PONANT Adds 15 Smithsonian Journeys

PONANT EXPLORATIONS has added 15 additional Smithsonian Journeys voyages, complementing a program of 36 sailings already on the books for 2028.

The expanded offering further deepens the partnership between the two companies, blending PONANT’s luxury cruise offering with Smithsonian’s legacy as the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Each voyage welcomes two Smithsonian Journeys Experts on board to share meaningful context about the places, people, and landscapes explored. 

“Travel, when guided by genuine expertise and sincere curiosity, has the power to change how we see the world,” said Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of the Americas, PONANT EXPLORATIONS. “Since 2022, our alliance with Smithsonian Journeys has provided travelers with an ever-richer lens through which to experience destinations that have long held intrigue and fascination. The expert insight shared on these voyages by the some of the most astute minds in history, culture, and the natural world foster real understanding and the kind of connection to destinations that endure long after the voyage ends.”

Leading the expansion are two newly designed itineraries, one exploring Costa Rica, the other the Adriatic.

Costa Rica by Sea: Wildlife and Rainforests of the Pacific Coast sails roundtrip from Puntarenas on Feb. 16, 2028, and features a Smithsonian Journeys naturalist and volcanologist. Highlights include the Osa Peninsula and a visit to Manuel Antonia National Park.

Sailing the Adriatic: Treasures of Eastern Italy and Sicily sails from Venice to Valletta, departing on Sept. 27, 2028, and features a Smithsonian Journeys art historian and geologist. The itinerary traces the Adriatic’s lesser-explored Western shores, with each port featuring a UNESCO World Heritage site.

All voyages in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys feature an included shore excursion or activity in every port of call, as well as airport transfers on the days of embarkation and disembarkation.