contrast, is a sophisticated island resort with smart cafes and boutiques, where you will enjoy an afternoon and evening at leisure to soak in all that this dazzling town has to offer.Although it has been a retreat for Greek celebrities since the 1950s, when Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis made it famous, Hydra maintains its traditional character—in large part, because no motorized vehicles are allowed. Your walking tour of the island includes the Historical Archives Museum and the Church of the Dormition, but focuses on the Koundouriotis Mansion, a splendid example of traditional local architecture, displaying a variety of artifacts and family heirlooms of the wealthy shipowner who built the house at end of the 18th century.Your voyage ends back in Athens.$10,200 pp*
Barcelona to Lisbon with Ritz-Carlton Ilma
7 nights
Departing 20th October 2026 from Barcelona
Valencia contrasts a Gothic cathedral housing a holy chalice with a modern City of Arts and Sciences designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. Ancient also meets contemporary in the Roman ruins and delicious tapas of Cartagena and in the 11th-century fortress and Picasso Museum of Málaga, the artist’s hometown. Morocco may find you in its “Blue Pearl” of Chefchaouen, a medieval town that glows in shades of azure.
$11,100 pp*
From Panama’s wild beauty to Peruvian shores with Ponant L'Austral
10 nights
Departing 20th October 2026 from Colón
Between the wild beauty of the Panamanian coastlines and the fascinating shores of Peru, let yourself be carried away by a journey during which every moment turns into a unique experience. Explore the Darien National Park, a sanctuary of unique biodiversity, and discover the Embera community, guardians of ancestral traditions in the heart of the Caribbean islands. Cross the legendary Panama Canal, the mythical passage connecting two oceans, and marvel at the Andean panoramas and Peru’s pre-Colombian heritage. From turquoise water edged with immaculate beaches to tropical forests where nature reigns supreme, this journey will plunge you into the heart of exceptional landscapes and cultures.
$6,300 pp*
