Culture, Cuisine, and Concerts: Ponant’s 2026 Cruises Are Floating Masterclasses

September 9, 2025

Luxury expedition line Ponant Explorations has long championed the idea that travel should educate as well as enchant. For 2026, the French-flagged fleet is doubling down with six new expert-led themed voyages that bring together culinary icons, art historians, geopolitical leaders and musicians for a series of journeys designed to deepen passengers’ connections to the world.

Food lovers can embark on Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily (April 11–19, 2026), sailing roundtrip from Valletta aboard Le Dumont d’Urville. On board, Sicilian food authority Fabrizia Lanza will lead tastings and talks, with acclaimed oenologist Laetitia Ouspointour offering wine pairings and Italian star chef Denny Imbroisi curating menus. Ashore, guests will explore how Greek, Roman, Arabic and Norman influences shaped the island’s kitchen.

Art takes centre stage on itineraries tied to the 61st Venice Biennale. One voyage sails from Valletta to Venice (July 1–9, 2026) with private access to Pinault Collection spaces such as Palazzo Grassi, guided by Christie’s specialist Kathryn Widing. Another departs from Nice (July 10–18, 2026) to explore the French and Italian Rivieras and Corsica, with visits to homes where Renoir and Picasso once worked, and lectures by Ottavia Marchitelli and G. Max Bernheimer of Christie’s.

Culture extends into performance with Sailing the Mediterranean with the Paris Opera Ballet (July 29–August 6, 2026), which includes exclusive shows both onboard Le Boréal and ashore in Corsica and Tuscany. Music aficionados may prefer A Symphony at Sea: The Musical Traditions of Greece (October 18–25, 2026), with Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and fellow musicians performing throughout the voyage.

For travellers seeking a different kind of expertise, A World Affairs Voyage (August 26–September 5, 2026) journeys from Copenhagen to London with Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, leading discussions that link historic ports to current geopolitics.

“Each voyage is designed to offer meaningful engagement with the cultural fabric, historical context and contemporary significance of the places we explore,” says Samuel Chamberlain, Ponant’s CEO of the Americas. Fares begin around CAD $7,500, with all-inclusive amenities from Michelin-inspired dining to shore excursions in each port.

Ponant has added new Baja California voyages for winter 2027

June 2, 2025

Ponant Explorations has announced a new itinerary in Baja California, Mexico for winter 2027, featuring a unique 10-night journey—Exploration in the Heart of Baja California.

From January through March, the 184-guest Le Bellot will offer four round-trip departures from Cabo San Lucas including one operated in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys. The highly-curated voyages spotlight the advancements of Cabo Pulmo locals who have embraced eco-tourism to evolve the region into a model of marine conservation alongside the natural wonders of the Baja California Peninsula—from extraordinary marine life to the coral reefs that inhabit the UNESCO-designated Gulf of California. 

Voyage in Alliance with Smithsonian Journeys – February 10-20, 2027 

Unique among these voyages is a singular Baja and the Sea of Cortez: In Search of the Great Whales with Smithsonian Journeys departing on February 10, 2027.  With the added benefit of having two Smithsonian Journeys Experts aboard, guests on this voyage will enjoy engaging conversations during an onboard lecture series that explores the region’s history, culture, environment, and wildlife. The voyage is part of Ponant Explorations’ esteemed alliance with Smithsonian Journeys—the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution—offering intellectually enriching insight on voyages designed for English-speaking travellers. All voyages in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys feature a curated excursion and/or activity included at each port of call as well as airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days for a seamless experience. 

Wildlife encounters will be a defining feature on all four of the Baja California voyages. Guests may witness gray, blue, and humpback whales, orcas, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, and graceful mobula devil rays in their natural habitat. Shore landings led by the line’s naturalist team will grant access to pristine areas untouched by development, while visits to coastal towns like Loreto offer cultural immersion and local flavor. The itinerary will also feature a visit to Guerrero Negro offering a high-impact whale experience* that no other cruise line operates.  

Designed to suit both leisure and adventure travellers, the itinerary includes options for snorkeling and scuba diving (wetsuits provided), and canyon hiking, to showcase the region’s striking biodiversity and natural landscapes.  

Departures for the new Baja California itinerary include: January 31, February 20, and March 2, 2027 and February 10, 2027 for the Smithsonian Journeys voyage.  

For more information on Ponant Explorations, travellers can contact their preferred travel advisor, 888-400-1082 or visit en.ponant.com.  

Ice breaker ship Le Commandant Charcot will travel the Great North

January 31, 2025

As the only high polar exploration vessel capable of navigating through the ice in the depth of the boreal winter, Le Commandant Charcot unlocks a rare opportunity to explore territories otherwise unreachable during this season.

From the Baltic Sea to the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Canada, passing through Norway and Greenland, Ponant Explorations unveils 16 departures from October 2026 to March 2027.  

During the winter 2026-2027 season, Le Commandant Charcot offers an exclusive exploration of the Great North, where the long polar night reveals a magical landscape of frozen Norwegian fjords, illuminated Baltic cities, and serene snow-covered shores, accompanied by belugas and rorquals near Svalbard and colourful fishing villages along the St. Lawrence River’s ice floes.

Through Ponant Exploration’s strong relationships with local communities, guests can also immerse themselves in the winter customs of the Mi’kmaq, Innu, Sámi, and Inuit peoples, while engaging in activities like snowshoeing through the boreal forest, dog sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, and ice fishing.

This time of year also provides the unmatched opportunity to witness the mesmerizing northern lights dance across the sky. As the only high polar exploration vessel of its kind, Le Commandant Charcot combines a PC2 polar-class hull capable of traversing multi-year ice floes with an environmentally conscious hybrid propulsion system, offering a unique blend of innovation, comfort, and safety for experiencing the heart of the Arctic winter. 

For more information on Ponant Explorations, travellers can visit https://us.ponant.com/.   

 

There’s a new luxury yacht sailing the French Riviera in May 2026

January 29, 2025

In May 2026, Ponant Explorations will debut a brand-new eight-day itinerary along the Côte d’Azur aboard its iconic three-masted sailing yacht, Le Ponant.

Beginning and ending in Nice, the elegant vessel — the world’s first Relais & Châteaux sailing yacht — will chart an unforgettable course east to the colourful Italian fishing village of Portofino before gliding back along the French Riviera. Along the way, guests will discover coastal gems such as the citrus-hued port of Menton, the glamour-soaked shores of Antibes, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, and the charming, lesser-known port of Cassis. 

Stretching nearly 300 feet and recently refitted by Jean-Philippe Nuel Studio, Le Ponant accommodates just 32 guests in 16 stylish staterooms, each boasting panoramic windows with sea views.

Guests can lounge on the sun deck beneath the billowing white sails, sip a cocktail from the outdoor bar, indulge in Biologique Recherche spa treatments, or savour organic, Mediterranean-inspired dishes at the yacht’s restaurant, Le Diamant. All this unfolds against the breathtaking backdrop of the Mediterranean’s colourful seaside villages, parasol-dotted beaches, and dramatic coastal cliffs. 

Onshore, the adventure continues with curated excursions to the Riviera’s most iconic and cultural landmarks, following in the footsteps of Picasso and Bardot. Whether exploring charming villages or world-renowned historical sites, such as Portofino’s cliff top lighthouse and the old town of Antibes with its 16th-century ramparts, every stop offers another perspective on the Riviera’s wonders.

Back on board, guests can dive straight into the Mediterranean’s crystal-clear waters or make use of Le Ponant’s array of aquatic toys. From glass-bottomed kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to snorkelling gear and a saltwater pool, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the sea. 

 Itinerary details

The French Riviera under Le Ponant’s Sails 

Nice-Nice | 8 days, 7 nights 

May 7-14, 2026 

Fares starting from $12,220 per guest 

More information linked here.