Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca – with Smithsonian Journeys
About This Cruise
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.This voyage in the heart of the Mediterranean explores four islands that, despite their differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations that have washed over them from prehistoric times to the present. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Italians, British, and Spanish—all have left their mark on the language, art, architecture, and cuisine of Sicily, Sardinia, Menorca, and Mallorca.Arrive in Barcelona, Spain and transfer to your ship in Tarragona. Your discovery of these very special islands begins with two of Spain’s Balearic Islands. In Palma de Mallorca on the island of Mallorca, see the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, one of only a handful of circular castles in Europe and explore the works of Spanish artist Joan Miró at the foundation established by his wife, or board a vintage train through the orange and olive groves, almond and locust-bean trees, lush villages, and pine-covered mountains that define the island's landscape.On Menorca, visit Mahon, the island's main port, where a tour of the town reveals Menorca's varied history through its architecture—classical Georgian sash-windowed town houses sharing pride of place with traditional Spanish homes. Visit the Museum of Menorca, and then drive to Torralba d’en Salord, a large and well-preserved Bronze Age talayotic settlement recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Cagliari, Sardinia's capital, is your gateway to the archaeological site of Nora. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, it was subsequently taken over by Carthaginians, then by Romans. Explore the remains of Carthaginian warehouses, buildings from the time of the Roman Republic, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large baths with splendid mosaics, and a theater, almost intact, dating to the time of the Roman Empire.Spend three days on the largest Mediterranean island, as you visit the Sicilian cities of Palermo and Trapani. Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC, became one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Here you will visit Cappella Palatina, a Byzantine-Arab-Norman structure featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls. Drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral. Or explore the narrow, winding streets of the medieval port town of Cefalù.Rounding Sicily's eastern tip, you arrive in Trapani for an excursion into the countryside and the ancient Doric temple of Segesta or to medieval Erice, perched on a high triangular plateau sloping down to the sea.Your voyage ends in Valletta, Malta.Type
Ocean, Luxury
Ship
L'Austral
Departure Date
26 April 2028
Cruise Line
PONANT EXPLORATIONS
Duration
8 Nights
Select Your Cabin Type
Call Us at 1800 814 008Overview
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.This voyage in the heart of the Mediterranean explores four islands that, despite their differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations that have washed over them from prehistoric times to the present. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Italians, British, and Spanish—all have left their mark on the language, art, architecture, and cuisine of Sicily, Sardinia, Menorca, and Mallorca.Arrive in Barcelona, Spain and transfer to your ship in Tarragona. Your discovery of these very special islands begins with two of Spain’s Balearic Islands. In Palma de Mallorca on the island of Mallorca, see the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, one of only a handful of circular castles in Europe and explore the works of Spanish artist Joan Miró at the foundation established by his wife, or board a vintage train through the orange and olive groves, almond and locust-bean trees, lush villages, and pine-covered mountains that define the island's landscape.On Menorca, visit Mahon, the island's main port, where a tour of the town reveals Menorca's varied history through its architecture—classical Georgian sash-windowed town houses sharing pride of place with traditional Spanish homes. Visit the Museum of Menorca, and then drive to Torralba d’en Salord, a large and well-preserved Bronze Age talayotic settlement recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Cagliari, Sardinia's capital, is your gateway to the archaeological site of Nora. Founded by Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, it was subsequently taken over by Carthaginians, then by Romans. Explore the remains of Carthaginian warehouses, buildings from the time of the Roman Republic, a Carthaginian-Roman temple, large baths with splendid mosaics, and a theater, almost intact, dating to the time of the Roman Empire.Spend three days on the largest Mediterranean island, as you visit the Sicilian cities of Palermo and Trapani. Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC, became one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Here you will visit Cappella Palatina, a Byzantine-Arab-Norman structure featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls. Drive to nearby Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral. Or explore the narrow, winding streets of the medieval port town of Cefalù.Rounding Sicily's eastern tip, you arrive in Trapani for an excursion into the countryside and the ancient Doric temple of Segesta or to medieval Erice, perched on a high triangular plateau sloping down to the sea.Your voyage ends in Valletta, Malta.
Prestige Suite
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
- A private 86 ft² balcony
- Two sliding panoramic windows
- Two bathrooms with showers
- Priority boarding, depending on port of embarkation (Prestige Suite deck 6)
- Butler service (Prestige Suite deck 6)
- Champagne and fruit on arrival and a fruit basket every day (Prestige Suite deck 6)
- One bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
- A living room with a convertible sofa into a king-size or two single beds, armchairs, second TV, and a courtesy sliding door
Included in all staterooms
- Minibar
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- 110V American / 220V European
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- Three ADA staterooms
- 24-hour room service
- Electronic safe
- Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
- Inclusive Wifi internet
Owner's Suite
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
- A private 96 ft² balcony
- Two sliding panoramic windows
- A bathroom with shower and spa bath
- Butler service
- A one-hour treatment per person (for 2 people) in the wellness area, including body and facial treatments
- Private return transfer
- Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
- Champagne and fruit on arrival
- A fruit basket every day
- One bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
- A living-dining room with a sofa, armchair, TV, a table for four, and a courtesy sliding door
- Included premium pass: access to a selection of premium spirits at the bar
Included in all staterooms
- Minibar
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- 110V American / 220V European
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- Three ADA staterooms
- 24-hour room service
- Electronic safe
- Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
- Inclusive Wifi internet
Deluxe Suite
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
- A private 53 ft² balcony
- Sliding panoramic window
- Butler service
- Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
- Champagne and fruit on arrival
- A fruit basket every day
- One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
- An armchair and sofa
- Bathroom with shower
Included in all staterooms
- Minibar
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- 110V American / 220V European
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- Three ADA staterooms
- 24-hour room service
- Electronic safe
- Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
- Inclusive Wifi internet
Window or Porthole Stateroom
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
- Window (except stateroom 300 : porthole)
- One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
- Bathroom with shower
Included in all staterooms
- Minibar
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- 110V American / 220V European
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- Three ADA staterooms
- 24-hour room service
- Electronic safe
- Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
- Inclusive Wifi internet
Upper Decks Balcony Stateroom
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
- A private 43 ft² balcony
- A sliding panoramic window
- One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
- Bathroom with shower
Included in all staterooms
- Minibar
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- 110V American / 220V European
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- Three ADA staterooms
- 24-hour room service
- Electronic safe
- Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
- Inclusive Wifi internet
Lower Deck Balcony Stateroom
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
- A private 43 ft² balcony
- One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
- Bathroom with shower
- A porthole and glass door
Included in all staterooms
- Minibar
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- 110V American / 220V European
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- Three ADA staterooms
- 24-hour room service
- Electronic safe
- Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
- Inclusive Wifi internet
Le Coromandel
Le Rodrigues
In a relaxed atmosphere, a 235 m² grill restaurant located on deck 6 welcomes you for breakfast, buffet lunches and themed dinners.
Room Service
Whether you want to fully enjoy your cabin for breakfast, savor a peaceful snack in the middle of the day, or have your meal in complete privacy, room service is at your disposal. Treat yourself to a moment of indulgence and enjoy a diverse menu available at any time of day and night.
The Observatory Lounge
Library, internet space, bar, occasional live entertainment, terrace: enjoy a 180° panorama of the horizon from the observatory lounge.
Swimming Pool
With its water blending into the surrounding landscapes, the pool is perfect for relaxing in the sun.
Theatre
Comfortably seated, you can attend conferences given by the guests and teams of naturalists, as well as enjoy a variety of shows, concerts and performances by professional dancers and musicians.
When the night comes alive
Concerts, dance performances, or film screenings: every night on board is a promise of wonder and sharing of emotions.
The Outdoor Bar
Enjoy a drink in our outdoor lounge area with 50 seats and a view of the sea and the pool bridge.
The Main Lounge
Tea room, bar, live music, dance floor, terrace: the main lounge is an essential meeting place throughout your journey.
Boutique
An extension of the journey and the ship, la Boutique offers an exclusive shopping experience with a wide range of technical and casual ready-to-wear and equipment, with or without PONANT personalization. It also features unique souvenirs to extend the journey back home, as well as jewelry, accessories and luxury items. Opening hours follow the voyage schedule, including days at sea, and all purchases on board are tax-free.
Excursion Reception and Office
On board the sister ships (Le Boreal, L'Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial) and PONANT EXPLORERS, the reception desk and the excursion desk are arranged side by side to facilitate all your requests.
Reception: our receptionists can accommodate you 24 hours a day on all our ships (from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Le Ponant) to answer all your needs, such as room service, etc.
The excursion office: the excursion team is available at all times to tell you about the onshore programmes, organise group or private excursions and to manage transfers at the start or end of the cruise.
On Le Ponant, the receptionist will answer all your questions about excursions.
PONANT Studio
A photography and videography team escort you throughout your trip. These professionals capture the most beautiful moments of your cruise, which you can share with family and friends upon your return. Meet them on DECK 5 (DECK 6 on the PONANT Explorers ships) at the photo/video area, where you can also order souvenir pictures and videos.
The Spa
In partnership with SOTHYS™ and Davines®, the spa offers a wide range of treatments, massages, hairdressing services, as well as a sauna and a fitness room perfect for self-care and well-being.
The Gym
The fitness room offers a wide range of exercises suitable for all levels to train facing magnificent views.
The Hairdressing Salon
Provided in partnership with KÉRASTASE®, L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL® or DAVINES®, our hairdressing salons offer a complete range of top quality treatments designed to strengthen, nourish and reinvigorate hair's shine and brilliance. Our stylists are available to serve all your styling, highlighting, colouring, cutting and tailored hair advice needs.