Explore to inspire, a PONANT podcast
PONANT's cruises
10 inspiring experiences at the end of the world
What if 2026 were a year of special experiences that change your life by filling it with new wonders? In Japan, the Arctic, Polynesia or the Mediterranean, a world of authentic and unexpected experiences awaits you. This is your invitation to take the time to explore the world’s most beautiful shores.
Celebrate Japanese deities
Step into Japanese mythology at a kagura performance in Miyazaki, on the south coast of the island of Kyūshū. This peaceful seaside town, home to the descendants of the gods, is considered to be the cradle of Japan. Surrounded by a forest of majestic cedars, the shrine of Miyazaki-jingū is dedicated to Japan’s first emperor and hosts the ancestral ritual of kagura, a Shintō theatrical dance celebrating the gods. Traditional masks, colourful costumes, flutes, drums and cymbals bring the founding myths to life as part of a captivating show.
Discover the secret valleys of the Marquesas
To the north of the island of Hiva Oa, follow the only road, lined with deep green vegetation, down the narrow valley to the seashore: you’re in the village of Hanaiapa, one of the Marquesas‘ best-kept secrets. This peaceful bay where time seems to stand still is surrounded by the shimmering colours of tropical flowers and the blue of the Pacific. Away from the crowds, hear the legends of a people dating back to ancient times, as we know from the drawings engraved in the stone of the Hakaiki rock. On the beach, lulled by the gentle breeze, you feel like you are getting back to what truly matters.
Combine science and exploration at the North Pole
Endow your journey with real meaning and get ready for extraordinary exploration of the North Pole with ice researchers. Aboard the Commandant Charcot, PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ polar exploration ship – the only one of its kind in the world – a polar odyssey awaits you. Imagine sailing through the immensity of the pack ice as far as 90th parallel north. It is a privilege but also a real scientific experience. On board this ship, where two laboratories are dedicated to science, you’ll be on board with teams of glaciologists, biologists and oceanologists and more. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain a better understanding of our planet and the issues it faces.
Learn to live on an ice floe in Greenland
A mosaic of whites and blues, an infinite array of shapes and lights, Greenland’s coastal ice offers an extraordinary sight in spring. In this relatively unexplored territory, in the heart of the ice of the transpolar drift stream, monumental icebergs and sharp boulders bear witness to the raw beauty of the Arctic. At the entrance to Scoresby Sund and its majestic fjords stand the colourful houses of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most isolated villages in the world. Meet the Inuit communities: these last Polar hunters can guide you on the pack ice to discover their way of life and traditions.
Admire the stars in the Mediterranean
On 12 August 2026, part of Spain and the Mediterranean will get a view of a total solar eclipse. Seize the opportunity to witness this remarkably intense spectacle aboard a ship gliding on the calmest of seas off the Balearic Islands. For a few moments – less than two minutes – night will take over midsummer, the stars will be revealed and the sun’s corona will appear in an almost unbelievable sight. The open sea offers ideal conditions to appreciate this celestial phenomenon, far from any light pollution.
Venture to the far north of Canada
If you’re looking for wilderness and spectacular scenery, head for the Labrador region in north-east Canada A sense of adventure awaits you in the Torngat Mountains dotted with jagged peaks, deep fjords, lakes and glaciers. Perhaps you will be able to spot bears seals, caribou, musk oxen and other examples of its abundant wildlife. But don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the culture of the First Nations by visiting villages such as Nain or Rigolet.
Explore the twists and turns of the Northwest Passage
Between the Atlantic and the Pacific, the Northwest Passage remains one of the most legendary maritime routes on the planet. You’ll be following the route that European navigators from Franklin to Amundsen have long sought, through a labyrinth of islands, straits and drifting pack ice. From the coasts of Greenland to the Bering Strait, iceberg encounters to wildlife spotting, a real adventure awaits you in which nature sets the pace.
Be dazzled by wildlife in Playa Mantas
On the Pacific coast of Costa Rica Playa Mantas boasts a picture-postcard setting of turquoise waters and fine sand. Listen carefully: above the murmur of the waves, you can hear the powerful calls of the famous scarlet macaws, tropical forest icons. Bordered by the dense vegetation of the Carara National Park, this beach is the gateway to fantastic wildlife encounters. The trails are home to howler monkeys and capuchins, sloths, jaguars, iguanas and much more. And let’s not forget the crocodiles lounging on the banks of the River Tárcoles.
Costa Rica instantly immerses you in lush, vibrant nature. Some people cry when they hear their first family of howler monkeys or see their first pair of scarlet macaws perched in their nest (a rare sight).
Caroline Sanchez, Expedition Manager at PONANT EXPLORATIONS
Stroke grey whales in Baja California
Get ready for an unforgettable encounter. As you glide across the water in a small boat, a column of water suddenly bursts forth. Beneath the surface appears the massive silhouette of a grey whale, a 15-metre long colossus of the sea. Its head emerges, disappears, then comes so close that you can stroke it. It’s an intense and moving moment, a rare experience that you can enjoy along the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico. Between December and April, these cetaceans come to breed in the warm, shallow waters of the lagoons, including Guerrero Negro, renowned for its large grey whale population.
The grey whale is just a few metres away from me, its head tilted back, watching me from under the water. We look at each other, and it rests the top of its head on my hand: time stands still…
José Sarica, Director of the Expedition Experience at PONANT EXPLORATIONS, on his scouting trip to Baja California
Plunge into the heart of contemporary creativity in Venice
From 9 May to 22 November 2026, the Biennale of Contemporary Art in Venice once again promises to be one of the art world’s major cultural events. Stroll through the Giardini and Arsenale spaces, where monumental installations, multiform works and performances by thought-provoking artists are on display. This immersive taste of the international art scene will be amplified at Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana, the iconic venues for the Pinault Collection. This is a masterly setting for one of the most important private collections of contemporary art in the world.
Photo credits: ©PONANT/Julien Fabro; ©StudioPONANT/Thibault Garnier; Margot Sib; Olivier Blaud; Guillaume Robin; ©PONANT Photo Ambassador/Sue Flood; iStock
Let PONANT take you there
Enjoy some of the finest travel experiences on an unforgettable cruise
