The Eternal Aegean
* Subject to availability.
Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Valletta, the monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos,
- Before your cruise, the possibility of discovering Valletta, capital of Malta.
- The stunning beaches of Elafonissos, to the south of the Peloponnese.
- Discovering the pearls of the Cyclades: Amorgos, Delos, Mykonos, Syros and their ancient ruins, typical landscapes and beaches.
- Exceptional sailing in the Santorini caldera.
- Sailing in the Dardanelles Strait.
Staterooms & Suites
Deluxe Stateroom AU$6,470 Not Available Prestige Deck 4 AU$7,250 Not Available Prestige Deck 5 AU$7,630 Not Available Prestige Deck 6 AU$8,000 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 5 AU$11,210 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 3 AU$11,210 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 4 AU$11,210 Not Available Deluxe Suite Deck 6 AU$11,210 Not Available Prestige Deck 5 Suite AU$15,250 Not Available Prestige Deck 6 Suite AU$16,010 Not Available Privilege Suite Deck 6 AU$16,810 Available Privilege Suite Deck 5 AU$16,810 Available Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6 AU$18,500 Available Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 5 AU$18,500 Not Available Owner's Suite AU$19,420 Not Available
Port of call & excursions

Valletta
Embarkation 14/07/2019 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 14/07/2019 at 18H00 .The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you’ll rarely be bothered by traffic. Among the city’s countless monuments, you can visit Saint-John’s cathedral, the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes, not to mention the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.

15 July 2019 – At sea
Arrival 15/07/2019. Departure 15/07/2019.During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

16 July 2019 – Elafonissos, Laconia
Arrival 16/07/2019 late morning. Departure 16/07/2019 late afternoon.Located in the south of the Peloponnese, Elafonisos is a small island at the entrance to the Laconian Gulf renowned for its emerald green waters and its white sand beaches edged by cedar forests. The idyllic twin beaches of Fragos (Simos) and Sarakinikos, or that of Kato Nissi even have a certain Caribbean atmosphere. As for the village, it is like a veritable Greek picture postcard, with its gently rocking wooden fishing boats painted in lively colours.

17 July 2019 – Sailing in the Santorini Caldera
Arrival 17/07/2019. Departure 17/07/2019.Sailing in the waters of Santorini caldera is breathtaking. The gigantic scale of the unique setting, the majesty of the high cliffs surrounds this ancient crater that was flooded in 2000 years before Christ, is one of the highlights of the cruise. The colourful whites, greys, reds of the volcanic rocks, the blue of the Aegean Sea and the immaculate perched villages form a unique and marvellous spectacle.

17 July 2019 – Amorgos
Arrival 17/07/2019 midday. Departure 17/07/2019 evening.It’s no accident that the island of Amorgos was chosen as a shooting location for Luc Besson’s film, The Big Blue. You too will fall under the charm of this island as your ship edges closer. Amorgos is the most easterly island in the Cyclades and stands out for its rocky inlets with crystal-clear water and its small, picturesque villages. This port of call will be your chance to visit one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades, Chora, and discover its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses overlooked by a castle. Byzantine churches, windmills and courtyards brimming with flowers complete this typical tableau of timeless Greece.

18 July 2019 – Patmos
Arrival 18/07/2019 early morning. Departure 18/07/2019 evening.Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint-John-the-Theologian Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer absolutely gorgeous swimming areas. You’ll be drawn to the bustle in Skala harbour and its taverns, famous for their fish soup and tiropita, which is a type of pasty filled with fresh Patmos cheese.

19 July 2019 – Delos
Arrival 19/07/2019 early morning. Departure 19/07/2019 midday.This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few miles southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient holy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. The sheer size and importance of this UNESCO World Heritage site which covers over half of the island is thrilling in itself. From the Stoa of Antigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animal statues, you will make discovery after discovery, against a backdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a particularly good place from which to enjoy the expansive view.

19 July 2019 – Mykonos
Arrival 19/07/2019 early afternoon. Departure 19/07/2019 late evening.Nicknamed “little Venice”, Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district where houses are built right on the water’s edge. Their multi-coloured loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian centre, bougainvillea bedeck immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island’s beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.

20 July 2019 – Syros
Arrival 20/07/2019 early morning. Departure 20/07/2019 late afternoon.Located to the west of Mykonos, Syros is an attractive island in the Cyclades. It has been inhabited since early antiquity, as you’ll discover by visiting the archaeological museum in Ermoupoli, its capital built in the shape of an amphitheatre and stretching out over two hills. Don’t miss the historical district, where the beautiful houses are evidence of the island’s strategic location for trade, between the East and the West. Admire the superb Agios Nikolaos Church or the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Further on, in the medieval town of Ano Syros, succumb to the charms of its stairways and arched passageways, the small, white houses decorated with bougainvilleas, and the sweetness of the ambient air.

21 July 2019 – Molyvos
Arrival 21/07/2019 early morning. Departure 21/07/2019 midday.Lesbos, this mountainous island whose volcanic origins explain the presence of many warm springs, does not only attract visitors for its magnificent sandy beaches or the memory of the poet Sappho. For example, the preserved Byzantine fortress of Molyvos, the best preserved in the Western Mediterranean, offers sumptuous panoramas from its ramparts, while a petrified forest, the only one in the region, is a geological witness to the dense subtropical vegetation of giant conifers that covered the region 20 million years ago. Finally, the monasteries are active pilgrimage sites, particularly that of Taxiarchis (Archangel Michael), the patron saint of the island.

Istanbul
Disembarkation 22/07/2019 at 09H00 .Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautiful of all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by the Greeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this city is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. On Sultanahmet hill, you’ll see the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics. In the Beyazit district, you can admire the elegant covered passages of the Grand Bazaar. A little further away, the delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw your attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
Formalities
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
Turkey: note that some nationalities are required to get a visa for Turkey. The visa can be obtained online at https://turkey-evisa.travisa-online.com/turkey.
Pre/Post & Overlands
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Before your cruise
** Prices per person, based on double occupancy
Attention: the prices listed at the time of your reservation can be different from those listed in the brochure. These prices can evolve based on availability and the real time rates of the airline companies selected.
Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. Ponant advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations. Ponant specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure. CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behavior to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.
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