Ponant and National Geographic

With a shared vision in premium experiences and responsible travel, Ponant and National Geographic Expeditions offer an extensive range of expedition cruises throughout the world. Their unique itineraries allow guests to experience some of the most remote places on the planet, with a focus on respecting the cultures, environment and marine life of the places visited. Continuing that tradition, Ponant and National Geographic Expeditions have announced three new 16- to 21-day cruises to Antarctica. 

The first cruise is ‘The Antarctic Odyssey – with National Geographic’. This fantastic 20-night epic cruise from Montevideo to Ushuaia aboard Le Lyrial, departing 19 November 2019, is unquestionably the trip of a lifetime and is the most comprehensive in the region. Guests will go ashore at some of the greatest wildlife sites on earth, guided by a National Geographic photographer. Ports include the Falkland Islands with their rich and varied wildlife; South Georgia and its colonies of king penguins; the Antarctic Peninsula and the mountainous South Orkney Islands, hunting ground for leopard seals. 

The second cruise is ‘Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica – with National Geographic’. This exceptional 15-night polar expedition cruise aboard Le Soléal departs Ushuaia on 14 November 2019. Travelling in the company of a National Geographic Expert, guests will be taken on a journey through the lens of science and exploration. A real highlight of this cruise is a circumnavigation of South Georgia, exploring the island’s mysterious and spectacular west coast. Guests might land where Sir Ernest Shackleton came ashore before commencing his epic crossing of the island. 

The third cruise is ‘Beyond the Polar Circle – with National Geographic’. This 16-night polar expedition cruise aboard L’Austral, departing Ushuaia on 15 January 2020, crosses the mythical line of the Antarctic Circle. Guests will discover the wild beauty of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia – a sub-Antarctic region that is home to diverse wildlife. The National Geographic photographer and expert will inspire guests to see, experience and capture the beauty in new ways; the on-board experience will be complemented by outings and shore visits in the Zodiacs with an experienced team of naturalist guides. 

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 slightly smaller ‘Ponant Explorers’ – with their cutting edge technology, they’ve been designed to head not just off the beaten track but to the edges of the beaten map.