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The Caribbean & Amazon River

The Caribbean & Amazon River

From AUD $9,800

Description

Set sail for an incredibly diverse cruise, taking in Caribbean beaches and incursions into tropical rainforest. PONANT offers you a 13-day circuit aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville, from Cayenne to Fort-de-France, including a 5-day expedition with our naturalist guides.

Leaving from Cayenne in French Guiana, your ship will head to the famous Salvation Islands. This will be the occasion to visit the former prisons which once held political prisoners and convicts, deep in the lush vegetation.

Then PONANT is inviting you to enjoy an unforgettable experience along the Amazon River, this mythical and impressive river in the heart of Brazil. Through the “green corridor” of the Strait of Breves, discover the banks of the Amazon and their many treasures: lush vegetation, fascinating wildlife, villages built on piles, wooden canoes navigating between houses… You will notably visit Abacate, a typical village of the Amazonian shores. The beautiful city of Belem, where you will be captivated by the huge open-air market and the walls of Forte do Presépio is also a town full of charm.

You will then leave the earth-coloured waters of the Amazon for a call at the picturesque town of Paramaribo in Surinam before you reach Bequia Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago.

There you will discover Port Elizabeth and its small, colourful and typical Creole houses nestling amid lush vegetation, with white-sand beaches and turquoise water that beckons you in for a swim.

Trip Name
The Caribbean & Amazon River
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Dumont d'Urville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Dumont d'Urville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Dumont d'Urville has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 CAYENNE
Capital of French Guyana located more than 7,000 km from the French mainland, Cayenne offers a harmonious ensemble of monuments, beaches and old creole houses on the eastern side of the South American continent. Between history and modernity, the city is marked by the presence of the former prisons, the vestiges of which can be seen on the Salvation Islands. This port of call will give you the opportunity to visit two museums, the Musée local de la Guyana and the Musée des cultures guyanaises, and learn more about the historic and cultural interests of the region. The Place des Palmistes, with its three soaring Guisanbourg palm trees, is the main square in Cayenne It provides the setting for a variety of events throughout the year.
Day 2 - Day 2 CAYENNE & SALVATION ISLANDS
Lying off the coast of Kourou, an essential element of any trip to Guiana, the Islands of Salvation were known as the "Islands of the Devil" because of the strong sea currents that made access to them perilous. Once infamous for being the site of a jail with very harsh conditions of detention, where Alfred Dreyfus was exiled, today they are a peaceful place where coconut palms cast shade over the crystal-clear waters. During your cruise, we invite you to make a timeless journey to visit the many remains of the prison that are still visible, including cells and the abandoned hospital.
Day 3 - Day 3 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 4 - Day 4 BELEM, AMAZONIA
The historical city of Belém stretches along the Bay of Guajar� on the Amazon Delta, at the northernmost tip of Brazil. Its lively waterfront is home to the century-old Ver-o-Peso market and its iconic turreted iron structure, the Mercado de Ferro. Nearby, mango tree-shaded streets lead to the neoclassic Da Paz Theatre, the Baroque cathedral of Sé and Presépio Fort, whose battlements look out over the old town and the bay. The Bosque Rodrigues-Alves Botanical Garden is a fascinating mini Amazonian forest in the middle of the city that was established in the 19th-century.
Day 5 - Day 5 ABACATE, STRAIT OF BREVES
Through the “green corridor” of the Strait of Breves, discover the banks of the Amazon and their many treasures: lush vegetation, fascinating wildlife, villages built on piles, wooden canoes navigating between houses… You will notably discover Abacate, a typical village of the Amazonian shores.
Day 6 - Day 6 AQUIQUI, AMAZONIA
The Aquiqui River is one of the many tributaries of the Amazon River and offers the opportunity to admire an impressive forest gallery. A veritable ecological corridor, this natural area with its dense and luxuriant vegetation is home to a rich and varied fauna, notably including many aquatic birds. If the water is high enough, you will be able to explore the branches of the river aboard your Zodiac® dinghy. And maybe you will be lucky enough to observe the cocoi herons, roadside hawks and anhingas, as well as monkey squirrels and iguanas.
Day 7 - Day 7 MACAPA, AMAZONIA
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Day 8 - Day 8 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 9 - Days 9 - 10 PARAMARIBO
The many facets of Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, a small South-American country nestling between French Guiana and Guyana, will undoubtedly surprise you and fill you with wonder. This former colonial town was established by the Dutch in the 17th century. The historic city is home to many buildings made of wood and red bricks: a simple architecture that has been enriched over the centuries under the influence of the growing ethnic diversity of the population. Be sure to visit the Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral and the presidential palace in the historic inner city, now on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Day 10 - Day 11 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 11 - Day 12 PORT ELIZABETH, BEQUIA ISLAND
In the heart of the Caribbean, Bequia is the second-largest of 32 islands that make up the country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. This secluded island, strongly attached to its tradition of whale hunting, is popular with visiting yachties and divers. Port Elizabeth, the islandメs main town, has a lively atmosphere and further afield tropical rainforest and white-sand beaches provide a natural setting for peaceful walks.
Day 12 - Day 13 FORT-DE-FRANCE
Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France will amaze you by the splendour of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbour mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. If you climb up to it, you can see some breath-taking views. Saint Louis Cathedral and the Schoelcher library bear witness to a secular history, intimately linked to the island’s story. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colourful Grand Marché. Two really pleasant places you can take a breather in, right in the heart of the city, are the garden of Balata and the Aimé Césaire park.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Subject to weather and river conditions. The expedition highlights, encounters with the wildlife and itineraries described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $9,800Deluxe Stateroom
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $18,240Grand Deluxe Suite
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $18,810Owner's Suite
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $10,440Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $10,770Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $11,130Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $15,330Deluxe Suite
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $16,620Prestige Suite Deck 5
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $17,150Prestige Suite Deck 6
11-12-202023-12-2020AUD $17,690Privilege Suite

Inclusions

    • Cruise between Amazonia and the Caribbean, to discover picture-postcard landscapes.
    • Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides along the meanders of the Amazon River, in the heart of the rainforest.
    • An incredibly rich variety of endemic wildlife: toucans, hawks, ibises, parrots, insects, iguanas, lizards, monkeys, buffaloes, river dolphins, fish, and more.
    • Special encounters with the Caboclos tribes.
    • The great city of Belem, its market and its fort.
    • Crossing the Equator between Cayenne and Belem.
    • In the Salvation Islands, the possibility of strolling among the former prisons in an idyllic setting, surrounded by exotic vegetation.

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