Panama, Colombia & Caribbean Islands on Le Dumont d'Urville

Join us aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville for an exceptional PONANT cruise sailing from Colón to Fort-de-France. This 13-day itinerary will give you the opportunity to appreciate the richness and diversity of Afro-Caribbean cultures, an azure blue sky and white-sand beaches.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, explore the mangrove in a traditional canoe from Cartagena de Indias, enjoy hiking in La Quebrada and seeing its waterfall, leaving from Santa Marta, or discover the town of Soufrière, between land and sea, on Saint Lucia. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
From Fort-de-France you will sail towards the ravishing Baie des Saintes, a very popular spot for mooring, with crystal clear waters and fabulous seabeds, before reaching Saint Lucia and its two majestic rocky peaks soaring straight from the sea, a unique location listed as UNESCO World Heritage site.
Then, you will head south to the archipelago of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The most beautiful coral reef in the West Indies connects this chain of islands and reveals incredible underwater fauna and secret coves. Next, you will discover the magnificent Bonaire, renowned for its coral reefs protected by a huge marine park and for its pink flamingos, emblematic of the island.
On the north of Columbia’s Caribbean coast, you will reach Santa Marta. This seaside resort is an infinite source of wonder, with its lush tropical forest, beautiful fine sandy beaches and Pre-Columbian treasures. Then, you will visit the city of Cartagena de Indias. Its port, fortress and historic monuments, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer many noteworthy sights.
You will next succumb to the charms of the clear waters of Panama and the San Blas archipelago, composed of more than 300 islands and cays. The Kuna people live among the palm trees and pirogues (small boats); this culture continues, among other things, the traditional craft of molas, weaved textiles in sparkling colours.
Your last port of call before reaching Colon will be in the magnificent Portobelo Bay, in a region imbued with the traditions of Congo culture. The fortifications of this former gateway to the New World are a UNESCO World Heritage Site !

PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries that touch all corners of the globe. Every cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery—all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of extreme landscapes.
Why cruise with PONANT?
• 13 luxury small ships, able to easily navigate small waterways and visit remote destinations not accessible by large cruise ships.
• Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration yacht, sails further into the polar regions (including the Geographic North Pole).
• The youngest expedition fleet afloat.
• The leader in luxury polar expeditions for over 20 years and cultural cruising for over 30 years.
• Over 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents.
• Experts on board our voyages of discovery and learning to enrich guests’ understanding of the destinations.
• An exclusive partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, the the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution.
• Understated elegance on board with French-inspired cuisine, fine wines, and chic design.
• Proud to partner with Sothys, Veuve Clicquot, and Ducasse Conseil. Ships feature fabrics by Pierre Frey, beauty products from Hermès, macarons by Ladurée, and tea from Palais des Thés.
• 100% of our staterooms have a sea view and 95% have a balcony (100% on the PONANT EXPLORERS).
• Attentive yet discreet service from an experienced, multilingual onboard staff and crew.
• Open bridge access (requires approval from Captain).
• “Clean Ship” certification for the fleet in recognition of their eco-friendly features.
• All-inclusive pricing with open bar, gratuities, port fees, and taxes (including Zodiac explorations/landings on expeditions).
• The world’s first underwater passenger lounge, the Blue Eye, featured exclusively on the PONANT EXPLORER ships.
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Itinerary
Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Fort-de-France | 7:00 PM | |
2 | Les Saintes | 8:00 AM | 8:00 PM |
3 | Pigeon Island Beach | 8:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
3 | Soufrière | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
4 | Union Island | 7:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
5 | Mayreau Island | 7:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
6 | At sea | ||
7 | Bonaire | 7:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
8 | At sea | ||
9 | Santa Marta | 7:00 AM | 7:00 PM |
10 | Cartagena | 7:00 AM | 8:00 PM |
11 | San Blas Islands | 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
12 | Portobelo | 7:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
13 | Colón | 7:00 AM |