From hidden coves in the Indian Ocean to the Antarctic Peninsula by way of the Orinoco, Compagnie du Ponant's Winter 2009/2010 programme boasts an enticing choice of destinations just waiting to be discovered.
The three-masted, 64-passenger Le Ponant sails to the heart of the Mediterranean between Libya and Egypt in November, before heading to the Middle East (Sultanate of Oman, United Arab Emirates) and south of India in January 2010.
Landmark destinations also include the Maldives (three cruises in January 2010) and the lesser-known islands of the Seychelles, with six departures between January and March 2010.
Cruise fares lead in at £1,707pp, including port taxes for a six-night voyage from Alexandria to Aqaba, departing November 20.
Meanwhile, the 90-passenger yacht Le Levant will be exploring the Amazon and the Caribbean (December 2009 and March 2010). Four cruises are sailing down the Orinoco into the heart of the tropical forest to meet the Warao Indians. Spring 2010 will be spent in the Mediterranean, in Italy and Greece (April).
Cruise fares lead in at £2,162pp, including port taxes for a six-night voyage, from Fort de France to Fort de France, departing March 10, 2010, calling at Les Saintes, Marie Galante, Basse Terre and Deshaies (Guadeloupe); Antigua, St Barthelemy (French West Indies); and Roseau (Dominica).
Finally, the 226-passenger cruise ship Le Diamant ventures into the land of extremes with five cruises dedicated to South Georgia and the Antarctic (December 2009 to February 2010), with the opportunity for passengers to discover the first whaling station and the museum of Grytviken which is also home to the tomb of the famous navigator Shackleton.
During outings in the Zodiacs, there will be plenty of opportunities to get close to royal penguins and the incredible wildlife which populates the white continent, Chile, Peru and Ecuador. The ship returns via South America's west coast, passing through the Panama Canal (February, March 2010) to reach the Old Continent in the Spring (cruises in Spain, Italy and France).
Cruise fares lead in at £2,841pp , including port taxes for a ten-night voyage, from Ushuaia to Ushuaia (five departures between December 2009 and February 2010).
From May 2010 other itineraries to places like the Baltic, The Black Sea, Dalmatian Coast, Iceland, Amazon River will be added, with the arrival of new luxury yacht Le Boreal.
For inquiries and reservations call 020 7292 2387 or visit the Du Ponant website
