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EXPLORING THE SPICE ISLANDS - Stay Free* Exclusive Offer

13 Night Cruise and Stay

  • Cruise Line: Ponant
  • Ship: Le Soleal
  • Package Departs: 8 September 2025
  • Package Duration: 13 Nights
  • Offer Type: Cruise and Stay
  • Embark Ship: Darwin, NT, Australia
  • Disembark Ship: Darwin, NT, Australia
Package duration: 13 nights Cruise & Stay
Package starts: 8th September 2025 - at Darwin hotel
Cruise starts: 10th September 2025 - from Darwin
Cruise/Package ends: 21st September 2025 - into Darwin
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HIGHLIGHTS:
- An unprecedented expedition cruise to discover the little-known gems of Western Melanesia, marked by spellbinding natural surroundings, an astonishing seabed and ancestral legacies.
- Zodiac outings and shore visits with your team of naturalists.
- Exploring the Maluku Islands, a natural paradise on the Spice Route.
- Four days in the Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat, in the very heart of the "Coral Triangle”: a natural sanctuary and a real haven of peace.
- Gain an insight into the History, culture and the diversity of flora and fauna from your expert expedition team.
- Landscapes: tropical forests, karst formations, breathtaking waterfalls, multicoloured lagoons, paradise beaches, a magnificent seabed, coral reefs.
- Possibility of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
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BONUS STAY FREE + BIG SAVINGS!
Twin PR4 Prestige Balcony was $15,245 - your special price from $13,900pp
Twin PR5 Prestige Balcony was $15,925 - your special price from $14,580*pp
Twin PR6 Prestige Balcony was $16,755 - your special price from $15,410pp
Twin PS5 Prestige Suite was $31,525 - your special price from $29,120*pp
Single PR4 Prestige Balcony was $16,210 - your special price from $14,260*pp

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EXPLORING THE SPICE ISLANDS Cruise & Stay package includes:
- FREE! 2 nights hotel stay in Darwin with breakfast
- 11 night West Papua and Indonesia expedition cruise aboard Le Soleal from Darwin roundtrip
- All meals while on board the ship (from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation)
- Captain`s welcome cocktail and gala dinner onboard
- Open Bar (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands) during cruise
- Evening entertainment and events
- Room service 24h (special selection)
- Highly qualified bilingual French/English expedition team
- Zodiac excursions and off ship excursions
- Park entry fees into protected areas (where applicable)
- Port taxes
Special Conditions
*Conditions Apply: All prices shown here are per person share twin (unless stated as single) in AUD, based on best available cruise fare at time of publication (09Oct24). Some cabins may have obstructed views. A passport is required to travel on this cruise as it visits international waters. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Please note that the prices shown here are not shown in real time. While we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ from the prices in our booking system at time of reservation. Offer ends 30Dec24 or sold out/withdrawn and is subject to availability at time of booking. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Travel insurance is mandatory on expedition cruises and not included.
Special Validity Dates
Special is valid from 4 December 2024 to 30 December 2024 or until sold out/withdrawn.
Pre-cruise Itinerary
Date Activity
8 Sep 2025 Make your own way to Darwin hotel by 08 September 2025 and check in hotel
9 Sep 2025 Darwin at leisure
10 Sep 2025 Check out hotel, make own way to Darwin port, embark Le Soleal
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
10 Sep 2025 Darwin, NT, Australia 6:00 PM
11 Sep 2025 At Sea    
12 Sep 2025 Kei (Kai) Islands, Indonesia
13 Sep 2025 At Sea    
14 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
15 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
16 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
17 Sep 2025 Raja Ampat
18 Sep 2025 Kitikiti Waterfall, Mommon, Indonesia
19 Sep 2025 Banda Neira, Indonesia
20 Sep 2025 At Sea    
21 Sep 2025 Darwin, NT, Australia 7:00 AM
Post-cruise Itinerary
Date Activity
21 Sep 2025 Disembark ship, holiday ends
As the gentle trade winds caress the turquoise ocean, a light breeze skims over the luxuriant vegetation, and Western Melanesia’s lush green islands appear before you in a constellation. During a unique 12-day expedition cruise, PONANT invites you to board Le Soléal to discover the jewels of the Banda, Seram and Sorong seas, with their tropical forests, magnificent seabed and ancestral heritage.

Departing from Darwin, a multicultural city where over 50 ethnic groups live together in perfect harmony with their environment, you head for the Maluku Islands, nicknamed the "Spice Islands". These hidden jewels, surrounded by incredibly blue water, are home to some of Indonesia’s most beautiful white sandy beaches.

Then you set sail further north. At the junction of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the meeting point of the Seram and Sorong Seas, a string of green and leafy islands called Raja Ampat inspires wonder, a sense of peace and enchantment. Preserved in a setting of majestic karst peaks and bordered by magical coral reefs, the archipelago captivates visitors with the beauty of its multicoloured lagoons, immaculate beaches, lush green landscapes and exceptionally biodiverse seabed.

Le Soléal will continue to sail in the Indonesian province of West Papua to allow you to admire the superb natural site of Kitikiti Waterfall where you could enjoy a swim or snorkel surrounded by lush nature, both on land and under water.

You then set out for the Maluku archipelago to discover the charms of Banda Neira Island. Between its age-old culture marked by Dutch and Portuguese influences, its ruins from ancient times, coral reefs and luxuriant jungle, you will experience a truly timeless moment...

You then return to Darwin, which rounds off this fabulous and enchanting epic.

The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.

Designed in 2013 and loyal to the PONANT spirit, Le Soléal like her sisterships embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing which is Ponant’s signature. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 132 staterooms and suites)make this a rare and innovative yacht on the cruise market.

Interior Design:
With her fluid lines and a modern colour scheme combining natural wood with shades of grey and white, Le Soléal presents references to a nautical theme.


Ship Profile & Stats
  • Maiden voyage: 2013
  • Length: 142 metres
  • Beam: 18 metres
  • Speed: 16 knots
  • Ship registration: France
  • Passenger capacity (dbl): 264
  • Officer nationality: French
Ship Amenities
  • Individually Controlled Air Conditioning & Heating
  • Mini Bar
  • Flat screen satellite Television
  • iPod Players
  • Video on Demand
  • In Room Safe
  • Hair Dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Direct-dial telephone
  • 110/220 volts outlet
  • 24 Hour Room Service
  • Internet Access Wifi
Ship Facilities
  • Boutique's
  • Library
  • Internet Station
  • Main Lounge
  • Gastronomic Restaurant
  • Swimming Pool
  • Hair Salon
  • Massage Rooms
  • Beauty Salon
  • Fitness Centre
  • Theatre
  • Medical Centre
  • Sun Deck
  • Open Air Bar
  • Panoramic Terrace
  • Panoramic Lounge
  • Grill Restaurant
EXPERIENCE CRUISING ANOTHER WAY, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF YACHT CRUISES.

Our mission is to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships.

To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment - a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared - and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.

To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.

Yacht cruises: more than a cruise, a privilege...

Attentive, professional, discreet and elegant, the fully bilingual service on board will meet your every desire. Our unique atmosphere is filled with a signature sentiment: a warm welcome from an experienced crew who are passionate about what they do, in the tradition of private yachting.

In the dining areas, our gourmet cuisine is worthy of top fine dining restaurants: exquisite wines are available, and menus are created with expertise by our skilled chefs with a French-inspired menu enhanced by specialties from our various ports of call.

Pleasure, enrichment, discovery: relax - we take care of everything...

Deck 02

Deck 03

Deck 04

Deck 05

Deck 06

Deck 07

Owner's Suite Owner's Suite
Surface : 45 m². Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin.

The Owner's suite is situated on Deck 6. It has been decorated by Franch interior designers and will provide you with a breathtakting panoramic sea view. Individually-controlled air-conditioning
King-size bed
or twin beds Shower
Minibar
Flat screen
satellite TV
Desk with stationery
Ipod™ players
Video on demand

safe
Hairdryer
Bath robes
Satellite direct line telephone
110/220 volts outlet
French bath products
24hr room service
Internet acces wifi.

Prestige Deck 6 Suite Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Surface : 37 m². Capacity :up to 4 passengers per cabin. 8m² private balcony Individually-controlled air-conditioning King-size bed or twin beds Shower Minibar Flat screen Satellite TV Desk with stationery Ipod™ players Video on demand Safe Hairdryer Bath robes Satellite direct line telephone 110/220 volts outlet French bath products 24hr room service Internet access wifi.

Prestige Deck 5 Suite Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Surface : 37 m². Capacity :up to 4 passengers per cabin.

8m² private balcony
Individually-controlled air-conditioning
King-size bed or twin beds
Shower
Minibar
Flat screen
Satellite TV
Desk with stationery
Ipod™ players

Video on demand
Safe
Hairdryer
Bath robes
Satellite direct line telephone
110/220 volts outlet
French bath products
24hr room service
Internet access wifi.

Deluxe Suite Deluxe Suite
Surface : 27 m². Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin.

Private balcony. Individually-controlled air-conditioning
King-size bed or twin beds
Shower
Minibar
Flat screen
Satellite TV
Desk with stationery
Ipod™ players
Video on demand

Safe
Hairdryer
Bath robes
Satellite direct line telephone
110/220 volts outlet
French bath products
24hr room service
Internet acces wifi.

Prestige Deck 6 Prestige Deck 6
Surface : 18 m². Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin. Private balcony Individually-controlled air-conditioning King-size bed or twin beds Shower Minibar Flat screen Satellite TV Desk with stationery Ipod™ players Video on demand Safe Hairdryer Bath robes Satellite direct line telephone 110/220 volts outlet French bath products 24hr room service Internet acces wifi.

Prestige Deck 5 Prestige Deck 5
Surface : 18 m². Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin. Private balcony Individually-controlled air-conditioning King-size bed or twin beds Shower Minibar Flat screen Satellite TV Desk with stationery Ipod™ players Video on demand Safe Hairdryer Bath robes Satellite direct line telephone 110/220 volts outlet French bath products 24hr room service Internet acces wifi.

Prestige Deck 4 Prestige Deck 4
Surface : 18 m². Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin.

Private balcony
Individually-controlled air-conditioning
King-size bed or twin beds
Shower
Minibar
Flat screen
Satellite TV
Desk with stationery
Ipod™ players

Video on demand
Safe
Hairdryer
Bath robes
Satellite direct line telephone
110/220 volts outlet
French bath products
24hr room service
Internet acces wifi.

Deluxe Stateroom Deluxe Stateroom
Surface : 18 m². Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin.

Private balcony
Individually-controlled air-conditioning
King-size bed or twin beds
Shower
Minibar
Flat screen
Satellite TV
Desk with stationery
Ipod™ players

Video on demand
Safe
Hairdryer
Bath robes
Satellite direct line telephone
110/220 volts outlet
French bath products
24hr room service
Internet acces wifi.

Superior Stateroom Superior Stateroom
Surface : 21 m², Capacity :up to 3 passengers per cabin.

Individually-controlled air-conditioning
King-size bed or twin beds
Shower
Minibar
Flat screen
Satellite TV
Desk with stationery
Ipod™ players
Video on demand

Safe
Hairdryer
Bath robes
Satellite direct line telephone
110/220 volts outlet
French bath products
24hr room service
Internet access wifi.

From

AU $13,900*

per person
*All prices are per person twin share unless stated as solo, triple or quad share.
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