Smithsonian Journeys and Ponant: Embarking on a New Alliance

Itineraries Feature Smithsonian-crafted Cultural Experiences Onboard and on Land

Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT, a leader in small ship cruising, bring you enriched voyages to inspiring destinations around the world, with a collection of unique cruises focused on culture, history, and the natural world. Our curated itineraries celebrate our instinct to explore! Retrace the history of lost cities and ruined empires in ancient Greece; watch beluga whales breech at a special Icelandic sanctuary; marvel at the rich inheritance left to us in the form of glaciers and ice floes in Antarctica and the Arctic; sail to Australia's Kimberly to witness a solar eclipse; or visit the Arabian Peninsula with time to explore in Dubai and Abu Dhabi . Unexpected discoveries can also be found closer to home, in the serene Great Lakes, lush Costa Rica and Panama, or the pristine Caribbean Sea.

On each departure, Smithsonian Journeys Experts will host a series of enlightened conversations onboard. These passionate professionals – chosen for their expertise and ability to inspire – will explore the core themes of the Smithsonian and destinations with fellow travelers. Picture visiting Santiago de Compostela on Easter Sunday with a European historian. Or traveling even further back in time as you stand on the ancient basalt rock of an Icelandic fjord with a geologist. Or touring the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute with an ecologist studying the very same Panamanian rainforest that you will hike the next day.

Let the journey begin with Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT!