Ponant to Deploy Two Ships in French Polynesia in 2026

Ponant's Le Jacques Cartier cruise ship at sea
Oceania Cruise Industry
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Updated Published

Ponant Explorations Group has confirmed plans to operate two vessels in French Polynesia during the winter 2026–27 season, with Le Jacques Cartier joining the Paul Gauguin in the region.

In a press release, Ponant said its winter program will cover all five archipelagos of French Polynesia, expanding its footprint across the destination.

Ponant noted that the Paul Gauguin is specifically designed for navigating shallow lagoons and is permanently based in French Polynesia. Guests are welcomed onboard by a team of local Tahitian hosts known as the Gauguins and Gauguines, who live and work on the ship year-round.

Additional details include:

  • Number of departures: 66
  • Onboard highlights: singing and dancing performances, cultural workshops, optional shore excursions at each port, and PADI-certified scuba diving
  • Destinations: Society Islands, Tuamotu, Marquesas, with select sailings to the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Tonga

Ponant also said that Le Jacques Cartier is purpose-built for tropical exploration and will introduce three brand-new “Discovery” itineraries. These itineraries can be combined into a single extended voyage totaling 42 nights at sea, covering six archipelagos, 23 islands, and the Pitcairn Islands.

The itineraries include:

  • “Secret Polynesia: Unexplored Tuamotu, the Gambier Islands and the Austral Islands” (Papeete–Papeete, departing October 18 and December 13, 2026, 14 nights)
  • “From Confidential French Polynesia to Pitcairn Island” (Papeete–Papeete, departing November 15, 2026, 14 nights)
  • “Polynesian Bliss: Marquesas and Tuamotu” (Papeete–Papeete, six departures from November 2026 to January 2027, 14 nights)

Further details include:

  • Number of departures: 9
  • Onboard highlights: PADI-certified scuba diving, one included daily activity per guest led by local guides, and excursions and landings by tender, local boats, and zodiac
  • Destinations: Tuamotu, Marquesas, Austral, Gambier, and Pitcairn Islands

Ponant also confirmed the addition of six new ports of call: In the Tuamotu archipelago: Mataiva, Hikueru and Makemo, and in the Austral archipelago, Raivavae, Tubuai and Rurutu.