Smithsonian Journeys – the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution and a recognised leader in enriching, small-group exploration – has announced 35 new small-ship cruise departures for 2027 in collaboration with Ponant Explorations.
The sailings offer travellers a compelling portfolio of enriching, all-inclusive voyages across all seven continents.
Reflecting Smithsonian Journeys and Ponant’s shared passions, each voyage pairs the former’s 179-year legacy of learning and scholarly discovery with the latter’s award-winning expertise in hospitality and comfort. The cruises feature added value and enrichment, including:
- Two onboard Smithsonian Journeys Experts per departure, leading engaging lectures and informal discussions
- Included shore excursions in every port, thoughtfully curated to complement onboard enrichment
- Access to smaller ports and intimate ships with high crew-to-guest ratios
- Complimentary airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days, ensuring a seamless travel experience for your clients’ convenience and peace of mind
- All-inclusive pricing with shore excursions, enrichment, and transfers
Among the highlights and new to the collection is “A Solar Eclipse at Sea: Voyage Along the Iberian Peninsula” (July 30 to August 6, 2027), offering travellers the rare opportunity to witness the 2027 solar eclipse from an ideal vantage point—aboard ship in the Mediterranean, directly within the band of totality. Jim Zimbelman, Senior Geologist Emeritus for the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, will be among several experts onboard, providing context and insight into the eclipse through lectures and informal conversations.
Sailings for 2027 will span the Americas and Caribbean, Antarctica, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and coast of Africa, Asia and Oceania.
The Smithsonian Journeys and Ponant Explorations’ small-ship cruises augments the Smithsonian’s robust collection of small-group land journeys, river cruises, cultural stays, active journeys, private jet trips and tailor-made journeys.
