Superior Stateroom
25% Ponant Bonus
21 m2
3
In collaboration with National Geographic Expeditions
On this cruise, PONANT invites you to discover New Caledonia, a world’s end French territory located right in the middle of the South Pacific. A 11-day expedition cruise, with an emphasis on the idyllic lagoons of the Kanak culture.
You will board Le Soléal in Noumea and your ship will first take you to Kouaré Island which will reveal you all its beauty and the richness of its seabed.
You will then be dazzled by the islands of Maré and Lifou and their picture-postcard landscapes of white-sand beaches and tropical vegetation, before discovering further north Hienghène, the cradle of Kanak culture. Its magnificent black limestone cliffs, its steep landscapes and the incredible biodiversity of the coral seabed in its lagoon, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, make the reputation of this emblematic region of New Caledonia.
You will call at the Australian island of Norfolk whose deserted beaches line the magnificent Emily Bay Lagoon.
In the far north of the New Zealand archipelago, you will fall under the charm of the Bay of Islands, where you will be able attend a Maori ceremony.
Your cruise will end in Auckland. This New Zealand city bordered by two seas will surprise you with its modernity and its cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Ref : S221122
A cruise in collaboration with National Geographic Expeditions offering enrichment with a National Geographic Photographer and an Expert onboard. A cruise to explore the diversity of New Caledonia, from the...
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Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects flights and takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
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Expedition programmes include activities such as Zodiac® outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landings"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. In remote areas, please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
Accessories:
Please note:
During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men:
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
TECHNICAL OUTFITS:
ACCESSORIES:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Embarkation 22/11/2022 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 22/11/2022 at 18:00
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.
Arrival 23/11/2022
Departure 23/11/2022
Aboard your Zodiac® dinghy, you will sail along the turquoise waters of New Caledonia’s coral reef, the second largest in the world. When you land on Kouare Island, in the heart of the southern lagoon, you will discover an idyllic environment. On this small tract of uninhabited land, in a marine area listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, the animals rule supreme. From the white-sand beaches where marine turtles and sea snakes like to lay their eggs, take off with your mask and snorkel to discover an abundant underwater world that is home to multicoloured fish, beautiful coral, and marine reptiles. Look up to the sky and admire the incessant ballet of terns and black noddies that appear to be jealously guarding their island.
Arrival 24/11/2022
Departure 24/11/2022
Arrival 25/11/2022
Departure 25/11/2022
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.
Arrival 26/11/2022
Departure 26/11/2022
The cradle of the Kanak culture, Hienghène is one of New Caledonia’s most emblematic communes. Located on the country’s east coast on the edge of the lagoon listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, it offers visitors magnificent landscapes including black limestone rocks, spectacular waterfalls, and prolific vegetation. In the ocean, fans of scuba diving will marvel at the unique biodiversity to be found on the Caledonian seabed. On land there is plenty to see too, including the surprising Linderalique cliffs that rise majestically from the water, as well as the must-see rock formations known as the “Poule Couveuse” (brooding hen) and the Sphinx, at the entrance to Hienghène Bay.
Arrival 27/11/2022
Departure 27/11/2022
Port-Bouquet Bay is located to the south-east of the main island of New Caledonia, a remote region more well-known as the “Lost Coast”. Let yourself fall under the spell of this wild coast with its exceptional panoramas. Its chiselled coast, between ochre rocks and lush vegetation, appears alongside the subtle tones offered by the Coral Sea. You’ll be able to visit the small village of Saint-Roch, perched on the side of deep ravine overlooking the islands of Nemou and Toupeti, where you will be welcomed in the traditional manner by the inhabitants. You’ll also be able to make the most of the beach to relax, swim or snorkel among the coral reefs of the island of Nemou.
Arrival 28/11/2022
Departure 28/11/2022
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.
Arrival 29/11/2022
Departure 29/11/2022
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.
Arrival 30/11/2022
Departure 30/11/2022
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.
Arrival 01/12/2022
Departure 01/12/2022
On the east coast of the North Island, the Bay of Islands promises an incredible journey into the origins of the land of the long white cloud. 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.
Arrival 02/12/2022 early morning
Disembarkation 02/12/2022 at 07:00
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest, most populated and busiest city. Located on an isthmus linking the peninsula of Northland to the expansive North Island, it seems to float between land and sea. It is one of the few cities in the world to have two separate harbours : Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean. You will understand why Auckland is known as "the City of Sails" when you see the forest of masts in the marina. The 328 metre-high Sky Tower offers splendid views of the city. Surrounded by dormant volcanoes such as Mt Eden, Auckland is noted for its abundant nature and magnificent black-sand beaches. A blend of Maori, European and Asian cultures give the city a vibrant atmosphere.
Tropical Expedition
Explore the planet’s most remote tropical regions during a PONANT expedition cruise. In the heart of Oceania’s archipelagos or the Indian Ocean atolls, along the wild coastlines of Central America or Australia, our luxury amenities and services will make your expedition cruise an unforgettable experience. Our expedition leaders and their teams of naturalist guides devise exceptional itineraries and organise daily outings, shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies, or snorkelling when the cruises are conducive to it, to take you as close as possible to nature. Aboard the ship, they share their knowledge during lectures on a variety of topics such as the fauna and flora, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology. On land, using the local transport options or during hikes, discover the must-see natural sites and, for a few hours, partake in the life and ancestral customs of the local populations.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Enjoy a relaxing interlude in an idyllic resort lined with a beautiful white sandy beach and discover the Kanak culture on a half-day tour. This programme will be a pleasant prelude to your cruise.
Day 1 - Noumea
Meet at the airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will depart the airport by coach and be directly transferred to Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa 5* for check-in.
Day 2 - Noumea
The morning is at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
You will complete the hotel's departure formalities. The official check-out time is 12:00 noon.
After lunch served at the hotel, you will depart for a half-day tour to discover the treasures of Noumea.
You will first travel to Ouen Toro hill and its lookout point. This hill was one of the advance positions of the Americans during the Second World War. The American armed forces placed a battery of cannons on the site, in order to push back any attack by the Japanese, should they manage to reach New Caledonia. The cannons are still there and the lookout offers a spectacular view over Noumea lagoon, at 24,000 km² one of the largest in the world and closed by a coral reef that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the bays and beaches below. Your visit will continue to the Côte Blanche, which is very popular with walkers.
Then you will head to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre which acts as an exhibition centre, multimedia lending library and museum of Kanak culture. Designed by Renzo Piano (winner of the 1998 Pritzker Prize), the building offers a harmonious blend of traditional and modern architecture. The centre is home to a unique collection spanning the arts, customs and history of the Kanaks and the South Pacific in general. Along the “Kanak Way”, you will discover the secrets of the plants, customs and traditions of Kanak villages and other regions of the South Pacific.
You will then go to the New Caledonia Maritime Museum, via the city centre. Your route will take you through the neighbourhood of Faubourg Blanchot, one of the oldest in Noumea. It has preserved a number of small colonial-style wooden houses, a testimony to the city’s history. You will cross the main square, known as the Place des Cocotiers. This square is in fact a park made up of four squares, Place Feuillet, with its famous colonial-style bandstand, Place Courbet which boasts the Fontaine Céleste in its centre, Place Marne with its lively occasional market and Place Orly, known for its café and its small lake.
The Maritime Museum has been entirely renovated and showcases the rich maritime heritage of New Caledonia, from traditional navigation to the presence of the Americans. It presents a collection of archaeological objects recovered from the wrecks of great sailors such as La Pérouse, which tells the story of Caledonian trade.
After this visit, you will be transferred to the pier for embarkation.
Your hotel:
Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa is a unique blend of French sophistication and warm Pacific island ambience. Located on the beachfront overlooking Anse Vata bay, it is nestled in the heart of the tropical landscaped gardens with direct access to the beach, in front of the Grand Casino. You can take advantage of the hotel’s many services: restaurants, bars, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, fitness centre and a spa. You will also find at your disposal a 24-hour room service.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Le Méridien Noumea
BP1915
98846 Noumea Cedex, New-Caledonia
Telephone: +687 26 50 00
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : 450 €
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of two days to discover some of New Caledonia’s natural beauties between sea and mountains, and enjoy a relaxing stay in an idyllic resort. This programme will be an ideal prelude to your embarkation.
Day 1 - Noumea
Meet at the airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will depart the airport by coach and be directly transferred to the Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort 5* for check-in.
Day 2 - Noumea
You will depart the hotel for Bourail: a rural city of Grande Terre. The town stretches between the mountain ranges running the length of New Caledonia down to the sea. The town, which lies at the confluence of several rivers, is the crossroads of many valleys.
You will visit its famous little museum. Built in 1870, the building that today houses the Bourail Museum and Tourist Information Office was originally the prison service store. Nowadays, several thousand visitors come here each year for a journey back in time or to view the last guillotine used in New Caledonia!
You will then head to a restaurant for typical local lunch.
Your tour will continue to the Roche Percée. This huge monolith of hard quartz rock, sculpted by the waves, and tilted on its pedestal, is so called because of its resemblance to a man’s head, seen in profile and topped with a hat, also called the ‘Bourail fellow. You will discover the impressive colonial pine trees and the pristine turquoise water.
Return to the hotel for a late afternoon at leisure.
Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 3 - Noumea
After breakfast and check out, a drive of approximately one hour will take you to the beautiful Great Fern Park.
This beautiful park, with peaks reaching between 400 and 700 metres, is located at the crossroads of the villages of Farino, Moindou and Sarraméa, which are very friendly and welcoming places to visit. It was set up in 2008 with the aim of protecting the local ecosystems of dense dry forest which have an exceptionally rich biodiversity and a very high rate of native species. In 2009 the Research Institute for Social Development estimated that there are around 500 plant species in the park. 70% of these species are endemic. The park is also home to many native birds including the Cagou, Noutou, Caledonian warbler and green pigeon.
A local traditional lunch will follow the visit to the park.
You will then continue to Noumea. Upon arrival in the city, you will start a panoramic drive. Your route will take you through the neighbourhood of Faubourg Blanchot, one of the oldest in Noumea. It has preserved several small colonial-style wooden houses, a testimony to the city’s history. You will cross the main square, known as the Place des Cocotiers. This square is in fact a park made up of four squares, Place Feuillet, with its famous colonial-style bandstand, Place Courbet which boasts the Fontaine Céleste in its centre, Place Marne with its lively occasional market and Place Orly, known for its café and its small lake.
You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
The Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort, with its iconic architecture, occupies a magnificent seafront location. It features an infinity pool, fitness room, spa and an 18-hole golf course. Guestrooms are contemporary in design and equipped with all modern comforts. Take a stroll on the hill tops of Deva Domain nature reserve and enjoy a breathtaking view overlooking the coral reef and the lagoon.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Spa & Golf Resort
Lot 33 Domaine de Deva, Route de Poé
B.P. 50
98870 Bourail, New Caledonia
Telephone: +687 20 70 00
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : 1.120 €
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your day time between your port of disembarkation and the airport.
Auckland
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
You will depart the pier by coach and be driven to enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of Auckland. You will take the Tamaki Drive coastal road that runs along the Sir Michael Savage Memorial Park, and Parnell Rose Garden.
Auckland is set on 52 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New Zealand’s largest and busiest city.
You will then be traferred to the Sky Tower, where your lunch will be served. The Sky Tower, as an icon of Auckland's sky line, offer a panoramic 360° views on the city.
After lunch, you will be transferred to the international airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Total : 170 €