Curious travellers now have a wider map for learning at sea. Ponant Explorations Group will expand its work with The Explorers Club to include Paul Gauguin Cruises and Aqua Expeditions from late 2026, creating a single thread of expert-led voyages across three acclaimed small-ship brands. That means more opportunities to hear from scientists, filmmakers, and authors while exploring places that reward time, patience, and genuine engagement.
From late 2026, The Explorers Club partnership will span Ponant, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Aqua Expeditions. Launch windows include winter 2026-2027 on Paul Gauguin with two departures, and four expert-led departures across Aqua’s fleet, alongside more than fifteen Ponant Explorations voyages in 2026 and 2027. Travellers can expect named speakers, tailored workshops, field briefings, and shore enhancements, with benefits that include seamless learning, small groups, and flexible activity levels.
What the Expanded Partnership Means
This is more than a guest-lecturer series; it is a programmatic change that threads through the daily rhythm of small-ship journeys. Because three brands are now aligned with one curiosity-first approach, travellers can choose regions and ship styles without losing the core educational DNA. It suits guests who want to learn by doing, with space to ask questions and try techniques in the field rather than just listening in a theatre.
Three Lines, One Programme DNA
The headline news is simple to state and powerful in practice. Paul Gauguin Cruises and Aqua Expeditions will join Ponant under the same Explorers Club umbrella, which widens the canvas from French Polynesia and South Pacific lagoons to rainforest waterways and high-latitude coasts. Ship sizes remain intimate, so the program feels personal, and the shared framework ensures a consistent quality of briefings and hands-on sessions regardless of which line you choose.
Who You Will Meet on Board
Lineups will feature scientists, filmmakers, authors, and photographers, with named guests such as New Zealand mountaineer Peter Hillary and American filmmaker John Hemingson on select voyages. The difference is access. With smaller audiences, conversations do not end when the projector powers down; they continue on deck, in a lounge, or during a quiet zodiac ride, which helps ideas sink in and turns expertise into practical tips you can use immediately.
How Days Unfold On Expedition
Expect a cadence that blends short morning briefings with practical sessions ashore and reflective talks in the evening. A biologist might set the day’s focus at breakfast, a photographer may host a technique clinic before a landing, and a filmmaker could unpack a story arc after dinner. Because these are small ships, staff can pivot to match conditions or sightings, so the program feels organic, responsive, and genuinely connected to place.
Where and When You Can Sail in 2026-2027
Timing and geography work hand in hand here. The partnership spans late 2026 into 2027, with each brand contributing departures that play to its strengths. That means you can choose settings that match your interests while keeping the same learning-forward structure and the same emphasis on small-group access.
Paul Gauguin Cruises, Winter 2026-2027
Paul Gauguin will field two Explorers Club departures during winter 2026-2027, likely centred on the Society Islands and neighbouring archipelagos. The combination of shallow lagoons, reef systems, and Polynesian cultural heritage lends itself to sessions on navigation traditions, coral health, and community stewardship. Because The Gauguin carries a smaller number of guests than big ocean ships, your interactions with experts and crew are naturally more conversational and relaxed.
Aqua Expeditions, Four Expert-Led Departures
Aqua Expeditions will operate four Explorers Club voyages across its river and coastal fleet. River itineraries are ideal for dawn wildlife watching, village visits guided by local voices, and microhabitat exploration that reveals details you might otherwise miss. On board, talks often weave in regional cuisine and ingredients, so you taste the landscape as well as see it, while small zodiac teams make it easy to pause for sightings and spontaneous learning moments.
Ponant Explorations, 15+ Voyages Across 2026-2027
Ponant Explorations will offer more than fifteen voyages with The Explorers Club through 2026 and 2027, spanning classic expedition waters where purpose-built ships excel. Expect clear explanations of sea ice and geology, thoughtful wildlife-first protocols, and a strong emphasis on context. Because departures stretch across many months, you can target shoulder periods that suit your calendar without losing the essence of the program.
Choosing the Right Small-Ship Experience
Selecting among three brands is easier when you start with your reasons for going. Each line has a signature feel, and each region rewards a slightly different travel style. Once you know what you want to learn and how you like to move through a day, the ship choice becomes straightforward.
Matching Regions to Traveller Interests
If warm water, reef life, and cultural storytelling are your priorities, Paul Gauguin’s South Pacific routes are a natural fit. If biodiversity density, riverbank birding, and slow travel at water level appeal, Aqua’s river expeditions offer immersion with minimal transit time. If you prefer a broad expedition portfolio with a longer seasonal range, Ponant’s collection lets you compare itineraries by wildlife focus, geology, or ice and light conditions, then choose the month that aligns with your interests.
Cabins and Stateroom Considerations
Comfort supports learning, so it is worth thinking about layout and location. Mid-ship cabins generally feel more stable, which helps with sleep and makes early starts easier. Balconies are useful for quick photo moments and quiet observation, while good storage makes camera gear and layers easy to manage. Families often choose connecting staterooms so everyone stays close without losing personal space, and solo travellers might prioritise proximity to lounges where briefings take place.
Shore Activities and Fitness Levels
Expedition teams are skilled at matching activities to guests, and these voyages typically offer graded options that range from gentle scenic cruising to more active hikes or paddles. Be honest about fitness and mobility so staff can steer you toward the best choices. If you have specific goals, such as improving wildlife photography or focusing on bird identification, mention them early so leaders can flag opportunities when conditions line up.
Planning and Booking With Confidence
A little preparation goes a long way when departures are limited and guest counts are small. You do not need a minute-by-minute plan; you need clarity on priorities, flexible date ranges, and a willingness to reserve early when a perfect match appears.
How to Use Early Information to Your Advantage
We already know the broad shape of the calendar, including Paul Gauguin’s two departures, Aqua’s four, and Ponant’s fifteen-plus in 2026-2027. Use this to sketch your preferred windows, then hold cabins when schedules release. Because these are small ships, a single group booking can change availability overnight, so keep a shortlist ready and be prepared to move when a speaker or region aligns with your plans.
Travelling Responsibly and Thoughtfully
Sensitive destinations benefit when guests bring good habits. Follow expedition leaders’ guidance, keep respectful distances from wildlife, and choose locally led experiences where possible. Small choices add up, whether that is refilling a bottle, minimising waste, or supporting community-owned operators. The result is a trip that feels good while doing good, which is a hallmark of thoughtful small-ship travel.
Preparing for Life on a Small Expedition Ship
Pack layers, not duplicates, and think in systems. A lightweight waterproof, warm mid-layer and breathable base layers cover most scenarios, while dry bags protect cameras and notes during zodiac rides. Bring curiosity and patience as well, since conditions can change quickly. The reward for flexibility is access to moments that do not exist on fixed schedules, such as a sudden wildlife encounter or a perfect light window on a quiet shore.
With three brands in play, it helps to see options side by side. Our Cruise Finder filters itineraries by ship, region, and season, so you can quickly pinpoint where the Explorers Club program appears and how it fits your calendar. You can then weigh ship style against destination access in one view, which makes decisions faster and more confident.
If you are balancing school holidays, annual leave, and a wish list of speakers, use saved lists to keep track of front-runners and share them with your travelling companions. When you are ready to refine to a final two or three options, you will have everything in one place. Explore and compare here.
Plan Your Explorers Club Sailing With S.W. Black Travel
This expansion matters because it puts expert access and small-group learning within reach across a wider set of destinations. Whether your dream is coral gardens, rainforest waterways, or higher-latitude coasts, the shared program structure brings clarity and momentum to your planning. An experienced S.W. Black Travel Adviser can map the nuances, explain seasonal differences, and help you select the ship and date that match your goals.
When you are ready to reserve space, confirm which speakers align with your window and lock in the right cabin and flights, and we can handle the logistics from end to end. For tailored guidance and a personalised shortlist today, message our cruise specialist, and we will help you book the voyage that fits.
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