Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
30% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily
Valletta - Valletta
Dates:
11/04/2026
to
19/04/2026
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT themed voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
This carefully curated voyage to Sicily combines visits to some of the most culturally rich destinations in the country with a focus also on the distinctive culinary traditions of the regions visited. Moving through Sicily, a crossroads of the many historical civilizations—Greek, Roman, Arab, Byzantine, Norman—that have flourished along the shores of the Mediterranean, you explore no fewer than seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And as you make your way, you sample the wines of Etna, as well as the breads, olives, meats, and cheeses of the island. An ideal way to experience Sicily, where food—its cultivation and preparation—has always been central to the good life.
As a special treat, acclaimed Italian chef Denny Imbroisi and his team will join you aboard to prepare authentic Sicilian and Italian dishes for you to enjoy during your voyage.
Setting sail from Malta, your first stop in Sicily is Porto Empedocle, gateway to the fabled Greek temples of Agrigento, among the most captivating ruins in the entire Mediterranean. Opt to visit Kolymbethra Garden, a shaded corner of paradise in the Valley of the Temples, filled with centuries-old olive trees and the sweet fragrance of citrus fruits.
After rounding the western tip of the island, you arrive in Trapani for an excursion into the countryside and the ancient Doric temple of Segesta or to medieval Erice, perched on a high triangular plateau sloping down to the sea. Or opt to sample the region’s famous Marsala wine at a local winery.
Your fourth day aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville brings you to Palermo, founded by the Phoenicians in 827 BC and becoming one of Europe’s greatest cities in the 12th century, when the Normans took control. Here you will visit Cappella Palatina, a Byzantine-Arab-Norman structure featuring dazzling mosaics and magnificent inlaid marble floors and walls, and Monreale to explore its famed Norman cathedral. Alternatively, wander the streets of the Ballarò Market, one of the oldest street markets in Palermo, to sample traditional Sicilian street food like panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (typical Sicilian pizza), crocchè (fried mashed potatoes), and Sicilian caponata (a local eggplant dish).
In Lipari, discover the 16th-century Norman castle-turned-archaeological museum on the site of an ancient acropolis before sailing in the evening to Stromboli, whose active volcano provides the backdrop as you cruise around the island.
From Stromboli, your ship calls in the city of Reggio di Calabria on the Italian mainland. Just across the Strait of Messina from Sicily, Reggio di Calabria is home to the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia and the world famous Riace Bronzes. The surrounding area, both along the coast and in the interior mountains, boasts a number of intriguing castles and many wineries. During your time here, you may visit the hilltop Norman Castle in Vibo Valentia, the Ruffo Castle overlooking the Messina Strait, or the Aragonese Castle in the village of Pizzo, enjoying a variety of local food specialties whichever excursion you choose, including the native citrus bergamot and the ice cream and fruit delight called tartufo.
Back in Sicily, across the Strait of Messina, the beautiful resort town of Taormina, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, is home to a stunning Greek theater, an Odeon from Roman times, buildings blending Arab and Norman cultures, and villas built by European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also your gateway to Mt. Etna and the vineyards that thrive in the rich volcanic soils of its slopes.
The final port of call before your voyage comes to an end in Valletta is Syracuse, where you may choose to focus on Ortygia, the ancient center of this once-powerful Greek colony, and on the city's extensive archaeological park; enjoy a tasting at a nearby winery; or join excursions—including one to Baroque Noto—that combine visits to historical sites with samplings of arancini, cheeses, salamis, breads, and desserts.
Your voyage ends back in Valletta.
Ref : VVKZ45US - EU110426
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions and...
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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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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
14/05/2026 to the 28/05/2026
*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
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions and tastings onboard with two food and wine experts: Sicilian food expert Fabrizia Lanza and wine expert and sommelier Davide Puca.
- Sicilian and Italian cuisine aboard prepared by special guest chef Denny Imbroisi.
- A sampling of local cuisines and award-winning wines throughout the voyage.
- Well-preserved Greek ruins in Agrigento, Segesta, Taormina, and Syracuse.
- Norman cathedral churches in Erice and Monreale.
- Stunning Byzantine-Arab mosaics in the Cappella Palatina in Palermo.
- The active volcanoes of Stromboli and Etna.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Palermo, Cefalú, Monreale, the Aeolian Islands, Mt. Etna, Syracuse, and Noto.
Ports of Call & Excursions
11 April 2026 - Valletta
Embarkation 11/04/2026 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 11/04/2026 at 18:00
The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you’ll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-John’s cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.
12 April 2026 - Porto Empedocle, Sicily
Arrival 12/04/2026 early morning
Departure 12/04/2026 early afternoon
Huddled on the south-western coast of Sicily, Porto Empedocles bears the name of the philosopher Empedocles, who lived in the region in the 5th century BC. An age-old city offered up to sun and sea, this is your doorway to the exceptional archaeological site of Temple Valley, a high place of Greek civilisation listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can admire the remains of many temples dedicated to Zeus, his wife Hera and Hephaestus. Make sure you take in the magnificent Italian countryside, with its olive orchards that cover the hillsides.
13 April 2026 - Trapani, Sicily
Arrival 13/04/2026 early morning
Departure 13/04/2026 evening
Bathed in the cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian sea, Trapani is the former port of the Greek city of Erice, boasting a privileged natural position in western Sicily. As you wander through its little streets, you will discover a secular cultural heritage, bearing witness to the many influences of civilisations that came here: San Lorenzo Cathedral, Maria Santissima Annunziata sanctuary, the fountain of Triton. On the shaded restaurant terraces, savour some fresh fish from the morning’s catch. Or else you can opt for a seafood couscous, a culinary legacy from their Arab neighbours.
14 April 2026 - Palermo, Sicily
Arrival 14/04/2026 early morning
Departure 14/04/2026 late evening
Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces, baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in colour, and headily picturesque.
15 April 2026 - Lipari, Aeolian Islands
Arrival 15/04/2026 early morning
Departure 15/04/2026 early afternoon
Of the seven Aeolian islands, this is the largest and the most populated. Lying off the north coast of Sicily, in the Tyrrhenian sea, Lipari is one of UNESCO’s marvellous World Heritage sites. Its lava stone quarries and obsidian flow of Rocce Rosse are indications of its volcanic nature. The town, the largest urban area in the whole archipelago, proudly houses its citadel and its castle, both rooted in Antiquity. If you head further into the centre, you’ll be surprised to come across a Norman cathedral, complete with a magnificent baroque façade.
15 April 2026 - Sailing in front of Stromboli
Arrival 15/04/2026 late afternoon
Departure 15/04/2026 evening
Like Ulysses during his Odyssey, you will have the opportunity to admire the Stromboli, the capricious volcano that looms over the Aeolian Islands. Its activity, uninterrupted for thousands of years, has earned it the nickname the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”.
16 April 2026 - Reggio di Calabria
Arrival 16/04/2026 early morning
Departure 16/04/2026
At the southern tip of the Italian boot, Reggio di Calabria guards the eastern shore of the Strait of Messina. From the lungomare, the sea front promenade, there are magnificent views over Sicily, a little over 3 km away, and Etna. Rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake, Reggio is set out in a grid pattern and has Art Nouveau and Belle Époque architecture that add to its charm. And the fragrance of bergamot, the citrus fruit that dominates the region’s confectionery and perfumery.
17 April 2026 - Taormina, Sicily
Arrival 17/04/2026 early morning
Departure 17/04/2026 evening
Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, in the province of Messina, the seaside town of Taormina is Sicily’s Saint-Tropez, boasting heritage sites, secluded beaches and luxury shopping. You can visit its medieval centre, suspended 300 metres above sea level, where terraces offer a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. Another vestige from its past are the ruins of the Greco-Roman theatre. This extremely well-preserved site attracts visitors who are fascinated by the natural beauty of the area which overlooks a turquoise bay.
18 April 2026 - Syracuse, Sicily
Arrival 18/04/2026 early morning
Departure 18/04/2026 late afternoon
Its undulating rocky coastline, the endless sandy beaches, the menacing form of Mount Etna which surveys its island like a patriarch, the flowery gardens on the hillside... Sicily lays out its varied landscapes like a shopkeeper displays his wares. Described by Cicero as “the most beautiful city in the world”, Syracuse was one of the most prestigious cities in Sicily and at her height was even a rival for Athens. A central city of Ancient Greece, it was home to a succession of civilisations, each of which has left their mark. The blend of Arabic, Roman, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish cultures makes Syracuse a town that is extraordinarily rich in fragrances, colours and flavours.
19 April 2026 - Valletta
Arrival 19/04/2026 early morning
Disembarkation 19/04/2026 at 08:00
The whole of the Maltese capital Valletta is UNESCO World Heritage listed and occupies a peninsula in the north-east of the island. From the fountain of Tritons to Saint-Elme fort, there are as many majestic streets as there are narrow staircase vennels to explore. The painted loggia and carved corbels on the tall houses will accompany you in your explorations, and you’ll rarely be bothered by traffic. You can visit the Grandmasters palace decorated with coats of arms and frescoes. Saint-John’s cathedral and the ramparts which have guarded the city since the 16th century are also among the most emblematic sites of the city. Arranged in terraces, the Barrakka Gardens will punctuate your promenade with a green and floral experience.
Le Dumont d'Urville
Le Dumont-d’Urville belongs to a new generation of ships fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly, and which come equipped with lounges that are largely open to the exterior, an outdoor swimming pool and a Blue Eye, an underwater lounge. Everything is in place for an extraordinary cruise experience. It's now possible to depart for adventure to the most remote places on the planet onboard a ship offering luxury services.
Decks
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two food and wine experts: Sicilian food expert Fabrizia Lanza and wine expert and sommelier Davide Puca
- Sicilian and Italian cuisine aboard prepared by special guest chef Denny Imbroisi.
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Valletta to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 8-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Dumont-d’Urville, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Valletta at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Program is subject to change without notice
Quintessential Collection
PONANT Quintessential Collection voyages are designed for travelers who want to engage with the world in order to understand it.
In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, these voyages include lectures and performances aboard ship by world class experts and musicians and one or two exceptional activities ashore that encourage guests to embrace the sights and sounds, tastes and smells of the local culture. They also offer pre- or post-cruise stay with excursions relevant to the theme. We believe that travel approached in this way has the power ato transform us and to make us better citizens of the world.
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).
*Excluding Paul Gauguin
The full program of all excursions, both included and optional, is available eight months prior to departure. Reservations open approximately two months before departure.
No single supplement
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Gastronomy
On board, renowned guest chefs – often at the helm of Michelin-starred restaurants – share their passion through exquisite menus and refined food and wine pairings. During two exclusive gala dinners specially designed for your cruise, these culinary masters will awaken your senses and elevate each moment. A live cooking demonstration and a fine wine tasting will complete this unforgettable experience, celebrating the very best of taste and the art of living.