Ponant Explorations has opened bookings for its winter 2027–28 season, unveiling more than 50 departures across 13 itineraries spanning Baja California, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and Panama.
The program reflects growing demand for small-ship, combining remote destinations, cultural immersion, and wildlife encounters with the brand’s signature focus on intimate exploration.
Central America Takes Centre Stage
Costa Rica and Panama form a major pillar of the new collection, with sailings running from November 2027 through April 2028.
Itineraries include calls at lesser-visited locations such as Fort San Lorenzo and the San Blas Islands, alongside deeper exploration of biodiversity hotspots like Manuel Antonio National Park, Drake Bay, and Rio Esquinas.
Select departures are operated in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, offering exclusive access to sites such as the Punta Culebra Nature Centre at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Guests can expect encounters with Indigenous communities including the Emberá and Kuna peoples, alongside wildlife experiences across national parks such as Darién, Rincón de la Vieja, Carara, and Curú.
Baja California’s Wildlife And Remote Coastlines
From January to March 2028, the focus shifts to Baja California Peninsula, where four 10-night expeditions explore one of the world’s most dynamic marine ecosystems.
Exclusive ports of call include Guerrero Negro, Coronado Island, and Magdalena Bay – regions known for exceptional whale-watching opportunities. Encounters may include grey whales, orcas, bottlenose dolphins, and mobula rays.
Onshore experiences extend to local communities such as Cabo Pulmo, home to one of North America’s oldest coral reef systems, reinforcing the program’s blend of nature and cultural discovery.
Caribbean Voyages With Two Distinct Styles
The Caribbean offering, running throughout the winter season, presents two different cruising experiences: voyages aboard the sailing yacht Le Ponant, part of the Relais & Châteaux collection, and expeditions on the line’s EXPLORER-series ships.
Highlights include a seven-night journey through the Lesser Antilles and a longer 13-day itinerary linking Panama to Martinique via Colombia and the Grenadines.
Part Of A Broader Global Expansion
The newly released sailings form part of a wider winter 2027–28 deployment, with more than 80 additional departures across destinations including the Seychelles, Madagascar, Polynesia, the Atlantic Islands, and Australia’s Kimberley region.
With its latest announcement, Ponant continues to position itself at the forefront of the luxury expedition cruise sector, where demand for smaller ships, exclusive access, and immersive experiences is reshaping how travellers explore the world.
