Kids Club 
Guest Speaker 
Superior Stateroom
20% Ponant Bonus
21 m2
3
Antique wonders of the Aegean
Istanbul - Istanbul
Dates:
13/7/2023
to
24/7/2023
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Kid's Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.
Departing from Istanbul, PONANT brings you an itinerary along the coastlines in the Aegean Sea, to discover outstanding natural and historical sites. During this 12-day cruise, Le Lyrial invites you to a sensorial and cultural journey to the heart of the ancient treasures of Turkey and Greece.
Your journey will begin with a call at Bozcaada, a peaceful haven renowned since Antiquity for the produce of its vineyards. With its charming, cobbled streets, the island reveals a fine combination of Greek and Turkish influences and offers many opportunities to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea.
You will continue your tour of the Turkish shores as you visit the town of Kusadasi, not far from the Ephesus site. An old fishing village with history going back 5,000 years, is now one of Turkey’s most famous seaside resorts.
Offering historical visits to the remains of the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus or the famous Castle of St Peter or the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and the chance for a relaxing break on its stunning beaches, Bodrum is sure to win your heart.
Head for the Dodecanese islands, at the crossroads of the Orient and the Occident. The beautiful neoclassical houses surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and cypresses make Symi one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago. You will then set a course towards Patmos, known as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea'. This island, where Saint John is said to have written the Apocalypse, offers unique landscapes combining white sandy beaches and rocky coves.
In the south-eastern Aegean Sea, the Cyclades archipelago invites you to enjoy the wild and appealing beauty of its islands. The landscapes of Milos, between limestone cliffs and small confidential coves can be discovered in a soothing atmosphere. You will then make a detour via the island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light and the calm of its small streets on which all motorised traffic is banned.
Then you will reach Istanbul, a rich historical UNESCO listed site, at the end of a magnificent cruise.
Ref : LY130723
Your itinerary
Kid's Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION. A cruise to discover the treasures of the Aegean Sea, from the renowned coasts of Turkey to the sublime Greek archipelagos. UNESCO World Heritage Sites:...
View detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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LE BELLOT
LE LYRIAL
- New
LE BOUGAINVILLE
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
22/6/2023 to the 10/7/2023
LE BOUGAINVILLE
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Maud Fontenoy Foundation
Since 2008, the Maud Fontenoy Foundation has been operating in France and internationally to protect our oceans. We organise educational activities focused on the environment for the younger generation and general public, with support from scientific partners and the French Ministry of National Education. The latter has made us responsible for its Sea Education programme and relaunch of the Sea Classes initiative. Our aim is both ecological and social: to protect the ocean and save people. We start from a strong principle that protecting the environment, particularly the ocean, is a humanitarian issue that affects all mankind, without exception. For us, the oceans are a powerful force, a potential for the future. Every year, 700,000 children benefit from our programmes.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- Kid's Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.
- A cruise to discover the treasures of the Aegean Sea, from the renowned coasts of Turkey to the sublime Greek archipelagos.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Istanbul (port of embarkation and disembarkation), the historical sites of Ephesus from Kusadasi, the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Patmos, the Mycenae ruins and the Epidaurus theatre from Napflion.
- A new call in Bozcaada, an island in the Aegean Sea prised by Stamboulians for its picturesque atmosphere and idyllic beaches.
- The port of call at Bodrum, an elegant seaside resort sometimes known as “the Turkish Saint-Tropez.”
- Discover the Dodecanese islands, at the crossroads of the Orient and the Occident.
- An immersive journey to the heart of the Cyclades and the discovery of Milos, Paros, Hydra.
- A sail past the island of Polyaigos, remarkable for its light-bathed blonde rocks.
- The possibility of visiting Istanbul before or after your cruise.
Ports of Call & Excursions
13 July 2023 - Istanbul
Embarkation 13/7/2023 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 13/7/2023 at 6:00 pm
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. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
14 July 2023 - Bozcaada
Arrival 14/7/2023 midday
Departure 14/7/2023 late afternoon
Anchored off the coast of the legendary ancient city of Troy, in crystal-clear waters dotted with Greek islands Bozcaada is truly exceptional. And with good reason, since Bozcaada and its neighbour, Gökçeada, are the only Turkish islands in the Aegean Sea. Ceded to Turkey in 1923, it still bears traces of its past as a Greek island, as evidenced by its maze of cobbled streets and the traditional white houses with blue windows that dot the island. Renowned since antiquity for its vines, Bozcaada also stands out for its exceptional setting combining sheer cliffs, ribbons of golden sand, and tiny coves with translucent water.
15 July 2023 - Kusadasi
Arrival 15/7/2023 early morning
Departure 15/7/2023 late evening
The attractive seaside resort of Kusadasi is located in a gulf on the western coast of Turkey. You can bathe there in clear waters or stroll along the coastal walk, in the shade of palms. In the historical district, you can take a mosey down the narrow streets and explore the colourful shops in the bazaar. Close by, the Ephesus archaeological site in the hillsides provides an opportunity to discover the ruins of one of the most famous cities of Antiquity.
16 July 2023 - Bodrum
Arrival 16/7/2023 midday
Departure 16/7/2023 late evening
Bodrum is located one of the bays of Mugla on the west coast of Turkey. At the harbour entrance, you’ll can’t miss The Bodrum Castle of The Knights of St. John, the town’s emblem. Here you will be able to visit the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology housed within the castle precincts. In the centre, the passages shaded by arbours abound with diverse craft shops and ice-cream cafés where you can sit out and enjoy refreshing citrus fruit sorbets. A few streets away, the archaeological site of the Halicarnasse mausoleum invites you to experience the old town’s past, just as the old theatre does, built on the slopes of the hillside looking out over the bay of Bodrum.
17 July 2023 - Symi
Arrival 17/7/2023 early morning
Departure 17/7/2023 late afternoon
A simply ravishing gem in the Dodecanese, Symi is located north-west of Rhodes. This island of cypress forests, vineyards and olive orchards, possesses a capital city of the same name that is as colourful as the surrounding countryside. The charm of the port district of Gialos is not to be missed: its quaysides are lined with picturesque houses with multi-coloured facades. You can get to the upper town by car or climb the 500 steps up the Kali Strata ramp. The second option offers superb viewing points of the coast and gorgeous turquoise waters.
18 July 2023 - Patmos
Arrival 18/7/2023 early morning
Departure 18/7/2023 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 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.
19 July 2023 - Adamas, Milos
Arrival 19/7/2023 early morning
Departure 19/7/2023 mid afternoon
Although Milos is especially renowned for the famous statue of Venus found in a field there and now displayed in the Louvre in Paris, this mineral island is also a geological treasure. Its volcanic origin is evident in its breathtaking landscapes and the colours of its cliffs, ranging from pure white to deep red. You’ll discover the wild beauty of the shorelines lined with the most beautiful beaches in Greece from a ship deck, and you’ll enjoy privileged access to emerald-green coves. Tiny fishing ports like Adamas hide there, with brightly-painted doors and terraces. Milos is a charming port of call in the heart of the Cyclades.
20 July 2023 - Paros
Arrival 20/7/2023 early morning
Departure 20/7/2023 late afternoon
Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located in the Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you’ll see Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make the most of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa. This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove.
21 July 2023 - Hydra
Arrival 21/7/2023 early morning
Departure 21/7/2023 late evening
This unusual gem belonging to the Saronic islands is located to the east of the Peloponnese. There are no cars here. Named after the island, the harbour town is layered up the slopes of a mountainous bay. You may be surprised to see beautiful stone mansions. These are traditional here, as are the multi-coloured caïques along the quays. Further along the shore, you will discover the Historical Archives Museum. Collections from Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.
22 July 2023 - Nafplion
Arrival 22/7/2023 early morning
Departure 22/7/2023 evening
The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.
23 July 2023 - At sea
Arrival 23/7/2023
Departure 23/7/2023
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.
24 July 2023 - Istanbul
Arrival 24/7/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 24/7/2023 at 8:00 am
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. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia and the vast Topkapi palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ attention at the Egyptian Bazaar.
Le Lyrial
First introduced in 2015 and the fourth ship in the Sisterships series, Le Lyrial is the very embodiment of this new generation of intimately sized cruise ships. Its exterior and interior lines, all sober understatement and refinement, make it a yacht of a rare and innovative kind.
For the interior decoration, we took inspiration from the tones and colours of our destinations and used a palette made up of blues, from the soft, luminous grey-like tones of the polar ice to the vivid notes and turquoises of Mediterranean inlets and coves.
Up to 244 Guests
122 staterooms & suites
145 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Kids Club
Welcome, little sailors! Thanks to the PONANT Kids Club, children aged 4 and up can enjoy activities designed and organised by a team of activity leaders on board, including craft, board games, DVD evenings, discovering the occupations on board, or supervised outings and shore excursions for those over the age of six. Savour the magic of your destination with total peace of mind thanks to a range of activities specially designed for your children and announced each day in the daily programme.
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
PREMIUM TRANSFER FROM ISTANBUL AIRPORT AND PIER
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between the airport and your port of embarkation.
Istanbul
Meet at Istanbul airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
You will depart the airport by coach and proceed to a panoramic drive of this fascinating and mysterious capital. Created along the Bogazici (the Bosphorus), a 16.8-mile-long strip of water which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, Istanbul is a city with a European and an Asian side. Both have their own personalities, history and charm. Inhabited since the 7th century B.C., it is a city that has known many rulers and names including Byzantia, Constantinopolis and of course, Istanbul. Sultans and Emperors have called this city home – and it has been the capital of Roman, and Ottoman empires.
During your approximate 1-hour drive, you will have a chance to observe the historical part of Istanbul, the Balat district where different cultures met in the past (Jewish, Armenian and Orthodox). We will continue driving along the Golden Horn, that was an old trading harbour and a popular residential area during the Byzantine period. We will also see part of the city walls of Constantinople, the Bulgarian Church and the Greek patriarchal church which overlooks the famous Golden Horn.
You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on your ship.
Your programme includes:
- Transfer as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide from the airport to the port.
Your programme does not include:
- Lunch.
- Visa fees, if necessary.
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$450
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
PREMIUM TRANSFER BETWEEN ISTANBUL PIER AND AIRPORT
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.
Istanbul
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight and you will enjoy fast track assistance services from the airport entrance until the aircraft gate.
Your programme includes:
- Transfer as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
- Services of a fast track assistance (meet and greet by personal assistant at airport entrance, buggy service, fast track security, luggage porterage, lounge use, accompagny until the aircraft gate.
Your programme does not include:
- Visa fees if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$380
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.