From the Iberian Peninsula to the Turkish Riviera, the Mediterranean is where Europe meets Africa and Asia. It boasts a unique blend of cultures: small ports with Byzantine architecture, ancient Ottoman cities, Greek and Roman ruins, Hispano-Moresque palaces and the numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites are a testament to the region's economic and cultural wealth and to the diversity of the Mediterranean people. Add fields of olive trees and lavender, roads lined with orange trees, gourmet markets overflowing with delicious fruit and vegetables, olives, cheeses and honey combined with blue skies and crystal clear water, and you have found heaven on Earth. Visitors who want to embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle need to slow down in order to appreciate it all.

For the past 36 years, PONANT has been taking curious adventurers to all seven continents, offering more than 400 itineraries and visiting over 700 ports worldwide. What first began aboard one small vessel evolved into a current fleet of 12 boutique style ships, from an iconic Relaix & Châteaux-labeled sailing yacht, Le Ponant, to the world’s first luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot. The ships carry as little as 32 and never more than 264 guests on board, each one enjoying the brand’s all-inclusive lifestyle, from delicious cuisine created with Ducasse Conseil, open bars, 24-hour room service, access to the gym, steam room, pool and sauna to free Wi-Fi, included excursions and gratuities. In short, just about everything is included in the upfront cost of your trip, so you can focus on relaxing, contemplating and exploring while on board. The Mediterranean is PONANT’s, the only French-flagged cruise line in the world, favourite playground. In 2025, the brand presents another exciting Mediterranean season, with specially curated itineraries embracing local culture, history, cuisine and language.

Setting sail on a Mediterranean cruise is a chance to admire a myriad of perfectly preserved artefacts and unmissable sites: the Acropolis of Athens; the Theatre of Epidaurus; the sacred island of Delos; the archaeological ruins of Delphi; the medieval city of Rhodes; the historic centres of Valletta, Dubrovnik, Kotor and Syracuse; and the relics of Pompeii, Rome and Venice. Reducing the Mediterranean to a shortlist is no easy feat, but we have put together a selection of must-sees for travellers who are looking for the perfect balance between culture and relaxation and with itineraries and discoveries appealing to everyone from families and sybarites to history buffs and nature lovers.

Epicurean Delights of Sicily and the Adriatic Coast of Italy
8-nights Valletta to Venice aboard Le Bougainville
June 10, 2025

Natural Wonders and cultural jewels of Dalmatia
7-nights Venice to Dubrovnik aboard L’Austral
August 8, 2025

Croatia Under Sail
7-nights Dubrovnik Roundtrip aboard Le Ponant
August 16, 2025

Ancient Jewels of the Mediterranean
7-nights Valletta to Athens aboard Le Bougainville
October 18, 2025

European Autumn in the Aegean Sea
7-nights Athens Roundtrip aboard Le Lapérouse
October 24, 2025

On select voyages, PONANT has teamed up with Smithsonian Journeys, an illustrious institution with a 175-year history, adding more unique experiences and cultural immersion to each curated voyage. Smithsonian Journeys departures are escorted by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts who share their passion and knowledge and engage in fascinating lectures and conversations. Guests will also enjoy guided excursions in every port, transfers between the airport and the ship, theme nights, trivia, signature cocktails, and so much more.

Cruising Southern Spain and Portugal
7-nights Lisbon to Barcelona aboard Le Bougainville
April 19, 2025 & September 16, 2025*
*reverse itinerary

Southern France and the Italian Riviera
7-nights Barcelona to Rome aboard Le Bougainville
April 26, 2025 & October 2, 2025

Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean
7-nights Athens Roundtrip aboard Le Dumont D’Urville
July 6, 2025 & October 12, 2025

Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily
8-nights Valletta to Livorno aboard Le Dumont D’Urville
August 27, 2025

To enhance your cruise experience, the line's six Explorer yachts, specifically built for warm-water explorations and introduced between 2018 and 2020, feature a pioneering concept called the Blue Eye Lounge. This underwater multi-sensory lounge, located on deck zero allows guests to discover and experience the underwater world through two giant windows resembling the eyes of a whale looking out to the surrounding sea. Non-intrusive underwater spotlights reveal the views while hydrophones built into the keel capture the natural symphony of the sea and ‘Body Listening’ sofas offer sensory accompaniment by vibrating in unison with the sounds. Come down to enjoy a glass of wine or Champagne and relax after a busy day spent exploring ashore.

PONANT aims to offer their guests a bespoke cruise, from first class intuitive service to sophisticated ambiance and the French art of living and dining, enriching your cruise in every aspect and making it completely unique.

It will take more than one trip to appreciate the Mediterranean's diverse flavours, the people who talk with their hands, and the warm sun that caresses your skin and makes every day’s adventures that much more exciting. Start your search today.

On select 2025 cruises booked by January 17, 2025, guests can enjoy a complimentary two-night pre-voyage land program. Contact your Travel Professional for details or visit here.