New at Ponant: India/Sri Lanka voyages and more

The India and Sri Lanka sailings, in January and February 2022, are aboard Le Bellot.

The 12-night 'Seychelles, Maldives and Sri Lanka' cruise, from Victoria, Mahé, to Colombo, Sri Lanka, explores the islands and atolls of the Indian Ocean. Included are La Digue, home to what is considered one of the world's most beautiful beaches; Anse Source d’Angent Beach and Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Two departures of the nine-day ‘Treasures of India’ sail from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Mumbai. Ports include Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Sri Lanka’s oldest cities; Cochin, with its rich cultural heritage; and the beaches of Goa, a former Portuguese colony.

And two ‘Treasures of India & Sri Lanka’ 13-day sailings from Mumbai to Chennai also visit Goa, plus the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage; and a tour of Chennai's Mahabalipuram, rock sanctuaries with thousands of statues from the 7th and 8th centuries.

Fares for the nine-day cruises in this new series start at $4,080 per person.

New in Antarctica

In addition to this year's debut of Le Commandant-Charcot, Ponant added a new Antarctica itinerary departing Dec. 7 aboard Le Boréal. ‘The Magic of the White Continent’ 14-day journey is priced starting at $13,700 per person.

Arabian Gulf with Louvre insights

In partnership with the Louvre, a new Arabian Gulf itinerary in late 2021 and early 2022 will highlight the cultural and artistic riches of the Arabian Gulf. On board, Yannick Lintz, director of the Department of Islamic Art at the Musée du Louvre, will share her expertise in talks and conferences.

The journey on Le Jacques-Cartier sails between Muscat, Oman, and Dubai, with calls at Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Included are visits to the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, designed by I.M. Pei, architect of the Louvre pyramid, and to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Departures are Dec. 4 and Dec. 20 this year and Jan. 21, 2022. Rates start at $4,260 per person.