7 nights onboard Le Ponant

History and culture visiting Caribbean jewels

Le Ponant, the first Relais & Châteaux sailing yacht. The finest travel address on the waters of the world.

The Caribbean. The mere mention of this vast archipelago conjures images of waves dancing along the shoreline, lapping against long beaches lined with elegant palm trees. During this unforgettable 8-day cruise, spend your time contemplating and exploring aboard PONANT’s emblematic yacht.

You will move away from the shores of Guadeloupe and sail under wind power towards Les Saintes. Soon, deeply breathing in the air on the deck of the three-mast yacht, you will be enchanted by the infinite palette of blues in the Caribbean Sea. As you approach Les Saintes Bay, which is one of the world’s most beautiful bays, you will glimpse Fort Napoleon crowning the summit of the island.

Le Ponant will set sail towards Antigua and Barbuda. Thanks to the perfect conditions, sailing here is a delight for all the senses. Lying on the deck, you will let the wind and the sunshine caress your skin, while the crew sail the mainsail.

Entering Falmouth Harbour, you will spot Nelson's Dockyard as well as his former house; traces of Admiral Nelson may be also found in Charlestown, on the island of Nevis. From there, you will be able to visit the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, as well as St John’s Fig Tree Church, which houses the original marriage certificate of Lord Horatio Nelson and Fanny Nisbet. Nevis also has a very beautiful botanical garden.

You will reach Barbuda, where you will be able to relax on beaches of white and pink sand bathing in crystal-clear water and observe the many seabirds, particularly the magnificent frigatebirds.

At the end of a beautiful crossing through the Caribbean Sea, you will reach Saint Barthélemy, a small island in the Tropics offering an exceptional and windswept stretch of water. Sailing is synonymous with pleasure in these warm waters, even when the sea spray makes it onto the deck.

You will arrive in the Anguilla archipelago, a little-known jewel where you will be able to reconnect both with yourself and the surrounding elements. The two small uninhabited islands of Prickly Pear Cays, separated by a narrow channel and surrounded by rocky protrusions, are heaven for divers and birds. The island is also home to Lesser Antillean iguanas.

After this odyssey embracing the elements, feeling refreshed by this special experience aboard Le Ponant, as if you were on your very own yacht, you will return to terra firma in Philipsburg.

Leaving from: Pointe-à-Pitre

Cruise ship: Le Ponant

Visiting: Pointe-à-Pitre • Îles des Saintes • Falmouth • Barbuda •

Ponant

When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents.

From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.

Passengers

Crew

1991

Launched

2011

Last refit

1443t

Tonnage

88m

Length

12m

Width

10kts

Speed

Decks

EUR

Currency

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Day 2

Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe

Day 3

Falmouth, Antigua and Barbuda

Day 4

Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda

Day 5

Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Day 6

Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy

Day 7

Prickly Pear Island, Antigua and Barbuda

Day 8

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (Dutch part)

Day 1

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

This warm city is located in Guadeloupe and offers a choice of activities and places to visit for all the family. From markets to educational theme parks, children and adults alike will find something to entertain them.

Day 2

Îles des Saintes, Guadeloupe

This small group of islands lies opposite the western part of Guadeloupe. They were discovered in November 1493 by Columbus, who named them Los Santos. French settlers established themselves in 1648 and changed the name to Iles des Saintes, commonly known as Les Saintes. Since then the islands have been closely connected with Guadeloupe. Until a recent influx of tourism, Les Saintes were among the Caribbean’s most unspoiled destinations. Only two of the eight islands are inhabited: Terre-de-Bas and Terre-de-Haut. The latter is known for its impressive Fort Napoleon built in the early 19th century to replace an earlier 17th-century fort. From its vantage point there are fine views of the many tiny islets scattered in the bay and across to Guadeloupe. Terre-de-Haut is the main island of Les Saintes, with steeply scarped hills, scenic valleys, hidden coves and beautiful beaches. Its main settlement consists of a charming village of red-roofed houses situated along a curving bay. A number of small boutiques and gift shops invite browsing. Quaint cafés and restaurants offer food and drink. To the east of the village lies Grande Anse, a fine sand beach. Most of the attractions on this small island can be seen on foot. With just a few vehicles on the island, there are no organized tours possible. Time ashore here is at your leisure.

Day 3

Falmouth, Antigua and Barbuda

The British colonial influence is everywhere in pretty English Harbour. And yet, located on Antigua’s south coast, you are just minutes away from some of the loveliest beaches in the Caribbean. With its long ribbons of white sandy shores including the superbly named Rendez-Vous Bay Beach, the cold English drizzle and chimes of big ben have never been farther away! English Harbour is how the Caribbean is meant to be. Beautifully restored, the area still retains much in the way of its rich historic past. Nelson’s dockyard is absolutely not to be missed; a working dockyard that dates from the 18th century, this is part of a larger UNESCO World Heritage Site (Nelson’s Dockyard and National Park) which also contains Clarence House and Shirley Heights. Perhaps one of the best examples of British colonial development, the dockyard is named after the famous Admiral who lived on the island in the 1780’s. The fascinating naval history is palpable in all the buildings of this historic site and just a little further along you find beautifully restored warehouses that are now home to enchanting restaurants, art galleries, boutiques and hotels, all proudly stating their historic credentials on prominent, easy to read signs. Venturing beyond the “town” and you’ll find nature trails for all levels of fitness. Famous for having 365 different beaches, it is unsurprising then that a lot of Antiguan life takes place on its sandy shores. Beaches here offer all things to everyone so whether you want to rekindle the romance, indulge in some adrenaline fueled water sports, swim, snorkel or sail your way around the island, you’re sure to find you’re your own personal paradise here.

Day 4

Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda

Day 5

Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Day 6

Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy

You can easily explore all of Gustavia during a two-hour stroll. Some shops close from noon to 3 or 4, so plan lunch accordingly, but stores stay open past 7 in the evening. Parking in Gustavia is a challenge, especially during vacation times. A good spot to park is rue de la République, alongside the catamarans, yachts, and sailboats.

Day 7

Prickly Pear Island, Antigua and Barbuda

Day 8

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (Dutch part)

The capital of Dutch St. Maarten stretches about a mile (1½ km) along an isthmus between Great Bay and the Salt Pond and has five parallel streets. Most of the village's dozens of shops and restaurants are on Front Street, narrow and cobblestone, closest to Great Bay. It's generally congested when cruise ships are in port, because of its many duty-free shops and several casinos. Little lanes called steegjes connect Front Street with Back Street, which has fewer shops and considerably less congestion. Along the beach is a ½-mile-long (1-km-long) boardwalk with restaurants and several Wi-Fi hot spots.Wathey Square (pronounced watty) is in the heart of the village. Directly across from the square are the town hall and the courthouse, in a striking white building with cupola. The structure was built in 1793 and has served as the commander's home, a fire station, a jail, and a post office. The streets surrounding the square are lined with hotels, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafés. The Captain Hodge Pier, just off the square, is a good spot to view Great Bay and the beach that stretches alongside.

Ship Details

Ponant

Le Ponant

Experience the privilege of a relaxing cruise aboard Le Ponant, crafted to respect the tradition of famous sailing yachts.

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