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PONANT CRUISE PLANNING GUIDE-Le Boreal Cruise ship

PONANT CRUISE PLANNING GUIDE

Plan your PONANT cruise with confidence. Discover expert tips on cabins, packing, insurance, excursions, accessibility, embarkation and what to expect onboard.

Plan Your PONANT Cruise With Confidence

Planning a luxury expedition cruise involves more than choosing a destination and booking a cabin. The best cruise experience begins with understanding what you need before departure—from selecting the right stateroom and arranging travel insurance to preparing for shore excursions, packing for the destination and knowing what to expect onboard.

Our PONANT cruise planning guide brings these practical considerations together in one place, helping you prepare for your voyage with confidence.

Whether you're planning your first PONANT cruise or returning for another expedition, thoughtful preparation can make your journey smoother, more comfortable and more enjoyable.

From the moment you book to the day you step ashore, this guide will help you work through the important details of your cruise.

👉 Explore more PONANT Destinations

Planning Area What to Consider
Choose Your Cabin Cabin location, category, size, balcony or window, deck and accessibility requirements.
Review Your Itinerary Departure and arrival ports, voyage length, destinations, sea days and planned activities.
Arrange Travel Insurance Comprehensive cover for cancellation, medical expenses, luggage and destination-specific requirements.
Prepare for Excursions Excursion availability, activity levels, Zodiac outings, walking requirements and advance bookings.
Pack for Your Destination Weather-appropriate layers, comfortable footwear, outdoor equipment, medications and essential travel documents.
Check Accessibility Mobility requirements, cabin suitability, boarding arrangements and the physical demands of shore excursions.
Plan Your Arrival Flights, pre-cruise accommodation, transfers, embarkation timing and allowing contingency time.
Know What to Expect Onboard dining, daily activities, expedition briefings, dress expectations and the flexible nature of expedition travel.

WHY PONANT CRUISE PLANNING MATTERS

Plan ahead with confidence and make the most of your PONANT cruise experience.

Plan Ahead for a Better Experience

Choosing the right cruise is only the beginning. Once you've selected your destination, ship and itinerary, there are several practical decisions that can influence how comfortable and enjoyable your voyage will be.

A well-planned cruise allows you to think ahead about the details that matter to you.

Do you want a balcony where you can watch the scenery from your own private space? Will you be joining Zodiac excursions? Do you need additional time before embarkation? What clothing will suit the climate? Are there mobility considerations you need to discuss before travelling?

These questions are particularly important on luxury expedition cruises, where your experience may involve remote destinations, changing weather conditions, small-boat landings and active shore excursions.

The good news is that you don't have to work everything out alone.

BlueSun Travel can help you understand the practical side of your PONANT voyage and match your travel plans with the right cruise, cabin and preparations.

YOUR PONANT CRUISE PLANNING CHECKLIST

What to Know Before You Sail

Confirm Your Cruise Details

Once you've selected your voyage, start by reviewing the details of your booking.

Check your:

  • Ship name
  • Departure and arrival ports
  • Cruise dates
  • Voyage duration
  • Cabin category
  • Embarkation and disembarkation information
  • Included services
  • Optional services
  • Excursion information
  • Travel documentation requirements

This is also a good time to check whether your itinerary involves international borders, visa requirements or additional travel arrangements before or after the cruise.

For international voyages, don't leave these details until the last minute.

👉 Read more PONANT Cruise Planning Guides

Choose the Right Cabin

Your cabin is your private retreat throughout the voyage, so it deserves careful consideration.

PONANT offers different stateroom and suite categories, with differences in size, location, views and amenities.

When comparing cabins, think about:

Cabin Location

Some travellers prefer a central location, while others prioritise a particular deck or proximity to facilities.

Window or Balcony

A window provides natural light and views, while a balcony can give you a private outdoor space for watching landscapes and wildlife.

Cabin Size

If you're travelling for a longer voyage, additional living space can become more valuable.

Suite Benefits

Travellers looking for additional space and enhanced amenities may prefer a suite category.

Accessibility

If you have mobility requirements, discuss these before booking. Not every cabin, ship or shore excursion will be suitable for every traveller.

BlueSun Tip: Don't simply choose the cheapest available cabin. Consider how much time you'll spend in your room, the type of destination you're visiting and whether having a private outdoor space would improve your experience.

Explore our guide to Choosing the Right PONANT Ship and compare your options before making a final decision.

👉 Explore different Cabin styles from different PONANT Ships →

Review Your Itinerary Carefully

Your itinerary determines much of what you will experience during your cruise.

Before booking or finalising your plans, look beyond the destination name and examine the actual voyage.

Consider:

  • Number of days and nights
  • Embarkation and disembarkation ports
  • Number of port calls
  • Sea days
  • Scenic cruising
  • Shore excursions
  • Zodiac activities
  • Walking or hiking opportunities
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Cultural experiences
  • Seasonal conditions

Two cruises visiting the same region can provide very different experiences because of differences in route, duration and activities.

This is why choosing an itinerary should be based on what you want to experience, rather than simply where the ship goes.

See our guides to Choosing an Itinerary and Cruise Length for more guidance.

👉 Explore more PONANT Cruise Destinations →

Understand Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are an important part of the PONANT experience.

Depending on the voyage, you may have opportunities to explore by Zodiac, walk through historic locations, visit cultural sites, observe wildlife or discover remote landscapes with expedition experts.

PONANT states that activities and excursions vary by voyage and destination, and activity levels are provided where relevant. Excursions can also be subject to availability and operational changes.

When planning your cruise, consider the type of activities you genuinely enjoy.

For Wildlife Lovers

Look for expeditions with frequent Zodiac outings, wildlife-rich destinations and longer time in nature.

👉 Compare different PONANT Wildlife Cruises →

For Photographers

Consider itineraries with scenic cruising, wildlife opportunities and extended time ashore.

👉 Compare different PONANT Photography Cruises →

For Culture Travellers

Look for voyages featuring local communities, heritage sites, museums, historical locations and cultural encounters.

👉 Compare different PONANT Cultural Cruises →

For Active Travellers

Pay particular attention to walking distances, Zodiac transfers, hiking opportunities and excursion difficulty.

👉 Compare different PONANT Adventure Cruises →

For Relaxed Travellers

Choose an itinerary that provides a balance between excursions and time to enjoy the ship.

👉 Compare different PONANT Luxury Yacht Cruises →

Check the Activity Level

Expedition cruising can be active, but not every PONANT voyage is equally demanding.

Some days may involve several hours ashore, walking over uneven terrain or boarding a Zodiac. Other days may focus on scenic cruising, lectures, relaxation and enjoying the ship.

Before departure, review the activity descriptions for your specific voyage.

If you have concerns about your ability to participate in a particular excursion, speak with your travel adviser before booking.

PONANT notes that excursions with specific difficulty levels or requirements are identified in excursion descriptions, while accessibility can vary between ships and activities.

Plan Your Travel Insurance

Travel insurance should be an important part of your cruise planning.

For an international expedition cruise, consider comprehensive cover that addresses potential cancellation, medical expenses, luggage issues, travel delays and other circumstances relevant to your journey.

Expedition destinations can be remote, making adequate medical and emergency cover particularly important.

PONANT itself recommends comprehensive insurance and offers an insurance product designed to cover areas such as cancellation, luggage and medical issues.

Before purchasing a policy, read the terms carefully and check that it covers:

  • Your destination
  • Your age and circumstances
  • Pre-existing conditions where applicable
  • Medical evacuation requirements
  • Cruise cancellation
  • Travel interruption
  • Delayed or lost luggage
  • Missed connections
  • Activities included in your itinerary

BlueSun Insight: Never assume your credit card travel insurance automatically provides sufficient cruise or expedition coverage. Check the policy limits, exclusions and destination requirements before relying on it.

👉 Explore more PONANT Cruise Planning Guides

Pack for the Destination

What you pack should be determined by your destination, season and planned activities.

A Mediterranean voyage requires a very different wardrobe from an Antarctic expedition or Kimberley cruise.

For most expedition voyages, practical clothing and comfortable footwear are essential. Depending on the destination, you may also need waterproof layers, sun protection, a small backpack, binoculars and appropriate footwear for shore activities.

Your Basic Cruise Packing Checklist

  • Comfortable everyday clothing
  • Smart-casual evening clothing
  • Weatherproof outer layer
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Destination-specific footwear
  • Sun protection
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Small daypack
  • Binoculars
  • Camera and spare batteries
  • Chargers and adapters
  • Prescription medications
  • Important travel documents

For polar expeditions, specialised clothing requirements apply. PONANT provides a polar parka on qualifying expedition departures and offers boots for relevant polar voyages, subject to its current policies.

Read our PONANT Cruise Packing Guide for destination-specific advice.

👉 Know what to pack with our First time Expeditions Guide →

Organise Flights and Pre-Cruise Accommodation

One of the easiest ways to make a cruise more stressful is to arrive at the embarkation port too late.

Whenever possible, consider arriving at least one day before your cruise, particularly when international flights or multiple connections are involved.

A pre-cruise hotel stay gives you additional protection against:

  • Flight delays
  • Missed connections
  • Jet lag
  • Baggage delays
  • Unexpected travel disruptions

It can also turn your cruise into a more complete holiday by allowing you to explore the embarkation city before boarding.

The same principle applies at the end of your voyage. If your cruise arrives early in the day and your international flight leaves later, consider whether an additional hotel night or suitable transfer arrangement would make your journey more comfortable.

Prepare Your Travel Documents

Before departure, make sure your essential documents are organised and accessible.

Depending on your voyage, these may include:

  • Passport
  • Visa or entry documentation
  • Cruise booking confirmation
  • Flight details
  • Hotel reservations
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Emergency contact information
  • Medical information
  • Required health documentation

Keep important documents in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage.

For international travel, check that your passport has sufficient validity for every country involved in your journey and confirm any visa requirements well before departure.

Consider Health and Accessibility

Health and accessibility should be considered before booking, particularly for expedition voyages.

PONANT provides health and accessibility information and identifies specific requirements for certain ships, cabins and excursions. Guests with reduced mobility may need to travel with appropriate assistance, and some remote landings or Zodiac operations may not be suitable for everyone.

If you have mobility concerns, discuss:

  • Cabin accessibility
  • Gangway access
  • Zodiac boarding
  • Shore landing conditions
  • Walking distances
  • Uneven terrain
  • Medical facilities
  • Medication requirements

It is much easier to find the right solution before your cruise than after you've arrived at the ship.

Prepare for Seasickness

Modern ships use stabilisation systems to improve comfort, but sea conditions can still vary.

If you're prone to seasickness, particularly when travelling through exposed waters or ocean crossings, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about suitable options before departure.

Practical preparations can include:

  • Choosing an appropriate cabin location
  • Staying hydrated
  • Eating light meals when necessary
  • Spending time in fresh air
  • Looking toward the horizon
  • Carrying recommended medication

PONANT notes that most of its ships, with some exceptions, are equipped with stabilisers designed to reduce the effects of ship movement.

For expedition cruises, remember that changing sea conditions are part of the nature of travelling to remote destinations.

Understand What Is Included

One of the most important aspects of cruise planning is understanding exactly what your cruise fare includes.

PONANT's current information states that many services are included across its cruises, including meals, snacks and drinks, Wi-Fi, selected onboard services and activities, with inclusions varying according to the voyage and cruise collection.

However, some services may incur additional charges.

Depending on your voyage, these can include:

  • Optional excursions
  • Spa treatments
  • Certain activities
  • Personal purchases
  • Some transfers or pre/post-cruise arrangements
  • Other services not included in your fare

Always check the specific terms and inclusions for your chosen voyage rather than relying on a general cruise checklist.

Plan Your Pre- and Post-Cruise Experience

Your cruise does not have to begin when you step onboard.

For many PONANT voyages, the embarkation and disembarkation cities can be destinations in their own right.

Consider adding:

  • A pre-cruise hotel stay
  • A post-cruise hotel stay
  • Airport transfers
  • Local sightseeing
  • Restaurants and cultural experiences
  • Additional domestic or international flights

This can be particularly worthwhile for long-haul travellers from Australia.

For example, a European PONANT voyage could become part of a longer European holiday, while an Antarctic cruise could be combined with time in Argentina or Chile.

💡 BlueSun Insight

The Best Cruise Plan Is More Than the Cheapest Cruise

At BlueSun Travel, we believe cruise planning should begin with the experience you want—not simply the lowest advertised fare.

A cheaper cruise isn't necessarily better value if it involves an inconvenient cabin, unsuitable itinerary, difficult flight connections or activities that don't match your interests.

We've found that the most successful cruise bookings usually come from looking at the whole journey.

Think about the destination, ship, cabin, itinerary, season, activities, flights, insurance and your own travel style as one complete picture.

For expedition cruising, this matters even more.

A voyage to Antarctica is very different from a Kimberley expedition. A wildlife-focused itinerary is different from a cultural voyage. A short expedition may suit someone with limited holiday time, while a Grand Voyage may be ideal for travellers wanting a more immersive journey.

The right cruise is the one where the individual pieces work together.

Our advice? Don't book the cruise first and figure out the details later. Plan the entire journey before you commit.

A SIMPLE PONANT CRUISE PLANNING PROCESS

Planning doesn't need to be complicated. Follow these steps in order.

Step Decision What to Ask
1 Choose Your Destination Where do I most want to travel and what do I want to see?
2 Choose Your Experience Am I travelling for wildlife, culture, photography, food, adventure or relaxation?
3 Choose Your Ship Which ship offers the right balance of size, facilities and expedition capability?
4 Choose Your Itinerary Does the route, duration and season suit my priorities?
5 Choose Your Cabin What cabin category and location will make my voyage most comfortable?
6 Prepare Your Travel Have I arranged flights, accommodation, insurance and required documents?
7 Prepare for the Voyage Have I packed correctly and reviewed excursions, activity levels and embarkation information?

WHEN SHOULD YOU START PLANNING A PONANT CRUISE?

Start planning early for the best PONANT Experience

There's no single perfect time to start planning, but earlier is generally better for travellers with specific requirements.

Early planning can give you more choice of:

  • Departure dates
  • Cabin categories
  • Preferred cabin locations
  • Flights
  • Pre- and post-cruise accommodation
  • Shore excursions
  • Travel insurance options

This is particularly relevant for popular expedition destinations and voyages with limited departures.

If you have a specific cabin, travel month or destination in mind, don't wait until the last minute to begin comparing options.

👉 Learn more about Planning your PONANT Cruises →

WHAT TO EXPECT ONBOARD

What Your PONANT Experience Is Like Onboard

One of the best ways to prepare for your cruise is to understand the rhythm of life onboard.

A typical expedition voyage can combine:

  • Scenic cruising
  • Expert lectures
  • Expedition briefings
  • Wildlife observation
  • Zodiac excursions
  • Shore landings
  • Cultural experiences
  • Gourmet dining
  • Relaxation
  • Wellness and fitness
  • Time to enjoy the ship

Expedition cruising is different from a conventional large-ship cruise.

There may be fewer traditional entertainment venues and more emphasis on discovery, nature and destination experiences.

Your itinerary may also change in response to weather, sea conditions, wildlife opportunities or operational considerations.

That flexibility is part of the appeal of expedition cruising.

👉 Learn more about Life on Board PONANT Cruises →

CRUISE PLANNING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAVELLERS

Planning Your PONANT Cruise Around Your Travel Style

First-Time Expedition Cruisers

If this is your first expedition, focus on understanding the ship, activity levels, destination conditions and what will be included.

You don't need to be an experienced adventurer. Many expedition voyages combine active excursions with plenty of time to relax onboard.

Couples

Couples may want to prioritise cabin comfort, dining, scenery and the balance between excursions and relaxation.

Solo Travellers

Solo guests should consider cabin options, solo supplements, onboard social spaces and itineraries that provide plenty of opportunities to meet fellow travellers.

Photographers

Photographers should look at destinations, wildlife opportunities, scenic cruising and the amount of time spent ashore.

Wildlife Enthusiasts

Prioritise itineraries where wildlife encounters are a major focus and where expedition teams can provide opportunities for observation.

Active Travellers

Review the activity levels carefully and look for itineraries with hiking, Zodiac exploration and other active experiences.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs - PONANT Cruise Planning

The PONANT Cruise Planning journey can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few frequently asked questions that our PONANT experts have answered to help you plan with confidence.

Have a read through these FAQs, or reach out to us any time: 1300 799 758.

It is generally beneficial to start as early as possible, particularly if you have a specific destination, departure date, cabin category or travel period in mind. Early planning can provide greater choice and more time to arrange flights, accommodation and insurance.

Start with the destination and experience you want, then consider the ship, itinerary, cabin, season, activity level, flights, insurance and practical travel requirements.

Packing depends heavily on your destination and season. Generally, comfortable clothing, suitable footwear, weather protection, sun protection, medications, travel documents and a small daypack are useful. Polar cruises have additional clothing requirements.

PONANT states that an included activity is offered at each port on its cruises, except cruises aboard Paul Gauguin, while optional paid activities may also be available. The exact offering varies by voyage and destination.

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended, particularly for international and expedition travel. Review your policy carefully to ensure it provides suitable cancellation, medical, luggage and travel-interruption coverage.

Accessibility varies by ship, cabin and excursion. PONANT has accessible facilities on selected ships and cabins, but some Zodiac landings and remote shore activities may have limitations. Discuss your requirements before booking.

For international cruises, arriving at least one day before embarkation can provide valuable protection against flight delays, missed connections and baggage issues.

Yes. BlueSun Travel can help you compare PONANT ships, destinations, itineraries, cabins and cruise options, then assist with the practical details of arranging your journey.

EXPLORE MORE PONANT CRUISE PLANNING GUIDES

Click on the links below to explore our top cruise experiences

Expedition Cruises

Discover what expedition cruising is and why it is one of the most rewarding ways to explore remote destinations.

Choosing a PONANT Ship

Learn how destination, expedition capability, ship size and onboard lifestyle can influence your choice of ship.

Choosing the Right PONANT Ship

Compare individual PONANT ships and find the vessel that best matches your expedition.

Antarctica

Explore PONANT's Antarctic expedition options and discover what makes the White Continent so extraordinary.

Kimberley

Discover one of Australia's great expedition destinations, from dramatic gorges and waterfalls to wildlife and remote coastal landscapes.

READY TO PLAN YOUR PONANT CRUISE?

We think you are! Talk to our PONANT Expedition Cruise specialists at BlueSun Travel

CALL THE PONANT EXPERTS NOW

1300 799 758

Planning a luxury expedition cruise should be exciting—not overwhelming.

With so many destinations, ships, itineraries, cabins and departure dates to compare, having an experienced cruise specialist on your side can make the process much easier.

At BlueSun Travel, we can help you look beyond the advertised cruise fare and consider the complete journey—from choosing the right PONANT voyage and cabin to arranging the practical details that help your holiday run smoothly.

Whether you're dreaming of Antarctica, the Kimberley, the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Japan, the Mediterranean or another extraordinary destination, start planning with confidence.

Tell us what you would like to discover, and we will help you find the right PONANT Cruise.

Contact BlueSun Travel Today

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👉Speak with a BlueSun Expedition Cruise Specialist - 1300 799 758

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CALL 1300 799 758

If you want expert help with PONANT Cruise Planning, talk to our friendly PONANT experts today. We are specialists in Luxury Expedition Cruises and can help you plan your journey with confidence.

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