On the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Lyttelton (or Te Whaka Raupo in the Maori language) served, thanks to its proximity with Ross Island, as the starting point for the British expeditions in the mythical age of the South Pole explorations. It takes its name from George Lyttelton (1709-1773), aristocrat and colonial governor of South Carolina. In this colorful port town full of history, discover the Time Ball: constructed in 1876, it rang at 1.00 pm every day for 58 consecutive years to give Greenwich meridian time, enabling ship captains to set their chronometer and very precisely calculate their position.

Embarkation is from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure at 6:00 PM

A must-see entry point to the South Island, Picton is a little coastal town girded by gentle hills, located on the south side of the Queen Charlotte inlet. The cafés and restaurants which border the charming waterfront give a very lovely view of the fjord. You can also decide to get some height above sea level and walk in the surrounding areas. However, Picton is above all an opportunity to explore the unique Marlborough Sounds. This interweaving of submerged valleys in this area has to create numerous navigable routes, which are among the most beautiful natural wonders of New Zealand.

Crowned with gentle green hills, Wellington Harbour is located in the far south of the North Island. This city offers a charming mix of traditional and modern cultures, bestowing on the New Zealand capital, a unique atmosphere, both friendly and avant-guard. Where some sites, like the large National Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, reflect the city’s Maori past, others, like the many cafés and restaurants, affirm the inhabitants’ incredible lust for life.

On the east coast of the North Island, south of Hawke’s Bay, find Napier. Mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, reviving from its ashes in less than two years, it grew into a magnificent Art Deco style city, very in-vogue at the time. With its pure lines mixed with traditional Maori designs, the singular New Zealand character of this city will intrigue you. Discover all this extraordinary architectural heritage as you take a stroll through the city. Famous for its vineyards, wine lovers will taste some of the best wines from the region.

Gisborne, called “Gizzy” by the locals and Teoneroa by the Maori, is located north of a large bay surrounded by fertile hills and long, wild beaches that attract walkers and surfers. At the southern end of the bay, the magnificent cliffs of Young Nick’s Head majestically keep watch over the ocean’s tides. In Ngatapa, a few kilometers north of the city, the Eastwoodhill Arboretum stretches out over more than 130 hectares (320 acres) and is home to magnificent exotic and native plants. In the city, learn about Maori culture and the local history at the Tairawhiti Museum or enjoy some of the products of this rich farming region, renowned in particular for its Chardonnay.

Located to the north of Rotorua, Tauranga stretches the length of the Bay of Plenty, sheltered from the ocean by the island of Matakana. This coastal city boasts a flourishing economy thanks to its port and is a pleasant and pretty town with a peaceful, relaxed feel. The seafront area is contemporary and lively, dotted with cafés and restaurants. The town center reveals more picturesque charms, while the surrounding area is packed full of natural delights. Travel on to the town of Rotorua to visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: a fantastic opportunity to experience an absolutely exceptional geothermal phenomenon.

In the Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island is a pristine natural gem just 35 minutes from the city of Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand. The stunning beaches of its languid bays and the undulating landscapes forming the heart of the island perfectly illustrate the easy way of life here. This land surrounded by sea and bathed in light enjoys a mild climate that is conducive to thriving agriculture, composed mainly of olive groves and vineyards. Somewhat reminiscent of Tuscany, the island is renowned for its wines. Here, Bordeaux grape varieties have found the ideal conditions for developing a rich palette of aromas. A symbol of New Zealand’s easy lifestyle, Waiheke also boasts a rich arts scene.

On the east coast of the North Island, the Bay of Islands promises an incredible journey into the origins of the ﾓland of the long white cloudﾔ. Russell, the first harbor city founded in New Zealand by Europeans, is your entry point into this corner of paradise. Among whitewashed houses and gorgeous gardens, Russell offers a gentle, romantic atmosphere. A few traces of its past remain, such as Christ Church, the oldest church in the country. Shimmering waters highly prized by local fishermen, beautiful beaches, and wild nature make visiting this New Zealand town a picture-postcard experience.

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 center. 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, 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.

This unspoiled South Pacific island lies off Australia's east coast. The choice is yours: relax on its deserted beaches or dive among the multi-colored fish and corals of Emily Bay lagoon. Norfolk Island National Park is the place to see parrots hidden under the araucaria branches and tree-ferns. The lookout perched at the top of Mount Pitt offers you a 360-degree panorama of sparkling coastline. Discover more about the island's turbulent history at the Norfolk Island Museum in Kingston, one of Australia's oldest towns.

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 center. 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, 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.

Known as the “Jewel of the Pacific”, the Isle of Pines is the southernmost of the Caledonian islands. It is the largest island in the marine area of the Great Southern Lagoon, one of the six lagoons in New Caledonia that are UNESCO World Heritage sites for the diversity of their coral reefs and their ecosystems. Discovered by James Cook in 1774, the island owes its name to the New Caledonia Pines that line the many white sandy beaches with their transparent waters, for which it is famous. During your visit, complete your exploration of this exceptional natural heritage with the discovery of the vestiges of the penal colony, where at the end of the 19th century, political prisoners from the Paris Commune and Kabylians from Algeria were deported.

Land around 100km east of Grande-Terre. An ancient coral atoll atop a collapsed volcano, Lifou is today the largest and highest of the Loyalty Islands. This is an outstanding natural site, waiting to be explored: to the north, the coastline ends abruptly in sheer cliffs, while to the south lie expanses of long white sand beaches. Lovers of wild plantlife may well be tempted by a further walk inland, where the local community proudly upholds the rich and authentic Kanak culture.

Perched on a peninsula between bays and hills, on the south-west coast of Grande Terre, Noumea enjoys a magnificent natural setting. The town shelters some exceptional biodiversity, thanks especially to the coastal mangroves. To feel the town’s heartbeat, you can mosey in the Place des Cocotiers, where Noumeans love to gather. The Tjibaou cultural center unveils the secrets of the Kanak culture. As for the Hagen castle or the Maison Célières, these are precious witnesses of a colonial past. But Noumea is also about sumptuous beaches. 

​Your trip ends in the capital of New Caledonia. Disembark after breakfast to continue with your onward journey or head home.