8 day Pearls of the Caribbean Cruise
Description:
Itinerary:
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France will amaze you by the splendour of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbor mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. If you climb up to it, you can see some breath-taking views. Saint Louis Cathedral and the Schoelcher library bear witness to a secular history, intimately linked to the island’s story. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colourful Grand Marché. Two really pleasant places you can take a breather in, right in the heart of the city, are the garden of Balata and the Aimé Césaire park.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bougainville – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Embarkation: 12/30/26 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Departure: 12/30/26 at 10:00pm
Union Island
Deserted bays, long stretches of golden sand, turquoise waters and endless coral reefs – Union Island is without a doubt one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Overlooked by soaring peaks, this strange little strip of land owes its nickname of “the Tahiti of the West Indies” to its volcanic silhouette and its large swathes of greenery. When you call here, you will discover what the locals consider to be “the best-kept secret in the Grenadines” – Chatham Bay. Surrounded by hills and valleys carpeted in tropical rainforest, sheltering many sea turtles, this delightful half-moon of sand is, each day, the setting for the tireless ballet of the numerous pelicans who inhabit the island.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bougainville – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Included excursion: Chatham Beach Escape: Sun, Sand & Serenity
Tobago Cays
Scattered between St Vincent and Grenada, the Tobago Cays comprises five little islands: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby. This rosary of uninhabited cays in the southern West Indies is a marine park whose turquoise lagoons provide a home and safe haven for some outstanding marine fauna, including peaceful green turtles. Girded and united by a coral reef, these secluded islands are a peaceful paradise for divers, swimmers and snorkelers.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bougainville – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Included excursion: Petit Bateau Stroll: Scenic Pedestrian Escape
Mayreau Island
Among the string of paradisiac islands with their sandy beaches that form the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago, Mayreau is the smallest. Its peaceful and idyllic atmosphere, far from the madding crowd, invites you to relax. On shore, enjoy a shaded and fully equipped beach from which to go snorkeling if you’d like to observe the colorful fish around the coral sitting at the foot of the rocks that stretch across the bay.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bougainville – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Port Elizabeth, Bequia Island
In the heart of the Caribbean, Bequia is the second largest of 32 islands that make up the country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. You will love the lively and picturesque atmosphere of Port Elizabeth, the island’s main town. From the port, a promenade lined with beautiful traditional houses, landscaped gardens and small restaurants runs along the shoreline. It leads to Princess Margaret Beach, a wild beach where Princess Margaret herself has stayed and which seems to emerge directly from the tropical forest. From rainforest to lush meadows and long stretches of sand, Bequia will offer you a natural setting that is conducive to lovely walks and to spending time on the beach.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bougainville – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Included excursions:
Bequia Escape: Catamaran Cruise & Snorkeling Adventure
Tranquil Escape: Relax at Lower Bay Beach
Pigeon Island Beach
Linked to St Lucia by a sand causeway, Pigeon Island has been a designated National Park since 1979. On this wild and pristine land, you will be inspired to take pleasant walks amid the tropical vegetation and through a magnificent tree-filled garden. You will also be irresistibly drawn to the two pretty little sandy beaches nestling on the southern side and bathed by crystal-clear waters. While snorkeling, be sure to explore the underwater world that is teeming with life, along the rocks lining this peninsula’s coast. You will thoroughly enjoy the calm and beauty of this place, which is really conducive to simply relaxing.
Included excursions:
Soufriere: Volcano & Coastal Adventure
Saint Lucia Canopy Adventure: Ziplining through the Forest
Soufriere
Nestled in the crook of a breath-taking bay, the former capital of St Lucia is brimming with attractions. Soufrière is famous for The Pitons, volcanic spires that tower over the entrance to the town. In the vicinity of the lush botanical gardens, you will be able to enjoy the curative powers of the Diamond Falls mineral baths. From the beach at the north end of the bay, you can set off to explore the reefs that are home to stunning gardens of sea fans at the foot of the cliffs that plunge into the sea.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bougainville – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Les Saintes
During the feast of All Saints in 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered this archipelago of nine islands that he named “The Saints”. Today, only two of them are inhabited. Terre de Haut, in the east, is dominated by the Morne Mire hill; at the summit stands Fort Napoleon, paying homage to the islands’ history. In the heart of the botanical garden, shared by iguanas and cacti, there is an exceptional view of the Baie des Saintes, one of the most beautiful in the world. The long shady beach of Pompierre, where it is forbidden to drop anchor, is a peaceful place for a swim, while Pain de Sucre Beach offers wonderful opportunities for snorkeling. On the island, don’t forget to taste the local specialty, the “tourment d’amour”, a cake made with coconut.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bougainville – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Included excursions:
Napoleon’s Legacy: Fortress & Old Town Walk
Les Saintes by Sea: Hidden Coves & Swimming
Fort Caroline: Panoramic Trail & History
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France will amaze you by the splendour of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbour mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. If you climb up to it, you can see some breath-taking views. Saint Louis Cathedral and the Schoelcher library bear witness to a secular history, intimately linked to the island’s story. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colourful Grand Marché. Two really pleasant places you can take a breather in, right in the heart of the city, are the garden of Balata and the Aimé Césaire park.
Arrival: 1/6/27 early morning
Disembarkation: 1/6/27 at 8:00am
Inclusions:
- Comprehensive 8-day, 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bougainville ship, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous.
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts.
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Vieux Fort to the ship on the day of embarkation.
- One included shore excursion or activity in each port of call.
- Gratuities for ship crew, guides, and drivers on excursions.
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Vieux Fort at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation.
- Full board from arrival to departure day
- High-end gastronomy in all restaurants
- All beverages in restaurants, bars, and minibars. All drinks are included (a selection of champagnes, wines and spirits, beers, cocktails, water, soft drinks, hot beverages) *excluding premium a la carte beverages
- 24-hour room service
- Butler service for certain suites *located on Deck 6
- Unlimited internet access onboard
- Evening events, shows, and other entertainment
- Access to the fitness area and hammam or sauna, depending on the ship
- All port and security charges
Wish to upgrade your cabin? Contact our Travel Consultants for pricing.
Le Bougainville
The third in the series of PONANT EXPLORERS, has been designed to combine exploration of elegance and open design toward the sea with state-of-the-art equipment.
Details:
- Up to 184 Guests
- 92 staterooms & suites
- 118 crew members
- Luxury Spa & Fitness
- Pool, Theater, Boutique Shopping
- Bar, lounge & restaurants
Mr. Senshi Ross is a young Franco-American entrepreneur deeply committed to promoting Caribbean nature and cultures. Originally from Guadeloupe, he developed an early sensitivity to the living world, which he has transformed into a professional vocation at the crossroads of ecology, knowledge transmission, and entrepreneurship. Founder of the agricultural company’ Énergie Abondante’ and co-founder of ‘Vanilio,’ he designs and implements innovative projects focused on vanilla cultivation and the promotion of local plant resources. His approach is rooted in a sustainable and identity-driven vision, aiming to combine agricultural excellence, environmental preservation, and the valorization of traditional Caribbean knowledge. Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, Senshi Ross works as an instructor at Karikamo and Keyce Academy. There, he teaches Tourism and Territory and leads Business Game workshops, contributing to the development of a new generation of professionals aware of cultural and environmental challenges. A field botanist, speaker, and cultural mediator, he stands out for his in-depth knowledge of tropical flora and fauna, as well as maroon cultures. Through his work, he actively contributes to the preservation and promotion of Caribbean heritage, embodying a new generation of committed leaders, both rooted in tradition and forward-looking.
Languages spoken: French, English, Creole
Fauna and flora of the Caribbean Sea
The fauna of the Caribbean Sea is very varied. During the different dives, divers can observe various species of benthic fauna such as French angel fish, queen angel fish, spotted drums, puffer fish, parrot fish, and pelagic fauna such as spotted eagle ray, barracudas, horse eyes jackfish, as well as fixed wildlife such as gorgonians and barrel sponges.
Exclusions:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore.
- Airfares to/from your homeport.
- Any travel insurances.
- Items such as souvenirs, laundry and similar personal expenses.
- Cabin upgrades.
Optional activities:
Diving & Initiation Dive
Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. They will take care of your safety and ensure all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, such as 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 1 star CMAS or the PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving logbook and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.
Diving Process (Certified Divers)
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 Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 20 metres.
- If two Stars CMAS or 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 meters.
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 meters 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
- Stabilizing jacket
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
- Fins
Mask and snorkel: for health reasons due to Covid-19, we strongly recommend that you come on board with your own mask and snorkel. As an exception, you will be able to borrow them in accordance with sanitary conditions.
Minimum Age:
FIRST DIVE: 10 years old
FUN DIVE: 10 -14 years old 3m,14 years old ˃ 6m
The passenger may participate in scuba diving activities, subject to compliance with certain conditions established in accordance with the health, scientific and medical measures applicable on the day of the dive.
These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.
Scuba diving activities on this cruise:
PORT OF CALL:
Martinique – Fort-de-France – NIL
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Union Island – YES for certified divers only
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Tobago Cays Island – YES for certified divers only
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Mayreau Island – YES for certified divers and Scuba Diving for beginners
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Port Elizabeth, Bequia Island – YES for certified divers and Scuba Diving for beginners
Saint Lucia – Pigeon Island Beach – YES for certified divers only
Saint Lucia – Soufrière – YES for certified divers only
Guadeloupe – Les Saintes – YES for certified divers and Scuba Diving for beginners
Martinique – Fort-de-France – NIL
These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.
RATES:
Excellence and Passion packages must be pre-booked with your travel consultant before departure. Beyond that, all reservations will be confirmed once on board and subject to availability.
Introductory dives, Exploration dives and Discovery packages must be organized on board directly with your diving instructor.
**Please ask our Travel Consultants for pricing
