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Caribbean & Orinoco Cruise

Caribbean & Orinoco Cruise

From AUD $9,050

Description

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

Leaving from Martinique, you will head in the direction of the beautiful island of Saint Lucia. Close to the Soufriere volcano, you will be enchanted by the two emblematic rocky pitons, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which form the backdrop to the island.

Then discover the idyllic beaches of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, renowned for the richness of their underwater world. In a setting of white sand, turquoise water and lagoons, you will enjoy some unforgettable bathing.

After a day in Grenada, Le Dumont-d’Urville will then sail towards the Venezuelan coast, in order to reach the Orinoco, one of South America’s major rivers. During your outings in Zodiac® dinghies, you will fall under the spell of the very special atmosphere here, between the birdsong from the surrounding jungle and the unforgettable encounters with local populations.

You will then chart a course towards the picturesque town of Paramaribo in Surinam, before a call at the Salvation Islands. This will be the occasion to visit the former prisons which once held political prisoners and slaves, deep in the lush vegetation.

Trip Name
Caribbean & Orinoco Cruise
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 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 2 - Day 2 PIGEON POINT & SOUFRIÈRE
Linked to St Lucia by a sand causeway, Pigeon Island has been a designated National Park since 1979. The tropical vegetation of this wild, protected island is home to abundant birdlife. It is easy to explore on foot; the remains of Fort Rodney offer an insight into the regionメs naval history as well as fabulous views. Two beautiful beaches nestle on the southern side of the island, where you can take a モsnubaヤ dive adventure, an exciting mix of diving and snorkelling.Nestled in the crook of a breath-taking bay, the former capital of St Lucia is brimming with attractions. Soufrière is famous for The Pitons, volcanic spires that tower over the entrance to the town, and you will fall in love with its authentic Creole charm and warm friendly atmosphere. As well as diving and swimming off exquisite beaches, don't miss Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens for the mineral baths, one of the natural wonders of the Caribbean.
Day 3 - Day 3 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 4 - Day 4 TOBAGO CAYS
Scattered between St Vincent and Grenada, the Tobago Cays comprises five little islands ヨ Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby. This rosary of uninhabited cays in the southern West Indies is a marine park that has some outstanding marine fauna in its turquoise lagoons. Girded and united by a coral reef, these secluded islands are a peaceful paradise for divers, swimmers and snorkellers.
Day 5 - Day 5 SAINT GEORGE'S, BERMUDA
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Day 6 - Day 6 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 observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 7 - Day 7 EL TORO, ORINOCO
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Day 8 - Day 8 PUERTO ORDAZ, ORINOCO
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Day 9 - Day 9 EL ARROYO, ORINOCO
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Day 10 - Day 10 AT SEA
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Day 11 - Day 11 PARAMARIBO
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Day 12 - Day 12 SALVATION ISLANDS
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Day 13 - Day 13 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 14 - 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
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $9,050Deluxe Stateroom
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $27,450Grand Deluxe Suite
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $28,860Owner's Suite
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $10,230Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $10,790Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $11,370Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $16,280Deluxe Suite
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $22,470Prestige Suite Deck 5
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $23,640Prestige Suite Deck 6
21-03-202002-04-2020AUD $24,870Privilege Suite

Inclusions

    • Outings and shore visits in Zodiac®inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
    • Cruise between the Caribbean and the Orinoco, to discover picture-postcard landscapes.
    • Encounters with the Warao tribes, whose name translates as “the boat people”.
    • Possibility of observing an incredible variety of endemic wildlife including macaws, toucans, scarlet ibises, caimans, iguanas and river dolphins.
    • Saint Lucia and its two rocky pitons, UNESCO sites.
    • In the Salvation Islands, the possibility of strolling through the former prisons, in an idyllic setting surrounded by exotic vegetation.
    • Exceptional underwater life in the Grenadines, between coral and multicolour fish.

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