For luxury travellers who prefer their holidays with a little more depth, PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ expanded 2028 programme is a very appealing proposition. The line is adding 15 new voyages in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, bringing the total collection to 36 itineraries and giving guests access to elegant small-ship travel with serious intellectual and cultural weight.
Travel with context
What makes this partnership stand out is the onboard expertise. Each voyage includes two Smithsonian Journeys experts, adding stories, science and historical perspective to destinations that already feel rich in atmosphere and meaning. That kind of enrichment turns a beautiful sailing into something more memorable, especially for travellers who like to come home with more than photographs.
The format also suits the luxury market beautifully: included shore excursions or activities in every port, plus seamless airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days. It is polished, practical and quietly indulgent, which is exactly what many high-end travellers are looking for right now.
New itineraries
Two new voyages lead the 2028 expansion. “Costa Rica by Sea: Wildlife and Rainforests of the Pacific Coast” departs 16 February 2028 round-trip from Puntarenas aboard Le Bougainville, with an itinerary focused on biodiversity, rainforest landscapes and wildlife-rich protected areas.
The second highlight is “Sailing the Adriatic: Treasures of Eastern Italy and Sicily,” departing 27 September 2028 from Venice to Valletta aboard Le Dumont d’Urville. This voyage threads together UNESCO-listed cities and cultural landmarks, from Byzantine mosaics and Renaissance art to Sicilian Baroque and ancient theatres.
Why it suits luxury travellers
PONANT’s strength has always been intimacy, and that quality matters even more when the voyage is designed to feel thoughtful rather than transactional. These itineraries invite travellers to linger, listen and learn, while still enjoying the comforts of a refined small ship.
For guests who value destination immersion, that combination is hard to beat. You are not simply visiting Costa Rica, Italy or Malta; you are being guided through them by people who can make the places feel alive.
Returning favourites
Beyond the new departures, the 2028 collection also brings back popular sailings such as Japan and South Korea, Iceland, the Baltic Sea, the Greek Islands and autumn on the St. Lawrence. That mix gives travellers a broad menu of destinations while preserving the same expert-led approach across the programme.
For luxury cruise fans, the message is clear: PONANT is doubling down on voyages that combine style, insight and a sense of discovery. It is the sort of travel that feels both elevated and genuinely enriching.
Book direct
For more information or to book, visit PONANT EXPLORATIONS.
