Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands

Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, is affectionately known as the “Top End.” A vibrant tropical city is a melting pot where over 50 cultures coexist, creating a uniquely friendly and laid-back lifestyle. Discover its rich history through landmarks like the modern Parliament House, a masterpiece of tropical architecture, and the historic Admiralty House, a heritage-listed stilted home withstood cyclones and wartime air raids.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to 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 journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, do some shopping in the boutique, or 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. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

The Kei Islands have kilometers of stunning yet almost empty white-sand beaches and a deeply hospitable population. Beneath the predominantly Christian facade, Kei culture is fascinatingly distinctive. Local history holds that ancestors of contemporary Kei islanders came from Bali, part of the expanding Hindu Majapahit kingdom from the western archipelago. Enjoy a day of swimming and snorkeling on an idyllic, uninhabited picture postcard tropical island.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to 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 journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, do some shopping in the boutique, or 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. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

If you travel the world searching for the most beautiful diving spots, you can find what you’re looking for in the Indonesian Raja Ampat islands. Off Sorong, ideally located in the heart of the illustrious “Coral Triangle,” the 1,500 or so islets that make up the archipelago are ideal for admiring some outstandingly diverse coral reefs. At the junction of the Pacific and Indian oceans, the Raja Ampat islands, covered with lush jungle, are also extraordinary lands for hiking. Between multi-colored lagoons, immaculate beaches, and green landscapes, the Raja Ampat islands offer a breathtaking palette of colors.

North of Triton Bay, in the Indonesian province of West Papua, lies the Bomberai Peninsula and Sebakor Bay. A real paradise for divers, this protected, authentic, and wild area boasts exceptional biodiversity. Here, you can admire the superb Kitikiti Waterfall, where you can enjoy a swim or snorkel surrounded by lush nature, both on land and underwater.

From age-old traditional cultures and ancient vestiges to coral reefs and lush green jungles, the attractions of the remote Banda archipelago seem endless. Better known as the legendary “Spice Islands” of the Ancient World, these small volcanic landmasses were the fabled prize of colonial powers for more than four centuries. Every colonial power of significance fought for control of these ten small islands that are largely forgotten today. Walking the streets of Banda Neira is a surreal experience as your eyes are drawn to the eclectic mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture, the remnants of a rich and tumultuous history. It is, without doubt, the most historically significant and interesting of all the “Spice Islands.”

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to 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 journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, do some shopping in the boutique, or 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. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Darwin is located in Australia’s Northern Territory, also known as the “Top End”. It is the capital city and the most populated town of the Northern Territory. Darwin is a beautiful tropical city, a melting pot of people and cultures; over 50 different cultures live and work side by side, that prides itself in its unique and friendly laid-back lifestyle. Discover the town’s still recent history through its emblematic buildings such as the new Parliament House, opened in 1994, a magnificent example of tropical architecture or Admiralty House declared a heritage place, a tropical-style home elevated on stilts that have survived two cyclones and numerous air raids.