Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
30% Ponant Bonus
204 ft²
2
Landscapes and historic sites of the Peloponnese
Athens - Athens
Dates:
25/10/2026
to
01/11/2026
days
nights on board
The calmness of an always turquoise sea, the craggy hills bathed in light, fertile plains, oceans of olive trees and slender cypress trees are all invitations to explore the Peloponnese, a land shaped by myths. During a 8-day journey aboard Le Champlain, set off to discover these unique landscapes and archaeological sites. In autumn, far from the crowds, these places imbued in legends seem to come alive through tales of Greek heroes, wrathful gods and ancient creatures.
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, explore the archaeological site of Delphi from Itea, or discover the ruins of Mycenae and Epidaurus from Nafplio, or discover the rich history of Hydra. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
After an equally mythic and remarkable crossing of the Corinth Canal, you will arrive in the small port of Itea from where it is possible to visit the incredible site of Delphi or even the Hosios Loukas monastery, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Your ship then crosses the Gulf of Patras to reach the Ionian Sea and the Peloponnese. This legendary region immerses you in the tumultuous and glorious past of the country. From the port of Katakolon, you can visit the sublime site of Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, whose ruins bear witness to its former grandeur.
After a port of call in Gythio, the seaport of Ancient Sparta, the fortified peninsula of Monemvasia will reveal itself, monumental, like a ship of stone overlooking the azure.
Your ship will then set sail for Nafplion, to arrive at your final port of call. It is an opportunity to discover the mythical sites of Epidaurus and Mycenae, respectively a ancient theatre and a pre-Hellenic city, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The island of Hydra, famous for its incomparable light, will enchant you with the calm of its little streets, where all motor traffic is forbidden.
Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments, which form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic ensemble bequeathed to the world by Ancient Greece, marks the end of this exceptional odyssey.
Ref : EC251026
Your itinerary
An autumn cruise to discover some of Greece’s most beautiful ancient sites and cross the Corinth Canal. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Delphi site from Itea, the Olympia site from Katakolon, the ruins of...
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Your trip in detail
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LE LYRIAL
LE BORÉAL
L'AUSTRAL
LE CHAMPLAIN
26/05/2025 to the 03/06/2025
LE BOUGAINVILLE
10/06/2025 to the 18/06/2025
*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.
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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 autumn cruise to discover some of Greece’s most beautiful ancient sites and cross the Corinth Canal.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Delphi site from Itea, the Olympia site from Katakolon, the ruins of Mycenae and Epidaurus from Nafplion, the Acropolis in Athens (port of disembarkation).
- 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.
*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
25 October 2026 - Athens
Embarkation 25/10/2026 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 25/10/2026 at 18:00
The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.
26 October 2026 - Crossing the Corinth Canal
Arrival 26/10/2026
Departure 26/10/2026
The Corinth Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, turning the Peloponnese into an island as it separates the region from the Greek mainland. Inaugurated in 1893, the canal is a little over six kilometres long and enables merchant vessels and passenger to avoid a long 400-km detour around the peninsula. The two sides of the canal reach a height of approximately fifty metres. From the exterior decks, don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch the ship as it navigates along the narrow strip of water encased between tall, ochre cliffs. What an experience!
26 October 2026 - Itea
Arrival 26/10/2026 midday
Departure 26/10/2026 early evening
Tucked away in the Gulf of Corinth, this little port is situated in continental Greece, north-west of Athens. Take an easy stroll along the old cobblestone quays, while gazing at the summits encircling the Bay of Itea. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are tempted by a visit to the Delphi Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located on a plateau on the slope of Mount Parnassus, just ten kilometres from Itea. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whose ancient ruins are surrounded by steep mountains.
27 October 2026 - Katakolon
Arrival 27/10/2026 early morning
Departure 27/10/2026 early afternoon
This picturesque village stretches along the Ionian sea in the west of the Peloponnese. Its main harbour offers a vast panorama of the coastline’s wooded hillsides. Dazzling white, the church of Saint-Nicolas houses a selection of sumptuous icons. You can also pay a visit the archaeological site of Olympus on the slopes of Mount Kronos.
28 October 2026 - Gythio
Arrival 28/10/2026 early morning
Departure 28/10/2026 late afternoon
Located in the south of the Peloponnese, on the Mani Peninsula, Gytheio was the main port and naval base of ancient Sparta, located around fifty kilometres inland. In Roman times, the port experienced significant expansion thanks to trading in imperial dye; in fact, the region had an abundance of murex, the rock snails from which this dye, loved by the Romans, was extracted. The town is nestled against Mount Koumaros and dominated by a citadel. Take a stroll and fall under the charm of the calm that reigns over the stairways bordered by small neoclassic houses with steps overrun with wild flowers.
29 October 2026 - Monemvasia
Arrival 29/10/2026 early morning
Departure 29/10/2026 evening
The jewel of the southern Peloponnese, Monemvasia is the romantic refuge for Athenians. Given the poetic nickname of the “stone ship”, this majestic peninsula is home to an incredible fortified medieval village, lying at the foot of its abrupt cliffs, which seems to have been cast by the gods from the Aegean Sea. Contemplate the horizon from its ramparts, a veritable walkway defying the azure waters, and stroll through its vaulted narrow streets with their thousand shades of ochre. At the crossroads of western and eastern influences and the maritime routes of the continent, Crete and the Cyclades, Monemvasia has preserved in this magical decor the treasures of Venetian and Byzantine architecture.
30 October 2026 - Nafplion
Arrival 30/10/2026 early morning
Departure 30/10/2026 late 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.
31 October 2026 - Hydra
Arrival 31/10/2026 early morning
Departure 31/10/2026 late afternoon
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.
1 November 2026 - Athens
Arrival 01/11/2026
Disembarkation 01/11/2026 at 08:00
The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.
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.