From Marseille to the City of Gods with Ponant

Description

From Marseille, you will board Le Jacques-Cartier for an 8-day cruise sailing from the majestic Italian coast to Greece.

You will visit the city of Bastia, nestling at the foot of the Serra di Pigno. The gateway to the authentic and wild Cap Corse area, it comes alive around the large Saint-Nicolas Square while, from the high town, the citadel watches over this city with Genovese origins.

Then you will follow the Italian coast to Civitavecchia, with its dolce vita atmosphere, from where you can discover the Italian heritage and visit Rome.

You’ll then make a stop in Castellammare di Stabia on the Bay of Naples. This former thermal town, very reputed in ancient times, is located near Mount Vesuvius, which stands more than 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) high. In particular, you’ll have the possibility of discovering Pompeii and the archaeological remains that bear witness to its grandeur during the Roman era.

After a stop in Katakolon, your ship will join the Delphi sanctuary of Greek gods which you will reach via Itea. Delphi is located on a grandiose site that is one of Greece’s most beautiful natural landscapes. You will walk in the footsteps of the pilgrims of old, who came here to consult the famous oracle.

On board Le Jacques-Cartier, you will take the astonishing Corinth Canal, a famous sea channel dug out by men in the 19th century.

Your cruise will end in Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments that form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic collection bequeathed by Ancient Greece to the rest of the world.

Trip Name

From Marseille to the City of Gods with Ponant

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2018/2019 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 sixth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Jacques Cartier 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. 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. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS Le Jacques Cartier 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 MARSEILLE

The oldest harbour in France, Marseille is the city where PONANT has chosen to set up its company headquarters. Heart vibrating in its setting of Mediterranean Calanques, it reveals its raw and authentic beauty, made up of a thousand influences and cultures which, over the centuries, have made up its wealth. A stroll through the Old Port will allow you to discover the places corresponding to the city founded by the Greeks as well as Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, with its astonishing neo-Byzantine architecture, which overlooks it. Close to the quays, the Place de Lenche, which covers the ancient agora, will be perfect for a break in one of its lively cafés before melting into the maze of narrow streets with colourful houses in the Panier district, just a stone's throw away.

Day 2 - Day 2 BASTIA, CORSICA

In the north of the Island of Beauty, Bastia is your gateway to Corsica. Between its cultural riches, natural beauty and gastronomic heritage, Bastia concentrates the soul of the Mediterranean island. Overlooking the sea from its rocky promontory, its 14th-century citadel will reveal itself to you during a stroll around the small streets of the old town. In this same Terra Nova district, don’t miss the Governors' Palace, which houses Bastia’s history museum. Colourful façades and laundry fluttering at the windows serve as decor to the labyrinth of streets that will lead you to the Old Port. Also discover the emblematic sites of the city such as Saint-Nicolas Square, the sumptuous Romieu Public Gardens, the former Saint Mary cathedral or the unmissable rue Napoléon.

Day 3 - Day 3 CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME)

Built on an Etruscan site, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Monti della Tolfa, Civitavecchia respires the dolce vita. This very modern and easy going town combines art and history with panache. You can also visit superb historical sites like Fort Michelangelo or the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi. Just 80 kilometres from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.

Day 4 - Day 4 CASTELLAMMARE DI STABIA

Castellamare di Stabia, known for its shipyards, is located in the Gulf of Naples. Built on the ancient Roman site of Stabiae, it was a very popular holiday resort in Ancient Times, appreciated notably for its thermal waters. In AD 79, the eruption of Vesuvius buried the cities of Pompeii, Herculanum, Stabiae and their inhabitants. It wasn’t until the mid-18th century that archaeologists started to dig, uncovering two magnificent Roman villas: Villa Ariana and Villa San Marco, whose remarkable dimensions and architecture testify to the importance and richness of their owners. The conservation of the ancient frescoes is exceptional.

Day 5 - Day 5 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 6 - Day 6 KATAKOLON

This picturesque village stretches along the Ionian sea in the west of the Peloponnese. Its main harbour offers a vast panorama of the coastline’s wooded hillsides. Dazzling white, the church of Saint-Nicolas houses a selection of sumptuous icons. You can also pay a visit the archaeological site of Olympus on the slopes of Mount Kronos.

Day 7 - Day 7 ITEA & CROSSING THE CORINTH CANAL

Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whose ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains.The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!

Day 8 - Day 8 ATHENS

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.

Day 9 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

A cruise to the heart of the treasures of Corsica, Italy and Greece, offering a concentration of must-see historical and archaeological ports of call.
Numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Rome from Civitavecchia, Pompeii from Castellammare di Stabia, the Olympia site from Katakolon, Delphi from Itea, , the Acropolis in Athens.
An unforgettable crossing of the Corinth Canal.