A Voyage Observed Through Three Programs

We boarded Le Dumont d’Urville with one strands in mind: We wanted to experience a line which offers Smithsonian Journeys, polar expeditions, and music sailings. The structure across these sailings remain consistent in one way: lectures, guests, and destinations intertwine throughout the day rather than being separated into standalone moments.

Smithsonian Journeys Onboard

One example of the Smithsonian itineraries brings historians, writers, and invited guests onboard, like Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King on the 250th anniversary sailing of the United States.

Conversations about immigration, colonial history, and city routes before any shore excursion begin. Lectures in the theatre are followed by visits to Ellis Island, the Lower East Side, and museums in Boston and Philadelphia.

As with most voyages, onboard discussions continue into lounges and dinner tables. Ports feel linked through what had been said earlier rather than standing alone.

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Polar Voyages and Le Commandant Charcot

What truly sets PONANT apart from other lines is their luxury ice-breaker called Le Commandant Charcot. This ship appears repeatedly in conversations onboard as the reference point for polar travel. It moves through ice-covered regions that remain inaccessible to most cruise-boats. And while other lines the ice-breaking vessels, no icebreaker has the comfort and on-board possibilities as this ship. 

As with all boats of Ponant, they are small, intimate and don’t contain the large entertainment spaces like huge swimming pools, slides, karting-tracks on the big vessels. Movement on board stays contained and quiet and of a high luxury standard.

Expedition staff and scientists appear throughout the day. Discussions focus on ice conditions, wildlife sightings, and navigation routes. And even though we personally weren’t on Le Commandant Charcot but on the Le Dumont d’Urville, we experienced how the captain stopped the boat for us to enjoy a pod of dolphins. We had just stopped at the smoking Stromboli-Volcano when these incredible animals came to say hello by jumping out of the water. Supplies and research operations accompany expedition itineraries in remote regions for local communities and researchers. PONANT understands that by the opportunities they created for themselves they have to serve humanity and science; truly a commendable, modern, and sustainable way of operating in the tourism industry.

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Music Voyages at Sea

Trained as a musician, for me the musical voyages are of major interest. The music programs onboard Le Bougainville are structured around world class performers rather than general entertainment schedules. 

Artists associated with institutions such as the Met, La Scala, and European opera houses perform recitals in the theatre. Ponant focusses each year on a different opera during their ‘Opera Festival at Sea’ 

After performances, artists remain present in shared spaces. Conversations continue over dinner or in lounges. The same performers who appear on stage often reappear the following day at breakfast or lunch tables. Everything about PONANT shows intimacy and the highest industry standard, from the boat, its personnel, their guest lecturers and musicians.

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The PONANT Ways of Travelling

Across Smithsonian, polar, and music voyages, PONANT remains constant while the content shifts completely. One itinerary follows historical structure. Another follows the environment and exploration. Another follows performance and repertoire.

Each moves at its own pace, with its own audience and tone, while sharing the same spaces onboard.

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Why book PONANT with DeSalvio Travel?

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As we are Virtuoso affiliated we can give a $100 shipboard credit. We have great connections with our representatives of Ponant who will do their utmost for us and for our clients. This sometimes results in free room and cabin upgrades, extra care on board and a seamless handling by our agency. Our connection goes far beyond agent-supplier, with our Concert&Cruises events, we were able to create something unique that bonded us.

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Robert Poortinga  
Travel Booking Assistant  
River cruise & Europe destination expert  
Culinary and art travel specialist

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