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Choosing where to cruise is one of the most exciting parts of planning your journey. With PONANT, you can travel from the polar landscapes of Antarctica and the Arctic to the tropical islands of French Polynesia, the remote Kimberley coast and the historic shores of the Mediterranean.
Every destination offers a different style of travel. Some focus on wildlife and wilderness, while others combine culture, history, food, scenery and relaxed luxury.
Explore our PONANT cruise destinations below to discover where you would like to travel, what you can experience and when to go.
At a Glance
| Destination | Ideal For | Highlights | Cruise Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctica | Wildlife, photography and adventure | Penguins, icebergs, glaciers and whales | Luxury Expedition |
| Arctic & Greenland | Polar landscapes and wildlife | Fjords, glaciers, icebergs and Arctic wildlife | Luxury Expedition |
| Kimberley | Wilderness, wildlife and culture | Waterfalls, gorges, rock art and Zodiac exploration | Luxury Expedition |
| Alaska | Glaciers, wildlife and wilderness | Mountains, glaciers, whales and remote coastlines | Luxury Expedition |
| Europe & Mediterranean | History, culture and cuisine | Historic ports, islands, villages and Mediterranean scenery | Luxury & Discovery |
| Asia | Culture, history and exploration | Ancient cities, temples, cuisine and diverse coastlines | Luxury & Expedition |
| South Pacific & French Polynesia | Island life and relaxation | Lagoons, beaches, islands and Polynesian culture | Luxury Small Ship |
| Australia & New Zealand | Nature and coastal discovery | Remote coastlines, islands, wildlife and landscapes | Luxury & Expedition |
PONANT's small luxury ships provide access to an extensive range of destinations, from remote expedition regions to historic cities and tropical islands.
The right destination depends on what you want from your holiday.
Are you dreaming of penguins and icebergs? Perhaps you would prefer the rugged wilderness of the Kimberley, the glaciers of Greenland, the islands of the South Pacific or the historic ports of the Mediterranean.
Start with the destination that inspires you most, then compare the itinerary, season, ship and style of cruise.
Experience a world of ice, wildlife and exploration
Antarctica is one of the world's most extraordinary expedition cruise destinations.
Towering icebergs, snow-covered mountains, glaciers and vast penguin colonies create an environment unlike anywhere else. Depending on the itinerary and conditions, PONANT guests may explore remote coastlines by Zodiac, encounter penguins and seals, search for whales and experience spectacular Antarctic landscapes.
Antarctica is particularly appealing to travellers interested in wildlife, photography, nature and expedition experiences.
Don't miss: Penguins, icebergs, glaciers, whales, seabirds and Zodiac exploration.
Explore PONANT Antarctica Cruises →
Discover the wild landscapes of the far north
The Arctic offers a completely different polar experience.
Voyages can explore dramatic fjords, glaciers, icebergs, tundra landscapes and remote communities. Greenland combines spectacular scenery with cultural experiences, while destinations such as Svalbard provide opportunities to experience the unique Arctic environment.
The Arctic is ideal for travellers fascinated by polar landscapes, wildlife, photography and northern cultures.
Don't miss: Greenland's fjords, glaciers, icebergs, Arctic wildlife and remote communities.
👉 Explore PONANT Arctic Cruises →
Explore Australia's spectacular north-west wilderness
The Kimberley is one of Australia's great expedition destinations.
Located in Western Australia, this remote region is known for dramatic sandstone cliffs, powerful waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art, mangrove-lined waterways and extraordinary tidal landscapes.
A PONANT expedition allows you to experience parts of the Kimberley that are difficult to reach by conventional travel. Zodiac excursions can take you into rivers, gorges and secluded coastal areas while expedition specialists provide insight into the region's natural and cultural heritage.
Don't miss: King George Falls, Montgomery Reef, the Hunter River, ancient rock art and Zodiac excursions.
Explore PONANT Arctic Cruises →
Discover glaciers, mountains and abundant wildlife
Alaska combines dramatic scenery with opportunities for wildlife encounters and outdoor exploration.
Glaciers, rugged mountains, remote coastlines and waterways create a spectacular setting for expedition cruising. Depending on the itinerary and season, travellers may encounter whales, bears, seabirds and other wildlife.
Alaska can appeal to travellers looking for wilderness, photography, wildlife and spectacular scenery.
Don't miss: Glaciers, fjords, mountains, whales and remote wilderness.
Explore PONANT Alaska Cruises →
Combine culture, history and coastal discovery
PONANT cruises in Europe and the Mediterranean offer a different style of journey.
Historic cities, coastal villages, islands and archaeological sites provide opportunities for cultural discovery, while the smaller size of PONANT ships can allow access to ports and destinations away from the busiest cruise routes.
Mediterranean voyages are particularly appealing if your priorities include history, architecture, cuisine, local culture and beautiful coastal scenery.
Don't miss: Historic ports, Mediterranean islands, villages, architecture, cuisine and cultural experiences.
👉 Explore PONANT Europe Cruises →
👉 Explore PONANT Mediterranean Cruises →
Discover ancient cultures and diverse coastlines
Asia offers an extraordinary combination of history, culture, cuisine and natural beauty.
Depending on your itinerary, you can explore historic cities, temples, islands, traditional communities and distinctive coastlines.
For travellers who want their cruise to combine sightseeing with cultural discovery, Asia offers a wide range of experiences.
Don't miss: Ancient temples, historic cities, local cuisine, cultural traditions and coastal landscapes.
Explore PONANT Asia Cruises →
Discover tropical islands, lagoons and Polynesian culture
For travellers dreaming of turquoise lagoons, tropical islands and relaxed luxury, the South Pacific offers a very different cruise experience.
PONANT voyages can explore destinations across French Polynesia and the wider Pacific, with opportunities to discover islands, beaches, lagoons and local communities.
French Polynesia is particularly appealing to couples, honeymooners, island lovers and travellers looking for a combination of relaxation and exploration.
Don't miss: Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine, Tuamotu islands and Polynesian culture.
Explore PONANT Oceania and Pacific Cruises →
Experience distinctive landscapes and coastal wilderness
Australia and New Zealand offer diverse landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences.
From remote Australian coastlines to New Zealand's dramatic scenery, these destinations provide opportunities to combine nature, culture and small-ship exploration.
Don't miss: Remote coastlines, islands, wildlife, dramatic landscapes and local culture.
👉 Explore PONANT Australia Cruises →
Some PONANT destinations are highly seasonal. Antarctica, for example, is primarily visited during the Southern Hemisphere summer, while the Kimberley cruise season is shaped by the region's weather and conditions.
Other destinations, including much of Europe and the Mediterranean, offer a broader range of travel dates.
When choosing when to travel, consider:
- Weather and climate
- Wildlife activity
- Daylight hours
- Sea and ice conditions
- Local cultural events
- Your preferred activities
- Itinerary availability
- Your preferred travel dates
One of the simplest ways to narrow down your PONANT cruise options is to choose your destination first.
Once you know where you want to travel, you can compare the itineraries operating in that region, the time of year, the expedition activities and the ships available.
For example, a traveller planning an Antarctic expedition may want to compare expedition-capable ships and itineraries, while someone planning a Mediterranean cruise may have different priorities around ports, culture, dining and onboard experience.
BlueSun Insight
Start with the destination, then choose the ship
It is easy to begin planning a luxury cruise by looking at the ships.
But the destination ultimately determines the experience.
If your dream is to see penguins in Antarctica, explore the Kimberley by Zodiac or discover the islands of French Polynesia, start by identifying the destination and itinerary that deliver the experience you want.
Then compare the ships operating in that region.
This approach can make choosing a PONANT cruise much easier because you are matching the ship to your journey rather than choosing a ship in isolation.
PONANT cruises explore destinations across Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, the Kimberley, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, including French Polynesia.
Antarctica, the Arctic, Kimberley and Alaska are particularly appealing to travellers interested in wildlife. However, wildlife encounters are naturally dependent on destination, season and environmental conditions.
The right destination depends on your interests and preferred level of adventure. The Kimberley can provide an introduction to expedition cruising in Australia, while Antarctica and the Arctic offer more distinctly polar expedition experiences.
Couples have a wide range of options. French Polynesia and the South Pacific offer tropical scenery and relaxed luxury, while the Mediterranean combines culture, food and historic destinations. Antarctica and the Kimberley provide opportunities for shared expedition experiences.
Consider the wildlife, scenery, culture and activities that interest you most. Antarctica is renowned for penguins, icebergs and dramatic Antarctic landscapes, while Arctic destinations can offer glaciers, fjords, polar wildlife and northern communities.
The best time depends on the destination and what you want to experience. Polar destinations are highly seasonal, while destinations such as the Mediterranean offer a wider range of departure periods.
Start with your destination and preferred travel dates. Then compare the itinerary, ports, duration, activities, excursions and expedition experience. Once you have identified the right itinerary, compare the PONANT ships operating on that voyage.
Yes. You do not need to know the exact PONANT ship or departure before contacting BlueSun. Our PONANT cruise experts can help you compare destinations, itineraries, ships and current cruise deals.
Understand the key decisions involved in selecting your PONANT cruise, from destination to itinerary and ship.
Compare PONANT ship styles and features to find the right fit for your journey.
Learn how to compare routes, destinations, activities and travel experiences before booking.
Find the right cruise duration based on your available time, destination and preferred pace of travel.
Explore different PONANT cruise experiences, including expedition, cultural, photography and other specialist cruises.
For more information on our Ponant Cruise Destinations or any of our Ponant Cruises or and other cruise packages,
Call 1300 799 758 now.
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