If, as it was once said, knowledge is everything, then guests sailing on PONANT’s 2023 sailings in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys have a treat in store.
Drawing on the resources of the Smithsonian Institute, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex dating back 175 years, the sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife.
Twenty-one departures, with several new itineraries exploring the Arabian Coast, Australia’s Kimberley, the Mediterranean, the St Lawrence River, and Northern Africa will provide opportunities to engage with a variety of Smithsonian Journeys Experts, ranging from archaeologists and scientists to anthropologists and historians.
As part of the itineraries, PONANT will sail to ports of call never previously visited, including Ploče in Croatia and Charlottetown, capital of Canada’s Prince Edward Island.
New cruise examples
Cruising the Arabian Coast, Le Bougainville
While travelling from Dubai to Muscat, Karl Eikenberry, former US ambassador to Afghanistan, will lead discussions centred around Middle East affairs.
With seven ports of call, highlights ashore will include a visit to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; a tour of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an Arabic-galactic wonder with more than 600 works spread across 23 galleries; and the opportunity to discover Sir Bani Yas Island’s wildlife sanctuary with its roaming giraffes, cheetahs, and gazelles.
The ship will also sail through the fjords of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, affectionally known as the Norway of the Middle East, where the sheer walls of limestone cliffs plunge into aquamarine waters.
Departure 6 January 2023 / 8 nights, 9 days, from £6,060 per person
Solar Eclipse: Indonesia to Australia’s Kimberley, Le Lapérouse
Witness the total solar eclipse out to sea off the northwest coast of Australia – the only area of the world where the solar eclipse will be 100 percent visible. On 20 April guests will witness the natural phenomenon as the moon passes between the earth and the sun, enveloping travellers in complete darkness for a few minutes.
Accompanying the expedition will be Alex Young, solar astrophysicist who serves as an Associate Director of Science at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center located outside Washington DC.
Departure 9 April 2023 / 15 nights, 16 days, from £14,820 per person
Cruising from Morocco to Spain’s Andalusian Coast, Le Dumont-d’Urville
Explore the Portuguese, Moroccan and Spanish coasts, traveling from Casablanca to Lisbon with a stop in Tangier, along the famous Strait of Gibraltar. A highlight includes a trip to Granada for an exclusive private after-hours visit of the Alhambra.
Guests on Le Dumont-d’Urville will enjoy an exclusive private after-hours visit of the Alhambra palace in Granada
A Circumnavigation of Sicily, Le Bougainville
Embark on a circumnavigation of Sicily, joined by Albert Leonard, archaeologist who has directed excavations at sites around the Mediterranean during his 30-year career.
Travellers will visit the well-preserved Greek ruins in Agrigento, one of the oldest cities in Sicily dating back to 581 BC, before continuing to Segesta, home to the unfinished Doric Temple. Guests can meander through the ancient (but still used) Greek theatre from the third century BC during a stop in Taormina and see the Byzantine-Arab mosaics while visiting Palermo.
The itinerary offers the opportunity for an evening sail around one of mother nature’s most spectacular sights: the Stromboli Volcano, considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The fiery crater spews fountains of glowing red lava every few hours and is best seen at night.
Departure 4 May 2023 / 7 nights, 8 days, from £4,090 per person
Symphony on the St Lawrence: From Québec to the Canadian Maritimes,This itinerary starts in Toronto and ends in Gloucester, Massachusetts, exploring the waterways of eastern Canada and northern New England.
Sample stops include the charming Canadian coastal towns of Tadoussac, Percé, Charlottetown, and Lunenburg, before heading south to explore the wildlife-rich ecosystem of Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine.
A musical program of four exclusive performances will be curated by legendary Boston Pops Conductor, Keith Lockhart.
Departure 16 October 2023 / 14 nights, 15 days, from £8,540 per person
For full details of all the cruises, CLICK HERE