Winter Norway cruise among new routes in Ponant's 2023/24

Another new sailing travels from Madagascar to the Mascarene archipelago, with a new call at Portu Mathurin, the little-known Rodrigues Island, plus overnight stays at Reunion Island and Mauritius. 

The nearly 30 different itineraries crisscross Asia, the Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Latin America. Activities include meetings with local communities, visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, diving, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, snowshoeing, biking and sleigh rides.

Norway in winter

The new 'Nordic Discoveries & Traditions' offers the chance to see the northern lights and encounter the indigenous Sami people, who have practiced traditional reindeer herding since the 17th century. Experiences include dog sledding, ice fishing and snow shoeing. Le Bellot sails round-trip Tromsø, Norway, calling at Narvik, the Lofoten Islands, the Trollfjord, Hammerfest, Honningsvåg, Alta and Bear Island.

Four departures of this 10-night cruise are available from March 1-31, 2024, with fares starting at €8,350.

Arabian Gulf

The new 'Oriental Wonders & Civilizations' cruise aboard sails through the Arabian Gulf. Le Bougainville departs from Muscat, Oman, heading to Sour, a traditional fishing village, then to Daymaniyat Islands, a marine sanctuary renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. Next are the fjords of Musandam, the futuristic skyscrapers of Dubai and the landmarks of Abu Dhabi, including the new Louvre Museum. From there it’s on to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, the gateway to the Al Hasa oasis, then Manama, Bahrain, and finally, Doha, Qatar.

The 10-night cruise, sailing Nov. 18, 2023, is priced starting at €4,470.

Following that is 'Music of One Thousand and One Nights,' a classical music cruise with Radio Classique and host Alain Duault, 10 nights from Doha to Muscat aboard Le Bougainville. The Nov. 28 trip is priced from €5,510.

Central America

Another new itinerary, 'Caribbean Mosaic, Between Mangroves & Lagoons,' sails round-trip Belize City to ports in Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. Le Dumont-d’Urville will sail to Punta Sal, the Jeannette Kawas National Park and Les Cayos Cochinos archipelago, located on the world’s second-largest barrier reef. Cuero y Salado National Park and Water Caye desert island are home to outstanding marine life, while the towns of Livingstone and Punta Gorda offer history.

Five departures of this seven-night cruise will be offered from Nov. 14 to Dec. 12, 2023, priced starting at €3,380.

Indian Ocean

The new 'Seychelles to Sri Lanka Expedition' travels via the Maldives. The first few days will be spent exploring the Seychelles archipelago, with stops at the Aride Island Nature Reserve, a sanctuary home to more than a million birds, and the spectacular Anse Source d’Argent beach.  Le Jacques-Cartier will then head for the Maldives, to the Rasdhoo and Baa atolls and, finally, Sri Lanka.

The 15-night cruise from Mahé to Colombo embarks Jan. 4, 2024, and is priced from €6,750.

Another new Indian Ocean itinerary, 'Madagascar & the Mascarene Islands Adventure,' operates round-trip Port Louis, Mauritius. Destinations include Nosy Boraha Island, once a haven for pirates off Madagascar’s east coast, and Tamatave. From there, the journey continues to La Réunion and Rodrigues. 

Three sailings of 13 nights will operate on Le Jacques-Cartier and Le Champlain, with prices starting at €6,330.