New Routes for Ponant

Founded in 1988, Ponant is the leading French-registered cruise company whose ships embody stylish expedition-style cruising. Their fleet comprises an ultra-sleek sailing yacht, four ice-strengthened vessels with a streamlined superstructure, as well as the first of a series of six ‘Ponant Explorers’. These luxurious, smaller-scale ships are designed to head not just off the beaten track but to the edges of the beaten map. They are at the cutting edge of technology with innovative equipment for protecting the environment, plus a world first - the Blue Eye - an underwater multi-sensory lounge that allows passengers to observe the underwater world at first hand.

For the winter 2019-2020 season the company is offering 115 departures, 32 tropical expedition cruises and 28 brand-new itineraries in six geographic regions. In addition to cruises to Oceania, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America there are three new cruising destinations: Mexico, the Red Sea; and the Indian Ocean. There are also 23 Polar expedition voyages to Antarctica.

In the Indian Ocean the new itineraries feature a number of islands in the Seychelles archipelago, a true paradise lost where the exceptional vegetation and wildlife add to the beauty of the idyllic lagoons. Passengers can also discover the riches of Madagascar, Réunion Island, Mauritius, the Comoros Islands, Mayotte and Zanzibar.

In Central America a brand-new itinerary heads to the heart of authentic Yucatan to discover the secrets of the pre-Columbian civilisations. Passengers can visit the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzà, explore the pre-Columbian city of Uxmal and discover its exceptional architectural heritage - a vestige of the colonial era and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On cruises to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras there’s the chance to visit the Mayan archaeological park of Quirigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Guatemalan town of Livingston, as well as swimming, diving and snorkelling at the Great Blue Hole of Belize - one of the ten most beautiful diving sites in the world according to Jacques Cousteau.

There’s also a brand-new cruise in the Red Sea from Jordan to Egypt via Israel, allowing passengers to discover some of the most important sites of the Ancient World. There are tours to the Temples of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, not to mention sailing in the Red Sea - home to some of the best underwater sites in the world - and a perfect opportunity to enjoy the Blue Eye underwater multi-sensory lounge. For more details about cruises to the ends of the earth speak to our experienced team on 0800 484 0370. 

Gary Buchanan