Ponant

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Darwin, Australia

   Australia

   

   Darwin is Australia's tropical Top End capital, where sixty-five thousand years of Indigenous heritage meets extraordinary multiculturalism, saltwater crocodiles, and gateway access to Kakadu's ancient rock art. Must-do experiences include the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, swimming beneath Litchfield's waterfalls, and viewing twenty-thousand-year-old Aboriginal paintings at Ubirr. May through October's Dry season offers clear skies and outdoor market culture.

2. Day 2

   At Sea

   

3. Day 3

   Kai Islands

   Indonesia

   

   The Kai Islands in far eastern Indonesia's Maluku province feature Pasir Panjang — a three-kilometer sweep of powder-white beach consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful — along with pristine coral reefs, dugong habitat, and a distinctive mel-mel clan system. Must-do experiences include walking the deserted Pasir Panjang beach, snorkeling the Banda Sea coral walls, and visiting traditional boat-building communities. October through March generally offers the calmest seas for exploration.

4. Day 4

   Triton Bay

   Indonesia

   

   Triton Bay in West Papua is an emerging frontier of world-class diving, where nutrient-rich waters support extraordinary reef diversity and year-round whale shark encounters at traditional fishing platforms, alongside ancient rock art sites and Papuan woodcarving traditions. Must-do experiences include snorkeling with whale sharks beneath the bagan platforms, diving the spectacular soft coral walls, and visiting coastal Kamoro communities. October through April offers the calmest seas and best underwater visibility.

5. Day 5

   Mommon Peninsula, West Papua

   Indonesia

   

   Mommon Peninsula in West Papua lies within the Coral Triangle, offering coral reefs rivaling Raja Ampat in diversity, with spectacular soft coral walls and abundant marine life alongside rainforests harboring birds of paradise. Must-do experiences include diving or snorkeling the extraordinary reefs, spotting birds of paradise in the surrounding forests, and exploring Manokwari's multicultural morning market. October through April generally offers the calmest seas and best underwater visibility.

6. Day 6

   Banda Neira

   Indonesia

   

   Banda Neira is the historic heart of Indonesia's fabled Spice Islands, where Dutch colonial forts and nutmeg plantations recall the violent origins of the global spice trade. Visitors should explore Fort Belgica, dive the world-class coral walls of the Banda Sea, and taste nutmeg-infused local cuisine. The dry season from September to April offers the calmest seas and best underwater visibility.

7. Day 7

   Barat Daya Islands

   Indonesia

   

   Barat Daya Islands, Indonesia is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Ponant. Must-do experiences include exploring the vibrant local markets for regional specialties and fresh seafood, and discovering the waterfront quarter where maritime heritage meets contemporary energy. The optimal time to visit is November through April, when dry season brings clear skies and calm seas.

8. Day 8

   Baucau

   Timor-Leste

   

   Baucau in Timor-Leste is a clifftop colonial city in one of the world's youngest nations, featuring Portuguese architecture, pristine Coral Triangle reefs, and highland coffee plantations. Must-dos include exploring the old town's colonial ruins, snorkeling undiscovered reefs, and tasting single-origin Timorese coffee. Best visited May through November during the dry season.

9. Day 9

   Dili, Timor-Leste

   Timor-Leste

   

   Dili, the capital of one of the world's youngest nations, offers cruise passengers a moving encounter with Timor-Leste's independence struggle at the Resistance Museum and Chega! Exhibition, alongside the clifftop Cristo Rei statue and emerging waterfront dining scene. Must-dos include visiting both memorial sites, climbing to Cristo Rei for harbour views, and tasting highland Timorese coffee. May through November's dry season provides the best conditions.

10. Day 10

    Kalabahi (Takpala), Indonesia

    Indonesia

    

    Kalabahi is the gateway to Alor Island in eastern Indonesia, where over fifteen distinct languages are spoken and the traditional village of Takpala preserves ancient moko bronze drums used in ceremonial exchange. Must-do experiences include visiting Takpala's traditional houses and drums, diving Alor's world-class reefs with hammerhead sharks and manta rays, and exploring the vibrant morning market. September through November offers peak diving visibility and comfortable conditions.

11. Day 11

    Maumere, Flores

    Indonesia

    

    Maumere is the principal port of eastern Flores, Indonesia, offering access to world-class diving on recovered coral reefs and the spectacular tri-colored crater lakes of Kelimutu volcano. Visitors should explore the vibrant morning market, taste smoked se'i babi pork and single-origin Flores coffee, and snorkel the diverse fringing reefs of Maumere Bay. The dry season from April to November provides the best conditions for both marine and overland adventures.

12. Day 12

    Komba Island

    Indonesia

    

    Komba Island (Batu Tara) is an uninhabited, actively erupting volcanic island in Indonesia's Flores Sea, offering expedition cruise passengers spectacular nighttime displays of incandescent lava and volcanic pyrotechnics. Must-do experiences include nighttime volcano viewing from the ship's deck, snorkeling the surrounding nutrient-rich waters, and learning about the traditional whaling culture of nearby Lembata. May through October offers the clearest skies for optimal volcanic viewing.

13. Day 13

    Komba Island

    Indonesia

    

    Komba Island (Batu Tara) is an uninhabited, actively erupting volcanic island in Indonesia's Flores Sea, offering expedition cruise passengers spectacular nighttime displays of incandescent lava and volcanic pyrotechnics. Must-do experiences include nighttime volcano viewing from the ship's deck, snorkeling the surrounding nutrient-rich waters, and learning about the traditional whaling culture of nearby Lembata. May through October offers the clearest skies for optimal volcanic viewing.

14. Day 14

    Sumbawa Island

    Indonesia

    

    Sumbawa is a rugged Indonesian island dominated by Mount Tambora, site of history's largest volcanic eruption in 1815, and surrounded by world-class surf breaks and pristine coral reefs. Must-dos include trekking Tambora's immense caldera, diving the manta ray sites near Moyo Island, and exploring the cultural heritage of the Bima Sultanate. The dry season from April through November provides the best conditions for outdoor adventures.

15. Day 15

    Benoa/Bali

    Indonesia

    

    Bali, Indonesia's Island of the Gods, is a cultural and natural wonderland where ancient Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, and vibrant artistic traditions converge around the cruise port of Benoa. Must-dos include Ubud's Tegallalang terraces, the cliff-top Uluwatu sunset kecak dance, and feasting on babi guling suckling pig. The dry season from April through October offers the most comfortable conditions.

Cabin Categories

Deluxe Stateroom

balcony

D

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A bathroom with shower A private 4 m² balcony A window and panoramic glazed swing door

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Prestige Deck 4

balcony

1

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A bathroom with shower A private 4 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Prestige Deck 5

balcony

2

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV A bathroom with bath A private 4 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Prestige Deck 6

balcony

3

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A bathroom with bathtub (except staterooms 605 and 625: with shower) A private 4 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Superior Stateroom

outside

6

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed or two single beds (180 x 200 cm) A bathroom with shower A window (except for stateroom 300: a round porthole only)

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Deluxe Suite

suite

DS

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) An armchair and sofa (167 x 70 cm) A bathroom with shower A private 5 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Owner's Suite

suite

OS

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Private return transfer Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A living/dining room with a sofa, armchair, second TV, 4-seater table, and sliding courtesy door A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer Included premium pass: access to a selection of premium spirits at the bar A private 9 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows

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Prestige Deck 5 Suite

suite

4

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchairs, second TV, and sliding courtesy door Two bathrooms: one with a shower and one with a bath A private 8 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows

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Prestige Deck 6 Suite

suite

5

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchairs, second TV, and sliding courtesy door Two bathrooms: one with a shower and one with a bath A private 8 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows

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