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A World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic
Stockholm - Copenhagen
Dates:
7/17/2021
to
7/25/2021
9
days
days
8
nights on board
nights on board
Starting from*
$7,070
20% Ponant Bonus
Quintessential Collection 
Guest Speaker Quintessential Collection Included Cruise Package
Created specially for like-minded travellers.
Featuring presentations and discussions aboard with author and contributing writer to The New Yorker Robin Wright, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former Deputy National Security Advisor Ambassador Douglas Lute, and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute, this voyage offers an extraordinary opportunity to talk with these leading thinkers and actors on the world stage about the current state of U.S. relations with the wider world.
To further our understanding of the recent political history that helped shape the Baltic region, join us for a specially arranged, exclusive presentation and discussion aboard with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Lech Wałęsa while in Szczecin, Poland.
The Baltic Sea has been a thoroughfare of trade since the days of the Vikings. We will visit the great cities that ring its shores and experience a comingling of cosmopolitan life with centuries of rich history. Stockholm offers a chance to see the stunning Royal Palace and to visit the Vasa Museum, which features the 17th-century Vasa warship, rescued from the bottom of the sea after 333 years and lovingly restored. Two full days are spent in St. Petersburg—arguably the most magnificent city on the Baltic where virtually the entire city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Szczecin, a city nearly destroyed during World War II, is home to the Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania, which was completely rebuilt, and its interior restored, following the war as a testament to the city’s resilience. On Gotland—the largest island in the Baltic Sea—we stop at the beautifully preserved medieval town of Visby, once a stronghold of the Hanseatic League. Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe, while Helsinki is internationally recognized for its striking modern architecture.
Ref : SC5045 - Q170721
Your itinerary
Our World Affairs cruises provide expert insight into contemporary issues that affect our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren. As we travel into the past and engage with its legacy, we also...
See detailed itinerary
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Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
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, double occupancy, is based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of cabin to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Quintessential Collection Included Cruise Package
Saturday, July 17, 2021. You will be met at Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden, and transferred to the port to embark Le Jacques-Cartier.
Saturday, July 24. This afternoon, join former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Lech Wałęsa for an exclusive presentation and discussion aboard the ship while in Szczecin, Poland.
Sunday, July 25. After disembarkation in Copenhagen, Denmark, you will be transferred to Copenhagen Airport for your flight home.
Included features:
• Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Stockholm to the ship on the day of embarkation
• An exclusive presentation and discussion aboard the ship with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Lech Wałęsa while in Szczecin, Poland
• Comprehensive 8-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Jacques-Cartier, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
• Transfer from the ship to the airport in Copenhagen at the end of the cruise on the day of disembarkation
Not included:
• Meals and beverages ashore
• Optional excursions
• Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
• This voyage is offered on a space available basis
• Program is subject to change without notice
Services provided
- Individually-controlled airconditioning
- Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available (Children welcome)
- Minibar
- Flat screen satellite TV
- Video on demand
- Bose™ Bluetooth speaker
- Desk with stationery
- Safe
- Hermès® bath products
- Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- 110V American (two flat pins) /220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- 24hr room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wifi
Choose your stateroom category
-
Deluxe Stateroom
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Prestige Deck 4
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Prestige Deck 5
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Prestige Deck 6
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
20% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
20% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
20% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
20% Ponant Bonus
27 m2
3
-
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
20% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
4
-
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
20% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
4
-
Privilege Suite Deck 5
20% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
3
-
Privilege Suite Deck 6
20% Ponant Bonus
38 m2
3
-
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
20% Ponant Bonus
45 m2
4
-
Owner's Suite
45 m2
4
Our guests
Robin Wright
Robin Wright has been a contributing writer to The New Yorker since 1988. Her first piece on Iran won the National Magazine Award for best reporting. A former correspondent for the Washington Post, CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, and the Sunday Times of London, she has reported from more than a hundred and forty countries. She is also a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She has been a fellow at the Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as well as at Yale, Duke, Dartmouth, and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Wright received the U.N. Correspondents Association Gold Medal for international coverage, and the Overseas Press Club Award for the “best reporting in any medium requiring exceptional courage and initiative,” for her coverage of African wars. The American Academy of Diplomacy named her journalist of the year for “distinguished reporting and analysis of international affairs.” She also won the National Press Club Award for diplomatic reporting and has been the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation grant.
Wright is the author of several books, including “The Last Great Revolution: Turmoil and Transformation in Iran,” “Sacred Rage: The Wrath of Militant Islam,” and “Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East,” which was selected by the New York Times and the Washington Post as one of the most notable books of 2008. Her book, “Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World,” was selected as the best book on international affairs by the Overseas Press Club.
Language spoken: English
Ambassadeur Douglas Lute
Ambassador Douglas Lute is the former United States Ambassador to NATO. Appointed by President Obama, he assumed the Brussels-based post in 2013 and served until 2017. During this period, he was instrumental in designing and implementing the 28-nation Alliance responses to the most severe security challenges in Europe since the end of the Cold War.
A career Army officer, in 2010 Lute retired from active duty as a lieutenant general after 35 years of service. In 2007 President Bush named him as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor to coordinate the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2009 he was the senior White House official retained by President Obama, and his focus on the National Security Council staff shifted to South Asia. Across these two Administrations, he served a total of six years in the White House.
Before being assigned to the White House, General Lute served as Director of Operations (J3) on the Joint Staff, overseeing U.S. military operations worldwide. From 2004 to 2006, he was Director of Operations for the United States Central Command, with responsibility for U.S. military operations in 25 countries across the Middle East, eastern Africa and Central Asia, in which over 200,000 U.S. troops operated.
Through his military-diplomatic career, he received numerous honors and awards, including three awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award, the Grand Officer of the Order of Merit for the Italian Republic, and the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit for the Federal Republic of Germany.
General Lute holds degrees from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and United States Military Academy at West Point, which named him a Distinguished Graduate in 2018. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations; a charter member of the Senior Military Advisory Group of the United States Institute of Peace; a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy; and a member of the board of the Atlantic Council of the United States.
Language spoken: English
Photo credit: All rights reserved
Jane Holl Lute
Ms. Jane Holl Lute serves as Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, where she has held several positions in peacekeeping and peace building. Previously, Ms. Lute served as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013. She also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Internet Security (CIS), an independent, not-for-profit organization and home of the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) providing cybersecurity services for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Ms. Lute began her career in the United States Army with service overseas during the Cold War and in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. She served on the National Security Council staff under both Presidents George H.W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton. Ms. Lute is the President and Chief Executive Officer of SICPA North America, a privately-held company headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, that specializes in providing solutions to protect the integrity and value of products, processes, and documents. Ms. Lute holds a Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the Virginia bar.
Language spoken: English
Photo credit: All rights reserved
Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa is the legendary leader of the “Solidarity” movement and the author of its victory in 1989 over the communist regime in Poland.
Wałęsa was born on 29 October 1943. First mention of his activity in the anti-communist opposition originates from 1968 when Wałęsa, then a young electrician in the Gdansk Shipyard, tried to persuade his colleagues not to take part in the mass meetings organized by the Polish government to condemn student strikes. He then became actively engaged in public affairs, taking part in the work of the Strike Committee in December 1970.
After the death of many protesters shot by police forces suppressing strikes in December 1970, Wałęsa, realizing he cannot allow the situation to repeat itself, engaged himself in the Free Trade Unions. He was responsible for organizing workers and educating laborers on their rights.
In August 1980 Wałęsa was one of the organizers of the strike in the Gdansk Shipyard. His bravery resulted in unyielding negotiations and the struggle for the realization of protester demands. Wałęsa’s activity led to a bloodless victory and the foundation of “Solidarity,” the first independent and oppositional social movement in the Soviet bloc.
The success of “Solidarity” and Wałęsa as its leader, now recognized around the world, resulted in a fierce reaction by the communist regime. On 13 December 1981, in an attempt to suppress political opposition, martial law was introduced. “Solidarity” was quickly delegalized and Wałęsa interned.
Martial law caused many to lose hope for freedom, but Wałęsa did not consider surrender. His belief in the idea of solidarity was stronger than the repression of the regime. This commitment was recognized by the global community in 1983 when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
In 1989 Wałęsa was the leader of the oppositional delegation during the Round Table Talks. Although relatively weak, the Polish regime was still dangerous. Wałęsa’s courage led to compromise with the communist authorities. The election of 4 July 1989 was a great success for the opposition and resulted in the formation of the first noncommunist cabinet in the Soviet bloc.
On 22 December 1990 Wałęsa was elected president of free Poland. During and after his presidency he remained engaged in public life as an advocate of Poland around the world. He strongly supported Poland’s accession to NATO and the EU. In 1995 he founded the Lech Wałęsa Institute. Its aim is to popularize the achievement of “Solidarity,” educate young generations, and support democracy and the creation of civil society in Poland and around the world.
Today Wałęsa continues his mission of promoting the idea of solidarity. Around the world, he speaks about Poland’s bloodless transition towards peace and democracy as a role model for different nations and calls for a world based on universal values and peaceful cooperation.
In 1989, Wałęsa was awarded the highest US decoration for foreigners, the Medal of Freedom.
Language spoken: Polish
Photo credit: Lars Møller
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Packing Checklist
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.
Advice
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
Our World Affairs cruises provide expert insight into contemporary issues that affect our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren. As we travel into the past and engage with its legacy, we also attend to the present, engaging with our guest experts on the current state of international relations and on the prospects for the future.
- Conversations aboard with three leading thinkers on World Affairs – author and contributing writer to The New Yorker Robin Wright, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and former Deputy National Security Advisor Ambassador Douglas Lute, and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute
- An included exclusive presentation and discussion aboard with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Lech Wałęsa while in Szczecin, Poland
- A voyage through six countries along the Baltic Sea – Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Poland, and Denmark
- Four UNESCO World Heritage sites en route – Fortress of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, Historic Center of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments, Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn, and Hanseatic Town of Visby
- Optional excursions in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Visby, and Szczecin, including options to attend an evening ballet performance in St. Petersburg and to visit the Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Tallinn
Ports of Call & Excursions
July 17, 2021 Stockholm
Embarkation 7/17/2021 from 15h00 to 16h00
Departure 7/17/2021 at 17h00
The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centres: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.
July 18, 2021 Helsinki
Arrival 7/18/2021 early afternoon
Departure 7/18/2021 late afternoon
Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical centre where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialities like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the centre, is a good place to sit and unwind.
July 19, 2021 July 20, 2021 Saint Petersburg
Arrival 7/19/2021 early morning
Departure 7/20/2021 late afternoon
Founded in 1703 by Tzar Peter the Great, Saint Petersburg has kept its original aura and is still one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Bathed by the waters of the Neva, the “Venice of the North” boasts an impressive wealth of historic and artistic features. From the emblematic Nevsky Propect, the city’s main thoroughfare, exploring the city by foot is a pleasure. With its baroque cathedrals, imperial palaces, suspended bridges, theatres and museums, Saint Petersburg is a jewel of a city.
2 possible excursions
to this stopover
July 21, 2021 Tallinn
Arrival 7/21/2021 early morning
Departure 7/21/2021 early afternoon
Opening onto the Baltic sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallin will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval centre where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle give visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
July 22, 2021 Visby, Gotland
Arrival 7/22/2021 midday
Departure 7/22/2021 early evening
This old Hanseatic city lies to the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as Powder tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island’s specialities, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.
July 23, 2021 At sea
Arrival 7/23/2021
Departure 7/23/2021
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.
July 24, 2021 Szczecin
Arrival 7/24/2021 early morning
Departure 7/24/2021 late afternoon
Situated some 60 km away from the Baltic Sea, the city of Szczecin (Stettin in German) in West Pomerania is a major seaport and deep-water harbour that benefits from the protective environment of the Uznam and Wolin islands. The Art Nouveau architecture gives the capital of the Duchy of Pomerania a certain charm. For centuries, the routes linking Western Europe to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia to Southern Europe have crossed here. You will enjoy strolling through the city’s many green spaces, through Kasprowicza Park or along the ramparts of Bolesław I the Brave and their superb panoramic terraces.
July 25, 2021 Copenhagen
Arrival 7/25/2021 early morning
Disembarkation 7/25/2021 at 08h00
Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometres away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high colour of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weaves through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese or smoked fish.
Panoramic tour & Peter and Paul Fortress
4 h 00
From the pier, board the coach and start your panoramic tour with a stop at St. Isaac's Square, dominated by the majestic St. Isaac’s Cathedral with the 4th largest dome in the world. In the centre of the Square, you can see a monument to Nicholas the First.
Pass the Palace Square, the main square of the city, beautifully balanced around the Alexander Column. On the northern side of the square stands the picturesque Baroque Winter Palace, former imperial residence.
Drive across the Neva River and view the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island flanked by two columns, originally lighthouses guiding ships through the busy port of Saint Petersburg. In front of you is the Peter and Paul Fortress, the first structure of the city. The fortress was turned into a political prison. Throughout its history, the fortress held such famous prisoners as the celebrated writer Dostoevsky, participants in the 1825 Decembrist uprising, and political activists Maxim Gorky and Leon Trotsky, as well as the elder brother of Vladimir Lenin.
In the centre of the fortress, you will find the Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Domenico Tresini. This magnificent church was built between 1713-1732, and it is still the highest point of Saint Petersburg, dominating its skyline. Enjoy an inside visit of the fortress.
The coach drives past the Artillery Museum and passes along the city side where Art Nouveau architecture flourished at the end of the 19th century. You then pass the Field of Mars and the Marble Palace before arriving at the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. This marvellous old Russian-style church was constructed on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.
Before returning to the ship, you pass along Nevsky Prospect, Russia's most famous street. It is lined with magnificent palaces, churches and theatrical buildings.
• This tour involves approximately 1 mile (1,5 km) of walking over cobblestones. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Price range:
More
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The State Hermitage Museum
3 h 45
The collection of works in the renowned State Hermitage Museum is one of the richest in the world. The museum was founded in 1764 as a private museum of Catherine the Great, to which only she and her closest courtiers had access, and is now Russia’s largest art museum, housing around three million pieces. The collection occupies four buildings, including the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, and the New Hermitage, all connected to the magnificent Winter Palace, the former official residence of the imperial family, designed by Rastrelli and built between 1754 and 1762. Here view the Malachite Room, where more than two tons of this unique, deep green, ornamental stone was used to craft its columns, vases, and fireplace. As you walk the halls, marvel at exhibits of 15th to 16th-century French art, as well as impressionist works.
In the Small Hermitage, explore works of 17th-century Flemish art and 15th and 16th-century Dutch art. In the Old Hermitage, discover Italian art from the 13th through 18th centuries, including works by da Vinci, Rafael, Michelangelo, and Titian. Proceed to the New Hermitage, and explore works from Spain’s golden age, including those by El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya. Not to be missed are the museum’s vast Rembrandt and Rubens collections, including one of Rembrandt’s final works, The Return of the Prodigal Son.
Enjoy a special early-opening guided tour of the collection, with transportation to and from the museum by coach.
• There are some steps to navigate in the museum, but there are also elevators. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Le Jacques Cartier
In keeping with the philosophy of PONANT and the PONANT EXPLORERS, Le Jacques-Cartier combines the desire for adventure with five-star travel. A modern ship with slender, tapered lines, it is environmentally friendly and equipped with innovative technology.
Tastefully decorated, Le Jacques-Cartier reflects the universe so dear to PONANT, with its light tones and open-to-the-sea design providing soft light and luminosity at every instant of the day. Its ethnic chic ambiance pays homage to the destinations we visit.
Located below the waterline, the Blue Eye, the first ever multisensorial lounge, offers a unique experience: the opportunity to enjoy undersea views and the sounds of the marine world whilst sharing a glass together.
Until 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
112 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Quintessential Collection
PONANT Quintessential Collection voyages are designed for travelers who want to engage with the world in order to understand it.
In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, these voyages include lectures and performances aboard ship by world class experts and musicians and one or two exceptional activities ashore that encourage guests to embrace the sights and sounds, tastes and smells of the local culture. They also offer pre- or post-cruise stay with excursions relevant to the theme. We believe that travel approached in this way has the power ato transform us and to make us better citizens of the world.
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, lecturers 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, the stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or your shore visits, these experts will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
HISTORIC STOCKHOLM (1 NIGHT)
(1 nuit)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a specially designed program.
Day 1 – Stockholm, Sweden
Arrive at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. You will be met at the exit of the Arrivals hall. Look for the PONANT sign or a sign with your name on it. Transfer from the airport to the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel (or similar) and check in. Official check-in time is 3:00 p.m.
A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.
Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. An independent dinner is at your leisure.
Day 2 – Stockholm | Embarkation
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, depart on an excursion that explores Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old Town). Visit the City Hall, site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet; the 13th-century Storkyrkan, the oldest church in Stockholm; and the main square. After viewing the Royal Palace, visit the Vasa Museum, which features the 17th-century Vasa warship, rescued from the bottom of the sea after 333 years and lovingly restored. There will be free time to shop and explore on your own. An independent lunch is at your leisure.
Transfer to the ship for embarkation and enjoy the views as you sail through the Stockholm Archipelago.
Your hotel:
The Sheraton Stockholm Hotel is located right in the city center and overlooks Lake Mälaren. The cobblestone streets of the picturesque Gamla Stan, or Old Town, are a short stroll from the hotel. World-class shopping and City Hall, home of the annual Nobel Prize ceremony, are also within easy walking distance. The hotel boasts 465 guest rooms and suites decorated in a contemporary Scandinavian style with thoughtful modern conveniences.
Your program includes:
• 1 night at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel (or similar), including breakfast
• Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
• Transfer and luggage handling to the pier on embarkation day
• Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
• Breakfast on Day 2
• Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
Your program does not include:
• Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
• Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
• It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 15 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
• Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
• The official currency is the Swedish krona. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• The duration of the visits is given as a guide only, and the order of the visits may change.
• This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
• Program is offered on a space available basis.
• Program is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
Sheraton Stockholm Hotel
Tegelbacken 6
Stockholm 101 23
Sweden
Telephone: +46.8.412.34.00
Total : $560
According to availability, price per passenger.
Panoramic tour & Peter and Paul Fortress
4 h 00
From the pier, board the coach and start your panoramic tour with a stop at St. Isaac's Square, dominated by the majestic St. Isaac’s Cathedral with the 4th largest dome in the world. In the centre of the Square, you can see a monument to Nicholas the First.
Pass the Palace Square, the main square of the city, beautifully balanced around the Alexander Column. On the northern side of the square stands the picturesque Baroque Winter Palace, former imperial residence.
Drive across the Neva River and view the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island flanked by two columns, originally lighthouses guiding ships through the busy port of Saint Petersburg. In front of you is the Peter and Paul Fortress, the first structure of the city. The fortress was turned into a political prison. Throughout its history, the fortress held such famous prisoners as the celebrated writer Dostoevsky, participants in the 1825 Decembrist uprising, and political activists Maxim Gorky and Leon Trotsky, as well as the elder brother of Vladimir Lenin.
In the centre of the fortress, you will find the Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Domenico Tresini. This magnificent church was built between 1713-1732, and it is still the highest point of Saint Petersburg, dominating its skyline. Enjoy an inside visit of the fortress.
The coach drives past the Artillery Museum and passes along the city side where Art Nouveau architecture flourished at the end of the 19th century. You then pass the Field of Mars and the Marble Palace before arriving at the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. This marvellous old Russian-style church was constructed on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.
Before returning to the ship, you pass along Nevsky Prospect, Russia's most famous street. It is lined with magnificent palaces, churches and theatrical buildings.
• This tour involves approximately 1 mile (1,5 km) of walking over cobblestones. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Price range:
More
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The State Hermitage Museum
3 h 45
The collection of works in the renowned State Hermitage Museum is one of the richest in the world. The museum was founded in 1764 as a private museum of Catherine the Great, to which only she and her closest courtiers had access, and is now Russia’s largest art museum, housing around three million pieces. The collection occupies four buildings, including the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, and the New Hermitage, all connected to the magnificent Winter Palace, the former official residence of the imperial family, designed by Rastrelli and built between 1754 and 1762. Here view the Malachite Room, where more than two tons of this unique, deep green, ornamental stone was used to craft its columns, vases, and fireplace. As you walk the halls, marvel at exhibits of 15th to 16th-century French art, as well as impressionist works.
In the Small Hermitage, explore works of 17th-century Flemish art and 15th and 16th-century Dutch art. In the Old Hermitage, discover Italian art from the 13th through 18th centuries, including works by da Vinci, Rafael, Michelangelo, and Titian. Proceed to the New Hermitage, and explore works from Spain’s golden age, including those by El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya. Not to be missed are the museum’s vast Rembrandt and Rubens collections, including one of Rembrandt’s final works, The Return of the Prodigal Son.
Enjoy a special early-opening guided tour of the collection, with transportation to and from the museum by coach.
• There are some steps to navigate in the museum, but there are also elevators. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Price range:
More
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.