Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
15% Ponant Bonus
204 ft²
2
Heavenly Islands & Iberian shores
Barcelona - Leixões - Porto
Dates:
06/05/2026
to
17/05/2026
days
nights on board
PONANT invites you to discover sumptuous landscapes and exceptional cities during a 12-day cruise between Portugal and Spain. Be inspired by this unforgettable journey aboard Le Champlain as you visit major cities of the Iberian Peninsula.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, discover the Sagres fort, near Lagos; attend a cavalcade at a finca in Cartagena; or go to a flamenco show in Cadiz. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
Leaving from the bustling capital of Catalonia, Barcelona, you will sail west to reach the mythical Balearic Islands archipelago. On the preserved island of Menorca, Mahon will charm you with its age-old history and its port, which, at 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) long, is the biggest in the Mediterranean. A little further on, Ibiza, the “White Island” will enchant you with its wild coves and villages of white fincas, a natural beauty that has earned the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In Valencia, a lively city brimming with culture, do not miss the Silk Exchange, a flamboyant Gothic masterpiece listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, illustrating how powerful this mercantile city was in the 15th and 16th centuries.
You will arrive in Cartagena, a former Roman colony where there is still a majestic amphitheatre. As you roam the city, you will discover the many monuments reflecting its numerous influences and rich history.
After a port of call in Motril, at the foot of the Sierra de Lújar, Le Champlain will sail for Malaga, the cultural capital of the Costa del Sol. To the heart of the old town, its history can be read in its buildings, in particular the 10th century castle built by the Moors. You will also have the possibility of strolling through the picturesque town of Ronda and discovering its famous Puente Nuevo. Then, you will discover Cadiz, one of the country’s oldest cities, built on a rock and surrounded by the sea.
Your exploration continues in the Algarve region at the country’s southern tip. Bewitching Lagos stands proud like a fortress in hues of ochre and orange, bordered by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In this town of nature and culture, stroll in the paved small streets of the historic centre whose Moorish and Portuguese influences create a delightful blend. Further north, you will arrive in Lisbon, sitting on the Tagus River, distilling its one-of-a-kind charm imbued with rich history. In Figueira da Foz, at the mouth of the Mondego River, you will love the slow pace of this historic seaside resort and its beaches of white sand.
Your cruise will end in Leixoes, one of Portugal’s largest maritime ports, not far from Porto.
Ref : EC060526
Your itinerary
An exceptional cruise to discover major cities of the Iberian Peninsula. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the tower of Belém and the monastery of Jeronimos in Lisbon (embarkation port), the Silk Exchange in...
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Your trip in detail
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Complete your trip
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Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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L'AUSTRAL
LE LAPÉROUSE
02/04/2026 to the 12/04/2026
LE CHAMPLAIN
03/12/2025 to the 13/12/2025
LE BORÉAL
14/05/2026 to the 24/05/2026
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
*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.
Discover all destinations
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- 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)
- Two 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:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, 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
Highlights
- An exceptional cruise to discover major cities of the Iberian Peninsula.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the tower of Belém and the monastery of Jeronimos in Lisbon (embarkation port), the Silk Exchange in Valencia, the works of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona (disembarkation port).
- Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
- The discovery of the Balearic Islands archipelago with Mahon and Ibiza.
- The Andalusian city of Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in the Western Mediterranean.
- A port of call in Lagos, in the Algarve region, featuring geological wonders and a rich historical past.
- The ancient heritage of Cartagena.
*Pre-bookings open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests are processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
Ports of Call & Excursions
6 May 2026 - Barcelona
Embarkation 06/05/2026 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 06/05/2026 at 18:00
Located on the seashore between the mountains of Montjuïc and Tibidabo, Barcelona offers its many visitors a perfect blend of tradition and modernism. Truly an open-air museum, the “prodigious town” reveals an astonishing range of artistic treasures and museums, combining Roman ruins, medieval districts and a number of avant-garde elements from the 20th Century. Over the years, it has been marked by some of the greatest artists, such as Picasso, Miró or Gaudí, most of whose work has been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Take the time to stroll along the Ramblas and enjoy the gentle, typically Mediterranean lifestyle of the capital of Catalonia.
7 May 2026 - Mahon, Balearic Islands
Arrival 07/05/2026 midday
Departure 07/05/2026 evening
You will be welcomed by the colourful houses of Mahon, its narrow streets and pretty squares that appear as you stroll around this richly contrasting city. Mahon reveals its different neighbourhoods, alternating between monuments, villas and white buildings. Discover the Santa Maria church, a building of neo-gothic inspiration, rebuilt in the 18th Century. It is worth a visit to see its monumental organ with more than 3,000 pipes and four keyboards. Around the Carmen church you will find a local market, full of stands selling avarcas, typical Menorcan sandals originally made by peasants. Let yourself fall under the spell of this Mediterranean treasure.
8 May 2026 - Ibiza, Balearic Islands
Arrival 08/05/2026 midday
Departure 08/05/2026 evening
The emblematic island of the Balearics, “the white island” was a haven for European artistic bohemians from the 1930s and a paradise for hippies in search of authenticity in the 1960s. It has been a giant nightclub for gilded youth since the 1990s. Behind this fiesta economy, Ibiza has managed to preserve the charms of its wild coves and its villages of white fincas with flat roofs that inspired Le Corbusier. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its exemplary marine and coastal ecosystems but also thanks to the architectural vestiges of this former stronghold of the Mediterranean economy, from the Phoenicians up to the Renaissance.
9 May 2026 - Valencia
Arrival 09/05/2026 early morning
Departure 09/05/2026 evening
Valencia - the city of Art and Sciences. Two hearts beat in this Spanish city: one is modern, avantgarde and almost futuristic; the other is more provincial, more traditional and nostalgic. Valencia has the temperament of a great Mediterranean city whose wide avenues form a border around the old town. The city has an abundance of architectural styles that coexist harmoniously, but above all it resolutely embraces the 21st Century with the futuristic structures of its Agora congress centre and City of Arts and Sciences, emerging from a crystal blue pool.
10 May 2026 - Cartagena
Arrival 10/05/2026 midday
Departure 10/05/2026 early evening
Surrounded by hills, the natural site of the Bay of Carthagena presided over the fate of this former fortress which has been home to the greatest European civilisations. Today, these Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Moorish and Christian influences form a rich architectural heritage. Its Roman theatre is one of the most significant and best conserved in Spain. You will also be able to cross the landscapes of vines and citrus groves stretching endlessly towards Murcia, to visit this dynamic regional capital.
11 May 2026 - Motril
Arrival 11/05/2026 early morning
Departure 11/05/2026 early afternoon
On the shores of the Mediterranean, Motril enjoys a special place on the Costa Tropical. Sheltered from the cold northerly winds thanks to the mountains that surround this Andalusian city, the city benefits from an ideal micro-climate.
12 May 2026 - Málaga
Arrival 12/05/2026 early morning
Departure 12/05/2026 late evening
A historical and festive town, Malaga is located in Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol. Between the marina and the beaches, the seaside promenade of La Farola offers an ideal setting for strolling and relaxing. Set slightly further back, the Malagueta bullring is one of the emblematic sites of the city. From the hill overlooking the old town, one can see Gibralfaro castle and the Alcazaba, two fortified ensembles rising out from the cypresses and maritime pines. To visit Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, you will go first to the courtly plaza de la Merced. A few streets back from here, you can explore the museum dedicated to the artist, in the Buenavista palace.
13 May 2026 - Cadiz
Arrival 13/05/2026 midday
Departure 13/05/2026 evening
Andalusia’s Cadiz is located on the Costa de la Luz, in the south-west of Spain. From the beaches of Cortadura, to the flamenco bars of Santa Maria, through the colourful streets of la Viña, you will be amazed by this city, which is both steeped in history and extremely festive. In the medieval El Pópulo district, you will stroll along covered passages in the narrow gaps between houses. You will also be able to mosey around the lush Mina square. The star of the show is the magnificent cathedral and its dome crowned with yellow porcelain, presiding above the Ocean.
14 May 2026 - Lagos
Arrival 14/05/2026 early morning
Departure 14/05/2026 early afternoon
There stands a natural paradise called Lagos, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. With its picturesque and age-old town centre, and the Ponta da Piedade natural site sheltering paradisiacal beaches protected by captivating limestone cliffs in hues of ochre, Lagos enthrals, fascinates and enchants. In this interesting blend between nature and culture, do not miss the chance to stroll along the small paved streets of its historic centre, surrounded by impressive Moorish ramparts and edged with traditional white houses, with decorations sculpted in the stone. In particular, you will be able to admire the Manuelian-style Governor's Castle, the 17th-century Ponta da Bandeira Fort or the Church of Santo António in Baroque architecture.
15 May 2026 - Lisbon
Arrival 15/05/2026 early morning
Departure 15/05/2026 early evening
Portugal’s capital city located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometres from the Atlantic coast, is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity. At the mouth of the river harbour, impose two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos monastery and Belem tower. The Alfama hillside is also worth visiting: known for its fado bars and its Moorish streets, this district is the oldest one of the city and one of the most typical. Not far from there, Chiado’s elegant streets are home to big fashion labels and are an invitation to a bit of of luxury shopping.
16 May 2026 - Figueira da Foz
Arrival 16/05/2026 early morning
Departure 16/05/2026 late evening
Situated at the mouth of the Mondego River, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Coimbra, Figueira da Foz is known for its beautiful, vast beaches of white sand. A major fishing and trading port in the region, the city has been a popular destination with the Portuguese since the 19th century, a golden age during which the aristocracy made it their seaside resort of choice. Beautiful villas and casinos have sprung up along the immaculate beaches, giving the town an eternal holiday atmosphere. Its proximity to Coimbra makes it an ideal stopover for many travellers wishing to discover one of the jewels of Portugal and its rich history.
17 May 2026 - Leixões - Porto
Arrival 17/05/2026 early morning
Disembarkation 17/05/2026 at 09:00
Located at the mouth of the Douro River, the port of Leixões lies less than 10 kilometres from Porto. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre of Porto is worth a visit for its famous Ribeira district, the metallic silhouette of the Dom-Luis bridge looming over its ancient houses, its richly decorated Baroque churches and its national Soares dos Reis museum. The São Bento station is also interesting for its typically Portuguese decoration, using Azulejos, blue square ceramic tiles decorated with geometric patterns or figurative scenes.
Le Champlain
Like the rest of the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Champlain successfully manages to subtly combine the desire to explore the remotest regions of the planet with the comfort and privacy of a cosily intimate ship.
To the innovative and environmentally friendly equipment are added elegant design and a unique atmosphere in keeping with the whole PONANT universe. Your dream of a cruise onboard a cosily intimate ship is thus made possible through the combination of an authentically genuine voyage experience together with discreet luxury.
Decks
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.
Timeless
With one included excursion per day and per guest, and the presence of expert lecturers on board, Timeless Explorations blend cultural curiosity, immersive experiences, and serene relaxation. A refined way to journey far from the everyday, both in mind and in spirit.
- Activities: One included excursion per day and per guest. Optional paid excursions are also available depending on the port of call.
- Landings (depending on the destination): By dock, tender boat, or aboard local vessels.
- Your experts on board: The dedicated excursion team and one or more guest lecturers.
- Children: Children from one year of age are welcome on board (from 8 years old on board Le Commandant Charcot).
The full program of all excursions, both included and optional, is available eight months prior to departure. Reservations open approximately two months before departure.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
DISCOVER BARCELONA (1 NIGHT)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Barcelona
Meet at the airport arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local English-speaking representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
You will be transferred to the hotel Me Barcelona 5*.
Check-in in your room.
The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2 - Barcelona
Morning at leisure and check-out.
You will be directly transferred to the local restaurant where lunch will be served.
Then you will reach Sant Pau, a hidden gem often overshadowed by its illustrious neighbor. This UNESCO world heritage site, once a bustling hospital, is a kaleidoscope of Art Nouveau splendor. Step inside and be transported to a world of light and color. Wander through the interconnected pavilions, each boasting unique architectural details: ceramic murals, stained-glass windows, and whimsical wrought ironwork. Immerse yourself in the story of this innovative healthcare complex, a testament to both artistic vision and social progress.
After the visit, you will be driven to the Cruise Terminal to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
Situated in the centre of Barcelona, alongside the Passeig de Gràcia, the hotel Me Barcelona occupies an ideal location close to one of the busiest shopping areas and some of the most prestigious restaurants. The modern, urban rooms have their own very special personality. The hotel's elegant rooftop terrace offers views over the city, a sun deck and a swimming pool.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
· 1-night accommodation in Standard room at the hotel Me Barcelona 5* local standards (or similar), breakfast included.
· Meals as mentioned in the programme.
· Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).
· Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
· The services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
· Lunch and dinner on day 1.
· Personal expenses.
· Tips for the driver and local guide.
· Early check-in and late check-out.
· Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
· It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
· Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m.
· Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 p.m.
· Early check-in or late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.
· A minimum of 10 participants is needed to confirm the programme.
Contact of your hotel:
ME BARCELONA 5*
c/ Casp 1-13
08010 Barcelona, Spain
Telephone: + 34 93 277 94 18
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 : £460
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.A GLIMPSE OF PORTO WITH LUNCH
Total : £110
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.