Credit: PONANT, Julien Fabro

PONANT Explorations is preparing for its most comprehensive Central America and Caribbean season to date, with a robust deployment of 48 voyages across 11 itineraries from November 2026 through April 2027.

The collection includes 34 Caribbean voyages and 14 Central American sailings, offering Canadian travellers new opportunities for close-to-home luxury exploration.

Voyages will sail aboard four of the line’s 13 ships from the PONANT Explorers series, including Le Bellot, Le Bougainville and Le Lapérouse – each accommodating just 184 guests – and the iconic three-masted yacht Le Ponant.

Onboard, travellers enjoy all-inclusive fares, elegantly appointed accommodations, wellness areas and cuisine curated in partnership with DUCASSE Conseil. All fares include shore excursions in every port, and Smithsonian Journeys sailings also include roundtrip airport transfers.

Smithsonian Journeys collaborations

Continuing its successful partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, PONANT will operate two culturally enriched voyages curated for English-speaking travellers. These sailings include onboard lectures by two Smithsonian Experts and a featured excursion or activity in each port of call. Airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days are included.

• Panama & Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America with Smithsonian Journeys (7 nights, 1 departure) sails from Puntarenas to Colón and features a private visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center, led by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute staff.
• Cruising the Caribbean’s Windward Islands with Smithsonian Journeys (7 nights, 1 departure) is a roundtrip voyage from Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, and highlights include UNESCO-listed sites like the Pitons and Historic Bridgetown in Barbados.

Central America Voyages

These expeditions spotlight biodiversity and natural heritage through guided activities such as Zodiac excursions, forest hikes and cultural encounters with Indigenous communities.

• Pacific Coast of Costa Rica (7 nights, 3 departures, roundtrip Puntarenas) explores multiple national parks including Manuel Antonio and Curú.
• Secrets of Central America (10 nights, 8 departures) features visits to Darién National Park, the Curú Wildlife Refuge, and scenic Panama Canal transits.
• Central America Jewels & Panama Canal (7 nights, 2 departures) offers a blend of tropical forests and cultural discovery between Colón and Puntarenas.

Caribbean itineraries

With 34 voyages across a broad selection of islands, PONANT’s Caribbean sailings go beyond the usual stops to focus on lesser-known locales and authentic cultural immersion. Many are operated aboard Le Ponant, offering a refined experience with gourmet cuisine and high crew-to-guest ratios.

• Reverie Under Sail in the Heart of the Lesser Antilles (7 nights, 4 departures) explores the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.
• Gliding the Waters of the Windward Islands (7 nights, 4 departures) travels from Guadeloupe to Saint Lucia via Dominica and Tobago Cays.
• History and Culture Visiting Caribbean Jewels (7 nights, 9 departures) runs between Marigot and Pointe-à-Pitre, featuring visits to Les Saintes and UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard.
• Pearls of the Caribbean (7 nights, 9 departures, roundtrip Fort-de-France) covers Saint Lucia, Tobago Cays, and Bequia Island.
• Wonders of the Caribbean (7 nights, 4 departures) includes stops in Antigua and the British Virgin Islands.
• Natural Sanctuaries & Heritage of the Caribbean  (9 nights, 1 departure) links Willemstad to Colón, with expert-led visits to Cartagena de Indias and Portobelo.
• Panama, Colombia & Caribbean Islands (12 nights, 2 departures) covers UNESCO heritage sites and natural highlights across the San Blas Islands, Bonaire, and Santa Marta.

Reservations for the 2026–2027 Central America and Caribbean season are now open. Visit us.ponant.com.

Source: Travelweek