PONANT & PAUL GAUGUIN
Some of the most interesting corners of the world simply aren't built for large ships. PONANT and its sister brand, Paul Gauguin Cruises, are designed for exactly those places — the Mediterranean's smaller harbors, the Caribbean's quieter islands, the lagoons of French Polynesia.
Both are small-ship lines, built for guests who want to actually arrive somewhere, not just look at it from a distance.
Small Ships. Remarkable Places.
PONANT
PONANT's explorer ships carry around 180 guests — small enough to dock where larger ships can't, large enough to offer real stability at sea. Every sailing is all-inclusive: dining, beverages, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions are built into the fare, with a premium drink package available for guests who want top-shelf pours.
PONANT sails the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, with itineraries built around depth rather than distance — fewer ports, more time in each one. The same ships also carry guests further afield on true expedition voyages — the Arctic, Antarctica, and other remote destinations most ships never reach — with onboard naturalists and expedition teams to guide the experience.
For clients concerned about Turkey stops: PONANT's ships are French-flagged, and non-EU-flagged ships doing a round-trip within Greece are required by maritime cabotage law to include at least one foreign port — Turkey is often that stop. PONANT also offers select itineraries — including a 10-night route from Italy to Greece — built specifically to avoid it. If this matters to you, let me know and I'll find a sailing that fits.
Smithsonian Journeys: On select sailings, PONANT partners with the Smithsonian Institution for enrichment programming conducted entirely in English — a details-driven experience for travelers who want context, not just scenery.
Greek Islands, without the Turkey stop: PONANT's Southern Aegean sailing — a Smithsonian Journeys partnership voyage with onboard experts and included excursions in every port — threads together Athens, Nafplion, Delos, Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Amorgos, and Santorini, entirely within Greek waters.
PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES
Paul Gauguin is PONANT's French Polynesia brand — a single ship built for Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the islands around them, carrying about 330 guests. The onboard culture leans casual rather than formal, with a Tahitian crew who bring genuine local perspective to every stop.
Most North American travelers connect through San Francisco or Los Angeles. The climate stays warm year-round, with the wetter stretch typically falling in February and March.
Traveling Solo
Both brands are solo-traveler friendly, and PONANT offers reduced single supplements on select sailings. If you've been putting off a trip because you don't have a travel partner, this is worth a conversation.
Intrigued? Let's do it!