Natural Sanctuaries & Heritage of the Caribbean
On this 8-day all-new expedition cruise aboard Le Champlain, you will sail the Caribbean Sea discovering the lush landscapes of Central America, exploring the region’s historical cities to learn more about their history, sharing with the local populations and creating unforgettable memories.
From Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, set sail for Santa Marta. Located on the north of Columbia’s Caribbean coast, this seaside resort is an infinite source of wonder, with its lush tropical forest, beautiful fine sandy beaches and Pre-Columbian treasures.
Then, you will visit the city of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. Its port, fortress, and historic monuments, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer many noteworthy sights.
Next, you will discover the golden sand and crystal-clear waters of the coral islets of the San Blas Islands. The Kuna live among the palm trees and pirogues; this people perpetuate, among other things, the traditional craft of molas, weaved textiles in sparkling colours.
San Lorenzo’s Fort is your final port of call before Colón. Admire this unusual fortress built by the Spanish Crown to protect transatlantic trade. Now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an exceptional example of military architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries.
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When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents.
From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.
![Willemstad, Curaçao image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/07/25/14/38/36/123cfec8-153f-4347-8705-a8fc4d9b120b/Ponant Le Champlain - Exterior, ©StudioPONANT, Credit. Margot Sib.jpg)
![Santa Marta, Colombia image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/07/25/14/38/36/123cfec8-153f-4347-8705-a8fc4d9b120b/Ponant Le Champlain - Exterior, ©StudioPONANT, Credit. Margot Sib.jpg)
![Cartagena, Colombia image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/07/25/14/38/36/123cfec8-153f-4347-8705-a8fc4d9b120b/Ponant Le Champlain - Exterior, ©StudioPONANT, Credit. Margot Sib.jpg)
![San Blas Islands, Panama image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/07/25/14/38/36/123cfec8-153f-4347-8705-a8fc4d9b120b/Ponant Le Champlain - Exterior, ©StudioPONANT, Credit. Margot Sib.jpg)
![Fuerte San Lorenzo, Panama image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/07/25/14/38/36/123cfec8-153f-4347-8705-a8fc4d9b120b/Ponant Le Champlain - Exterior, ©StudioPONANT, Credit. Margot Sib.jpg)
![Colón, Panama image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/07/25/14/38/36/123cfec8-153f-4347-8705-a8fc4d9b120b/Ponant Le Champlain - Exterior, ©StudioPONANT, Credit. Margot Sib.jpg)
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Like the rest of the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Champlain successfully manages to subtly combine the desire to explore the remotest regions of the planet with the comfort and privacy of a cosily intimate ship.
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