Ponant Explorations is expanding its partnership with Smithsonian Journeys by adding 15 additional voyages to the roster, completing a global collection of 36 expedition sailings.
Each itinerary features two Smithsonian Journeys experts who provide onboard lectures and destination insights, while every sailing includes at least one shore excursion in each port of call and airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days.
New Itineraries: Costa Rica and the Adriatic
Among the new offerings is Costa Rica by Sea: Wildlife and Rainforests of the Pacific Coast, a 7-night voyage aboard Le Bougainville departing Feb. 16, 2028. Sailing round-trip from Puntarenas, the itinerary explores Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline, including the biodiverse Osa Peninsula and Manuel Antonio National Park, with opportunities to spot scarlet macaws, sloths, squirrel monkeys and other wildlife.
Also debuting is Sailing the Adriatic: Treasures of Eastern Italy and Sicily, an 8-night cruise aboard Le Dumont d’Urville departing Sept. 27, 2028. The voyage sails from Venice to Valletta, Malta, visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites and cultural landmarks, including Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics, Alberobello’s iconic trulli houses and Sicily’s Greek theaters and Baroque architecture.
“Travel, when guided by genuine expertise and sincere curiosity, has the power to change how we see the world,” said Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of the Americas, in a media statement. “Since 2022, our alliance with Smithsonian Journeys has provided travelers with an ever-richer lens through which to experience destinations that have long held intrigue and fascination.”
Returning for 2028 are several popular itineraries, including Treasures of Japan and South Korea by Sea, Iceland Voyage: Land of Fire and Ice, and Fall Foliage on the St. Lawrence: Québec to the Canadian Maritimes, offering advisors a mix of cultural, wildlife and seasonal experiences across Asia, the Arctic and North America.
The expanded program reflects growing demand for small-ship voyages that combine destination immersion with expert-led enrichment, giving advisors additional options for clients seeking educational and experience-driven travel.
For more information, visit us.ponant.com.
