2022-07-25
2025-01-01
from$ 10380 AUD
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Ship
Le Dumont d'Urville
Le Dumont d'Urville
City
Belize City to Colón
Belize City to Colón
Up to 30% Off - Ponant Bonus
2022-07-25
2025-01-01
Overview
PONANT invites you to board Le Dumont-d’Urville for a brand-new 11-day expedition cruise departing from Belize City, discovering lush landscapes, stunning shores and the cultural riches of Central America. You will discover Placencia, which exudes Afro-Caribbean atmosphere in a preserved Eden, between houses in shimmering hues, sublime beaches leading into the Caribbean Sea and its lagoon, a real sanctuary for wildlife including sheltering manatees, dolphins and saltwater crocodiles. Your ship will cruise towards Santo Tomás de Castilla. From there, you will be able to explore the pyramids of Tikal, another major site of the Maya civilisation, or the palaces, pyramids and sanctuaries of the Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quiriguá. Next comes the idyllic scenery of Roatán and Corn Island, hidden Caribbean jewels. Their magnificent fine sandy beaches bathed in turquoise water invite you to enjoy a fine interlude of relaxation, swimming or snorkelling. Le Dumont-d’Urville will set sail for Puerto Limón, from where you will be able to access Tortuguero National Park, renowned among other things for its canals, which are rich in biodiversity and are nicknamed ‘the Amazon of Costa Rica’. Exploring Cahuita National Park will also promise memorable encounters with varied and exuberant fauna. Near the border, the Bocas del Toro Archipelago is home to Panama’s first national marine park and the mangrove-covered islands seem to almost float on the Caribbean’s turquoise waters. Discover the idyllic landscapes and their rich biodiversity while enjoying the lush surrounds. The islands are also popular for their preserved beaches, sublime stretches of opaline sand lined with coconut trees. Finally, your ship will set sail for Colón that you will reach at the end of a wonderful cruise.
Departures
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Cruise Itinerary
Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.
Placencia beckons travellers with the opalescence of its idyllic beaches and the blue hues of the Caribbean Sea that edges it. Lying in the south of Belize, in the Stann Creek District, this former fishing village exudes an Afro-Caribbean atmosphere in an unspoiled paradise combining brightly-coloured traditional houses and enchanting scenery. A veritable nature sanctuary both on land and at sea, Placencia has become an increasingly popular eco-destination in the Caribbean, particularly with diving and marine life enthusiasts. Its stunning lagoon is home to manatees, saltwater crocodiles and dolphins, among others, as well as numerous species of tropical fish.
A port city located in the north-east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Amatique Bay, Santo Tomás de Castilla offers exceptional access to the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Quiriguá. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this place takes you back in time, deep into a décor of ruins and vestiges from the 8th century.
The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkelling.
North of Honduras, off the coast of La Ceiba, lies the island of Roatan, a slice of paradise. Edged with immaculate beaches where palm trees bend gently with the wind, topped with colonial stilt houses built from wood, and covered in lush vegetation home to an exceptionally rich biodiversity, Roatan will transport you to a veritable Eden swaying to the local Caribbean rhythms. Renowned for its proximity to the largest reef in the Caribbean Sea, the island that was once the lair of many pirates in the 17th century has become, over the centuries, a favourite destination of diving enthusiasts, who travel there to observe the exceptional marine biodiversity where tropical fish weave in and out of colourful corals.
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.
A little slice of paradise lying off the coast of Nicaragua, in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Corn Islands are an invitation to leisure as well as exploration. The long white sandy beaches lined with coconut palms promise enjoyable moments of relaxation while the hills, covered with thick tropical forest, and the surrounding turquoise waters, teeming with life, will delight hikers and divers. Countless multicoloured fish, nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks, rays and barracudas can be seen in the sumptuous coral reefs and underwater caves.
We’re pretty sure the little coastal town of Puerto Limón will completely win your heart. It is located on the Caribbean sea. Just beyond the harbour, Playa Bonita creek opens its arms to a haven of beauty rimmed by clear blue waters and shaded by giant peach-palms. If you wish to explore the lush green areas in the town, it’s worth taking a stroll through the lemon groves that give Puerto Limón its name. You’ll have all the time in the world to mosey around the streets scattered with multicoloured wooden makeshift stalls. These makeshift bars with their raffia roofs offer fresh juices blended just for you.
Heavenly stretches of beach with opalescent sand, virgin rainforest, traditional houses in flamboyant colours... the Bocas del Toro Archipelago welcomes you in a gentle, typically Caribbean atmosphere. Anchored to the north-west coast of Panama, this lush and wild Eden is composed of nine main islands surrounded by thousands of verdant islets. Boasting a rich biodiversity, this lost paradise is home to the only national marine park in Panama: Isla Bastimentos. This stunning reserve protects an exceptional marine ecosystem composed of a rich coral reef and more than 200 species of colourful fish.
Colón is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Colón is today an important port, and the free trade zone created in 1953 contributed greatly to the development of the city. Colón was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts through the isthmus of Panama; the city rapidly overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama when the canal opened.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Le Dumont d'Urville
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Dumont d'Urville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Dumont d'Urville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Dumont d'Urville has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.
Highlights
• A brand-new expedition cruise to discover the natural and cultural treasures of six countries of Central America: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. • Celebrate the New Year aboard and enjoy unforgettable moments in an idyllic setting. • New ports of call: Placencia, Roatán and Bocas del Toro. • An encounter with the Garifuna people descended from a mix of freed slaves and Caribbean and Arawak people, and their cultural traditions. • From Santo Tomás de Castilla, an extension is possible to visit the famous Tikal pyramids, incredible vestiges of the ancient Mayan civilisation, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. • The possibility of meeting the largest indigenous community of Panama, the Ngöbe-Buglé, and discovering their cultural traditions. • Landscapes: palm-fringed beaches, blue lagoons, heavenly islands, mangroves, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, rich seabed, rivers, canals. • Wildlife: howler monkeys, white-headed monkeys, raccoons, sloths, otters, agoutis, armadillos and porcupines, multicoloured fish, tropical birds including the toucan, green ibis, frigate bird, yellow-crowned night-heron and the boat-billed heron.
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