Jewels of the South Seas
* Subject to availability.
Highlights
- Discovery of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Wallis and Futuna and Fiji.
- Southern sea lagoons, white-sand beaches and lush vegetation – a picture postcard of paradise.
- Encounters with the locals and opportunities to discover Polynesian cultures during traditional ceremonies.
- An itinerary that will sail via Wallis and Futuna, where the PONANT fleet is registered.
- Possibility of diving (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board.
- Staterooms & Suites
- LE SOLEAL
- Port of call & excursions
- Formalities
- Scuba diving
- Pre/Post & Overlands
Staterooms & Suites
Superior Stateroom $6,090 Not Available Deluxe Stateroom $6,550 Not Available Prestige Deck 4 $7,310 Not Available Prestige Deck 5 $7,670 Not Available Prestige Deck 6 $8,040 Not Available Deluxe Suite $11,160 Not Available Prestige Deck 5 Suite $15,110 Not Available Prestige Deck 6 Suite $15,850 Not Available Owner's Suite $18,190 Available
Port of call & excursions

Papeete, Tahiti Island
Embarkation 20/03/2020 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 20/03/2020 at 18H00 .Capital of French Polynesia, the city of Papeete is on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere here,where urban buzz combines with the legendary laid-back Polynesian lifestyle. Culture is not lacking. You can enjoy sites narrating the history of the archipelago, including the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la reine Marau. The Vaipahi public gardens will win you over by their abundant plant-life. The large municipal market offers local specialities: fresh fruit, spices and all kinds of fish abound on their stalls.

21 March 2020 – Bora Bora, Society Islands
Arrival 21/03/2020 early morning. Departure 21/03/2020 late afternoon.Paradisiacal atoll of the archipelago of the Leeward Islands, west of French Polynesia, mythical Bora-Bora offers a natural spectacle of captivating beauty. You’ll be won over as much by the white sandy beaches as by its famous lagoon, one of the most beautiful in the world, where colourful fish frolic in waters of incomparable turquoise. The island is covered with tropical vegetation, and dominated by the majestic outline of Mount Otemanu. A promenade through this volcanic landscape will enable you to discover a number of villages and meet local communities.

22 March 2020 – At sea
Arrival 22/03/2020. Departure 22/03/2020.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.

23 March 2020 – Aitutaki
Arrival 23/03/2020 early morning. Departure 23/03/2020 late afternoon.Aitutaki is a little island of 16 km², with a small fishing port with few motor boats, where a simple and peaceful life endures. During your visit, don’t miss the opportunity to walk along this magnificent lagoon, reputed as one of the most beautiful and spectacular in the world. Snorkelling fans will discover the treasures of underwater life here. The island is specialised in the sale of black pearls and the production of coloured sarongs, as well as “tivaevae” — patchwork quilting and handiworks. This local manufacture has great value because of its careful artisanal fabrication, and the pieces made are generally offered at important occasions.

24 March 2020 – Palmerston Island
Arrival 24/03/2020 early morning. Departure 24/03/2020 late afternoon.
25 March 2020 – At sea
Arrival 25/03/2020. Departure 25/03/2020.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.

26 March 2020 – International Date Line, Extreme West
Arrival 26/03/2020. Departure 26/03/2020.
27 March 2020 – Apia
Arrival 27/03/2020 early morning. Departure 27/03/2020 midday.Not far from the Wallis and Futuna archipelago, your ship will set sail towards Apia, capital of Western Samoa. Located in the Pacific ring of fire, this destination remains little-known by tourists. You will be perpetually surrounded by turquoise blue lagoons and will spot waterfalls here and there in an intense green environment. Visit Apia Museum to discover the history of the region and then head for Mulinu’u, the territory’s former ceremonial capital. As for the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, it is home to magnificent underwater fauna and flora and attracts diving fans.

28 March 2020 – Mata Utu, Wallis Island
Arrival 28/03/2020 early morning. Departure 28/03/2020 late afternoon.A small town currently home to 1,100 inhabitants, Mata Utu is located on Wallis Island in the Wallis and Futuna archipelago. From afar, you will appreciate the colonial architecture of the Palace of the King; numerous traditional festivals are held in front of this building. Also discover the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, constructed in the 19th century and home to the seat of the Wallis and Futuna diocese. Be sure to take the unmissable walk along Lake Lalolao, which, at 82 metres deep, is certainly the most impressive of the crater lakes on Wallis. Mata Utu, a small corner of France lost in the Pacific, is also where the ships in the PONANT fleet are registered.

29 March 2020 – Alofi Island
Arrival 29/03/2020 early morning. Departure 29/03/2020 early evening.Located in the South Pacific, the Wallis and Futuna archipelago is a real jewel of nature, a territory that remains very little-known in tourism. Home to rare bird species unique to Oceania, the territory is surrounded by incredibly clear waters that protect a great variety of fish, dolphins, tortoises and rays. Stroll along the magnificent beaches of Alofi and the coast road. Inland, the Villa Malia de Leava Church on Futuna is known for its annual celebrations of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the village. This important event is eagerly awaited by devotees, who give a hundred pigs as an offering for this big religious festival.

30 March 2020▸31 March 2020 – Taveuni
Arrival 30/03/2020 midday. Departure 31/03/2020 midday.Located to the east of Vanua Levu in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, Taveuni is the third-largest island in Fiji, also called the “garden-island” because of its abundant flora, which includes the delicate and rare Tagimoucia flower, characterised by its red and white petals. The island is like a lush tropical forest, with nature trails, deserted beaches, many waterfalls melting into the vegetation, such as the Bouma Falls, and the Namena Marine Reserve. The island is justifiably reputed for ecotourism and scuba diving.

Lautoka
Disembarkation 01/04/2020 at 08H00 .Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji. Located on the western side of the island of Viti Levu, 24 kilometres north of Nadi. Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane growing region, it is known as the Sugar City. Lautoka is the gateway to Fiji’s “Sun coast” a land of abundant sunshine, azure skies and dramatic grass-covered peaks chequered with sugar-cane fields, rural villages and quaint market towns.
Formalities
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
USA: Should your flight transit via the USA, a visa or ESTA may be required. Please contact USA consulate website for details.
In order to participate in diving sessions, guests must have with them a medical certificate less than 1 year old and their up to date dive book.
Scuba diving
Scuba diving
Fauna and flora of the Pacific ocean
The fauna of the Pacific ocean is very varied. During the various dives, divers can observe various species of benthic fauna such as napoleon fish, racoonbutterfly fish, and pelagic fauna such as manta rays, gray reef sharks, dolphin fish, as well as endemic wildlife such as different soft corals.
Supervision of the dives
Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.
Level required for scuba diving on this cruise
The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 1star CMAS or the PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.
Process of the dives (certified divers)
The instructor can dive with 4 certified divers at a time. The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 metres will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:
- For those with PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 25 metres.
- If two PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 20 metres.
- Process of the initiation dives (novice divers)
- Before your initiation dive, your instructor will show you the equipment and will explain to you how to communicate underwater using hand gestures and how to breathe through a regulator. Once in the water, equipped with your material, you will learn how to breathe through your regulator on the surface for a couple of minutes. When your instructor feels you are ready, he will immerse you in water for about 20 minutes to a depth of 6 metres maximum.
Duration of the dives
The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.
Supplied equipment
- Diving wetsuit
- Stabilising jacket
- Fins, mask and snorkel
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
Scuba diving activities on this cruise
PORTS OF CALL | DIVE (for certified divers) | DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING (for beginners) |
FRENCH POLYNESIA- Bora Bora | YES | YES |
COOK ISLAND-Aitutaki | YES | YES |
COOK ISLAND- Palmerston island | YES | NO |
SAMOA- Apia | YES | NO |
WALLIS & FUTUNA- Mata Utu | YES | YES |
WALLIS & FUTUNA- Alofi island | YES | YES |
FIJI- TAVEUNI | YES | NO |
FIJI- TAVEUNI | YES | NO |
These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.
Rates
Price per person
- Dives:
- Exploration (1 dive) : € 80
- Excellence Package (3 dives) : € 225
- Passion Package (6 dives) : € 420
- Master Package (10 dives) : € 650
Pre/Post & Overlands
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After your cruise
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Before your cruise
** Prices per person, based on double occupancy
Attention: the prices listed at the time of your reservation can be different from those listed in the brochure. These prices can evolve based on availability and the real time rates of the airline companies selected.
Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. Ponant advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations. Ponant specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure. CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behavior to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.
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