Ponant Unveils 2026 Close to Home Voyages for ANZ Travellers

Ponant Launches 2026 Close‑to‑Home Expeditions from Australia and New Zealand

Ponant is inviting Australian and New Zealand travellers to “stay close and venture deeper” in 2026 with a curated selection of close‑to‑home expedition voyages that start or end in New Zealand or Australia. The collection features an in‑depth exploration of the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand, a tropical odyssey between Indonesia and North‑East Australia, and an extended Grand Voyage linking Darwin and Tahiti, giving guests multiple ways to explore the region on small, expedition‑style ships.

Flexible booking with Ponant’s Serenity Policy

To support guests planning their 2026 journeys, Ponant has introduced exceptional booking conditions under its Serenity Policy. For new bookings made between 1 April and 31 May 2026, guests may modify or postpone their cruise free of charge for a departure within the same year or earlier, subject to key conditions:

• The deposit is non‑refundable but fully transferable to a new booking
• Transfer requests must be submitted at least 90 days prior to departure
• The new cruise must depart within the same calendar year (or earlier)
• The new voyage must be of equal or higher value
• All rebookings remain subject to availability and prevailing pricing at the time of confirmation

These flexible terms are designed to give Australian and New Zealand guests greater confidence when locking in close‑to‑home expedition plans.

Expedition to New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands – roundtrip Dunedin

For travellers keen to discover one of the wildest frontiers on Ponant’s map, the Expedition to New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands offers a 15‑night voyage roundtrip from Dunedin aboard Le Soléal, departing 28 December 2026.

Operating on a human‑scale expedition ship, this itinerary explores the Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand, a UNESCO‑listed region renowned for:

• Untouched wildlife habitats, home to rare seabirds, penguins and marine mammals
• Remote island landscapes shaped by wind, waves and Southern Ocean weather
• A strong focus on landings and Zodiac outings, conditions permitting, to immerse guests in this extraordinary environment

With expert naturalists and expedition leaders on board, guests can expect in‑depth commentary on ecology, conservation and New Zealand’s polar gateway history throughout the voyage.

Itinerary details: https://au.ponant.com/oceania-expedition-to-new-zealand-s-subantarctic-islands-so281226-10.

Tropical Odyssey between Indonesia and North‑East Australia

For those seeking warmer climes, Ponant’s Tropical Odyssey between Indonesia & North East Australia traces a 16‑day / 15‑night route from Benoa (Bali) to Cairns aboard Le Soléal, departing 4 December 2026.

This Asia–Pacific bridge itinerary takes guests through:

• The Indonesian archipelago, with calls such as Komodo Island and Maumere, revealing volcanic landscapes, coral reefs and traditional villages
• The tropical north‑east coast of Australia, including reef‑fringed islands and coastal gateways to the Great Barrier Reef

Guests can expect a blend of snorkelling, culture, wildlife encounters and soft adventure, all delivered in Ponant’s signature boutique‑expedition style with French‑inspired hospitality on board.

Itinerary details: https://au.ponant.com/asia-tropical-odyssey-between-indonesia-and-north-east-australia-so041226-10.

The ultimate close‑to‑home Grand Voyage – Darwin to Papeete

For a longer, more immersive escape, Ponant has crafted an “ultimate close‑to‑home Grand Voyage” in 2026, combining two itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier into a 30‑night back‑to‑back journey from Darwin to Papeete (Tahiti), departing 21 August 2026.

Guests first embark on An Escapade in the Heart of Melanesia, sailing from Darwin to Lautoka across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. This segment showcases:

• Coral‑rich waters and reef systems
• Remote island communities and traditional cultures
• Tropical anchorages that are difficult to reach by large ships

The voyage then continues across the South Pacific archipelagos towards Tahiti, exploring island groups and ancestral cultures along the way, before culminating in Papeete.

By booking the full Grand Voyage, guests can benefit from a 10% saving on the cruise‑only fare (excluding port taxes), applied as a back‑to‑back discount, subject to availability and standard conditions.

Overview of the Melanesia segment: https://au.ponant.com/pacific-islands-an-escapade-in-the-heart-of-melanesia-ex210826-10.

How to book Ponant’s 2026 close‑to‑home expeditions

Australian and New Zealand travellers can secure these voyages by:

• Contacting their preferred travel agent
• Calling the Ponant Explorations reservations team on 1300 737 178 (Australia) or 0800 767 018 (New Zealand)
• Exploring itineraries via Ponant’s regional website: https://au.ponant.com.

With flexible Serenity Policy conditions, a focus on small‑ship expeditions and itineraries that are close to home yet rich in discovery, Ponant’s 2026 programme offers compelling options for ANZ guests wanting to travel deeper without travelling far.

Summary

• Ponant’s 2026 close‑to‑home collection highlights three key options for Australian and New Zealand travellers: a 15‑night Subantarctic Islands expedition roundtrip Dunedin, a 15‑night Tropical Odyssey from Bali to Cairns, and a 30‑night Grand Voyage from Darwin to Papeete aboard Le Jacques Cartier.
• The line’s Serenity Policy offers flexible booking terms on new reservations made by 31 May 2026, allowing guests to modify or postpone their cruise within the same year under defined conditions.
• With small expedition ships, expert‑led exploration and French‑inspired service, Ponant’s 2026 programme gives ANZ travellers the chance to “stay close and venture deeper” across the Subantarctic, Indonesia, Melanesia and the South Pacific.