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If you have ever wished your cruise felt more like a travelling salon, where you can talk science, history, and culture with people who really know their subject, Ponant has just given you something to look forward to. In partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, the line is rolling out a 2027 collection of small ship voyages where expert insight is built into every day at sea and ashore.
From 2027, Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys will operate 35 small ship departures across all seven continents, each including shore excursions in every port, two Smithsonian experts on board, complimentary airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days, and all-inclusive pricing that wraps enrichment and transfers into one seamless experience for curious travellers.
Understanding the Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys Collaboration
This collaboration is more than a simple co-branding exercise; it is a deliberate attempt to create a style of cruising where learning is as important as lounging, and where the intimate scale of Ponant’s ships gives Smithsonian’s experts room to really connect with guests. For travellers who already lean towards smaller vessels and destination-focused itineraries, it feels like a very natural next step.
The partnership uses Ponant’s existing strengths, such as access to remote ports and a strong sense of French-inspired onboard style, then layers Smithsonian’s depth of knowledge on top. The result is Ponant Smithsonian Journeys cruises that are pitched at travellers who want comfort, but also want their minds to be engaged from embarkation through to disembarkation.
How the 35 Departure Program Is Structured
The 2027 program spans 35 departures across all seven continents, which tells you straight away that this is intended as a global offering rather than a handful of one-off pilot voyages. You might find yourself following glaciers in the polar regions, tracing trade routes in Asia, or drifting between historic ports in Europe and the Mediterranean, all within the same overarching collection.
Because the program is built around small ships, it can include ports that would be difficult for larger vessels to visit. That adds a layer of nuance to the destinations themselves, and when you combine that with expert-led interpretation, you get itineraries that feel carefully curated rather than simply assembled from a standard list of big-name stops.
Smithsonian Journeys’ Role in the Partnership
Smithsonian Journeys, the travel arm of the Smithsonian Institution, has decades of experience running land tours and cultural journeys that place experts at the heart of the experience. Bringing that model onto Ponant’s ships means guests can enjoy the practicality of unpack once travel, with the same level of interpretive depth you might expect from a Smithsonian program on land.
In practice, that means the experts are chosen because they can explain their field in clear, engaging language, not because they are comfortable speaking only to academics. You do not need prior knowledge to enjoy their talks, and you are encouraged to ask questions and connect the dots with your own travel history and interests.
Why Small Ship Scale Matters
Ponant’s fleet size is a crucial part of why this works. On a smaller ship, you are not just a face in the crowd listening from the back of a vast theatre; you are one of a manageable number of guests who will quickly start to recognise one another and the experts on board. That makes it much easier to have informal conversations in the bar, on deck, or during shore days.
This intimacy also means that lectures and discussions can be responsive. If a particular port sparks lots of questions about geology, climate, politics, or culture, the experts can adapt and go deeper, rather than sticking rigidly to a pre-written script. For many guests, that flexibility is exactly what they are looking for in an enrichment-focused voyage.
What to Expect on These Expert-Led Small Ship Voyages
Once you settle into life on board, the rhythm of a Ponant Smithsonian Journeys sailing feels quite different from a typical big ship cruise. The days are still relaxed, with time for good meals and sea views, but there is also an underlying sense of purpose, as if everyone is quietly working on a shared project of understanding each place a little better.
If you are travelling from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, or Europe, the experience is particularly rewarding when you have flown a long way to get there. Each port call, lecture, and informal chat adds another layer to the story you are building of that region, which helps the trip feel more meaningful than a simple string of scenic stops.
Two Experts on Every Departure
Every departure carries two Smithsonian Journeys experts, which opens up room for contrasting perspectives. You might have a geologist paired with a cultural historian, or an astronomer travelling alongside an anthropologist, each bringing their own lens to the ports and sea days you share.
Because there are two of them, the program can cover more ground without any single person having to be “the voice” on every topic. It also means you are more likely to find someone whose style and interests resonate with you personally, whether you are drawn to the humanities, the sciences, or a blend of both.
Lectures, Briefings, and Informal Conversations
On a typical day, you can expect a mix of scheduled lectures, shorter briefings that prepare you for upcoming ports, and plenty of space for informal discussion. Some sessions might tie directly into the morning’s shore excursion, while others zoom out to explore wider themes, such as how a particular region has changed over time or why certain trade routes mattered historically.
Between these structured moments, there is ample opportunity to come up and say hello, ask follow-up questions, or simply sit nearby and listen as others chat. The tone is friendly rather than intimidating, which makes it easier to engage at whatever level feels comfortable for you, whether you are a seasoned museum goer or simply curious.
Shore Excursions Included in Every Port
One of the most practical benefits of this collection is that shore excursions are included in every port. This means your time ashore is not an afterthought or an extra cost you constantly have to weigh up; it is part of the journey from the outset.
Because excursions are integrated into the fare, the onboard program can reference them confidently, knowing that most guests will have shared the same core experiences. You might attend an evening talk that adds context to a historic site you walked through earlier that day, or join a guided outing knowing you can ask the experts about what you have seen once you are back on board.
The Solar Eclipse Sailing Along the Iberian Peninsula
Among the 35 departures, one itinerary stands out as an especially rare opportunity. A Solar Eclipse at Sea: Voyage Along the Iberian Peninsula is built around the 2027 solar eclipse, positioning the ship in the Mediterranean directly within the band of totality so guests can watch the event unfold from the open water.
Eclipses can, of course, be seen from land, but viewing one from a ship specifically positioned for the experience, with scientists on hand to explain what is happening, creates a very different feel. It turns a few minutes of astronomical drama into the centrepiece of a much longer story.
Watching a Solar Eclipse From the Sea
At sea, you have a clean horizon and far fewer obstacles. There are no skyscrapers or light poles to work around, and the captain can fine-tune the ship’s position as needed within the path of totality. You and your fellow guests can spread out across deck spaces to find the vantage point that feels right, whether you want to be quietly reflective or in the midst of shared excitement.
The changing quality of light, the reactions of people around you, and the gentle movement of the ship all combine to make this more than just a visual event. For many guests, it is the emotional atmosphere that lingers long after the sun has returned to full strength.
Scientific Context With Jim Zimbelman
On this particular voyage, one of the headline experts is Jim Zimbelman, senior geologist emeritus with the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. His presence guarantees that the eclipse is framed within a wider understanding of planetary science, not treated as an isolated spectacle.
Through a combination of lectures and casual conversations, Zimbelman and his colleagues can explain why eclipses happen, how they have been interpreted through history, and what they tell us about the relationship between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. It is the kind of context that deepens your appreciation rather than getting in the way of the awe.
Iberian Ports Framing the Main Event
The eclipse may be the centrepiece, but the wider itinerary along the Iberian Peninsula gives this voyage added richness. You can expect to visit Spanish and Portuguese ports where centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange have left visible marks in architecture, cuisine, and everyday life.
With shore excursions included and expert commentary woven through, you are not just hopping between postcard views. You are building an understanding of how these coastal communities came to look and feel the way they do today, which in turn makes the eclipse itself feel like one more chapter in a much longer regional story.
Practical Perks That Make Travel Feel Seamless
Beyond the headlines, this collection has been designed to remove some of the friction points that can make long-distance travel feel tiring. That is particularly welcome if you are flying in from Australia, New Zealand, or Asia, where getting to and from your cruise usually involves several legs and a fair bit of coordination.
By bundling key elements into the fare and including thoughtful extras, Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys are signalling that they want guests to spend their energy on exploration rather than logistics.
Complimentary Airport Transfers on Cruise Days
Guests booked on these departures receive complimentary airport transfers on both embarkation and disembarkation days. After a long overnight flight, knowing that someone will meet you and handle the journey to the pier offers real peace of mind, especially if you are arriving in a city that is new to you.
The same applies at the end of the voyage, when you may be juggling thoughts of re-entry to daily life with the practicalities of getting back to the airport. Having that last link taken care of helps you stay in “holiday mode” just a little longer.
All-Inclusive Pricing That Covers the Essentials
These cruises are sold with all-inclusive pricing that wraps in shore excursions, enrichment, and transfers. While every line has its own definition of what all-inclusive means, in this case, it clearly signals that the core experiences of the voyage are already accounted for in your fare.
For travellers who like to budget in advance, this makes planning much simpler. You are not constantly reaching for your wallet or wondering how many extra tours you can reasonably add. Instead, you are free to choose the outings and lectures that appeal most, knowing the major pieces are already covered.
Designed to Support Travel Advisers and Their Clients
From a trade perspective, the collection has been framed as fully commissionable and crafted with advisers in mind. Senior voices from Smithsonian Journeys have spoken about wanting to offer a portfolio that genuinely stands out, with cruises that combine immersive enrichment and Ponant’s polished small ship style.
For clients, that translates into a set of options that feel distinct from mainstream sailings, yet are still easy to understand and to explain to friends and family. For advisers, it provides a strong talking point for guests who are ready for something more personalised and learning rich in 2027.
For anyone who enjoys travel that teaches as well as relaxes, this partnership opens up some exciting possibilities. You might be drawn to the idea of the eclipse voyage, tempted by the thought of expert-led journeys in the polar regions, or curious about more temperate itineraries that combine sailing with thoughtful time ashore. Either way, it is the kind of collection that rewards a bit of forward planning.
A helpful next step is to see how these voyages sit alongside other options in your preferred travel window. Using S.W. Black Travel’s online Cruise Finder, you can compare regions, dates, and ships, then start to narrow down which expert-led itineraries line up with your broader holiday ideas, whether you are travelling from Australia or further afield.
Turn This Smithsonian Cruise Collection Into Your Holiday
Once you have a sense of which departures appeal to you most, it can be really useful to talk them through with someone who understands both Ponant’s fleet and the enrichment style Smithsonian brings to the table. That conversation can help you decide whether to prioritise the eclipse, a particular region, or a certain time of year that fits your work and family commitments.
From there, it is about fitting the pieces together, including flights, possible pre- or post-cruise stays, and the right cabin or suite category for how you like to live at sea. You might be travelling solo, as a couple, or with a small group of friends or family, and each of those setups benefits from slightly different planning. To take the next step, you can speak with our cruise specialist and start turning these expert-led 2027 journeys into a personalised itinerary that feels thoughtful from the moment you leave home to the day you step back on shore.
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