by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 7:50 AM ET, Mon May 4, 2026
PONANT EXPLORATIONS and Smithsonian Journeys are once again teaming up to offer voyages in 2028.
Bookings are now open for the sailings, which combine PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ seafaring expertise with Smithsonian’s legacy as the world’s largest museum, education and research complex.
Each cruise features two Smithsonian Journeys experts who lead engaging onboard lectures and discussions and are selected for their expertise in history, art, the natural world or other topics relevant to the destinations explored. Departures also include an included shore excursion or activity in each port of call, as well as seamless airport transfers on the days of embarkation and disembarkation.
“At PONANT EXPLORATIONS, we believe that travel, when approached with curiosity and care, has the power to transform both the traveler and the world,” says Samuel Chamberlain, chief executive officer of the Americas for PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP. “Our alliance with Smithsonian Journeys brings together leading voices in their fields to illuminate the beauty and importance of the places we visit. From witnessing a total solar eclipse over the Kimberley coast to seeing gray whales in Baja or giant tortoises in Seychelles, our 2028 voyages are guided by a shared conviction that knowledge deepens wonder, and wonder inspires change.”
Additional departures will be revealed in the coming months, but here’s a look at the line-up so far.
New for 2028:
Solar Eclipse over Western Australia: Sailing the Kimberley Coast
July 19–29, 2028
11 days starting from $17,390 per person double occupancy
Thoughtfully timed to coincide with the total solar eclipse of July 22, this trip invites travelers to experience this astrological phenomenon while exploring one of Australia’s most rugged and culturally rich landscapes. They will encounter ancient Aboriginal rock art at Swift Bay, explore the crocodile-inhabited mangroves of the Hunter River by Zodiac and witness the dramatic tidal forces of Montgomery Reef, among the largest inshore reef systems in the world. They will experience the solar eclipse at sea in the company of two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, meteorologist Joe Rao and NASA Goddard geologist Brent Garry, who will share their knowledge through engaging lectures and informal discussions, offering deeper insight into the natural wonders of the Kimberley and the science behind this extraordinary celestial event.
2028 departures include:
Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America
Feb. 19–26, 2027
NEW DATE—Jan. 12–19, 2028
Eight days starting from $6,760 per person double occupancy
Passengers will venture to Panama’s pristine Caribbean islands and experience a full daylight transit of the historic Panama Canal. They can gain insights from researchers on an exclusive visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Punta Culebra Nature Center and explore Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park.
Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean
Jan. 31– Feb. 10, 2027
NEW DATE—Feb. 10–20, 2028
11 days starting from $11,250 per person double occupancy
The archipelagos of Seychelles and Madagascar harbor a wealth of species that exist nowhere else on the planet. Guests will discover these diverse islands—and the marine protected areas that surround them—with many opportunities for snorkeling and nature walks. They will observe tortoises, coco-de-mer palms and black lemurs, and immerse themselves in the rich marine worlds while snorkeling remote atolls and coral reefs.
Baja and the Sea of Cortez
Feb. 10–20, 2027
NEW DATE—Feb. 14–24, 2028
11 days starting at $8,800 per person double occupancy
Passengers will set out on a whale-watching adventure in breathtaking Baja, cruising from the wildlife-rich lagoons of the Pacific coast to the sparkling Sea of Cortez. They will encounter curious gray whales in remote Guerrero Negro and Bahia Magdalena and seek out humpbacks and blue whales in Loreto Bay. They can discover rare flora and birdlife on nature walks and hikes, swim with sea lions and snorkel the reefs of Cabo Pulmo.
Cruising the Caribbean's Windward Islands
Feb. 17–24, 2027
NEW DATE—Feb. 23–March 1, 2028
Eight days starting from $5,980 per person double occupancy
From the rainforests of Dominica to the World Heritage-listed architecture of Barbados, guests can discover history, culture and natural wonders as they sail across the eastern Caribbean. They will explore remote islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines by catamaran, visit a French fort on Guadeloupe and swim and snorkel or dive amid reefs teeming with marine life.
South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope
Feb. 21–March 3, 2027
NEW DATE—March 2–12, 2028
11 days starting from $8,180 per person double occupancy
Passengers will sail almost the full length of Africa’s southern coast on a voyage from Durban to southern Namibia that rounds the fabled Cape of Good Hope. Along the way, they can enjoy safaris in a variety of habitats, explore Cape Town and the spectacular Cape Peninsula and visit Namibian towns that were once hubs of the German diamond trade.
Antarctica: The White Continent
Jan. 16–27, 2027
NEW DATE—Feb. 13–24, 2028
12 days starting from $15,170 per person double occupancy
Travelers can immerse themselves in a magnificent realm of ice on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage to Antarctica—seeing ice in all its forms, from towering glaciers to turquoise icebergs. They will sail the Beagle Channel and onward to the Antarctic Peninsula, and set out by Zodiac inflatable boats to encounter incredible wildlife—from thousands of penguins to breaching whales and lolling seals—observing their behavior alongside a team of experienced naturalist guides.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
