Cruising the Caribbean's Windward Islands – with Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
PONANT brings you an itinerary to the heart of the most enchanting islands in the Caribbean Sea. Board Le Champlain for a 9-day cruise combining long stretches of white-sand beach, idyllic turquoise waters, and the laid-back island way of life.
Board your ship in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, whose two majestic volcanic peaks – the Gros and Petit Pitons – jut dramatically from sea to sky and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You will then set sail for Portsmouth in Dominica, a mountainous island where inland rivers and nature trails provide a glimpse into the intriguing flora and fauna of the island and – if you are lucky – the chance to see the nation’s national bird, the Sisserou Parrot. Do not miss the opportunity to sample some native chocolate from a local maker.
Continue north to Les Saintes, a small archipelago of Guadeloupe, a highly popular anchorage site with crystal-clear waters and fabulous seabeds where opportunities to enjoy the seascape abound. Snorkel, swim, or kayak in the shadow of the imposing 19th-century Fort Napoléon.
Your ship will then sail south to the archipelago of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Here, begin on the island of Bequia, where small, picturesque villages, unbelievably clear waters, and brightly colored coral reefs prove main attractions. Then, enjoy a day on your magnificent private beach on the island of Mayreau.
Continue to Saint George’s, the capital of Grenada, a hilly island of unspoiled beauty and the southernmost isle of the Lesser Antilles. Nicknamed the Spice Island, Grenada is home to a number of nutmeg plantations. The island boasts the pristine Grand Etang National Park, which you may choose to visit.
Anchor next in the Tobago Cays Marine Park. This circle of islands, bound together by arguably the most beautiful coral reef in the West Indies, will reveal its incredible underwater wildlife during your visit.
Le Champlain sails on to Bridgetown, Barbados, whose UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center reveals touches of its British colonial past around every corner. Toast the end of your cruise with a glass of the island’s famous rum as you relish the memories of your week at sea on this breathtaking stretch of the Caribbean! Your cruise ends back in Vieux Fort.
To further enhance your Caribbean odyssey, an experienced diving instructor will be on board for the entire cruise, enabling you to safely enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent). (Diving is at an additional cost.)
The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
- Luxury
- Smithsonian Journeys
| Inside | Outside | Balcony | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A |
$6,380.00
Cat: DEL $797.50 per night |
$9,630.00
Cat: DS4 $1,203.75 per night |
| More Pricing Information | |||
| Inside | Outside | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | ||
| Balcony | Suite | ||
|
$6,380.00
Cat: DEL $797.50 per night |
$9,630.00
Cat: DS4 $1,203.75 per night |
||
| More Pricing Information | |||
About Le Champlain
To the innovative and environmentally friendly equipment are added elegant design and a unique atmosphere in keeping with the whole PONANT universe. Your dream of a cruise onboard a cosily intimate ship is thus made possible through the combination of an authentically genuine voyage experience together with discreet luxury.
| GD5 | Grand Deluxe Suite | $11,300.00 USD |
| GD6 | Grand Deluxe Suite | $11,300.00 USD |
| PV5 | Privilege Suite | $10,970.00 USD |
| PV6 | Privilege Suite | $10,970.00 USD |
| PS6 | Prestige Suite | $10,700.00 USD |
| PS5 | Prestige Suite | $10,360.00 USD |
| DS3 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| DS4 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| DS5 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| DS6 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| PR6 | Prestige Stateroom | $7,180.00 USD |
| PR5 | Prestige Stateroom | $6,910.00 USD |
| PR4 | Prestige Stateroom | $6,710.00 USD |
| DEL | Deluxe Stateroom | $6,380.00 USD |
PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries that touch all corners of the globe. PONANT has been sailing the seas of the world for over 30 years. Every cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery—all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of the most remote regions.
Each year PONANT offers more than 400 awe-inspiring cruises onboard its 13 luxury small ships, which are able to easily navigate small waterways and visit remote destinations not accessible by large cruise ships. From Zodiac® landings in Antarctica to hikes in the Arctic, from immersion in Japanese culture and revisiting classic Europe, to the natural beauty of the Seychelles, PONANT presents these destinations—over 450 ports on all seven continents—through a new lens.
PONANT’s ships are not only the most elegant and most comfortable small vessels in the world today, they are also the most eco-friendly.
Each of PONANT's Sisterships, Explorer series, and Polar Expedition Yacht, Le Commandant Charcot, are certified “Clean Ships” by Bureau Veritas, one of the world’s foremost stewards of ecologically sound travel. These state-of-the-art systems and processes ensure that we can:
- Cut carbon emissions by 40% with a silent electric propulsion system.
- Keep in a fixed location on the seas without need of an anchor with a sophisticated GPS and propulsion system, called Dynamic Positioning.
- Conserve, filter, treat, and recycle all water we use.
- Treat wastewater with advanced filtration systems.
- Sort, compact, and store all wastes aboard for recycling ashore.
- Use CFR and LED lighting throughout ships, which uses just 10% of the electrical power of older systems.
- Keep our distance from marine animals via advanced sonar that provides the bridge with rolling 3D views of the ocean floor, icebergs, and ice floes.
From the second you set foot onboard, as your senses ignite and your taste for adventure engages, the “PONANT Difference” is palpable: our expeditions focus outwards, to what is happening beyond the ship. Nature is our entertainer. Discovery is our purpose. While on expedition there is always a larger intention.
That is not to say your comfort aboard the ship is overlooked; quite the contrary. Each of our 13 small expedition ships features understated elegance on board, with French-inspired cuisine, fine wines, and chic design. We are proud to partner with Sothys, Veuve Clicquot, and Ducasse Conseil to bring the highest-quality spa treatments, champagne, and culinary delights to you no matter where in the world we are anchored. The ships also feature fabrics by Pierre Frey, beauty products from Hermès, macarons by Ladurée, and tea from Palais des Thés, rounding out your luxury onboard experience.
PONANT’s legacy of over 30 years of excellence at sea is inspiring new alliances as well. PONANT is proud to partner with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, to offer a collection of unique travel experiences focused on culture, history, and the natural world. Each of these special cruises features Smithsonian Journeys Experts onboard, the secret ingredient that can create unforgettable travel experiences. Look for the PONANT | Smithsonian Journeys logo for these curated itineraries that celebrate our instinct to explore.
PONANT offers to you chic cruising without the crowds: experience the comfort of a private cruise onboard vessels of an intimate size, exclusive to between 64 to 264 guests.
Each of our cruise ships has elegant and uncluttered interiors, delight in the fun and casual elegance onboard without the formalities. Crew members, all versed in elegant discretion, will see to it that you enjoy a welcome that will make your cruise a unique experience. You will savor an exquisite dining with French and international cuisine, with complimentary wines included at lunch and dinner.
During your cruise aboard one of our ships, discover exceptional sites and come closed to landscapes so often inaccessible to large ships. Enjoy also seminars with international experts, passionate about their subjects, giving a further dimension to the sights you see.
PONANT offers to you an alternative to many other traditional cruise lines: discover the world with French chic and elegance.
To the innovative and environmentally friendly equipment are added elegant design and a unique atmosphere in keeping with the whole PONANT universe. Your dream of a cruise onboard a cosily intimate ship is thus made possible through the combination of an authentically genuine voyage experience together with discreet luxury.
| GD5 | Grand Deluxe Suite | $11,300.00 USD |
| GD6 | Grand Deluxe Suite | $11,300.00 USD |
| PV5 | Privilege Suite | $10,970.00 USD |
| PV6 | Privilege Suite | $10,970.00 USD |
| PS6 | Prestige Suite | $10,700.00 USD |
| PS5 | Prestige Suite | $10,360.00 USD |
| DS3 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| DS4 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| DS5 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| DS6 | Deluxe Suite | $9,630.00 USD |
| PR6 | Prestige Stateroom | $7,180.00 USD |
| PR5 | Prestige Stateroom | $6,910.00 USD |
| PR4 | Prestige Stateroom | $6,710.00 USD |
| DEL | Deluxe Stateroom | $6,380.00 USD |
PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries that touch all corners of the globe. PONANT has been sailing the seas of the world for over 30 years. Every cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery—all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of the most remote regions.
Each year PONANT offers more than 400 awe-inspiring cruises onboard its 13 luxury small ships, which are able to easily navigate small waterways and visit remote destinations not accessible by large cruise ships. From Zodiac® landings in Antarctica to hikes in the Arctic, from immersion in Japanese culture and revisiting classic Europe, to the natural beauty of the Seychelles, PONANT presents these destinations—over 450 ports on all seven continents—through a new lens.
PONANT’s ships are not only the most elegant and most comfortable small vessels in the world today, they are also the most eco-friendly.
Each of PONANT's Sisterships, Explorer series, and Polar Expedition Yacht, Le Commandant Charcot, are certified “Clean Ships” by Bureau Veritas, one of the world’s foremost stewards of ecologically sound travel. These state-of-the-art systems and processes ensure that we can:
- Cut carbon emissions by 40% with a silent electric propulsion system.
- Keep in a fixed location on the seas without need of an anchor with a sophisticated GPS and propulsion system, called Dynamic Positioning.
- Conserve, filter, treat, and recycle all water we use.
- Treat wastewater with advanced filtration systems.
- Sort, compact, and store all wastes aboard for recycling ashore.
- Use CFR and LED lighting throughout ships, which uses just 10% of the electrical power of older systems.
- Keep our distance from marine animals via advanced sonar that provides the bridge with rolling 3D views of the ocean floor, icebergs, and ice floes.
From the second you set foot onboard, as your senses ignite and your taste for adventure engages, the “PONANT Difference” is palpable: our expeditions focus outwards, to what is happening beyond the ship. Nature is our entertainer. Discovery is our purpose. While on expedition there is always a larger intention.
That is not to say your comfort aboard the ship is overlooked; quite the contrary. Each of our 13 small expedition ships features understated elegance on board, with French-inspired cuisine, fine wines, and chic design. We are proud to partner with Sothys, Veuve Clicquot, and Ducasse Conseil to bring the highest-quality spa treatments, champagne, and culinary delights to you no matter where in the world we are anchored. The ships also feature fabrics by Pierre Frey, beauty products from Hermès, macarons by Ladurée, and tea from Palais des Thés, rounding out your luxury onboard experience.
PONANT’s legacy of over 30 years of excellence at sea is inspiring new alliances as well. PONANT is proud to partner with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, to offer a collection of unique travel experiences focused on culture, history, and the natural world. Each of these special cruises features Smithsonian Journeys Experts onboard, the secret ingredient that can create unforgettable travel experiences. Look for the PONANT | Smithsonian Journeys logo for these curated itineraries that celebrate our instinct to explore.
PONANT offers to you chic cruising without the crowds: experience the comfort of a private cruise onboard vessels of an intimate size, exclusive to between 64 to 264 guests.
Each of our cruise ships has elegant and uncluttered interiors, delight in the fun and casual elegance onboard without the formalities. Crew members, all versed in elegant discretion, will see to it that you enjoy a welcome that will make your cruise a unique experience. You will savor an exquisite dining with French and international cuisine, with complimentary wines included at lunch and dinner.
During your cruise aboard one of our ships, discover exceptional sites and come closed to landscapes so often inaccessible to large ships. Enjoy also seminars with international experts, passionate about their subjects, giving a further dimension to the sights you see.
PONANT offers to you an alternative to many other traditional cruise lines: discover the world with French chic and elegance.
About Ponant
PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries that touch all corners of the globe. Every cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery—all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of extreme landscapes.
Why cruise with PONANT?
• 13 luxury small ships, able to easily navigate small waterways and visit remote destinations not accessible by large cruise ships.
• Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration yacht, sails further into the polar regions (including the Geographic North Pole).
• The youngest expedition fleet afloat.
• The leader in luxury polar expeditions for over 20 years and cultural cruising for over 30 years.
• Over 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents.
• Experts on board our voyages of discovery and learning to enrich guests’ understanding of the destinations.
• An exclusive partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, the the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution.
• Understated elegance on board with French-inspired cuisine, fine wines, and chic design.
• Proud to partner with Sothys, Veuve Clicquot, and Ducasse Conseil. Ships feature fabrics by Pierre Frey, beauty products from Hermès, macarons by Ladurée, and tea from Palais des Thés.
• 100% of our staterooms have a sea view and 95% have a balcony (100% on the PONANT EXPLORERS).
• Attentive yet discreet service from an experienced, multilingual onboard staff and crew.
• Open bridge access (requires approval from Captain).
• “Clean Ship” certification for the fleet in recognition of their eco-friendly features.
• All-inclusive pricing with open bar, gratuities, port fees, and taxes (including Zodiac explorations/landings on expeditions).
• The world’s first underwater passenger lounge, the Blue Eye, featured exclusively on the PONANT EXPLORER ships.
About Ponant
PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries that touch all corners of the globe. Every cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery—all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of extreme landscapes.
Why cruise with PONANT?
• 13 luxury small ships, able to easily navigate small waterways and visit remote destinations not accessible by large cruise ships.
• Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration yacht, sails further into the polar regions (including the Geographic North Pole).
• The youngest expedition fleet afloat.
• The leader in luxury polar expeditions for over 20 years and cultural cruising for over 30 years.
• Over 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents.
• Experts on board our voyages of discovery and learning to enrich guests’ understanding of the destinations.
• An exclusive partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, the the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution.
• Understated elegance on board with French-inspired cuisine, fine wines, and chic design.
• Proud to partner with Sothys, Veuve Clicquot, and Ducasse Conseil. Ships feature fabrics by Pierre Frey, beauty products from Hermès, macarons by Ladurée, and tea from Palais des Thés.
• 100% of our staterooms have a sea view and 95% have a balcony (100% on the PONANT EXPLORERS).
• Attentive yet discreet service from an experienced, multilingual onboard staff and crew.
• Open bridge access (requires approval from Captain).
• “Clean Ship” certification for the fleet in recognition of their eco-friendly features.
• All-inclusive pricing with open bar, gratuities, port fees, and taxes (including Zodiac explorations/landings on expeditions).
• The world’s first underwater passenger lounge, the Blue Eye, featured exclusively on the PONANT EXPLORER ships.
