Ponant: From Scotland to Spitsbergen

Ponant, the luxury French cruise line, has a fantastic voyage from Dublin to Longyearbyen in 2020 … taking in the magical Scottish Islands of Mull, Skye, Orkney and Shetland as it goes. If an expedition cruise is on your bucket list, and the idea of exploring scenic Scottish archipelagos before crossing the Arctic Circle for Norway, then this 12-day trip should be on your to-do list.

The cruise itinerary includes visiting the five beautiful Scottish ports of Iona, Tobermory, Portree, Kirkwall and Lerwick. Departing from Dublin, the trip also visits the Norwegian Lofoten Islands and the icy landscape of Spitsbergen in Svalbard. Flights from Longyearbyen to London are included in the price.

Your ship will be the elegant 132 stateroom mega-yacht, l’Austral. In partnership with National Geographic the resident expedition team give talks and even accompanies you on hikes and Zodiac tours, along with an onboard NG photographer.

During your time ashore, you can enjoy hikes over deserted beaches and heathery mountains, observe fascinating sea birds and rare wildlife, visit ancient archaeological sites, enjoy spectacular fjords and marvel at gigantic glaciers.

Essentials

Date: 17 May 2020 to 28 May 2020
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Departure Port : Dublin
Arrival Port : Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Ship : L’Austral

More about this fantastic cruise can be found here on Ponant’s site.

Photos courtesy of Ponant