Ponant Explorations Expands Smithsonian Journeys Partnership with 15 New Voyages in 2028
The alliance now offers a portfolio of 36 small-ship voyages across all seven continents.
Photo: Courtesy of Ponant
Ponant Explorations has unveiled 15 new voyages in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys for 2028, expanding the alliance’s portfolio to 36 small-ship itineraries spanning all seven continents. The new sailings will take travelers from the Mediterranean and Asia to Costa Rica, the Canadian Maritimes, and the Arctic.
The additions build on the collaboration launched in 2022 between the luxury expedition cruise line and Smithsonian Journeys, pairing Ponant’s exploration-focused voyages with educational programming led by Smithsonian experts.
Among the additions are two brand-new itineraries debuting in 2028.
The first, Costa Rica by Sea: Wildlife and Rainforests of the Pacific Coast, departs Feb. 16 aboard Le Bougainville for a seven-night round-trip voyage from Puntarenas. The itinerary explores Costa Rica’s protected Pacific coastline, including the biodiversity-rich Osa Peninsula and Manuel Antonio National Park, with opportunities to observe wildlife such as scarlet macaws, sloths, and squirrel monkeys.
The second new itinerary, Sailing the Adriatic: Treasures of Eastern Italy and Sicily, departs Sept. 27 aboard Le Dumont d’Urville for an eight-night voyage from Venice to Valletta, Malta. The sailing highlights UNESCO World Heritage sites along Italy’s Adriatic coast, including Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics, Urbino’s Renaissance landmarks, Alberobello’s trulli houses, and Sicily’s Baroque cities and ancient Greek theaters.
The expanded program also brings back several popular itineraries for 2028.
Highlights include an eight-night voyage between South Korea and Japan aboard Le Soléal, exploring cultural landmarks from Busan to Osaka; a Mediterranean sailing visiting Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba; a circumnavigation of Iceland featuring glaciers, volcanoes, and whale-watching opportunities; and Baltic Sea itineraries linking Copenhagen and Helsinki with calls in Visby, Tallinn, and Gdansk.
The collection also includes Greek Islands cruises through the Southern Aegean, visiting destinations such as Santorini, Delos, and Mykonos, as well as a 12-night Fall Foliage on the St. Lawrence: Québec to the Canadian Maritimes voyage departing Oct. 1 aboard Le Bellot. The itinerary sails from Toronto to Boston, calling in Montreal, Québec City, Tadoussac, Charlottetown, Lunenburg, and Portland during the region’s autumn foliage season.
All Smithsonian Journeys departures include at least one shore excursion or activity in every port, along with airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days.
The new sailings are now open for booking as part of Ponant Exploration’s 2028 collection.
