In winter 2027, Ponant will launch a 10-night cruise program around the Baja California Peninsula aboard Le Bellot, a 184-guest vessel. Departing roundtrip from Cabo San Lucas, the itinerary—designed in collaboration with local communities—will include stops at ecologically and culturally significant locations such as Guerrero Negro, Magdalena Bay, and Loreto Bay National Park.
Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of Ponant Explorations Group Americas, noted that the cruise offers a luxury adventure within close reach for West Coast travelers. The itinerary also serves as a new platform for travel agents to introduce familiar regions through a refined, expedition-style experience.
The program includes four departures from January to March 2027, one of which is a special Smithsonian Journeys sailing. That voyage will include curated excursions, onboard expert lectures, and transfers, part of a broader effort to deepen experiential travel through education and environmental awareness. According to Jose Sarica, director of expedition development at Ponant, environmental stewardship and respect for local communities remain central to the itinerary’s design.
Ponant will partner with locals for logistics and activities, with highlights such as marine wildlife encounters. Walter Littlejohn III of Smithsonian Journeys emphasized the collaboration’s aim to foster lifelong learning while spotlighting Baja’s natural and cultural richness.
Future deployments beyond this four-sailing series have not been confirmed, though demand may influence expansion or additional embarkation points, possibly including ports in California. Chamberlain indicated that guest feedback would play a key role in shaping any such developments.