The Travel Suite Experience Ponant Cruises – Le Boreal – Luxury Cruising

On Wednesday this week we were fortunate to experience one of the beautiful Ponant Ship’s Le Boreal in Dublin, what a treat to experience.

Ponant Cruises is a French cruise line specializing in luxury expeditions to destinations around the world. Here are some key points about Ponant:

1. History: Founded in 1988 by Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen officers from the French Merchant Navy, Ponant started with a single ship and has since grown to a fleet of luxury vessels

2. Luxury Expeditions: Ponant offers luxury expedition cruises to destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Their ships are smaller in size compared to mainstream cruise lines, allowing for more intimate experiences and access to smaller ports and remote destinations.

3. Fleet: As of my last update, Ponant’s fleet consisted of small luxury expedition ships, including vessels like Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Lyrial, Le Soléal, and Le Lapérouse. These ships are designed to offer comfort and elegance while also being equipped for expedition-style travel.

4. Focus on Environment: Ponant places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. Their ships are equipped with the latest eco-friendly technologies, and they adhere to strict environmental standards in their operations.

5. Cultural Immersion: In addition to exploring natural wonders, Ponant cruises often include cultural experiences, such as visits to local communities, guided tours of historical sites, and onboard lectures by experts in various fields.

6. Gastronomy: Ponant is known for its exceptional dining experiences, featuring gourmet cuisine prepared by talented chefs using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

7. Onboard Experience: Guests on Ponant cruises can expect personalized service, elegant accommodations, and a range of onboard amenities, including lounges, bars, a spa, fitness center, and sometimes even a pool.

8. Partnerships: Ponant has partnered with various organizations and institutions to enhance the educational and scientific aspects of their expeditions. These partnerships often involve researchers, naturalists, and other experts who accompany cruises to provide insights into the destinations visited.

Did you know – Ponant Cruises have over 170 Sailings with No Single Supplement?

Did You also know that Ponant will offer you the same benefits you have with other  loyalty programmes with other Cruiseslines !

More details here

Ponant have lots of amazing offers – check out the stunning 7 Night Natural wonders and cultural jewels of Dalmatia itinerary  with a lead in price of €4255 pp

Venice – Dubrovnik  L’AUSTRAL

AUGUST 8, 2025 – VENICE

Embarkation 8/8/2025 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure 8/8/2025 at 6:00 PM

Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.

Rovinj

AUGUST 9, 2025 – ROVINJ

Arrival 8/9/2025 early morning
Departure 8/9/2025 early evening

Rovinj is located in Istria, a region bordering Slovenia. This becomes apparent as you walk through its old cobblestoned town. There are many monuments of Venetian influence here. If you study the Balbi arch, you will see the winged lion, symbol of Venice. The bell-tower erected beside Saint Euphemia Cathedral was designed like the bell of Saint Mark in Venice. From the top of the tower, you can scan the entire historical district. To absorb its quaint atmosphere, take a walk in the ochre and sepia-coloured streets leading to bustling squares and terraces shaded by canvas awnings.

2 available excursions to this stopover

Zadar
AUGUST 10, 2025 – ZADAR

Arrival 8/10/2025 early morning
Departure 8/10/2025 late afternoon

The old fortified city of Zadar stands on peninsula in Northern Dalmatia. It has survived since Antiquity, as the ruins of a Roman forum illustrate. Beside these ruins, the architecture of the church of Saint Donat is Byzantine while the bell-tower of the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia is of Italian design. Your walks in the old town will be punctuated by diverse encounters with history. As you reach the shoreline, you’ll be brought back to modern day because this front is animated by two contemporary architectural creations. Maybe you will hear the sound of the “Sea Organ” music played by the surf and the “ Sun Salutations ” solar light installation reflecting its luminous rays.

Primosten
AUGUST 11, 2025 – PRIMOSTEN

Arrival 8/11/2025 early morning
Departure 8/11/2025 midday

Located south of Sibenik, Primosten is a picturesque village on the Dalmatian Coast, whose charm is distilled, via its narrow streets, through pretty stone houses and an architectural heritage influenced by the Venetian Republic. Built on a rocky peninsula, the historic city was connected to land by a mobile bridge from which it earned its name in the 16th century: in Croatian, primostiti means “to bridge”. The high point of the village, the Church of St. George watches over the stunning bay enveloped in crystal-clear waters while, to the north of the peninsula, the charming beach of Raduca reveals itself between the skies and the pine forest. Further on, the vines of the renowned babić varietal, protected from erosion by low stone walls, complete this idyllic setting.

Split
AUGUST 11, 2025 – SPLIT

Arrival 8/11/2025 early afternoon
Departure 8/11/2025 late evening

On the Dalmatian coast, the town of Split offers cultural visits in a seaside atmosphere. Close to the seafront shaded by palm trees, the historical centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts a unique building: the Diocletian’s Palace. Here you will explore its galleries, courtyards with carved columns, as well as a former mausoleum converted into a church, namely Saint Domnius Cathedral. If you get peckish, stop off at a terrace in the Pjaca, the main square in the old town, where you can try a palacinka, a kind of pancake topped with melted cheese.

1 available excursion to this stopover

Hvar
AUGUST 12, 2025 – HVAR

Arrival 8/12/2025 early morning
Departure 8/12/2025 late evening

Off the coast of Split, Hvar will surprise you by its traditions that have not changed since Antiquity. The country’s oldest town, Stari Grad, is here on this Dalmatian Island. The town nestles by a cove on the north-west coast, surrounded by dry stone wall structures on the Stari Grad plains. These have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because they were built in the time of the Ancient Greeks. From these parcels of land come wines and olive oil manufactured manually. In the upper part of town, it is possible to discover hams and cheeses made by local producers.

1 available excursion to this stopover

Korcula
AUGUST 13, 2025 – KORCULA

Arrival 8/13/2025 early morning
Departure 8/13/2025 late afternoon

This harbour town has a very special location, presiding on a spur on the north-eastern coast of the island of Korçula. The ramparts in its medieval district provide perfect vantage points over the Pelješac peninsula. To get there, you can take the monumental staircase in the Revelin Tower. Another way is to climb the steps in the shade of palm trees from the MorskaVrata (Marine portal). As you make your way through the little streets, you’ll see the bell-tower of Saint Mark’s cathedral rise above you. This landmark will help you locate the house where Marco Polo was born. The island also has some of its own famous wines like the red Plavac and the white Posip.

1 available excursion to this stopover

Kotor
AUGUST 14, 2025 – KOTOR

Arrival 8/14/2025 early morning
Departure 8/14/2025 mid afternoon

Situated in one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays, the medieval city of Kotor is a small town full of charm, truly imbued with the traditions and stories of another time. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, this village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has preserved many historical monuments from this epoch. During your stop, be sure to admire the impressive castle that dominates the town, and let yourself fall under the charm of its maze of small streets and intimate squares on which folk festivals featuring magnificent colourful costumes are often organised.

1 available excursion to this stopover

Dubrovnik
AUGUST 15, 2025 – DUBROVNIK

Arrival 8/15/2025
Disembarkation 8/15/2025 at 8:00 AM

Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as you walk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.

Overall, Ponant Cruises offers a unique blend of luxury and adventure, catering to travelers who seek immersive experiences in some of the world’s most remote and beautiful regions.

Contact our Cruise Experts to help you plan the right cruise for you.

holidays@thetravelsuite.ie