From New Zealand to New Caledonia with Ponant

Description

PONANT invites you to experience a brad-new 14-day cruise aboard Le Lapérouse, for an exceptional journey to discover New Zealand and New Caledonia’s natural jewels. Surrounded by the blue waters of the Pacific, the twin islands of New Zealand are the promise of an incredible mosaic of contrasting panoramas.

You will board Le Lapérouse in Lyttleton. You will then set sail to Picton, and you will discover the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and its submerged valleys.

Le Lapérouse will also sail to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. This ancient site of the Maori people, as demonstrated by the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, perfectly combines local traditions and bustling nightlife.

From Tauranga, you can discover the many treasures of Rotorua: volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, rivers and gorges, and lakes that range in colour from deep blue to orange-tinged

On Waiheke Island, opposite Auckland, you will be enchanted not only by the pretty villages nestled at the heart of vineyards but also by the attractive coastline which forges the outlines of its many idyllic beaches.

In the far north of New Zealand, you will also fall under the charm of the Bay of Islands, where you will have the opportunity to witness a Maori ceremony.

You will call at the Australian island of Norfolk whose deserted beaches line the magnificent Emily Bay Lagoon.

Then your ship will set sail towards The Great Southern Lagoon, one of the six lagoons in New Caledonia that are UNESCO World Heritage sites, on the way to your port-of-call, Isle of Pines, known as the “Jewel of the Pacific”.

Le Lapérouse will finally take you to the sublime island of Lifou with its picture-postcard landscapes of white-sand beaches and tropical vegetation, located in the Loyalty archipelago.

Your trip will end in Noumea, capital of New Caledonia.

Trip Name

From New Zealand to New Caledonia with Ponant

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. 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 Lapérouse 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 Lapérouse 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 LYTTELTON

On the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Lyttelton (or Te Whaka Raupo in the Maori language) served, thanks to its proximity with Ross Island, as the starting point for the British expeditions in the mythical age of the South Pole explorations. It takes its name from George Lyttelton (1709-1773), aristocrat and colonial governor of South Carolina. In this colourful port town full of history, you’ll be able to discover the Time Ball: constructed in 1876, it rang at 1.00 pm every day for 58 consecutive years to give Greenwich meridian time, enabling ship captains to set their chronometer and very precisely calculate their position.

Day 2 - Day 2 PICTON

A must-see entry point to the South Island, Picton is a little coastal town girded by gentle hills, located on the south side of the Queen Charlotte inlet. The cafés and restaurants which border the charming waterfront give a very lovely view of the fjord. You can also decide to get some height above sea level, and walk in the surrounding areas. However, Picton is above all an opportunity to explore the unique Marlborough Sounds. This interweaving of submerged valleys in this area, has creating numerous navigable routes, wich are among the most beautiful natural wonders of New Zealand.

Day 3 - Day 3 WELLINGTON

Crowned with gentle green hills, Wellington Harbour is located in the far south of the North Island. This city offers a charming mix of traditional and modern cultures, bestowing on the New Zealand capital, a unique atmosphere, both friendly and avant-guard. Where some sites, like the large National Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, reflect the city’s Maori past, others, like the many cafés and restaurants, affirm the inhabitants’ incredible lust for life.

Day 4 - Day 4 NAPIER

On the east coast of the North Island, south of Hawke’s Bay, you’ll find Napier. Mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, reviving from its ashes in less than two years, it grew into a magnificent Art Deco style city, very in-vogue at the time. With its pure lines mixed with traditional Maori designs, the singular New Zealand character of this city will intrigue you. You’ll discover all this extraordinary architectural heritage as you take a stroll through the city. Famous for its vineyards, wine lovers will be able to taste some of the best wines from the region.

Day 5 - Day 5 GISBORNE

Gisborne, called “Gizzy” by the locals and Teoneroa by the Maori, is located to the north of a large bay surrounded by fertile hills and long, wild beaches that attract walkers and surfers. At the southern end of the bay, the magnificent cliffs of Young Nick’s Head majestically keep watch over the ocean’s tides. In Ngatapa, a few kilometres north of the city, the Eastwoodhill Arboretum stretches out over more than 130 hectares (320 acres) and is home to magnificent exotic and native plants. In the city, you can learn about Maori culture and the local history at the Tairawhiti Museum or enjoy some of the products of this rich farming region, renowned in particular for its Chardonnay.

Day 6 - Day 6 TAURANGA

Located to the north of Rotorua, Tauranga stretches the length of the Bay of Plenty, sheltered from the ocean by the island of Matakana. This coastal city boasts a flourishing economy thanks to its port, and is a pleasant and pretty town with a peaceful, relaxed feel. The seafront area is contemporary and lively, dotted with cafés and restaurants. The town centre reveals more picturesque charms, while the surrounding area is packed full of natural delights. Travel on to the town of Rotorua to visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: a fantastic opportunity to experience an absolutely exceptional geothermal phenomenon.

Day 7 - Day 7 WAIHEKE ISLAND

In the Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island is a pristine naturel gem just 35 minutes from the city of Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand. The stunning beaches of its languid bays and the undulating landscapes forming the heart of the island perfectly illustrate the easy way of life here. This land surrounded by sea and bathed in light enjoys a mild climate that is conducive to a thriving agriculture, composed mainly of olive groves and vineyards. Somewhat reminiscent of Tuscany, the island is renowned for its wines. Here, Bordeaux grape varieties have found the ideal conditions for developing a rich palette of aromas. A symbol of New Zealand’s easy lifestyle, Waiheke also boasts a rich arts scene.

Day 8 - Day 8 BAY OF ISLANDS, WAITANGI

On the east coast of the North Island, the Bay of Islands promises an incredible journey into the origins of the ﾓland of the long white cloudﾔ. Russell, the first harbour city founded in New Zealand by Europeans, is your entry-point into this corner of paradise. Among whitewashed houses and gorgeous gardens, Russell offers a gentle, romantic atmosphere. A few traces of its past remain, such as Christ Church, the oldest church in the country. Shimmering waters highly prized by local fishermen, beautiful beaches and wild nature make visiting this New Zealand town a picture postcard experience.

Day 9 - Day 9 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 10 - Day 10 NORFOLK ISLAND

This unspoilt South Pacific island lies off Australia's east coast. The choice is yours: relax on its deserted beaches or dive among the multi-coloured fish and corals of Emily Bay lagoon. Norfolk Island National Park is the place to see parrots hidden under the araucaria branches and tree-ferns. The lookout perched at the top of Mount Pitt offers you a 360-degree panorama of sparkling coastline. Discover more about the island's turbulent history at the Norfolk Island Museum in Kingston, one of Australia's oldest towns.

Day 11 - Day 11 AT SEA

Day 12 - Day 12 ISLE OF PINES

Known as the “Jewel of the Pacific”, the Isle of Pines is the southernmost of the Caledonian islands. It is the largest island in the marine area of the Great Southern Lagoon, one of the six lagoons in New Caledonia that are UNESCO World Heritage sites for the diversity of their coral reefs and their ecosystems. Discovered by James Cook in 1774, the island owes its name to the New Caledonia Pines that line the many white sandy beaches with their transparent waters, for which it is famous. During your visit, you can complete your exploration of this exceptional natural heritage with the discovery of the vestiges of the penal colony, where at the end of the 19th century, political prisoners from the Paris Commune and Kabylians from Algeria were deported.

Day 13 - Day 13 LIFOU

You’ll land around 100km east of Grande-Terre. An ancient coral atoll atop a collapsed volcano, Lifou is today the largest and highest of the Loyalty Islands. This is an outstanding natural site, waiting to be explored: to the north, the coastline ends abruptly in sheer cliffs, while to the south lie expanses of long white sand beaches. Lovers of wild plantlife may well be tempted by a walk further inland, where the rich and authentic Kanak culture is proudly upheld by the local community.

Day 14 - Day 14 NOUMÉA

Perched on a peninsula between bays and hills, on the south-west coast of Grande Terre, Noumea enjoys a magnificent natural setting. The town shelters some exceptional biodiversity, thanks especially to the coastal mangroves. To feel the town’s heartbeat, you can mosey in the place des Cocotiers, where Noumeans love to gather. The Tjibaou cultural centre unveils the secrets of the kanak culture. As for the Hagen castle or the maison Célières, these are precious witnesses of a colonial past. But Noumea is also about sumptuous beaches.

Day 15 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

A new cruise to discover the natural and cultural wonders of New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Discover sublime New Zealand landscapes with exceptional diversity: lagoons, heavenly beaches, seabed, volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, rivers, gorges and lakes, vineyards.
Meet the Maori people, brave warriors with ancestral traditions and customs. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Great Southern Lagoon of New Caledonia (Isle of Pines).
In Wellington, discover the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.
From Picton, discover Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and its submerged valleys.