Expedition cruise line Ponant is conducting a new series of Australian roadshows in late July. The roadshows will take to the road and visit Brisbane, Noosa, Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide in July, and Perth and Melbourne in August. It enables potential guests and travel agent partners to meet the Ponant team. It will be the second series of roadshows this year. The roadshows offer an opportunity to learn more about the Ponant cruising lifestyle and destinations. Attendees will hear from the Ponant team about new upcoming itineraries. Deb Corbett, CEO Asia Pacific said: "We take great pride in showcasing our expertise, pioneering spirit, and innovative approach to luxury travel " Participants will gain in-depth knowledge about the latest advancements and trends. Ponant experts will spotlight destinations and offer insights into the cruise fleet. Discussion topics will range from stateroom and suite categories to onboard cuisine. Naturalist and expedition leader Sebastian Jones will attend all roadshow events to share highlights from recent Ponant expeditions Travel agent partners are invited to join and bring their own clients Registrations can be done via the official home page here. Travel agents can register online  and add their clients as 'guests' to their preferred session.   Roadshow full schedule: Brisbane, QLD: Tuesday 23 July 2024 – 2 sessions Noosa, QLD: Wednesday 24 July 2024 – 1 session Gold Coast, QLD: Thursday 25 July 2024 – 1 session Sydney, NSW: Monday 29 July 2024 – 2 sessions Adelaide, SA: Tuesday 30 July 2024 – 1 session Perth, WA: Thursday 1 August 2024 – 2 sessions Melbourne, VIC: Tuesday 6 August 2024 – 2 sessions 

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  PONANT, world leader in luxury expeditions, has released their new March to November 2025 brochure featuring 13 brand new sailings exploring Northern Europe & the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, Asia, Oceania & Polynesia as well as 9 polar itineraries offering experiences exclusive to PONANT aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker. Each PONANT voyage now includes a minimum of one excursion per port of call, promising equally enriching and immersive experiences as luxurious as the expeditions themselves.   PONANT’s 2025 sailing programme features new itineraries exploring Northern Europe and the Atlantic, featuring destinations from the English Channel to the Irish Sea, the Baltic Sea, and Celtic lands. Special experiences are also available for guests such as a Baltic Sea itinerary in partnership with the Paris Opera Ballet and a choice of enriching daily excursions, such as a Stockholm city tour and a visit to the Vasa Museum, as well as a brand new itinerary in partnership with world renowned chef Alain Ducasse’s consulting firm the Ducasse Conseil which will  feature two renowned Japanese Chefs to discover Japan’s ancient Traditions.   Also featured in the brochure are 9 exclusive experiences to PONANT aboard the world’s only luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot. These journeys feature experienced and passionate destination experts and lecturers including naturalists, historians, photo ambassadors plus a range of thrilling activities including dog sledding, kayaking, hiking or snowshoeing, ice fishing, and the exhilarating polar plunge. Guests will explore the ice floes of Baffin Bay, marvel at the immense frozen icebergs of UNESCO World Heritage Site Disko Bay, and enjoy an immersive, authentic encounter with two local Greenlandic communities in villages accessible only to Le Commandant Charcot at this time of year. Additionally, there is an all-new port of call in Corner Brook, on the island of Newfoundland, offering the possibility of skiing in one of the nearby resorts or discovering the town and its history. Guests can also explore the region of Ammassalik and the Blosseville Coast, with its ice cap that extends directly from the North Pole and enjoy an exclusive opportunity to participate in a unique 2-day/1-night Nordic skiing polar trek.   To view the brochure online please click here.

The newest vessel in Ponant's fleet will soon set sail. The Spirit of Ponant accommodates just a dozen guests on a 24m maxi-catamaran. It has a crew of four including a chef. "The Spirit of Ponant is a first in the luxury cruise sector," said Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Ponant. "Our guests will experience what it is really like to be a sailor. They will benefit from hidden away anchorages." The yacht launches in June 2024 and will spend the summer in Corsica, France. It will then sail to the Seychelles for winter 2025. The itinerary is fluid and developed based on the Captain's recommendations and what the guests would like to do. Nautical activities will range from paddleboarding, wakeboarding and snorkelling. During the summer, Spirit of Ponant will sail seven-night cruises from 13 July 2024, roundtrip from Bonifacio, followed by sailings in the Seychelles later this year. The full deployment of itineraries and fares will be announced later this month for booking.

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  PONANT, world leader in luxury expeditions, has launched their 2025 Kimberley season with 18 departures available to book between May and September 2025. PONANT promises an added layer of enrichment with Le Jacques-Cartier returning to the region in 2025 for the second year after her inaugural season in the Kimberley in 2024, alongside renowned sistership Le Soléal sailing 10-night ‘Australia’s Iconic Kimberley’ itineraries between Broome and Darwin.   Featuring a limited capacity of 132 staterooms and suites aboard Le Soléal and only 90 aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, both vessels are designed to seamlessly explore the untamed beauty of Australia’s iconic Kimberley coast. The 10-night itineraries offer an expert led and awe-inspiring immersion into the spectacular untouched landscapes and fascinating Indigenous culture that continues to this day.   ‘’We are thrilled to announce the opening of our 2025 Kimberley expedition season,’’ says Deb Corbett, General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific. “As award winning expedition leaders in the region, we are excited to showcase our expertise and continue to provide the unrivalled experience our Ponant expeditions are known for.”   For guests looking to experience the Kimberley in 2024/25, Ponant can now take care of all expedition arrangements effortlessly with PONANT PLUS, ensuring each guest embarks with ease and returns rejuvenated. PONANT PLUS offers extensive added value, including flights, airport and hotel transfers, accommodation, local touring, and more, providing a seamless experience from start to finish.   *Conditions Apply   Australia’s Iconic Kimberley   Set sail for the wild and grandiose landscapes of Kimberley, from Darwin or Broome embark for an 11-day expedition cruise to one of the last unspoiled regions on the planet. In one of the most picturesque parts of the region, the Hunter River, guests will see wild mangrove forests where saltwater crocodiles live along with many species of birds. Discover the King George River and the majestic Twin Falls, the highest falls in Western Australia, the magnificent bays of Vansittart and Swift will offer you exceptional panoramas, between islands, secret inlets, caves and rocky overhangs. At Ashmore Reef, gaze out over the shades of blue of the Timor Sea off the mainland. The corals are home to extraordinary marine life in this incredibly beautiful paradise. At Collier Bay, guests can admire the Montgomery Reef, home to vast expanses of lagoons and immense coral reefs.   From Darwin to Broome or Broome to Darwin – 11 days, 10 nights 18 departures from 24 May to 21 September 2025 From AUD $10,170 per person* Discover these explorations

Ponant has opened sales for the 2025 Kimberley season with 18 departures available to book. The season lasts from May to September 2025, with Le Jacques-Cartier returning to the region. The ship sails her inaugural season in the Kimberley in 2024, alongside sistership Le Soléal sailing 10-night 'Australia's Iconic Kimberley' itineraries between Broome and Darwin. Featuring a limited capacity of 132 staterooms and suites aboard Le Soléal and 90 aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, both vessels are designed to explore in detail Australia’s iconic Kimberley coast. The 10-night itineraries offer immersion in the iconic landscapes and Indigenous culture of the region. ''We are thrilled to announce the opening of our 2025 Kimberley expedition season,'' said Deb Corbett, GM, Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific. For the 2024/25 season, Ponant can now take care of all expedition arrangements with PONANT PLUS. The programme offers extensive added value, including flights, airport and hotel transfers, accommodation, local touring, and more. Australia's Iconic Kimberley sailing unlocks wild mangrove forests where saltwater crocodiles live along with many species of birds. It explores the King George River and Twin Falls, the highest falls in Western Australia. At Collier Bay, guests can admire the Montgomery Reef, home to lagoons and expansive coral reefs.

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The PONANT fleet is targeting the end of 2026 to have its entire fleet shore power ready. Ships will be equipped with shore-side power connections. Since the installation of the PONANT Explorer series in 2022, Le Bellot makes port calls in into Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, connecting to the port's electricity network. "We are exploring numerous options to achieve the goal of cutting our CO₂-per-sailing-day emissions by 30% by 2030,” said PONANT General Secretary, Patrick Augier. “We can now partner with ports that have this facility to assess the effects and constraints of these technologies in real-life conditions.” Four vessels from the PONANT Explorer's series – Le Bellot, Le Dumont-d'Urville, Le Jacques-Cartier and Le Champlain – already have shore power connections. Two of the sister ships – L'Austral and Le Boréal are scheduled to be fitted in 2024. PONANT's shore power conversion represents a major investment of €1 million per ship. It contributes to a substantial reduction in the company's overall carbon footprint. "This commitment not only enhances our brand but also propels us to strive for significant milestones in sustainability,” said PONANT CEO for Asia Pacific and Special Advisor Chris Hall. The European Union has committed to a goal of decreasing its CO₂ emissions by 55% between 1990 and 2030. It is striving for carbon neutrality within the maritime sector by the year 2050. Starting in 2025, additional taxes will be imposed on fossil marine fuels and as of 2024, maritime transport will be integrated into the European emissions trading system, involving CO₂ quotas.

  An outstanding Relais & Châteaux three-mast sailing yacht, Ponant offers a uniquely intimate and exclusive travel experience, combining high-end refinement and the authenticity of cruising under sail. Bookings for Summer 2024 and Winter 2024-2025 are now open. From the Mediterranean to Cape Verde and the Caribbean, 46 sailings have been carefully crafted to reconnect with the essentials, embrace the elements and discover iconic destinations.   “Embarking aboard Le Ponant is to enjoy a genuine sailing experience and share a sailor’s adventure,” explains her Captain Jean-David Lemaire. “The ship is at one with the elements - the sea that bears us along, the wind that propels us and the sun as our guide. Le Ponant sets a soothing rhythm, instils a spirit of adventure, and inspires travel. This ship has a soul.”   Summer 2024: The Confidential Mediterranean   Next summer, Le Ponant will be bearing a privileged few out to sea to rediscover the magic of the Cyclades and explore the Adriatic coast, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist spots, closer to nature. With 16 sailings from Athens and Dubrovnik, guests can enjoy all the charm of niche islands, strolling through fishing villages and breathe in the intoxicating scent of fig trees as they approach the shore. Freedom, the good life, swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking await, with evening ports of call to experience the lively ambiance of the harbours at sunset.  

• Croatia, Under Sail Aboard Le Ponant, Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik, 7 nights, 7 sailings, 18 August to 29 September 2024
• The Cyclades, In the Wake of Le Ponant Athens to Athens, 7 nights, 8 sailings, 2 June to 21 July 2024

  Winter 2024-2025: To the rhythm of the Caribbean and Cape Verd   Le Ponant will begin Winter 2024-25 exploring the many facets of the Cap Verde archipelago. From desert panoramas to lush green landscapes and white sandy beaches, the three-master will sail from island to island. During ports of call, guests will have plenty of opportunity to appreciate the cultural diversity of this archipelago, a blend of colonial heritage, nostalgic rhythms and tropical flavours.   The Many Faces of Cap Verde Mindelo to Mindelo, 8 sailings, 8 November to 27 December 2024   From January 2025, Le Ponant will be heading for the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. From Guadeloupe to the Grenadines, r from the British Virgin Islands to Anguilla, 6 sailings are offered to explore some of the secret islands in the Antilles, some uninhabited.  The occasion to relax and unwind in heavenly locations, discovering treasures of unspoilt nature and being immersed in Creole culture.  

• Reverie Under Sail in the Heart of the Lesser Antilles Phillipsburg to Marigot, 3 sailings, 1^st February to 29 March 2025
• Gliding the Waters of the Windward Islands Pointe-à-Pitre to Pointe-à-Pitre, 3 sailings,18 January to 15 March 2025

  LE PONANT: THE WORLD’S FIRST SAILING YACHT TO OBTAIN RELAIS & CHATEAUX LABEL   After four years of regular ad hoc partnerships, PONANT and Relais & Châteaux have strengthened their ties. The three master is a full member of the Relais & Châteaux establishments. It is the first sailing yacht in history to obtain the label and be included in its catalogue of the finest travel addresses in the world.   “Both our firms are committed to sharing expertise and promoting the inimitable French lifestyle by offering meaningful voyages. Aboard Le Ponant, the jewel in our fleet’s crown, everyone can reconnect with nature and their own inspirations and live out their desires under sail,” says Hervé Gastinel, CEO of PONANT. With only 16 elegantly decorated staterooms and suites and a dedicated chef, the travel experience is as if you are on your own private yacht. Due to its small size the ship can offer exclusive ports of call.

PONANT is adding inclusive excursions on all its expedition cruises from winter 2024-2025. Reservations are now open with 17 itineraries, 32 departures for Asia, Oceania, Antarctica and Northern Europe. One excursion is included per port of call. They range from local culture and heritage, participating in outdoor sports activities, attending artistic events, or free time. As capacities are limited, pre-booking will open around two months before departure. For all expedition cruises, requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. The choice of excursions can be viewed on the “Included Excursions” tab on the website. For guests who would like to experience more exclusive activities, optional paid excursions will also be offered for each departure. These include ice fishing, dogsledding, and volcano exploration.

PONANT's 2024-2025 winter program will offer a one-of-a-kind voyage through the ice on St Lawrence River cruises to Québec and the Innu and Micmac communities of Canada.  Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the 13-day expedition will showcase expansive frozen landscapes and the aurora borealis. The ship is the first luxury icebreaker, fueled by LNG. Hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, dog sledding and ice fishing is available for guests. The landscapes are home to caribou, elk and black bears in their natural habitat. There will be four sailings from January to February 2025 The St Lawrence cruise itinerary features shore visits with a team of naturalist-guides including traditional villages and meeting the indigenous communities. There is also the chance of viewing the Northern Lights. Activities include kayaking, ice fishing and dog sledding. During time in Québec guests can attend the world's largest winter carnival.

  After four years of varied partnerships, PONANT and Relais & Châteaux are strengthening their ties with Le Ponant, the company’s iconic three-master flagship superyacht joining the large family of Relais & Châteaux establishments as a new member. The historic achievement marks the first time a sailing yacht has been granted the esteemed label and featured in their exclusive collection of the world's most exquisite travel destinations.   An exceptional catalogue for an exceptional establishment   “Both our firms are committed to sharing expertise and promoting the inimitable French lifestyle to design meaningful voyages. Aboard Le Ponant, the jewel of our fleet, everyone can reconnect with nature and their own inspirations and live out their desires under sail”, PONANT Global CEO Hervé Gastinel said.   With only 16 elegantly decorated staterooms and a dedicated chef, the travel experience for guests on board Le Ponant is as if they are on their own private yacht, with its small size enabling the yacht to offer exclusive ports of call.   Dream destinations for Le Ponant and Relais & Châteaux in 2023/2024   The first voyages aboard Relais & Châteaux member Le Ponant are tropical expeditions through an infinite palette of blues in Cape Verde and the Caribbean for the 2023/2024 season, after she finishes her one-season-only Kimberley sailings this year.   The partnership highlights a shared passion for personal experiences and authenticity offering richness and diversity of the world’s finest cuisine to the most discerning Relais & Châteaux guests. In line with PONANT, the collaboration prioritises commitment to preserving local heritage and the environment.

Luxury expedition operator PONANT achieved a new cruise sales record for the first quarter of 2023 surpassing its previous best by 30%. It also reported an 80% booking increase compared to the first quarter of 2019. It results in PONANT’s best ever quarterly cruise sales results in its history. The Asia Pacific market contributed 20.7% of the company's global success. It comes as the company is set to celebrate its 35th anniversary this year. "It not only reflects our industry recovery but our ability to stand out in its market," said Chief Sales, Marketing & Communications Officer Hervé Bellaïche.

  PONANT has revealed its new Japanese luxury expedition programme for 2024 featuring acclaimed sailings in the Nippon archipelago as well as three new itineraries never offered before, for travellers to discover and rediscover the Empire of the Rising Sun.   Commencing in March 2024, the world leader of luxury expeditions PONANT is expanding its programme of Japanese expeditions with the addition of sailings in Kyushu’s islands between Kagoshima and Fukuoka, and in the Seto Inland Sea from Kagoshima to Kobe. PONANT, a trailblazer in the small luxury expedition cruise landscape, is the first operator to bring its modern fleet in some of Japan most remote locations, offering its guests the unique chance to encounter another fascinating and never-seen-before part of the country.   Travellers sailing onboard Le Jacques-Cartier and Le Soleal will not only be amongst the first to explore some of Japan south islands on a luxury expedition but can also expect to discover the unexpected Christian heritage off the coast of Nagasaki – a religion which survived being banned for three centuries during the Edo period. At the intersection of Western and Japanese traditions, guests will access various UNESCO sites and hidden Christian sites, including Sakitsu and Kamigoto on Yakushima Island.   Each sailing promises a rich itinerary combining some of Japan’s most diverse and sometimes under-the-radar assets, from luxurious vegetation to sharp rugged cliffs; from green-topped volcanoes to white-sand beaches; from modern metropoles to ancestral remote towns.   The new itineraries add to PONANT’s existing routes across Japan’s subtropical islands, gently taking travellers away from the lively Kobe, Fukuoka and Onomichi, to the exotic and remote provinces of Iheyajima, Kerama or even Ishigaki. On select itineraries, guests will have the chance to embark on a wider Asian exploration stopping by some of South Korea’s most famous southern ports of Busan, Yeosu or Jeju, Keelung in Taiwan, or Ha Long in Vietnam.   The new 2024 programme is the result of a highly curated selection of the country best-kept secrets carefully curated by Ryo Ijichi, PONANT’s Expedition Leader and Commercial Manager for Japan and Korea who commented on the expansion of the existing Japan programme whilst staying true to PONANT’s ethos of unparallel and meaningful expedition sailings.   “As an island state, Japan was originally more connected by sea than by land. Most of the cities, the gateways to these regions, there faced the ocean. Imagine what a great playground this is for an expedition ship discovery. When one considers Japan, one often thinks of the contemporary pace of Tokyo and the traditional aspects of Kyoto, but it is my   hope from our itineraries that our guests will learn and experience an entirely different way or being in this unexpectedly rich country,” Ryo said.   NEW - Japan, natural archipelago, and secular heritage   A new itinerary for the 2024 season, PONANT invites guests to discover one of Japan’s unique heritages between Kagoshima and Kobe through a 9-day trip. Sailing through the Seto Inland Sea and its picturesque villages, Le Jacques-Cartier will son set course to the fascinating Koshikijima Islands and its monumental cliffs, before heading for the island region of Amakusa, once the refuge of Christians fleeing the ban on Catholicism in the Edo period and visiting Sakitsu’s UNESCO-listed church. After a stop in South Korea’s second largest city, Busan, travellers will return to Japan and discover Moji on the northern tip of Kyushu, a preserved architectural jewel evoking the traditional Japan of the Meiji  era. After a trip to Onomichi, home to numerous temples and emblematic shrines, guests will visit Tomonoura and its craggy landscape before reaching Kobe.   From Kagoshina to Kobe – 9 days, 8 nights From 4 May 2024 to 12 May 2024 From AUD 10,270 per person* Save up to 25% when you book early – conditions apply. Find more about this sailing.   Japanese Subtropical Islands – Okinawa to Keelung   As the first cruise company to take travellers to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan, PONANT’s guests can expect to discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa and Yaeyama Islands in the Ryukyu archipelago. From Naha Island, Le Jacques-Cartier will set sail for Iheya Island where the traditional “Eisa” show takes place before heading to Zamami in the Kerama Islands and its unspoiled beauty from where “Kerama blue” is known. Guests will then head for Kumejima, a truly multifaceted island with mythical rock formation and idyllic beaches. The sail will conclude in Keelung (Taipei’s port) but not before visiting the highlights of Japan’s southern islands, including Ishigaki, Taketomijima, and UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Iriomotejima island’s southern coast.   From Naha, Okinawa to Keelung (Chilung) – 8 days, 7 nights From 16 March 2024 to 23 March 2024 From AUD 8,030 per person* Save up to 30% when you book early – conditions apply. Find more about this sailing.   Japanese Subtropical Islands – Fukuoka  to Keelung   From Fukuoka to Taiwan, this 8-day expedition cruise will take travellers through the mountainous island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site with unspoiled nature and endemic species such as Yakushima monkey and deer, before making their way to Zamami, and Taketomijima. On a southward journey, Le Jacques-Cartier will sail to Ishigaki, the capital island of the Yaeyama Islands, which hosts the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, with idyllic scenery, crystal-clear turquoise water and beaches of white sand. Following a stop in the island of Iriomotejima, another UNESCO World Heritage Site for its authentic and preserved character in luxurious tropical forest and mangrove, travellers will reach Yonagunijima, then Keelung – the port of Taiwanese capital Taipei.   From Fukuoka to Keelung (Chilung) – 8 days, 7 nights From 6 April 2024 to 13 April 2024 From AUD 8,420 per person* Save up to 30% when you book early – conditions apply. Find more about this sailing.   Japanese Subtropical Islands – Keelung to Kagoshima   Departing from Taipei’s Port of Keelung, the capital of the lush island of Taiwan, travellers will set sail for the southern islands of Japan including Ishigaki, the capital island of the Yaeyama Islands. There in the heart of the magnificent Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, guests will be able to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the eponymous city or discover   Kabira Bay and its crystal-clear turquoise water and beaches of white sand. After a stop in Taketomijima and the island of Iriomotejima, travellers will call in Kumejima which once linked Okinawa to China and today known for being one of the world’s most famous spots for underwater activities, and Iheya Island and its traditional “Eisa” show featuring traditional drums. Le Jacques-Cartier will then make its way to the island of Amamioshima and its stunning coral reefs, the UNESCO listed island of Yakushima and finally, Kagoshima: a bustling city nestling between ancient forests and majestic volcanoes.   From Keelung (Chilung) to Kagoshima – 8 days, 7 nights From 13 April 2024 to 20 April 2024 From AUD 8,990 per person* Save up to 25% when you book early – conditions apply. Find more about this sailing.   Expedition in the Seto Inland Sea   Sailing through the oldest sea route in Japan, with a history as a strategic hub during Antiquity, guests of Le Jacques-Cartier will set sail from Kobe, a charming harbour city between sea and mountains, and make their way to the island of Inujima – a flourishing centre of the mining industry. Onboard one of the zodiac inflatables, travellers will adventure into Tomonoura and its craggy landscapes before visiting Onomichi, a charming coastal town surrounded by green hills and home to many temples and emblematic shrines. Sailing by the jagged coastlines of Miyajima Island and witnessing the emblematic Shino Shrine of Itsukushima, a UNESCO World Heritage where time seems stuck in the  feudal era, Le Jacques-Cartier will drop anchor on the island of Honshu, home of the samurai. After taking travellers to Yeosu (South Korea), home of the Marine Expo in 2012, the sailing will end in Fukuoka.   From Kobe to Fukuoka – 8 days, 7 nights From 30 March 2024 to 6 April 2024 From AUD 9,560 per person* Save up to 20% when you book early – conditions apply . Find more about this sailing.   Expedition to the Kitamae Route   One of PONANT’s most extensive Japan sailings will start from Otary, taking its guests to the north of the island of Honshu and the charming city of Sakata, long known as a prosperous town with authentic and traditional architecture. Guests of Le Jacques-Cartier will then head to the small island of Sado, Wajima, Ine and Miyazu, all known for their ancestral arts and crafts, before a change of scenery with the Uradome Coast, one of the major geological sites in the Sainin Kaigan National Park. Stopping by Tottori, an ancient, fortified town and home to Japan’s largest sand dunes, guests will soon sail to South Korea and discover the fascinating Busan. Back in Japan, travellers will discover the picturesque Shimonoseki, a city known for its rich history and emblematic fish market. As the sailing draws to a close, PONANT’s zodiac inflatables will provide the perfect way to explore Onomichi and its numerous temples and shrines, before stopping by Tomonoura and ultimately, Osaka.   From Otaru, Hokkaido to Osaka – 12 days, 11 nights From 9 April 2024 to 20 April 2024 From AUD 15,480 per person* Save up to 15% when you book early – conditions apply. Find more about this sailing.   Kyushu’s Secret Islands and Ancestral Heritage   A new itinerary for the 2024 season, travellers can expect to uncover an unsuspected side of Japan onboard Le Jacques-Cartier, combining enchanting nature and unexpected Christina heritage at the intersection of Western and Japanese traditions. From bustling Kagoshima, travellers will head to the mountainous island of Yakushima, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its rich wildlife and unspoiled nature, before reaching Koshikijima Islands and their majestic cliffs. Guests will then discover the island region of Amakusa, off the coast of Nagasaki, once the refuge of Christians  fleeing the ban on Catholicism during the Edo period, including an immersion in the emblematic UNESCO-listed church.   of Sakitsu. Further North, in Goto Islands’ Kamigoto, further traces of this under-the-radar heritage can be found across small towns. Pursuing this new discovery expedition, travellers will then unveil the secrets of Iki, a little-known island between South Korea and Fukuoka, set amongst verdant-topped rock formations, heavenly beaches and no less than 150 shrines. The new sailing will conclude in Fukuoka after a stop by the volcanic island of Jeju in South Korea.   From Kagoshina to Fukuoka – 8 days, 7 nights From 20 April 2024 to 27 April 2024 From AUD 8,990 per person* Also operates in reverse from 20 April to 27 May 2024 Save up to 30% when you book early – conditions apply. Find more about this sailing.