In the Wake of the Vikings
* Subject to availability.
Highlights
• Unesco World Heritage Sites: Bergen and Bryggen, its Hanseatic port, Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland;
• Heimaey Island provides a possibility to observe the colonies of puffins, the real treasure of this island off the Icelandic coast;
• Portree, the main town of the Isle of Skye, with its lively port and its cultural centre;
• An optional excursion to the Golden Circle: 3 sites recognised as the most emblematic of Iceland, from geysers to waterfalls.
- Staterooms & Suites
- LE LAPEROUSE
- Port of call & excursions
- Formalities
- Guest(s) Lecturer(s)
- Pre/Post & Overlands
Staterooms & Suites
There are no staterooms available for booking. Please contact our cruise advisors.
LE LAPEROUSE
LE LAPEROUSE
Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.
As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Lapérouse will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.
Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.
Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.
Port of call & excursions
Reykjavík
Embarkation 14/08/2018 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 14/08/2018 at 00H00 .Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. For a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes, make your way to Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, alarge environmental structure located on ’Oskjuhlið hill. Look out for the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where you can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur. The little shops in these lively streets will entice you to do a bit of shopping. For some relaxation just outside of the city, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
15 August 2018 – Reykjavík
Arrival 15/08/2018. Departure 15/08/2018 late afternoon.Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. For a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes, make your way to Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, alarge environmental structure located on ’Oskjuhlið hill. Look out for the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where you can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur. The little shops in these lively streets will entice you to do a bit of shopping. For some relaxation just outside of the city, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
16 August 2018 – Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar
Arrival 16/08/2018 early morning. Departure 16/08/2018 midday.This land seated off the southern coast of Iceland is the largest of the Vestmann islands, and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjólfsdalur offer rich contrast of nature. On the Stórhöfði road, look out over grey sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You could visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum which traces the volcanic eruption has experienced Heimaey in 1973.
17 August 2018 – Seydisfjördur
Arrival 17/08/2018 early morning. Departure 17/08/2018 early afternoon.At the end of your journey through the heart of a very beautiful 17-km-long fjord, discover Seyðisfjörður, on the north-east coast of Iceland. Its typically Scandinavian, colourful houses and small blue church stand in the middle of an enchanting setting, between rivers and waterfalls. The village, surrounded on all sides by mountains with snow-topped peaks, has around 700 inhabitants. This small fishing port with a very picturesque charm is not far from Skálanes, a nature reserve of more than 1,000 hectares that is home to about fifty bird species. This port of call combines nature and culture, with wonderment guaranteed.
18 August 2018 – At sea
Arrival 18/08/2018. Departure 18/08/2018.During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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.
19 August 2018 – Portree, Isle of Skye
Arrival 19/08/2018 midday. Departure 19/08/2018 early evening.Nestling in the crux of a gorgeous bay, Portree reflects the magnificence of the grandiose Isle of Skye as well as being its main town. Apart from the charm of its colourful houses, the town’s outstanding location on the banks of a loch makes it a very pleasant place to be. From its colourful harbour bustling with local craftsmen’s shops, you can take in a stunning view of the surrounding hills. Before trekking through the wilderness and drinking in the natural beauty of the Isle of Skye, check out some of the beautiful images in the Aros Centre.
20 August 2018 – Kirkwall, Scotland
Arrival 20/08/2018 midday. Departure 20/08/2018 early evening.Capital of the Orkney archipelago, Kirkwall, which means “church bay”, is an ideal stopover before continuing on to the Northern Isles. Sheltered in a wide bay, the lively town welcomes the visitor with its charming paved alleyways edged by old houses and craft shops. Tankerness House, the oldest homestead in the town, is a must-see landmark. But the true architectural treasure of the aptly named Kirkwall is none other than its remarkable red and gold stone cathedral. And because whisky is inseparable from Scotland’s identity, stop at the Highland Park Distillery for a highly instructive visit.
21 August 2018 – Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Arrival 21/08/2018 early morning. Departure 21/08/2018 midday.The small and charming capital of the Shetland Islands, with its sea front of old houses and narrow streets, offering travellers its old districts and a warm port atmosphere. Geopark Shetland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located to the north. Incredibly well-preserved archaeological sites and ruins prove that the islands’ occupation dates back to the first Neolithic colonies. The Shetland Museum and Archives recounts the Shetlands’ history of heritage and culture: Lerwick’s abundant waters were even fished by the Dutch in the past.
Bergen
Disembarkation 22/08/2018 at 08H30 .Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable openair museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewellers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.
Formalities
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, PONANT will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
Guest(s) Lecturer(s)
François de Closets
Born on 25th December 1933, François de Closets graduated in law from the Institute of Political Studies, and pursued a career as a journalist and writer.
As a journalist in the print media, he had successful collaborations with the France-Presse agency, Sciences et Avenir, L’Express and Le Nouvel Observateur. On television he started out as a news reporter, and then produced programmes for TF1 and France 2 on the economy, society, medicine and science for 30 years. A non-exhaustive list of these programmes included "L’Enjeu", "Médiations", "Savoir Plus Santé" and "Les Énigmes de la science".
As a writer, François de Closets published 25 essays, most of which were best-sellers. Embracing a wide variety of topics, he strove to highlight obstacles our country erected against a changing modern world. His book Toujours Plus ! published in 1982 sold over 1.5 million copies. He also produced works focusing on the end of life, spelling and the history of freedom, as well as a biography of Albert Einstein. In 1988, he chaired the Efficacité de l’Etat commission under the umbrella of the Planning Commission (Commissariat Général au Plan). His final report Le Pari de la responsabilité was the inspiration behind the government’s policy to overhaul public services.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: Catherine Gugelmann
Possibility of withdrawal in case of force majeure.
Pre/Post & Overlands
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Your packages
14/08/2018 – Flight From Paris (Economic Class) + Transfer to the Pier of Reykjavik (Pre)
450.00 € ** -
Before your cruise
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During your cruise
** Prices per person, based on double occupancy
