Ponant Introduces Expert-Led Themed Voyages for 2026
Six new itineraries pair marquee experts with rare access across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Photo: Courtesy of Ponant
Ponant has unveiled six themed voyages for 2026, each built around food, wine, art, music, or world affairs and anchored by experts with significant reputations in their fields.
Highlights include Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart leading a Greek Isles sailing with onboard and shoreside performances, Paris Opera Ballet dancers performing and teaching aboard Le Boréal, and Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, framing a Copenhagen–London itinerary with daily briefings on Europe’s evolving political landscape.
On the gastronomy front, Sicilian food historian Fabrizia Lanza, winemaker Laetitia Ouspointour, and chef Denny Imbroisi headline a round-trip Valletta voyage focused on Sicily’s culinary heritage. Art-focused sailings feature private access to Pinault Collection sites in Venice during the 61st Biennale and the company of Christie’s specialists, including Kathryn Widing, Ottavia Marchitelli, and G. Max Bernheimer.
By enlisting high-profile figures and securing exclusive venue access, Ponant is distinguishing these sailings from standard enrichment programs. Two full days at the Venice Biennale, cooking classes tied to Sicily’s history, and live ballet performances on shore take sightseeing beyond the conventional to frame the destination through expert interpretation.
The voyages cover the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with fares ranging from approximately $7,500 to $9,200 per person, inclusive of all expenses. Each sailing includes a shore excursion in every port, round-trip transfers, and onboard dining curated with Ducasse Conseil. Ships in the program carry Ponant’s hallmark: They are small enough to dock near historic centers, while offering French-accented service and suites with private balconies.
For Ponant, the 2026 portfolio extends the line’s investment in themed programming, first introduced several years ago, and reinforces its position in the high-end small-ship segment. The approach leverages the line’s scale to offer access that larger vessels cannot, whether it’s a Biennale gala, an intimate concert, or a tasting led by experts whose careers extend far beyond the cruise industry.
