HIGHLIGHTS
- Outings
and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced
naturalist guides.
- UNESCO
World Heritage Sites: Macquarie Island* and New Zealand’s
Subantarctic Islands (the Snares islands).
- Visit
the most pristine piece of ocean on Earth.
- Follow
in the footsteps of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and, if
weather conditions allow it, explore the historic huts of Scott,
Shackleton and Borchgrevink.
- The
Snares islands alone boast more nesting seabirds than the entire realm
of the British Isles.
- Fauna:
fur, Southern Elephant, Weddell and crabeater seals; New Zealand Sea
Lions; breeding seabirds; African, Adélie, Royal, Gentoo
penguins, chinstrap, Southern rockhopper and macaroni penguins.
- Gain
an insight into the history and the diversity of flora and fauna from
your expert expedition team.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Superior Stateroom | Deluxe Stateroom | Prestige Deck 4 | Prestige Deck 5 | Prestige Deck 6 | Deluxe Suite | Prestige Deck 5 Suite | Prestige Deck 6 Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Jan 26, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 | N/A | 33,160 | 34,880 | 35,570 | 36,600 | 53,850 | 56,260 | 59,360 | 75,920 |
| Jan 25, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | 25,290 | 27,250 | 28,640 | 29,200 | 30,040 | 43,990 | 45,950 | 48,460 | 81,940 |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Superior Stateroom | (Mid-range)
Prestige Deck 6 | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Jan 26, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 | N/A | 36,600 | 75,920 |
| Jan 25, 2027 | Feb 15, 2027 | 25,290 | 30,040 | 81,940 |
ITINERARY
Day
1 : Dunedin
Dunedin
is New Zealand's oldest city and is often referred to as the Edinburgh
of New Zealand. This city of the south, wears its Scottish heritage
with pride. The city contains some of the best preserved Victorian and
Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. The Silverpeaks
hinterland to the North West provides a picturesque backdrop and The
Otago Peninsula, which lies within the city boundaries, has
internationally renowned wildlife reserves, including the only mainland
breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross.
Day
2 : At sea
During
your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities
on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay
in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself
be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey
without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the
conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities
offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT
photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea,
they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire
the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe
marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest
and entertainment.
Day
3 : Enderby Island, Auckland Islands
Enderby
Island is situated off the North Eastern tip of Auckland Island and is
the second largest Island in the group. The eradication of introduced
species in 1994 has seen a significant increase in the abundance of the
native flora and fauna compared to the main Auckland Island. It has
become a stronghold for the rare yellow-eyed penguin and the primary
breeding location of the New Zealand Sea Lion. You will head ashore and
have the opportunity to undertake a guided walk on the Northern Cliffs
track as well as spend time viewing the New Zealand Sea Lion colony.
There is also the opportunity to undertake a zodiac tour around the
coastline of Enderby Island in search of the Auckland Island Teal and
other endemic species.
Day
4-6 : At sea
During
your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities
on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay
in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself
be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey
without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the
conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities
offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT
photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea,
they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire
the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe
marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest
and entertainment.
Day
7-14 : Ross Sea Region
The
Ross Sea, the southernmost sea in the world, owes its name to Sir James
Clark Ross, both a naturalist and a Royal Navy officer, who first
explored the area in 1841 with HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. It is bounded
on the east by Roosevelt Island and the Edward VII Peninsula in Mary
Byrd Land, on the west by Ross Island and the coastal mountains of
Victoria Land, and on the south by the Ross Ice Shelf, the largest ice
shelf in Antarctica located some 320 km from the geographic South Pole.
The history and treasures of the world's ultimate marine sanctuary will
be revealed during this extraordinary expedition.
You
will be able, weather and ice conditions permitting, to discover
several emblematic sites in the region. Among the possible stopovers,
Cape Adare, at the northern end of the Borchgrevink coast, home to the
world’s largest colony of Adélie penguins. We will
attempt to reach Terra Nova Bay where the Italian and South Korean
scientific stations are located to the north and the Drygalski Ice
Tongue to the south. Dating back at least 4000 years, it extends 70 km
offshore from the David Glacier and is 24 km at its widest point. On
the Inexpressible Island, discover the exceptional survival conditions
of a group of six men of the Terra Nova expedition, led by Robert
Falcon Scott (1910-1913), forced to winter in a cave dug in the ice,
today classified as an Antarctica historical monument. On Ross Island,
follow in the footsteps of the polar explorers Sir James Clark Ross and
discover Sir Ernest Shackleton's hut, classified as an Antarctica
historical monument. Built at Cape Royds during the British expedition
Nimrod (1907-1909), it proudly stands at the bottom of Mount Erebus.
Sixty years earlier, while Captain James Ross was trying to reach the
South Magnetic Pole, he discovered Franklin Island, located 130 km east
of Cape Hickey in Victoria Land. He named it after Sir John Franklin,
Arctic explorer and governor of the territory of present-day Tasmania.
You will be offered there, a privileged position to observe
Adélie penguins in their daily ballet as well as Weddell
seals, resting on the shore.
Day
15-17 : At sea
During
your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities
on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay
in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself
be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey
without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the
conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities
offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT
photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea,
they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire
the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe
marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest
and entertainment.
Day
18 : Macquarie Island
Long
celebrated as one of the wonder spots of the world, Macquarie Island is
an island of great beauty and outstanding natural diversity, a breeding
place for more than 3.5 million seabirds, most of which are penguins.
There are four species breeding on Macquarie Island: Royals, Kings,
Gentoos and Rock Hoppers. There are also three types of fur seals and
one seventh of the world's population of elephant seals breeding on the
Island. In 1948 The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions
(ANARE) established its expedition headquarters on Macquarie Island. If
time and weather permit, guests will have the opportunity to land
ashore and view the prolific wildlife that resides here.
Day
19 : At sea
During
your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities
on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay
in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself
be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey
without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the
conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities
offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT
photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea,
they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire
the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe
marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest
and entertainment.
Day
20 : The Snares
Amongst
the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand, the Snares have the
distinction of being the only forested group without introduced
mammals, not even mice. Consequently, it is a remarkable haven for
wildlife. The island boasts more nesting seabirds than the entire realm
of the British Isles. Over 2 million Sooty Shearwaters breed here in
the summer months. Four species of Albatross are listed as breeding on
the Snares along with 35,000 endemic Snares crested penguins. There are
also approximately 1,000 New Zealand fur seals and 500 New Zealand sea
lions. Landing on the Snares is prohibited. If time and weather permit,
you will have the opportunity to explore the coastal environments and
view the prolific wildlife from our fleet of zodiac.
Day
21 : At sea
During
your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities
on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay
in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself
be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey
without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the
conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities
offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT
photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea,
they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire
the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe
marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest
and entertainment.
Day
22 : Dunedin
Dunedin
is New Zealand's oldest city and is often referred to as the Edinburgh
of New Zealand. This city of the south, wears its Scottish heritage
with pride. The city contains some of the best preserved Victorian and
Edwardian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere. The Silverpeaks
hinterland to the North West provides a picturesque backdrop and The
Otago Peninsula, which lies within the city boundaries, has
internationally renowned wildlife reserves, including the only mainland
breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross.
Le Soleal (Luxury Expedition, 264-guests)
Designed in 2013 and loyal to the PONANT spirit, Le Soleal embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing which is Ponant's signature. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 132 staterooms and suites) make this a rare and innovative yacht on the cruise market.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
