Early booking offer
No single supplement on all ships (limited cabins). Ask for more details.
PONANT EXPLORATIONS
PONANT EXPLORATIONS – FOR WHAT TYPE OF TRAVELLER?
Those seeking a unique and exclusive voyage
- Ultra-modern, intimate ships
- Luxury comfort and discrete, attentive service (butler for some suites)
- 1 crew member for every 2 guests on PONANT EXPLORATIONS and 1 crew member for every guest on Le Commandant Charcot.
- Tailor-made assistance before, during, and after the itinerary (flights, transfers, private excursions, hotel accommodations)
Those seeking a “French Touch”
- The only French cruise company with an international crew, ensuring a truly bilingual experience on board.
- The expertise of Ducasse Conseil for gastronomy worthy of the finest restaurants, and accompanied by fine wines. On board Le Commandant Charcot, Le Nuna: the first Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea.
- Exclusive partners: Pierre Hermé, Veuve Clicquot, Hermès, Bordier, Diptyque and Fragonard.
Those passionate about exploring the world, seeking adventure, and expedition
- The exploration of countless natural and cultural treasures on every itinerary.
- A wide choice of excursions (secret coves, ancient cities, UNESCO world heritage sites, polar treks, etc).
- Exceptional experts and guests on board (artists, historians, researchers, naturalist guides).
- Zodiac outings and landings accompanied by an expedition team.
- Close encounters with local populations
- Meaningful travel around four themes: Planet, Culture, Lifestyle, and Geopolitics.
Those in search of relaxation and well-being
- Dedicated areas on every ship: spas, fitness rooms, saunas, steam rooms and hair salons.
- An outdoor swimming pool on all ships (except Le Ponant, Le Spirit of Ponant and La Désiradeand an indoor pool on Le Commandant Charcot).
- Destination-specific treatments (snow cabin on Le Commandant Charcot, heated seawater pool on all ships – except Le Ponant, Le Spirit of Ponant and La Désirade).
Le Dumont d'Urville
Le Dumont d’Urville takes you in style and comfort to the natural and cultural wonders of the world.
Life on Board
Gastronomy
A cornerstone of French art de vivre, gastronomy is at the heart of the experience aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville. Guests are invited to enjoy two distinct dining venues:
The Nautilus – Gourmet Restaurant
Situated aft on Deck 4, The Nautilus serves elegant French and international cuisine, paired with an exceptional wine selection. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it welcomes all guests in a single seating.
Le Nemo – Grill Restaurant
On Deck 3, Le Nemo offers a relaxed, al fresco-inspired atmosphere. Guests may enjoy buffet breakfasts and lunches, along with themed dinners under the stars.
Lounges and Bars
Three stylish lounges and bars provide inviting spaces for conversation, music, or simply soaking up the ship’s warm and contemporary ambiance.
Well-Being
In partnership with SOTHYS™ and KÉRASTASE / L’Oréal Paris, the spa features a menu of massages, beauty treatments, and haircare services. A hammam and a fully equipped fitness room complement this haven of wellness.
Swimming Pool
Perfectly integrated with the ship’s elegant design, the pool invites relaxation with panoramic sea views. From the marina platform, guests can also enjoy zodiac outings or water sports in calm conditions.
Theatre
The intimate theatre hosts enriching lectures led by naturalists and guest experts, as well as live performances, concerts, and shows by talented artists.
Your Cabin
The Deluxe Staterooms on Le Dumont-d’Urville combine refined elegance with modern comfort. Featuring a private balcony, twin or king-size bed, ensuite bathroom, and state-of-the-art amenities, they provide a serene retreat at sea. Soft tones, contemporary décor, and thoughtful details create the perfect balance of style, intimacy, and relaxation.
Upgrades to prestige staterooms and suites available – ask for more details.
Ship Facts
- Passenger Capacity of 184
- 118 Crew members
- 92 staterooms and suites
- 1 Swimming pool
- 2 Restaurants
- 3 Bars/lounges
- Theatre
- Spa
- Gym
- Cabin with double/twin beds for sole occupancy
- En-suite with shower and W/C
- All cabins are outside cabins with balcony
- Air-conditioning
- Hairdryer
- Nespresso coffee machine
- Minibar
- Safe
- Free WiFi
Cruises
Le Dumont d’Urville takes you in style and comfort to the natural and cultural wonders of the world.
Ancient Shores of the Mediterranean: Athens, Greece to Malaga, Spain
Embarkation date: 07.11.25
Duration 10 nights
Your voyage begins in Athens, where the Acropolis and UNESCO-listed treasures rise above lively districts like Plaka, alive with aromas of Greek cuisine. Museums highlight the city’s ancient past before you embark on a dramatic passage through the Corinth Canal, its ochre cliffs towering above your ship. At Itea, wander cobbled quays or visit nearby Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled on Mount Parnassus. A relaxing day at sea invites spa treatments, fitness, or simply watching the open waves. In Reggio di Calabria, admire Belle Époque charm and views of Sicily and Mount Etna. Palermo enchants with its mosaic of cultures, from Moorish cathedrals to Byzantine palaces and colorful markets. In Tunis, explore Ancient Carthage, the Bardo Museum’s mosaics, and sweeping Gulf views. Annaba offers Roman ruins at Hippo and Saint Augustine’s basilica, while Algiers dazzles with its Casbah, gardens, and nearby Tipaza. Cartagena reveals Roman heritage, while Melilla blends fortress walls with Modernist architecture. The journey concludes in Málaga, where historic fortresses, seaside promenades, and Picasso’s birthplace celebrate Andalusian spirit.
Pearls of the Caribbean: Vieux Fort, St. Lucia to Vieux Fort, St. Lucia
Embarkation date: 28.01.26
Duration 8 nights
Your Caribbean journey begins in Vieux Fort, at the southern tip of Saint Lucia, where history meets natural beauty. The town is home to the Moule-à-Chique Lighthouse, standing proudly since 1912, and offers pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, from eagle rays to leatherback turtles. In Port Elizabeth on Bequia, stroll the shoreline promenade to Princess Margaret Beach, where rainforest meets white sand. On tranquil Mayreau, the smallest of the Grenadines, relax on shaded beaches or snorkel among colorful coral reefs. The Tobago Cays, five uninhabited islets within a marine park, offer turquoise lagoons filled with turtles and reef fish. Union Island, with its volcanic silhouette, delights visitors at Chatham Bay, a secluded haven alive with pelicans. Pigeon Island, a national park, blends history and nature with tropical gardens, sandy coves, and snorkeling spots. In Soufrière, the Pitons rise dramatically above botanical gardens, mineral baths, and coral reefs. Marie-Galante, the “island of 100 mills,” charms with palm-lined beaches and colorful villages. On Dominica, explore the wild beauty of Portsmouth and navigate the mystical Indian River. Your voyage concludes back in Vieux Fort, where the rhythm of the waves and authentic Caribbean spirit offer a fitting farewell.
Friendship Travel Host on board – Ancient Wonders and culinary delights
Valleta, Malta to Livorno, Italy
Embarkation date: 06.09.26
Duration 8 nights
Join our solo group and host and Embark on a captivating Mediterranean journey beginning in Valletta, Malta on 6 September 2026. The UNESCO-listed capital, with its grand Baroque architecture, narrow stairways, and historic ramparts, invites exploration from the Triton Fountain to Saint-Elme Fort. Visitors can admire the Grandmasters Palace, Saint John’s Cathedral, and the lush Barrakka Gardens overlooking the harbor. Arriving in Syracuse, Sicily on 7 September, you’ll discover a city once rivaling Athens, where Greek, Roman, and Byzantine influences intertwine amidst coastal beauty and Mount Etna’s watchful gaze. The following day, Taormina enchants with its medieval center, dramatic sea views, and the ancient Greco-Roman theatre perched high above turquoise waters. On 9 September, Reggio di Calabria offers Belle Époque elegance, aromatic bergamot, and vistas across the Strait of Messina. Then, Agropoli on 10 September delights with its pristine Cilento Coast, serene coves, and Trentova Bay’s golden beaches. Arriving in Naples on 11 September, experience Italy’s vibrant heart—its chaotic charm, rich art, and the birthplace of pizza beneath mighty Vesuvius. On 12 September, Civitavecchia provides a gateway to Rome’s grandeur, from Fort Michelangelo to the nearby Eternal City. The voyage concludes in Livorno, Tuscany, where Renaissance treasures, canals, and cultural diversity evoke timeless Italian beauty before disembarkation on 14 September 2026.
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