Discovering the islands of South-East Asia

If it's a taste of exotic authenticity you're after, prepare to be spell-bound by the island of Bali, tucked away in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago. The beauty and diversity of its landscapes, the depth, and richness of its cultural heritage and the plethora of activities on offer here make Bali a little slice of heaven on Earth. The island's southern coast enthralls with its white sand beaches, its picturesque little fishing villages such as Benoa, and its hills patchworked with terraced rice paddies further inland. Nicknamed 'the Island of Gods' for its sumptuous temples, Bali is the beating heart of Indonesian Hinduism.

If it's a taste of exotic authenticity you're after, prepare to be spell-bound by the island of Bali, tucked away in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago. The beauty and diversity of its landscapes, the depth and richness of its cultural heritage and the plethora of activities on offer here make Bali a little slice of heaven on Earth. The island's southern coast enthrals with its white sand beaches, its picturesque little fishing villages such as Benoa, and its hills patchworked with terraced rice paddies further inland. Nicknamed 'the Island of Gods' for its sumptuous temples, Bali is the beating heart of Indonesian Hinduism.

Nestled inside the massive Tengger caldera surrounded by a sea of sand, Mount Bromo is the epitome of desolate beauty. The volcanic complex dates back to about 820,000 years ago and consists of five overlapping stratovolcanoes, each truncated by a caldera. Lava domes, pyroclastic cones, and a maar occupy the flanks of the massif. The surreal lunar landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Hindu Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. After an early departure from the ship guest will travel by bus to Mount Bromo to enjoy this surreal site. 

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.

During your cruise, your ship will take you to discover Karimunjawa, an idyllic archipelago composed of 27 small islands, far-removed from the modern world. At the place where the Pacific Ocean meets the Indian Ocean, translucent waves matching the colour of the horizon crash on long beaches of immaculate white sand. Listed as a Marine National Park, these stunningly beautiful islands lined with coral reefs are an extraordinary natural heritage. Equipped with a mask and tuba, we invite you to discover a fascinating underwater world where dizzyingly bright multicolored marine life will reveal itself.

Semarang enjoys a strategic location on the northern coast of Java, making it a cosmopolitan port town and a melting pot of Chinese, Indo-Arabic and European cultures. Before setting off to explore the region's treasures, take a tour of the old town and its smattering of old colonial buildings. Here in Indonesia's most Chinese town, don't miss a trip to the Chinatown district. If it's culture you're after, journey deeper into the green, rolling inland region, passing by volcanoes and rice paddies until you reach the royal town of Yogyakarta and one of its ancient kingdoms, the Borobudur : this Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest temples.

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.

Krakatoa, or Krakatau, is a name familiar to most, though few know where it is located. Lying in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra on the Pacific ring of fire, is the site of the largest volcanic eruption in modern history. The 1883 eruptions culminated with a colossal blast that literally blew Krakatau apart. The noise was heard over 4,600 km away. Eruptions since 1927 have built a new cone known as Anak Krakatau ("The child of Krakatau") that is still active, with its most recent eruptive episode having begun in 1994. Quiet periods of a few days alternate with spectacular Strombolian eruptions. Guest activities will be determined by the level of volcanic activity on the day and may involve ship based viewing or zodiac tour.

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.

Nicknamed the Garden City, Singapore stretches across Malaysia's southern-most region. Experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of this city-state for yourself at the Marina Bay. No too far away is the historic centre, offering up a unique smorgasbord of neoclassical buildings and contemporary towers. Decked out in topiary, the pavements of Orchard Road are also home to countless shopping centres. The colourful markets in Chinatown and Little India are the perfect opportunity to quell hunger pangs in a hawker centre, one of the city's traditional snack bars. Between the two districts, get a slice of history with a trip to the Raffles dock. It was here that Englishman Sir Raffles, the founder of the city, is said to have arrived one fateful day in January 1819.

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.

To the south of Vietnam, the archipelago of the Côn Dao Islands,located in the South China Sea, is composed of sixteen rocks covered in lush vegetation. A regular stopover on the Maritime Silk Road connecting China to Europe between the 2nd and 13th centuries, the islands were mentioned by Marco Polo during his voyage from China to India in 1294. A former English and French trading post, the archipelago became a French colony in 1861 using the name Poulo Condor. A penitentiary centre was built there and used to imprison opponents of the colonial regime. During the Vietnam War, the Saigon regime and the United States locked up communist enemies there until 1975. In its idyllic natural setting, Con Dao has become a memorial site and a symbol of the fight for independence.

Located near the Mekong delta, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. It is both the historic heart and economic hub. Formerly Saigon, the city is an imposing avant-guard metropolis. You can admire its famous central post office and its emblematic Reunification Palace. From 95 years of French presence, the city has kept some remarkable monuments, like the Cathédrale Notre-Dame with its neo-Gothic façade built in 19th century red brick. You’ll succumb to the magic of this hectic city, where everything is about contrast, like the very brightly-coloured district of Cholon, Saigon’s “Chinatown”.

Located near the Mekong delta, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. It is both the historic heart and economic hub. Formerly Saigon, the city is an imposing avant-guard metropolis. You can admire its famous central post office and its emblematic Reunification Palace. From 95 years of French presence, the city has kept some remarkable monuments, like the Cathédrale Notre-Dame with its neo-Gothic façade built in 19th century red brick. You’ll succumb to the magic of this hectic city, where everything is about contrast, like the very brightly-coloured district of Cholon, Saigon’s “Chinatown”.

Enjoy your breakfast before disembarking in Ho Chi Minh City.