Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys have unveiled a striking new lineup of luxury small-ship cruises for 2027, featuring a standout itinerary centred on the upcoming solar eclipse.
The standout is the eight‑night sailing titled “A Solar Eclipse at Sea: Voyage Along the Iberian Peninsula.” Departing from Lisbon on July 30, 2027, aboard Le Boréal, the round‑trip cruise will visit destinations including Portimão and Figueira da Foz in Portugal, and Marbella and Cádiz in Spain. Onboard will be two experts from Smithsonian Institution to guide passengers through the celestial event, including Jim Zimbelman, senior geologist emeritus from the institution’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.
Passengers will witness the eclipse from Le Boréal, a 264-passenger ship with two dining options, an outdoor lounge bar, a pool, a spa, and a range of other amenities. Rates for the voyage begin at $9,460 per guest.
The expanded partnership between Ponant Explorations and Smithsonian Journeys brings 35 new ocean voyages to the calendar — many combining luxury, comfort and expert‑led enrichment programs.
“These in-demand voyages blend the line’s 35-plus years of expertise with the Smithsonian Institution’s 179 years of research and knowledge, taking travellers to all seven continents with world-class experts in culture, history, science, art, and more,” Ponant Explorations wrote in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.
Among the other offerings are a 10‑night “Baja and the Sea of Cortez: In Search of the Great Whales” trip departing February 10, round-trip from Cabo San Lucas, featuring lectures by a marine biologist and a conservation biologist. An eight‑night “Treasures of Japan and South Korea by Sea,” which sails from Busan to Osaka, with planned visits to cultural landmarks such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Itsukushima Shrine and Bulguksa Temple. Other itineraries include Mediterranean island voyages, visiting Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and Elba, Baltic Sea historical-city cruises, voyages through North America’s Great Lakes, and an Antarctic expedition, exploring the White Continent in 10 nights.
The lineup features a diverse selection of itineraries:
- Cruising the Aegean: Turkey and the Greek Isles – 8 nights, Oct. 14–21, 2027, Istanbul to Athens; highlights: Troy, Ephesus, Mycenae, ports of Paros, Patmos, and Nafplio; fares from $6,660 per person.
- Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – 8 nights, July 6–13 & Sept. 8–15, 2027; highlights: Patmos, Delos, Dodecanese and Cyclades islands, traditional villages, stunning Aegean scenery; fares from $6,240 per person.
- Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean – 11 nights, Jan. 31–Feb. 10, 2027; highlights: Seychelles and Madagascar islands, marine protected areas, snorkeling, tortoises, coco-de-mer palms, black lemurs; fares from $12,540 per person.
- South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope – 11 nights, Feb. 21–March 3, 2027, Durban to southern Namibia; highlights: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, safaris, historic Namibian towns; fares from $8,530 per person.
- Voyage to Indonesia: Dragons, Reefs, and the Spice Islands – 12–13 nights, May 15–26, 2027; highlights: Bali, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Archipelago, West Papua, Komodo dragons, snorkeling reefs, spice trade history; fares from $9,220 per person.
Each sailing includes two onboard experts who lead lectures and informal discussions aimed at deepening travellers’ understanding of the destination’s culture, history, science, and natural environment, creating an experience that goes beyond typical luxury cruising. This immersive approach continues ashore through curated excursions at every port, with airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days included, ensuring a seamless journey from start to finish.
“We are delighted to present this expansive collection of small-ship journeys across all seven continents in collaboration with PONANT. Our travelers desire quality experiences that are both enriching and immersive, and our 2027 collection aboard PONANT’S ships of refined luxury and relaxed comfort deliver that expertly,” said Walter Littlejohn III, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys.
With this expanded 2027 collection, Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys offer travellers the chance to combine luxury cruising with engaging cultural, historical, and natural experiences. From witnessing a rare solar eclipse at sea to exploring remote polar regions, vibrant Asian ports, and historic European cities, each voyage pairs comfort and expert guidance with unforgettable destinations, redefining the small-ship exploration experience.
