South & Central America, Caribbean

Natural Sanctuaries & Caribbean Encounters

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From Belize City, PONANT invites you to board Le Dumont-d'Urville for a brand-new 10-day expedition cruise to discover the lush landscapes, beautiful shores and cultural treasures of Honduras, Guatemala and Belize.

At your first port of call, you will discover Half Moon Caye, a mythical place with an exceptional marine biodiversity. Corals, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, eels and groupers live in these turquoise waters, while on land the coastal forest is home to amusing geckos and a large colony of red-footed boobies.From the attractive little town of Punta Gorda, the Mayan civilisation will reveal itself around its ancestral traditions. You will discover Placencia will be next on your itinerary. This village exudes an Afro-Caribbean atmosphere in a preserved Eden, between houses in shimmering hues, sublime beaches leading into the Caribbean Sea and its lagoon, a real sanctuary for wildlife including sheltering manatees, dolphins and saltwater crocodiles.

From the attractive little town of Punta Gorda, the Mayan civilisation will reveal itself around its ancestral traditions. You will discover Placencia will be next on your itinerary. This village exudes an Afro-Caribbean atmosphere in a preserved Eden, between houses in shimmering hues, sublime beaches leading into the Caribbean Sea and its lagoon, a real sanctuary for wildlife including sheltering manatees, dolphins and saltwater crocodiles.

Then, Le Dumont-d’Urville will sail to Livingston, Guatemala, the heart of Garifuna country, which proudly perpetuates an original culture and a music that is listed as a UNESCO heritage site.

Your ship will set sail to Punta Sal and the Jeannette Kawas National Park. This idyllic haven offers a formidable panorama of the biodiversity in Honduras, between the lush vegetation of the tropical rainforest and the rich marine ecosystem.

You will then call at Water Caye which offers wonderful scuba diving opportunities to discover the treasures of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

You will continue your odyssey towards the Bay Islands and Les Cayos Cochinos, a small archipelago classified as a marine reserve in 1994 and located on the world’s second-largest coral reef. Let yourself fall under the spell of these idyllic shores, which are among the Caribbean’s most beautiful coastlines.

A wild corner of the Caribbean coast at the confluence of several rivers, the green jungle of the Cuero y Salado National Park is home to exceptionally diverse fauna.

Then your ship will finally set sail for Belize City, the end of a memorable cruise.

The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.

Day 1 BELIZE CITY

Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.

Day 2 HALF MOON CAYE

The tropical green crescent of Half Moon Caye is a natural monument of Belize stretching out over crystal-clear waters. The appeal of the oldest protected marine and ornithological area in Central America stems from its beaches lined with coconut trees, but most importantly from its incredible underwater world, which you will be able to explore with fins, mask and snorkel. Corals, sponges, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, eels and groupers live in the turquoise waters, while on land the coastal forest is home to amusing geckos and a large colony of red-footed boobies, spectacular divers that penetrate the water at high speed to feed on small fish and squid.

Day 3 PUNTA GORDA

Nestling at the southern tip of Belize in Amatique Bay, Punta Gorda is a picture-perfect postcard of the Caribbean. The historical heritage of this small, picturesque coastal town with a Caribbean atmosphere bears strong Garifuna, Creole and Mayan influences. When your ship calls here, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in one of these legendary cultures, the Maya civilisation. Through a visit to a traditional village, you will discover the customs and traditions of this indigenous people. As Punta Gorda is known for its cacao production, you will participate in the making of Belizean chocolate treats.

Day 4 PLACENCIA

Placencia beckons travellers with the opalescence of its idyllic beaches and the blue hues of the Caribbean Sea that edges it. Lying in the south of Belize, in the Stann Creek District, this former fishing village exudes an Afro-Caribbean atmosphere in an unspoiled paradise combining brightly-coloured traditional houses and enchanting scenery. A veritable nature sanctuary both on land and at sea, Placencia has become an increasingly popular eco-destination in the Caribbean, particularly with diving and marine life enthusiasts. Its stunning lagoon is home to manatees, saltwater crocodiles and dolphins, among others, as well as numerous species of tropical fish.

Day 5 LIVINGSTON

Livingston is a town unlike any other in Guatemala, an enclave with a Caribbean atmosphere on the edge of the Rio Dulce. Lanchas, the motor boats that travel along the river and the Caribbean Sea, are the only way of reaching this small, welcoming town with no overland access to the rest of the country. Here, you are in Garifuna country: the inhabitants, descendent from Jamaican slaves, perpetuate their culture through oral tradition and ceremonies. Garifuna music, which is lively and sounds similar in some respects to reggae, and Garifuna dance, to the beat of drums, have both been classified by UNESCO as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.

Day 6 PUNTA SAL

In the municipality of Tela lies Punta Sal National Park, renamed Jeannette Kawas as a tribute to the environmental activist murdered in 1995. Between coral reef and green jungle, the park unveils a succession of white sandy coves along its coastline giving onto crystal-clear waters in a marvellous palette of blues. Inland, the tropical forest unfurls, a real reserve for wildlife that you will be able to explore in a Zodiac dinghy between mangroves, lagoons and rivers. A visit to the village of Miami, located on a sand tongue in the park, will give you the opportunity to discover the culture of the Garifuna, a people settled in Central America who descend from a mix of freed slaves and Caribbean and Arawak people.

Day 7 WATER CAYE, ISLA UTILA

The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkelling.

Day 8 CAYOS COCHINOS

Lying northeast of La Ceiba, the Bay Islands are home to certain treasures that float on a palette of turquoise, dark or celadon blues. Les Cayos Cochinos, an archipelago made up of two islands, Cayo Menor and Cayo Grande, and thirteen coral cays, is one of them. Situated on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System in a marine reserve created in 1994, its underwater scenery features coral gardens in which multitudes of tropical fish scatter and provide you with a feast for the eyes. In this idyllic setting, you will infinitely enjoy swimming while other water-based activities will offer a delightful interlude in the heart of exceptional nature.

Day 9 CUERO Y SALADO

In the heart of the Central American isthmus, Honduras is a little-known paradise boasting rich biodiversity, as evidenced by the Cuero y Salado National Park, a real refuge for wildlife created in 1987. This magnificent reserve, located on the estuaries of the Cuero, Salado and San Juan rivers, will provide you with fantastic opportunities for observing fauna and the plant kingdom. In a boat going across the mangrove, accompanied by the song of birds answering each other, you will not tire of observing the bright plumage livening up the thick green forest with bursts of colour. As you watch the monkeys dancing from branch to branch, you will not know which way to turn. And if you are lucky, turtles and caimans will also make an appearance.

Day 10 BELIZE CITY

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

19 December, 2023 to 28 December, 2023
Le Dumont d'Urville

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Deluxe Stateroom. From

$9,188 AUD pp

Area : 19 m² Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin 4m² Private balcony Individually-controlled air-conditioning King-size bed or twin beds Shower Minibar Flat screen Satellite TV Desk with stationery Ipod(TM) players Video on demand Safe Hairdryer Bath robes Satellite direct line telephone 110/220 volts outlet French bath products 24hr room service Internet acces wifi.

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Port Taxes & Fees: USD pp

Le Dumont d'Urville

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.

Up to 30% Off - Ponant Bonus

Prices online do not show the discounted rates. Terms and Conditions apply, special offer is subject to availability, please contact us for more details.

Inclusions

• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• All meals while on board
• Non-alcoholic and Alcoholic beverages included (Excluding Premium Brands)
• Free wifi (Subject to coverage)

Exclusions

• Flights other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Passport and visa costs if applicable
• Premium beverages package (Can be purchased on board)
• Optional Excursions where applicable
• Spa treatments on board
• Pre and post cruise accommodation unless otherwise stated
• Transfers unless specified
• Gratuities

Luxury Expedition

Le Dumont d'Urville

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10 Days from

$9,188 AUD pp

Map for Natural Sanctuaries & Caribbean Encounters

Highlights

• A brand-new expedition cruise to discover the natural and cultural treasures of Honduras, Guatemala and Belize.

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Belize Barrier Reef with Half Moon Caye and the Great Blue Hole.

• Christmas celebrations in an exceptional environment: change of scenery guaranteed.

• The encounter with the Garifuna people, who descend from a mix of freed slaves and Caribbean and Arawak people, and their cultural traditions.

• The opportunity to discover the pre-Columbian Mayan civilisation and its cultural heritage.

• New ports of calls: Punta Sal, Cayos Cochinos, Cuero y Salado, Punta Gorda, Placencia.

• Discover Livingston, accessible only by sea.

• Landscapes: palm-fringed beaches, blue lagoons, heavenly islands, mangroves, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, rich seabed, hot springs, rivers.

• Wildlife: Howler monkeys, white-headed monkeys, caimans, turtles, tropical birds, multicoloured fishes, dolphins, rays, manatees, saltwater crocodiles.

• Possibility of diving (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board.

• Possibility of diving at the Blue Hole -optional- (for PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent only).

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NZ Freephone
0800 945 3327

AUS Freephone
1800 107 715

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