The Essentials of the Caribbean
With featured guest Christine Ockrent, journalist specialising in French and international news and geopolitical questions, author of some fifteen books. From Santo Domingo to Fort-de-France, succumb to the charms of the Caribbean aboard a 11-day cruise with PONANT. Between beaches and turquoise waters, bays edged with palm trees, and lush tropical forest, this trip from the Greater Antilles to the Lesser Antilles aboard Le Bellot will be an opportunity for swimming and unforgettable discoveries in an exceptional setting. Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, chosen with care by PONANT. During this cruise, enjoy embarking on a catamaran and snorkelling from Port Elizabeth on the island of Bequia, explore the town of Soufrière, between land and sea, on Saint Lucia, or appreciate the beauty of Les Saintes by boat and during a swim. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab). An experienced diving instructor is on board for the entire cruise, enabling you to safely enjoy swimming and scuba diving. You will board in Santo Domingo, where you will be able to appreciate the charms of the oldest capital of the “New World”, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the British Virgin Islands, made up of around 60 mostly uninhabited islands, you will have the chance to enjoy the beaches of Jost van Dyke for a peaceful swimming break. Further south, Le Bellot will sail towards the charming shores of Guadeloupe. You will discover the ravishing Baie des Saintes, a very popular spot for mooring, with crystal clear waters and fabulous seabeds. You will sail towards the enchanting setting offered by the island of Dominica - the Nature Island. You will then island hop gently towards Saint Lucia and its two majestic rocky peaks soaring straight from the sea, a unique location listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Finally, fall under the spell of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago on Bequia, an island with wild and unspoiled shores. You will enjoy the lively atmosphere of Port Elizabeth, the island’s main town. You will finally reach Fort-de-France.
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.
Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world's most remote and isolated regions.