Ponant announces 2026 voyages in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys! From brand-new itineraries to guest favorites, we’re offering a variety of destinations to explore. You can sample the delicious treats of Vietnam, snorkel and swim in Indonesia’s stunning waters, discover the age-old history of the Mediterranean, and so much more. Plus, each of these departures features two Smithsonian Journeys Experts–the likes of art historians, archaeologists, and astrophysicists–who are sure to intrigue the lifelong learner in you.
Here are two examples of Smithsonian sailings :
COASTAL VIETNAM BY SEA - SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG
14 nights on board Le Jacques Cartier, February 8-22, 2026
Guests visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the My Son temples, Ha Long Bay, the Imperial City of Hue, and the Ancient City of Hội An; savor the delicious local cuisine in multiple ports of call; and enjoy the local crafts from markets in Nha Trang and Da Nang.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
For most of its existence, Vietnam has lived in the shadow of China or been subject to Western domination, first by the French and then by the Americans. But since the 1980s, it has emerged as a growing economy, striving to become one of the economic tigers of Southeast Asia. This 15-day voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong invites you to experience the many sides of Vietnam, from the ancient civilizations of Cham and Khmer, through Chinese influence and French colonialism, to the present day.
Sailing from Singapore through the South China Sea, your first port of call after a day and a half at sea is in the Côn Đảo Islands, located about 60 miles off the southern coast of Vietnam. Once known primarily as home to the "Tiger Cells," one of the most brutal prisons in history, it is now visited for its picturesque fishing villages overlooking a sparkling sea. You may choose to focus on the island's history on a tour that includes a historical museum, the prison, and a visit to the local market, or you may explore the islands' natural beauty on a hike in the highlands.
A morning of cruising brings you to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), where your ship will dock for two nights, making it possible to experience a variety of aspects of this fascinating city. Focus on the city's history, both ancient and modern, in visits to the History Museum, the War Museum, the Củ Chi Tunnels, and the Reunification Palace. Experience the city's cultural diversity in visits to temples, in a trip to Chinatown's open-air market, or in an evening performance of Vietnamese dance and song. Or enjoy sampling the regional cuisine—on a cruise of the Mekong Delta followed by lunch in a colonial villa, or in a cooking class in the Ho Chi Minh Agricultural Villages.
A day of cruising along the Saigon River and then along Vietnam's southern coast brings you to Nha Trang, one of the country's most popular resorts, with beautiful long beaches backed by palm trees and promenades. It is also a center of craftsmanship, where you can see rice paper being made and spend time in the Troung Son Handicraftvillage, where artisans demonstrate their skills in rattan weaving, calligraphy, sand painting, and more.
Your next port of call, Da Nang, serves as an introduction to the ancient Cham civilization and to Hội An, an old trading port that blends indigenous and foreign (primarily Chinese) influences. Visit the Cham Museum and the ruins of ancient Hindu temples at My Son; travel to the countryside and experience a day of tending garden, cooking lunch, and mask-making; or visit the UNESCO Heritage Site of Hội An, perhaps enjoying a dinner ashore after sunset, when this fascinating town is lit almost entirely by lanterns.
Chan May, the lovely bay just around the peninsula from Da Nang, is your gateway to the imperial capital of Hue, the seat of power of the Nguyen dynasty that ruled much of Vietnam from the early 19th century until World War II. Exploration of this UNESCO Heritage Site will tour the Royal Citadel, similar in plan to the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the magnificent tombs of the emperors on the outskirts of the city. You may also visit either the seven-tiered tower of the Heavenly Lady Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River or the garden house and temple built to honor Princess Ngọc Sơn.
After a day at sea, arrive in the World Heritage site of Hạ Long Bay, a series of rocky pitons emerging from the sea, surrounded by mountains with mysterious caverns. From here, you may choose to travel to Vietnam's bustling capital of Hanoi, where a guided tour includes visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Hoa Lo Prison ("Hanoi Hilton"), the Ngọc Sơn Pagoda, and the Old Quarter. You may choose a day of tranquility at Yen Tu Mountain, site of a Buddhist monastery where you can practice Tai Chi, enjoy a vegetarian lunch, and join a meditation class with a monk. Or, you may decide to explore Ha Long Bay itself on a cruise aboard a local boat.
Your final port of call is the amazingly vibrant city of Hong Kong, where excursions introduce you to the food markets of the city or to places you can purchase birds' nests, ginseng, and other herbal medicines. Or you may opt for a panoramic coach tour that includes views over the city from Victoria Peak.
INDONESIA
Voyage to Indonesia: Dragons, Reefs, and the Spice Islands – with Smithsonian Journeys
Benoa, Bali - Darwin
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
On this 13-day voyage from Bali through the myriad islands of eastern Indonesia to the northern shores of Australia you will sail through the heart of the Coral Triangle, where beaches, mangroves, and rainforests host an amazing biodiversity, and where the surrounding seas comprise the richest coral reef system in the world. You will also encounter a rich human history as you discover the colonial legacy of European powers who fought one another for control of the trade in valuable spices, and as you visit with villagers whose way of life continues age-old traditions.
Leaving Bali, the aptly-named "Island of Gods," your first port of call, on the island of Sumbawa, is also your first encounter with a traditional village, where you will be welcomed by the residents and introduced to some of their customs. This glimpse of ancient and enduring ritual is followed by two days exploring the abundant wildlife of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to an incredible diversity of species, including the eponymous Komodo dragons, giant monitor lizards that grow to more than ten feet long.
On the islands of Flores and Alor, you will experience some of the best snorkeling and diving opportunities of the voyage, as well as an opportunity to delve into the customs and traditions of the indigenous Takpala people. And in the Barat Daya Islands you will find more of the same, as well as amazing birdlife, including 162 different species, a number of which are endemic.
A full day in Band Neira in the Maluku Islands (spice islands) introduces you to the history of these small volcanic outcroppings that were fought over by virtually every colonial power interested in the South Pacific and the trade in cloves, nutmeg, and mace. As you walk the streets of the town, you will discover an eclectic mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture—the remnants of a long and tumultuous history.
Kitikiti Waterfall and Triton Bay, both on the coast of West Papua, provide two days of unparalleled diving, snorkeling, swimming, and Zodiac cruising in the "epicenter of the Coral Triangle." And your last call, before a day at sea brings you to Darwin, Australia, and the end of the voyage, will be in the Kei Islands, located in the heart of the Malukus, home to some of Indonesia’s most beautiful white sandy beaches.