Dart adds luxurious Zemi Beach House in Anguilla to hotel portfolio

December 16, 2024 No Comments

Dart has added the Zemi Beach House Anguilla to its hotel portfolio. Dart acquired the property from the Goldstein family of New York which developed and has operated the resort since its 2016 opening.

Located on six-acres along the serene shores of Shoal Bay on Anguilla’s north coast, Zemi Beach House is known as an intimate boutique hideaway with 77 rooms and expansive amenities.

Dart’s growing hospitality portfolio centres on luxury resorts including the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Awarded Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman as well as Conrad Orlando at Evermore, an 1,100-acre resort community developed by Dart Interests and opened in 2023.

About Zemi Beach House

Part of LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s luxury collection brand, Zemi Beach House is located on six acres along Anguilla’s serene Shoal Bay East.

The 77-room enclave offers a range of accommodations from superior and premium guest rooms to two- and three-bedroom penthouse suites and beachfront suites. Designed by internationally renowned Caribbean architect Lane Pettigrew, the property’s architecture pulls inspiration from Anguilla’s natural environment and blends modern, clean lines with classic Caribbean building details.

The intimate boutique indulges guests with expansive amenities including two restaurants, three lounges, three pools, more than a mile of sandy beach and a 15,000 square foot spa set in an authentic 300-year-old Thai house.

For more information, visit zemibeach.com.

Going to great depths in Franconian Switzerland

December 13, 2024 No Comments

Ann Ruppenstein sets foot on a rocky journey through Germany’s most cavernous region, discovering the quaint towns, hiking trails and hidden wonders that await.

One thing to know about Franconian Switzerland is that, despite its somewhat misleading name, it’s not actually in Switzerland. 

Located in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, the region filled with unusual rock formations and picturesque villages set in the foothills of mountains first garnered attention for its natural caves at a time when hiking was still on the cusp of becoming a widespread idea. 

“At this time, in the beginning of the 19th century, hiking wasn’t a concept that existed. Why would you go for a walk somewhere without any purpose?” said Johannes Stemper, a nature park ranger at Riesenburg, a cave ruin with natural bridges and arches with rock formations that trace back to the Jurassic age 201.4 million years ago.

Receiving its name from the Romantics, who were poets, artists and literates of the 19th century, the region’s namesake was attributed to its comparisons of Switzerland. “At this time Switzerland was the stereotype for beauty and culture and landscapes,” Stemper said.

In the 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment (an intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe from the 17th and 18th centuries), Franconian Switzerland was visited by students from the nearby University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, who set out to explore some of the caves in the area and unintentionally helped establish the destination as a hotspot for natural wonders. 

“Before the Age of Enlightenment, no one would have ever dared to go into a cave because it was the place of the devil — the place of evil and darkness,” Stemper said.

AN UNUSUAL DISCOVERY

Upon exploration of the caves, the students found strange animal bones and skeletal remains.

“They could not explain these animals because they were extinct,” Stemper said. “It turned out to be cave bears, cave hyenas, and even cave lions. They published their findings and in the society of educated people, it was a really big thing.”

In the weeks and months that followed, scholars and educated townsmen flocked to the area to set foot in the region’s caves for themselves, inevitably triggering the start of tourism in Franconian Switzerland.

To this day, Franconian Switzerland, located southwest of Bayreuth, is still known for its caves, including intricate limestone caves formed over millions of years. 

“We still have more than 1,000 caves in different shapes, many with big rooms connected to tiny corridors where you have to crawl through,” Stemper said. 

WHERE TO GO

Closeby on the outskirts of Pottenstein, where Rabenstein castle is perched on a hillside overlooking the charming town, a quite literal hellish dripstone cave called the Devil’s Cave (Teufelshöhle) exists. It has long lured visitors inside with its mixture of folklore, outer worldly stalagmites and stalactites, and an original skeleton of a cave bear that roamed the area some 30,000 years ago.

It’s believed that Devil’s Cave got its name because many animals would vanish into the cave, something that locals attributed to an act of the Devil. Much later, the remains of these animals were found within the cave’s walls. Rather than the handiwork of the Devil, these livestock actually met their untimely demise by falling to their deaths.

Today, the cave is also known to have therapeutic benefits used to help treat lung ailments, but most people come to take part in a guided 45-minute tour through some of its most unique features and to view the piles of animal bones scattered throughout. 

A trip to Pottenstein is often paired with a stop in the village of Tüchersfeld, where unique limestone rock formations jet out behind half-timbered houses.

About an hour’s drive from there lies another highlight of Germany’s lesser known natural side — the largest rock labyrinth in Europe. The Luisenburg in the middle of the Fichtelgebirge mountain range offers hiking trails through, above and around granite rocks and huge boulders surrounded by caves and gorges.

With several thermal spas nearby, the area is also popular for wellness and relaxation and forest bathing experiences. 

This article first appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. Click here to read the digital magazine. Click here to subscribe to the print magazine.

Sandals Resorts adds very “suite” upgrades in Jamaica & Saint Lucia

December 11, 2024 No Comments

Sandals Resorts has introduced several new suite experiences across its portfolio of adults-only, all-inclusive Caribbean resorts.

These include four-bedroom butler villas and Skypool Suites with rooftop terraces, as well as additional next-generation rooms like the guest-favourite Rondoval Villas and reimagined beachfront and bluff view rooms.

Newly renovated villas at Sandals Ochi, including the Two-Bedroom and Four-Bedroom Butler Villas with Private Pool, are now offered as a bookable package for immediate stays.

Creating the perfect escape for a friends’ getaway, the new “FOMO: Fear of Missing Ochi” package takes care of everything, from a VIP Beach Club Day and US$350 experience credit to an in-villa private dining experience so that guests can laze by the private pool, explore the lore of Ocho Rios or vibe to the beats of the resort’s exclusive Ochi Beach Club. The package is available to book through Jan. 31, 2025 for travel now through Dec. 26, 2026.

Now available to book

New One-Bedroom Skypool Butler Suites with Roof Terraces are also available to book now at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay for arrivals on Feb. 1, 2025. These elevated suites take the guest favourite Skypool suites to the next level, offering unparalleled ocean views, spacious living and dining areas, and ample space to unwind.

As part of the new Balmoral building set on the ocean, the suites focus strongly on design and feature contemporary coastal Caribbean details, drawing inspiration from the blue waters and white sand of its setting. This expansion comes after the room category’s earlier debut at Sandals Negril, which quickly became one of the most sought-after suites at the resort.

Additional Rondoval villas

Sandals is introducing additional Rondoval Villas across the portfolio as well, expanding and elevating a guest-favourite room design.

At Sandals Regency La Toc in Saint Lucia, nearly two dozen Rondoval Butler Villas with Private Pools – eight of which will also feature a private rooftop – are now available to book for March 1, 2025 arrivals.

Inspired by Saint Lucia’s tropical charm, the villas’ sleek, modern design features light, airy tones that seamlessly tie in the serene outdoor setting into the lush getaway through glass doors. At Sandals Royal Curaçao, several Asombroso Rondoval Butler Villas with Private Pools are also available to book now, offering a secluded getaway for travellers and a taste of what’s to come in Saint Lucia.

Additional new room types across the portfolio include refreshed and reimagined beachfront suites with outdoor tranquility soaking tubs at Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals South Coast in Jamaica, two-story bluff villas with private patios and pools at Sandals Regency La Toc, and additional swim-up and skypool suites at Sandals Negril.

Bookable now through Dec. 23, 2024, guests who bask in the Caribbean a little longer can receive additional savings with up to US$1,000 off plus one free night on stays of at least seven nights at select Sandals, and up to US$400 off plus one free night for stays of seven nights or longer on select room categories at Beaches.

Whales, trails and Viking tales await in Newfoundland and Labrador

December 6, 2024 No Comments

Western Newfoundland and Labrador have long been on my list of places to visit for barren wilderness–and remarkable human migration history at its furthest reaches. When it’s not about flavourful seafood, sweet berries and sweeping history, Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula is all about wild, wild nature. Whales breach and icebergs glisten just offshore a tuckamore laden coastline. Add in Labrador—a landscape with granite boulders strewn like a giant’s marble game—and you have an incredible drive.

WALK THE MANTLE OF THE EARTH

Heading north up the 526-kilometre Viking Trail (Route 430), the first detour for our carful of friends was Gros Morne National Park to stroll the UNESCO-designated Tablelands Trail.

With its red, Mars-like terrain, a half billion years ago, the Tablelands lay below sea level, until shifting plates forced ancient continents together and thrust up the ocean floor.

In the park’s northern section, we walked an orchid-dotted trail to reach a boat tour on Western Brook Pond, the most dramatic way to experience this inland fjord, where waterfalls descend from green 600-metre cliffs higher than Toronto’s CN Tower.

A BASQUE WHALING STATION ON LABRADOR

Continuing to St. Barbe, we traversed the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador and loaded our car onto the Blanc-Sablon Ferry, which takes roughly two hours to cross. Fares range from $9.50 for a senior to $35.25 for a vehicle and driver and depart morning and afternoon every day from May 1 to Jan. 7 and once in the morning Jan. 8 to April 30.

Here, we spotted our first berg. Rapt by the dramatic coastal bluffs, we drove an hour north along Labrador’s Expedition 51 route to Red Bay Basque Whaling Station National Historic and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the best preserved example of early industrial scale whaling anywhere in the world.

Inside the station, a massive 400-year-old bowhead whale skeleton, as well as an original whaling boat are on display. On the site’s west side, a couple of us climbed 689 steps up Tracey Hill for an expansive—and very breezy—view of the sheltered harbour.

WHALE WATCHING IN NEWFOUNDLAND

Back on Newfoundland, we continued north up the Viking Trail to where the road meets the saltwater at St. Lunaire-Griquet.

Clad in flotation suits and looking like a waddle of orange penguins, we marched into Zodiacs with local tour operator, Dark Tickle Expeditions, and headed out into the heart of Iceberg Alley. Operating from mid May to Oct.1, the company runs public tours (private charters are also available) for viewing icebergs, whales, dolphins or birds.

Peak viewing season for icebergs is typically from late May to early July for icebergs, early June to late August for humpbacks, minke and fin whales, late July to late September for Atlantic white beaked dolphins and early June to mid-August for Arctic terns, guillemots and kittiwakes.

We circled a massive one glistening in the sunshine, revealing contoured blue and white striations.

While zooming out to another unique berg, guide Mo Hyduk, declared “I think we have whales, people!”

Motoring up the coast, we watched in awe as two humpbacks fed in White Cape Harbour, one breaching in front of us.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF VIKINGS

Continuing even further north up the Great Northern Peninsula, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site —remains of an 11th century basecamp—depict the Vikings earliest landing on North America about one thousand years ago.

The visitor centre leads you through the tales of exiled murderers and Viking explorers who came from Greenland to establish an outpost. While the centre is full of intriguing artifacts—such as Icelandic fire starters and bronze cloak pins—the Viking encampment in the distance beckoned. This place at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula felt like the end of the world.

Past the low berms—remains of what would have been sod dwellings—a large, reconstructed sod hall is filled with weapons and sheepskins. Viking interpreters sat around the fire, telling stories while crafters wove sailcloth and spun wool.

History in Newfoundland and Labrador, whether cultural or geological, is captivating. Being outdoors at these sites, however—walking a windswept point, climbing ancient granite, or cruising a sheltered bay—was what entrenched me fully in the experience. And what made the Great Northern Peninsula memorable.

This story first appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. Click here to read the digital magazine. Click here to subscribe to the print magazine.

British Airways shows off new First Class seats with a luxury hotel feel

December 2, 2024 No Comments

British Airways has unveiled its brand-new First seat, combining elegant design with expert British craftsmanship, reflective of modern British luxury travel. The new cabin forms part of the airline’s A380 retrofit plans, expected to take to the skies in mid-2026.

The airline’s new First has been carefully designed to provide the feel of a modern luxury hotel, alongside home comforts and thoughtful British touches at 35,000ft. The seat has been beautifully curated by expert designers and world-class manufacturers from all corners of Great Britain and Ireland, including London, Glasgow, West Yorkshire, Kilkeel and Dublin.

About the new First seats

The new seat is ultra-wide (36.5inches), with a bed length of 79inches, and features a multi-purpose ottoman and elegant stowable table, a 32-inch 4K TV screen, adjustable mood lighting including scenes such as ‘relax’, ‘dine’ and ‘cinema’. The seat can be adjusted with the touch of a button to find the perfect level of comfort and is located within a cocooned 60-inch curved wall for ultimate privacy, whilst still providing a spacious environment.

For customers travelling together in the centre of the cabin, the divider slides open to create a shared lounge space, and the stowable tables mean customers can enjoy ‘buddy dining’ in the seat with their travel companion.

The elegant curves throughout the cabin take inspiration from British Airways’ Concorde wings, giving a natural flow to the space and creating a welcoming environment. Customers can now simply wheel their luggage into their personal luggage space, making it even easier to settle in before their flight.

Other suite perks

Elsewhere, the suite features an ambient light with an eye-catching design that subtly references the airline’s speedmarque and further nods to Concorde. The suite features window blinds, activated by buttons on the internal control panel for all three windows per seat.

The soft panelling inside the seat also helps with acoustics and absorbing sound, which adds to the sense of being in a cocooned, private space. Customers can also use the seat’s brand-new ‘do not disturb’ functionality on its wireless control tablet, which notifies crew if they wish to maximize their rest on board.

The airline is continuing to invest in its overall customer experience and has already rolled out over 120 initiatives as part of its $9billion transformation focus, from brand-new short-haul seats, free Wi-Fi messaging on board to refreshing its lounges across its global network.

 

The Luxury Group and Sotheby’s team up for once-in-a-lifetime travel auction

November 29, 2024 No Comments

The Luxury Group by Marriott International has unveiled the next chapter of its exclusive brand partnership with auction house Sotheby’s, “Iconic Pieces. Extraordinary Experiences.”

Building on the success of their inaugural offerings earlier this year, the two global luxury powerhouses will introduce new exclusive experiences for The Luxury Sales this December in New York.

Rooted in a shared vision of reimagining the boundaries between luxury travel and collectible art, the continued collaboration underscores the synergy between the Luxury Group’s world-class approach to experiential hospitality and Sotheby’s curatorial expertise across its extensive sales categories.

About the auction

The Luxury Group and Sotheby’s will auction two captivating experiences designed to pair world-class hospitality with exceptional treasures from Sotheby’s auctions offering guests the chance to explore their passions while discovering unforgettable destinations:

  • Geneva Grandmasters: A Watchmaking Odyssey Curated by The Ritz-Carlton
    Watch enthusiasts will have the exclusive opportunity to bid on an intimate horology immersion at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva with legendary watch brand Girard-Perregaux, including a hands-on workshop with the artisans; singular opportunities to shop limited-edition timepieces; and a private culinary experience at the Villa Girard-Perregaux in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the brand’s ancestral home.

Geneva Grandmasters: A Watchmaking Odyssey will be presented within Sotheby’s Important Watches sale on Friday, December 6, marking the first time Marriott International will offer an experience in a live auction.

  • A Taste of France: An Epicurean Voyage Curated by The Luxury Collection
    Guests will check into Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris before exploring the country’s culinary treasures, from a guided day trip to Champagne Lallier’s historic Maison in Aÿ for a taste of its latest harvests, to an afternoon tea with Global Explorer and esteemed chef and artist, Laila Gohar, whose food-inspired works have been showcased around the world.

As a part of the Finest Wines auction, A Taste of France is available for online bidding now until Tuesday, Dec. 10.

In addition to the experiential auction offerings, the collaboration will showcase the Luxury Group’s world-class approach through hospitality, curated events, and exclusive editorial content when Sotheby’s exhibitions open to the public on Dec. 5.

Collectors and travellers alike can look forward to additional offerings from the Luxury Group and Sotheby’s in 2025 as the collaboration continues to grow worldwide. For more details surrounding the experiences and Sotheby’s Luxury Sales, please visit www.sothebys.com/en/series/luxury-sales.

Santa Monica: California’s cool

November 27, 2024 No Comments

Just after the sun comes up, surfers dash down the long, sandy stretch of beach and launch their boards into the water, as wave after wave of runners with tanned shoulders and coordinated outfits prance down the boardwalk behind.

Some push strollers, some hold dog leashes, and others throw up a peace sign and offer a smile to passersby. 

Located west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica is a coastal city known for its famed Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park, which features multiple oceanfront dining venues, midway games and riveting rides, including the first-ever solar-powered ferris wheel and a rollercoaster.

Home to 95,000 residents, the city is also a hub for health and wellness enthusiasts. Just south of the pier, you’ll find the Original Muscle Beach—an outdoor gym that opened in the 1930s that’s decked out with aerial ropes, parallel bars, travelling rings and swings.

Originally intended for use by acrobats, gymnasts and wrestlers, now, at any hour of the day, it’s not uncommon to see people young and old, doing everything from tight-rope walking to acro yoga, aerial rope tricks and meditation. In 1952, Muscle Beach Venice, a 20-minute walk from the Santa Monica Muscle Beach, was opened, and became the training grounds for some of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno.

 “In Santa Monica, you can do whatever you want to do, and be whoever you want to be.”

Pedalling on my e-bike alongside my guide Erik Hines, from Bikes and Hikes LA, I watch as he effortlessly interacts with everyone we pass—the vendor selling artwork spread out on a picnic blanket; the man blasting Biggie from a stereo; the couple sitting on the grass as the sun sets over Santa Monica Beach.

“The thing I love most about Santa Monica is that you can wander down to the beach any time of day and leave with a handful of new friends,” he says, noting that he’s lived in several other places, but always finds his way back.

“In Santa Monica, you can do whatever you want to do, and be whoever you want to be,” he adds, right as a man on rollerblades wearing a cowboy hat saunters by singing opera and a woman with bright purple lipstick and a faux fur coat pushes two Pomeranian pups in a stroller.

Off the beach and the boardwalk, Santa Monica is also well-known for its restaurant and bar scene, as well as its shopping. Largely influenced by coastal Mediterranean and Mexican diets, Santa Monica is home to two Michelin-star and 14 Michelin-recommended restaurants and countless other options ranging from mom n’ pop shops to food trucks, cafes and contemporary eateries that often specialize in seafood and seasonal farm-to-table dishes. Most establishments do happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., and bars shut down by 2 a.m.

For those looking to spend, Santa Monica has three main shopping districts. The Downtown District is where you’ll find Third Street Promenade, an outdoor pedestrian-only area stretching three blocks that carries a mix of retail stores and dining.

At the southern end of the Promenade you’ll find Santa Monica Place, which is another outdoor shopping district, but home to higher end brands, as well as department stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. In the city’s north end, Montana Ave. promises upscale shopping from luxury boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops.

This article first appeared in the winter 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. To read the full story, click here. To subscribe to the print magazine, click here.

72 hours in Baja California Sur

November 25, 2024 No Comments

Christine Roberti heads to the northwest Mexican state of Baja California Sur, stopping in the tiny coastal town of Todos Santos and the state capital of La Paz for grey whale watching, taco tasting and a whole lot of lazing around.

At night, I burrowed into the folds of the duvet on my king-sized bed and listened to the roar of the surf as it barrelled to shore across the Pacific. I left the sliding glass door to the terrace open, where a salty breeze made the gauzy curtains dance.

Tiny stars, my only night light, blinked through the inky black sky over the ocean, and when morning came, tangerine sunlight snuck across my pillow.

I resisted the urge to tear the covers off and slug back a cup of dark roast, like I do most days once 6:30 a.m. comes. In Baja California, as I learned over the course of three days, life is meant to be savoured slowly.

Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a sleepy town tucked away on the Pacific coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. An hour’s drive from Los Cabos’ touristy Cabo San Lucas district, people come to Todos Santos to appreciate local art, enjoy top-notch gastronomy, surf the world-class breaks, and revel in gorgeous landscapes that include the overarching backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. In La Paz, visitors come for wild encounters with grey whales and whale sharks, beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.

DAY ONE

Start the day early, with a walking tour of Todos Santos, a designated pueblos magicos. Pueblos magicos (magic towns) are a designation provided by the Mexican government, awarded to select destinations for their exemplary showcase of authentic Mexican culture, be it through stunning architectural wonders, historical significance or natural beauty.

Todos Santos is one of roughly 180 pueblos magicos in Mexico, and it’s easy to see why.

Founded by missionaries in 1724, Todos Santos is a quiet town with a vibrant personality. It’s where artists, dreamers and surfers collide; rainbow-coloured bunting is strung through the streets, music lulls passerby from tiny shops selling everything from hand-fired ceramics to oil paintings, and a handful of restaurants promote fresh-caught seafood specialties on sidewalk menus. Stop for lunch at Oystera, a chic oyster bar with a phenomenal outdoor dining terrace, and arguably some of the best ceviche and limey margaritas in Southern Baja. 

DAY TWO

Drive an hour north and explore the capital city of La Paz for the day. Home to approximately a quarter of a million residents, there’s no shortage of things to do downtown, which is flanked by a bustling waterfront boardwalk known as the Malecón. The perfect meeting point, the Malecón is lined with bars, fusion restaurants and contemporary art sculptures.

Strolling through La Paz, you’re bound to get hungry. Embarking on your own taco tour is a great way to see the town’s culinary variety—and excellence. At Palapa Hermanos Gonzalez, you can’t go wrong with an authentic Baja fish taco—two meaty hunks of perfectly golden, battered fish are topped with chopped red onion, tomato and cilantro and drizzled with mayonnaise. Just down the street at Claro Fish Jr.’s, you can order anything from deep-fried coconut shrimp tacos to stingray.

DAY THREE

Grey whale migration peaks in Baja from January through March, but you can still count on seeing a pod from late December through April. Puerto Chale, a two-hour drive from La Paz, is a quiet fishing community on the Pacific Ocean, and the closest spot to the city for spotting grey whales. Curious and friendly, grey whales have been known to swim at surface-level directly beneath the tour boats, making for a breathtaking encounter.

Along the way, you can also spot sleeping sea lions, playful sea otters and migratory birds. For another unique aquatic experience, snorkel with whale sharks in the El Mogote peninsula, which is 15 minutes from the Bay of La Paz. Despite their size (some reach 60 ft. in length), these gentle, toothless giants are actually quite timid, and neither a shark, nor a whale—they’re actually a fish! 

This story first appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of OFFSHORE. Click here to read the full story. Click here to subscribe to the print magazine.

The U.K. is enforcing ETAs for Canadian travellers as of this January

November 22, 2024 No Comments

The U.K. government is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visitors, including Canadians, who don’t currently need a visa for short stays.

This new system is part of efforts to improve border security and prevent misuse of the U.K. immigration system. Canadians can apply for an ETA starting Nov. 27, 2024 and will need it to travel to the UK from Jan. 8, 2025.

The ETA costs £10 and allows multiple visits to the U.K. for up to six months at a time. It will be valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

Everyone, including babies and children, will need an ETA and you can apply for others as well. The ETA will be required for visits such as tourism, business, visiting family and friends, short-term study or even just transiting through the UK. Other visits include stays of up to three months under the Creative Worker visa concession or for a permitted paid engagement.

How to apply

The easiest way to apply is through the UK ETA app. Most applications will be processed within three working days, but sometimes it may take a little longer. The new system will help make travel easier while ensuring stronger security at the UK border.

To find out more about the ETA and how to apply, visit GOV.UK. The website also has helpful videos to explain the process. GOV.UK is the official site for UK government services and information.

Ponant just announced 36 new co-branded Smithsonian sailings for 2026

November 20, 2024 No Comments

Ponant has announced 36 co-branded sailings for 2026 in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution.

Marking the most departures ever offered in a single year, this expanded lineup represents a fifth year of collaboration between Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys highlighting a continued shared commitment to fostering global citizenship through immersive travel experiences.

These extraordinary voyages blend Ponant’s seafaring expertise and esteemed hospitality with Smithsonian’s unparalleled legacy as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, offering guests unparalleled opportunities to explore the world with depth and purpose.

A selection of returning favourites complements seven exciting new itineraries for 2026. Among the highlights of these popular voyages are:

  • Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America (7 nights): Featuring a specially arranged visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s open-air Punta Culebra Nature Center. Departure dates: February 19–26, 2026 and February 26–March 5, 2026. Fares begin at $6,420 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here.
  • A Voyage Along the Great Lakes (8 nights): Explores the beauty of the Great Lakes region. Departure dates: August 11–19, 2026 and August 19–27, 2026. Fares begin at $9,000 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here.
  • Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean (7 nights): A picturesque journey through the Southern Aegean. Departure dates: June 16–23, 2026 and October 8–15, 2026. Fares begin at $6,150 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here.
  • Antarctica: The White Continent (11 nights): Featuring three renowned Smithsonian Journeys Experts – polar explorer Ann Bancroft, astrophysicist Michelle Thaller, and photographer Jim Preston. Departure date: January 8–19, 2026. Fares begin at $13,780 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here.

Aside from the Antarctica departure with three experts, each voyage will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts to provide onboard lectures and discussions that dive deeper into a destination’s history, language, environment, and wildlife.

New voyages

New: Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean, January 7-17, 2026,  Le Bougainville

This 10-night voyage from northern Madagascar through more than 1,000 miles of the Seychelles Archipelago offers an exploration of the rich endemic flora and fauna including lemurs, chameleons, red-tailed tropicbirds, radiated tortoises, multi-colored fish, green turtles, and more. A full day in Diego Suarez in the Emerald Sea Lagoon brings extensive snorkeling and birding opportunities before heading onto the Seychelles. Ports of call include the iconic beach at Anse Source d’Argent, surrounded by large blocks of granite and edged with coconut palms, and the Aride nature reserve, with some 73 hectares of colourful vegetation and more than one million birds. Fares begin at $11,110 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here.

New: Coastal Vietnam by Sea: Singapore to Hong Kong, February 8-22, 2026, Le Jacques-Cartier

This two-week long itinerary explores the many sides of Vietnam, from the ancient civilizations of Cham and Khmer, through Chinese influence and French colonialism, to the present day. Highlights include visits to four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam: The Ancient City of Hội An, the My Son temples, the Imperial City of Hue, and Hạ Long Bay, with opportunities to experience local cuisine in each port of call. Also featured are a performance of Vietnamese dance and song in Ho Chi Minh City, visits to handicraft markets in Nha Trang and Da Nang, and a day in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi. Fares begin at $12,500 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here. 

New: South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope, March 19-29, 2026, Le Bougainville

This 10-night voyage along the southern coast of South Africa highlights the best of South Africa with three days devoted to a ‘safari by sea’ exploring the great game parks of the Eastern Cape followed by two days focused on Cape Town and its surroundings, as well as an exploration of the wild coastlines of Namibia from Lüderitz. The itinerary will showcase the world-famous conservation efforts of Addo Elephant Park; multiple opportunities for safaris through game parks in search of the “big five;” panoramic tours of the stunning beauty of the Cape Peninsula; the wine country surrounding Stellenbosch; the UNESCO World Heritage site of Robben Island; and Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain. Fares begin at $7,660 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here.

New: Voyage to Indonesia: Dragons, Reefs, and the Spice Islands, May 1-13, 2026, Le Jacques-Cartier

Highlights of this 12-night voyage include discovering the lush and idyllic islands of Indonesia and sailing through the heart of the Coral Triangle before arriving to the northern shores of Australia. It will combine both a deep dive into the region’s extraordinary biodiversity in the air, on land, and under the sea with visits to Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and extensive possibilities for swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear waters with pristine coral reefs, as well as a rich immersion with the local people of Sumbawa and their age-old customs and traditions. Fares begin at $10,330 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here.

New: A Solar Eclipse at Sea: Voyage Across the Western Mediterranean, August 11-19, 2026, Le Dumont-d’Urville

This voyage offers the chance to witness the extraordinarily rare setting of the sun just moments after totality, followed by an exploration of the natural beauty and cultural history of the islands of the western Mediterranean. On August 12, 2026, after an afternoon exploring the landmarks of Palma de Mallorca, guests will reboard Le Dumont-d’Urville and head out to sea to view the total solar eclipse. The eight-night itinerary will continue to four additional Mediterranean islands including Menorca; Sardinia, with the opportunity to see prehistoric edifices called nuraghi; Corsica; and Napolean’s summer residence on Elba. Fares begin at $10,270 per guest based on double occupancy. Full details linked here. 

PONANT ships embody French sophistication in refined exploration, infused with the vibrant joie de vivre of the company’s French heritage. Guests enjoy elegantly appointed staterooms and suites with private balconies, wellness centers, complimentary Wi-Fi, and gourmet dining curated by PONANT’s chefs in collaboration with Ducasse Conseil, blending flavors from local destinations with timeless favorites. All-inclusive fares cover a shore excursion or activity in each port of call and seamless roundtrip airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days. For more information, visit https://us.ponant.com/cruises/themes/smithsonian-journeys; call 1-833-889-0800, or contact a travel advisor.

Fares are per guest in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy.