Tropical Expedition 
New Year's Cruise 
Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
25% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
A Tropical Odyssey in Central America
Belize City - Colón
Dates:
26/12/2024
to
6/1/2025
days
nights on board
Overnight in Cancun + flight Cancun/Belize City + transfer to the pier
On this 11-day expedition cruise aboard Le Bellot, you will sail the Caribbean Sea discovering the lush landscapes of Central America, exploring the region’s historical cities to learn more about their history, sharing with the local populations and creating unforgettable memories.
Culture and heritage are on the programme of your journey. The city of Santo Tomás de Castilla will welcome you for a glimpse into incredible Maya history, with the possibility of discovering the pyramids and sanctuaries of the Quiriguá archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From one port of call to the next, you will also be able to seize the opportunity to share unforgettable moments with local communities. La Ceiba, an exclusive PONANT port of call, is undoubtedly a highlight of your journey. Both you and your welcoming local hosts will discover how emotional first encounters may be, with traditional dancing derived from Honduran folklore and unique moments of sharing, both on land and on board. A little further, in Panama, on the Bocas del Toro archipelago, famous for its rich underwater and terrestrial biodiversity, you will learn about a different history, that of the country’s largest indigenous community, the Ngöbe-Buglé.
Fans of swimming and snorkelling will certainly not be disappointed, given the magnificent fine sandy beaches surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea on Corn Island or the coconut forests and coral reefs of the splendid Water Caye. The extraordinary diversity of the landscapes will surprise you throughout your journey. From Puerto Limon, you will access the Tortuguero National Park with its maze-like canals and rich biodiversity, as well as the Cahuita National Park, where you will be able to observe abundant wildlife. The region is also home to many mangroves, this unique ecosystem in which intertwined roots plunge into tropical waters, enabling you to contemplate a palette of greens. Zodiac outings on the Rio Dulce will let you discover this fascinating world, with insight provided by the experienced team of naturalist-guides.
Ref : BC254 - EE271224
Your itinerary
Uncover the secrets of Central America during an expedition cruise exploring six countries, featuring verdant scenery and cultural discoveries. Between the sea, lagoons and mangroves, explore this natural...
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Your trip in detail
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Complete your trip
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Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
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30/1/2024 to the 8/2/2024
- New
L'AUSTRAL
11/3/2024 to the 26/3/2024
L'AUSTRAL
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.
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
- Dyptique 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
Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landings"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. In remote areas, please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- Cotton comfortable and light-weight shorts/bermuda shorts
- Light weight long trousers
- Long-sleeved breathable SPF50+ shirts
- Cotton short sleeved T-shirt
- Aquatic UV long-sleeved T-shirt for sun protection during snorkeling or swimming
- Aquatic non-slip sandals
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable outer layer
- Broad brimmed anti-UV hat with strap and veil to protect the neck
- Comfortable walking shoes
Accessories:
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and after-sun with high SPF index & insect repellent
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Please note:
During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
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.
TECHNICAL OUTFITS:
- Shorts / bermudas
- Light weight long trousers
- Wind and waterproof light “breathable” outer layer
- Sweater/pullover for the evening
- Short and long sleeved cotton shirts
- Waterproof UV long sleeved T-shirt
- Long sleeved cotton shirt for sun protection during zodiac excursions and excursions ashore
- Ankle canvas shoes (which dry quickly and protect ankles)
- Aquatic shoes for wet landings on shore
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses with high UV filter
- Binoculars
- Walking poles
- Small waterproof backpack
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Sun portective hat/cap with strap and veil to protect the neck
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Mosquito and insect repellent
- 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
- Uncover the secrets of Central America during an expedition cruise exploring six countries, featuring verdant scenery and cultural discoveries.
- Between the sea, lagoons and mangroves, explore this natural setting where contemplation and serenity mix with the discovery of abundant and extraordinary biodiversity.
- Ports of call in La Ceiba and Bocas del Toro, to explore the mangrove, laze on the magnificent beaches and discover the local communities.
- An unforgettable encounter in La Ceiba, where the community will welcome visitors for the first time.
- The possibility of meeting the largest indigenous community of Panama, the Ngöbe-Buglé.
- On the Rio Dulce, enjoy a unique Zodiac cruise on this river with flourishing biodiversity or discover the captivating city of Livingston.
- Thanks to the presence of our experienced team of naturalist-guides, you will learn more about the mysteries of this infinitely rich region and experience unique moments on snorkelling trips, hikes, Zodiac outings or visits using local transport.
- Landscapes: palm-fringed beaches, blue lagoons, heavenly islands, mangroves, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, rich seabed, rivers, canals.
- Wildlife: howler monkeys, white-headed monkeys, raccoons, sloths, otters, agoutis, armadillos and porcupines, multicoloured fish, tropical birds including the toucan, green ibis, frigate bird, yellow-crowned night-heron and the boat-billed heron.
- Opportunity of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
- Extend your experience during an optional two-day pre-cruise package discovering the Mayan civilisation.
Ports of Call & Excursions
27 December 2024 - Belize City
Embarkation 27/12/2024 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 27/12/2024 at 6:00 pm
Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.
28 December 2024 - Dulce River
Arrival 28/12/2024
Departure 28/12/2024
In the waters of the Rio Dulce flows a part of the Caribbean soul. Lanchas, the motor boats that travel along the river and the Caribbean Sea, are the only way of reaching this small, welcoming town with no overland access to the rest of the country. Here, you are in Garifuna country: the inhabitants, descendent from Jamaican slaves, perpetuate their culture through oral tradition and ceremonies. Garifuna music, which is lively and sounds similar in some respects to reggae, and Garifuna dance, to the beat of drums, have both been classified by UNESCO as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.
29 December 2024 - Santo Tomás de Castilla
Arrival 29/12/2024
Departure 29/12/2024
A port city located in the north-east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Amatique Bay, Santo Tomás de Castilla offers exceptional access to the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Quiriguá. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this place takes you back in time, deep into a décor of ruins and vestiges from the 8th century.
30 December 2024 - La Ceiba
Arrival 30/12/2024
Departure 30/12/2024
La Ceiba, a brand-new and exclusive PONANT port of call, owes its name to the eponymous and enormous tree, one so magnificent that the local people - the Garifuna - considered it to be the “staircase used by God to descend from Heaven to visit the Earth”. La Ceiba possesses a multitude of natural wonders like this tree and you will have the possibility of discovering them during a river excursion into the surrounding mangrove, at the heart of Pico Bonito National Park. Howler monkeys, Panamanian white-faced capuchins, manatees, alligators, anteaters, great blue herons and toucans have all taken up residence here. The exceptional hospitality of La Ceiba’s inhabitants comes naturally here; you will experience it as soon as you arrive on the pier. You will also enjoy an exceptional encounter with the local community of Cuero y Salado – which you will reach in a burra, a traditional Honduran railcar once used for banana transport – and learn about its history tied to the banana industry. “When we arrive in this village on the edge of this extraordinary mangrove, we are captivated by the way of life that rules over these lands. The local people have customs and traditions, and they welcome us with folkloric singing and dancing, before we experience an unforgettable moment in this still unspoiled and pristine environment” , says José Sarica, our Director of Expedition Cruise Design.
31 December 2024 - Water Caye, Isla Utila
Arrival 31/12/2024
Departure 31/12/2024
The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkelling.
1 January 2025 - At sea
Arrival 1/1/2025
Departure 1/1/2025
During your journey 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 centre. 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, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to 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. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
2 January 2025 - Corn Island
Arrival 2/1/2025
Departure 2/1/2025
A little slice of paradise lying off the coast of Nicaragua, in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Corn Islands are an invitation to leisure as well as exploration. The long white sandy beaches lined with coconut palms promise enjoyable moments of relaxation while the hills, covered with thick tropical forest, and the surrounding turquoise waters, teeming with life, will delight hikers and divers. Countless multicoloured fish, nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks, rays and barracudas can be seen in the sumptuous coral reefs and underwater caves.
3 January 2025 - Puerto Limón
Arrival 3/1/2025
Departure 3/1/2025
We’re pretty sure the little coastal town of Puerto Limón will completely win your heart. It is located on the Caribbean sea. Just beyond the harbour, Playa Bonita creek opens its arms to a haven of beauty rimmed by clear blue waters and shaded by giant peach-palms. If you wish to explore the lush green areas in the town, it’s worth taking a stroll through the lemon groves that give Puerto Limón its name. You’ll have all the time in the world to mosey around the streets scattered with multicoloured wooden makeshift stalls. These makeshift bars with their raffia roofs offer fresh juices blended just for you.
4 January 2025 5 January 2025 - Bocas del Toro
Arrival 4/1/2025
Departure 5/1/2025
Heavenly stretches of beach with opalescent sand, virgin rainforest, traditional houses in flamboyant colours... the Bocas del Toro Archipelago welcomes you in a gentle, typically Caribbean atmosphere. Anchored to the north-west coast of Panama, this lush and wild Eden is composed of nine main islands surrounded by thousands of verdant islets. Boasting a rich biodiversity, this lost paradise is home to the only national marine park in Panama: Isla Bastimentos. This stunning reserve protects an exceptional marine ecosystem composed of a rich coral reef, more than 200 species of colourful fish, and a population of bottlenose dolphins that live here permanently. On Isla Popa, meet the Ngöbe-Bugle, an indigenous community of Panama that still lives according to its ancestral traditions.
6 January 2025 - Colón
Arrival 6/1/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 6/1/2025 at 8:00 am
Colón is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Colón is today an important port, and the free trade zone created in 1953 contributed greatly to the development of the city. Colón was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts through the isthmus of Panama; the city rapidly overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama when the canal opened.
Le Bellot
Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world's most remote and isolated regions.
Racy lines, state-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of Le Bellot, a unique ship in the world of cruising.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Overnight in Cancun + flight Cancun/Belize City + transfer to the pier
For your serenity, PONANT selects flights and organises transfers between the airport and the port (and vice-versa). This package is included in your cruise fare.
The day before embarkation: Cancun
Meet & greet at Cancun International airport by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to a local hotel selected by PONANT.
Diner will be served at the hotel.
Overnight.
Embarkation day: Cancun/Belize City
Breakfast.
Transfer to Cancun International airport in time for check-in of flight Cancun/Belize City selected by PONANT.
Flight Cancun/Belize City.
Approximate flight duration: 1 h 30.
Transfer to the port and embarkation.
- Cruise aboard your cruise ship -
This programme includes:
- Flight Cancun/Belize City selected by PONANT in economy class.
-
1 night in standard room at Courtyard Airport Cancun hotel 4* or Fairfield Inn and Suites Airport hotel 4* (or similar), breakfast included.
- Transfers and services mentioned in the programme.
- English-speaking assistance.
This programme does not include:
- Personal expenses.
- Any other service 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
- Flights included in the programme are as of today, operated in economy class.
- Programme and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.
Tropical Expedition
Explore the planet’s most remote tropical regions during a PONANT expedition cruise. In the heart of Oceania’s archipelagos or the Indian Ocean atolls, along the wild coastlines of Central America or Australia, our luxury amenities and services will make your expedition cruise an unforgettable experience. Our expedition leaders and their teams of naturalist guides devise exceptional itineraries and organise daily outings, shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies, or snorkelling when the cruises are conducive to it, to take you as close as possible to nature. Aboard the ship, they share their knowledge during lectures on a variety of topics such as the fauna and flora, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology. On land, using the local transport options or during hikes, discover the must-see natural sites and, for a few hours, partake in the life and ancestral customs of the local populations.
New Year's Cruise
Spend an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with PONANT!