Guest Speaker 
Superior Stateroom
25% Ponant Bonus
21 m2
3
Black Sea Odyssey
Istanbul - Istanbul
Dates:
13/07/2023
to
24/07/2023
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Departing from Istanbul, PONANT brings you an itinerary along the coastlines of the Black Sea, to discover the Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian and Georgian shores. During this 12-day cruise, Le Lyrial will take you to exceptional natural and historic sites.
Your trip will begin with the discovery of the city of Nessebar, in Bulgaria. The architecture of this city established over 3,000 years ago is extremely rich, inherited from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations that succeeded one another.
You will then head north to Bulgaria with a port of call in Varna. Renowned for its fine sandy beaches, this major city also features an important architectural heritage from the end of the 19th century, including the Cathedral of the Assumption, built after the cathedral of Saint Petersburg.
Further north, Odessa, the pearl of the Black Sea. This city will win you over with its unique charm resulting from the mix of Slavic and Mediterranean cultures. Don’t miss the chance to visit its palaces, catacombs, magnificent opera house, and of course take a detour via the legendary giant stairway immortalised in the film Battleship Potemkin.
Your ship will then head to the East, to discover the lively seaside towns of Sochi, on the 'Russian Riviera', at the feet of the Western Caucasus mountains, and Batumi, in Georgia.
Your ship will then make its way to the Turkish coast, where the ports of call will be of great cultural and historical interest. First, Trabzon and Samsun, at the gateway to Anatolia, then, not far from Amasra, the ancient city of Safranbolu, boasting typical Ottoman architecture. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was a major caravan station between Europe and the East.
Then you will reach Istanbul, a rich historical UNESCO listed site, at the end of a magnificent cruise.
Ref : LY130723
Your itinerary
An itinerary along the coastlines in the Black Sea, to discover five countries: Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. UNESCO sites: Istanbul (port of embarkation and disembarkation), the ancient city...
View detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
You may also like...
You may also like...
LE JACQUES-CARTIER
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
04/11/2022 to the 20/11/2022
- New
LE LAPEROUSE
09/11/2022 to the 23/11/2022
LE LYRIAL
*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
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
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:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
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:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
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.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
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
Highlights
- An itinerary along the coastlines in the Black Sea, to discover five countries: Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia.
- UNESCO sites: Istanbul (port of embarkation and disembarkation), the ancient city of Nessebar and the city of Safranbolu.
- Discover Nessebar with its rich architectural heritage.
- Discover Odessa, the pearl of the Black Sea.
- In Sochi, the charm of the Russian Riviera
- From Trabzon, the Sumela Monastery.
- From Samsun, the visit of Amasya, an essential port on the Silk Road.
Ports of Call & Excursions
13 July 2023 - Istanbul
Embarkation 13/07/2023 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 13/07/2023 at 18:00
Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautiful of all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by the Greeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this city is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
14 July 2023 - Nessebar
Arrival 14/07/2023 midday
Departure 14/07/2023 early evening
Built on a peninsula on the south-west coast overlooking the Black sea, the town of Nessebar possesses age-old history. Founded by the Greeks and then colonised by the Romans and the Ottomans, it is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You can ramble in the historical district without worrying about cars, because the area is fully pedestrian. As you mosey through the streets, look out for the houses with wooden corbels, and, in the squares, admire the Byzantine sanctuaries and their astonishing multi-coloured adornments, like Saint-Paraskevi church. The Archaeological Museum has a very rich collection of ancient vestiges. Don’t forget to try the local speciality, touloumbitchki dipped in syrup.
15 July 2023 - Varna
Arrival 15/07/2023 early morning
Departure 15/07/2023 midday
Sometimes called “the marine capital of Bulgaria”, Varna stands on the shores of the Black Sea, offering a perfect blend of historical visits and relaxation on its long, white-sand beaches. Now a major Bulgarian port, the city was founded in the 6th century BC by the Greeks, before being taken by the Thracians 150 years later. After being conquered by Alexander of Macedon in the 4th century, it became Roman. Later, it was fought over by the Byzantines and Bulgarians before belonging permanently to the latter. Wander through the city’s streets to discover its architectural wonders: the Varna Opera House, the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, the Roman baths, and the highly popular sea garden. Varna is also home to many museums such as the archaeological museum, the naval museum, the park-museum of the Battle of Varna and the city art gallery.
16 July 2023 17 July 2023 - Odessa
Arrival 16/07/2023 midday
Departure 17/07/2023 midday
Located on the Black Sea, Odessa, the third largest city in Ukraine, will charm you with its traditions, monuments and natural treasures. You will stroll around its historic centre where you’ll find historic sites and important museums on every turn of the street. Its buildings, along its wide shaded boulevards, give a good idea of its former grandeur. Near the sea, you will appreciate climbing the 192 steps of the Potemkin Stairs, considered as the formal entrance to Odessa. This genuine symbol of the city was made famous by Sergei Eisenstein’s film Battleship Potemkin (1925).
18 July 2023 - At sea
Arrival 18/07/2023
Departure 18/07/2023
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.
19 July 2023 - Sochi
Arrival 19/07/2023 early morning
Departure 19/07/2023 midday
Between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Sochi enjoys an exceptional natural setting on the “Russian Riviera”. Internationally known since hosting the Olympic Games in 2014, the pearl of the Black Sea can be discovered through the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, Arts Square, the Winter Theatre and the famous Matsesta spa. A trip to Sochi is also an opportunity to go into the surrounding mountains that overlook its pebble beaches to visit Stalin’s secret dacha. Left as it was and hidden amongst huge Californian pine trees, the grey-green structure is perfectly camouflaged in the forest, as per the wishes of the former ruler of the USSR. A little further on, the secrets of the Russian tea plantations are unveiled in a rolling landscape of prairies and subtropical forests on the slopes of Mount Armyanka. Before leaving the city, don’t forget to visit the Olympic Park facilities.
20 July 2023 - Batumi
Arrival 20/07/2023 early morning
Departure 20/07/2023 mid afternoon
Like many Black Sea cities, Batumi has successively been Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and under Russian and then Soviet control until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Gonio Fortress, a few kilometres from the city, is testament to this rich history and was home to the different civilisations that occupied the region. Take a walk through Batumi’s old town centre to discover its most famous monuments: Piazza Square, Saint Nicholas Church, Europe Square, the Statue of Medea, the colonnades on the boulevard, the Alphabetic Tower and the Ali and Nino monument. Located on a promontory overlooking the Black Sea, the Batumi Botanical Garden, the second largest in the world, is well worth seeing.
21 July 2023 - Trabzon
Arrival 21/07/2023 early morning
Departure 21/07/2023 mid afternoon
The cultural and historical capital of the Black Sea region, located in the north of Anatolia, Trabzon has important historical heritage. Founded in the 7th century BC by the Milesians, the city was dominated in turns by the Romans, the Goths and the Ottomans: all these different populations, kingdoms and empires have shaped this city’s very particular atmosphere. Not far from here, Altindere Valley National Park is renowned for its immense oak and conifer forests and is home to the ancient Sumela Monastery, nestled 1,200 metres high at the foot of an impressive cliff.
22 July 2023 - Samsun
Arrival 22/07/2023 early morning
Departure 22/07/2023 mid afternoon
The biggest city in the Black Sea region, Samsun lies on the coast of Turkey. This modern, industrial city is home to 75 archaeological sites that can be interesting to visit. It gives access to one of the most beautiful cities in Asia Minor: the city of crown princes, Amasya, sitting on the banks of the green river (Yeşil Irmak). Its magnificent Ottoman houses lining the narrow left bank, tucked between the river and the rocky outcrop, are sure to captivate you.
23 July 2023 - Amasra
Arrival 23/07/2023 early morning
Departure 23/07/2023 late afternoon
Fondée au XIIe siècle avant J.-C., Amasra doit son nom à la princesse perse Amastris qui la fit prospérer en la dotant de temples, d’une agora et d’une acropole. Aujourd’hui, calme et sérénité exhalent de cette charmante cité de la mer Noire dont la péninsule est divisée en deux îlots qui avancent sur la mer. Cette escale est le point de départ vers Safranbolu, cité ottomane inscrite au patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco pour son incroyable architecture. Nommée ainsi en raison de la culture de l’épice éponyme, elle doit son importance historique à sa position stratégique sur la principale route caravanière entre l’Orient et l’Occident dès le XIIIe siècle.
24 July 2023 - Istanbul
Arrival 24/07/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 24/07/2023 at 08:00
Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautiful of all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by the Greeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this city is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
Le Lyrial
First introduced in 2015 and the fourth ship in the Sisterships series, Le Lyrial is the very embodiment of this new generation of intimately sized cruise ships. Its exterior and interior lines, all sober understatement and refinement, make it a yacht of a rare and innovative kind.
For the interior decoration, we took inspiration from the tones and colours of our destinations and used a palette made up of blues, from the soft, luminous grey-like tones of the polar ice to the vivid notes and turquoises of Mediterranean inlets and coves.
Up to 244 Guests
122 staterooms & suites
145 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.