A World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic (Le Dumont d'Urville)

Description

Featuring lectures and discussions with former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Admiral James Stavridis, former Ambassador to Russia and current President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace William Burns, and journalist and author Robin Wright, this voyage offers an extraordinary opportunity to talk with these leading thinkers and actors on the world stage about the current state of U.S. relations with the wider world.

The Baltic Sea has been a thoroughfare of trade since the days of the Vikings. We will visit the great cities that ring its shores and experience a comingling of cosmopolitan life with centuries of rich history. Two full days are spent in St. Petersburg—arguably the most magnificent city on the Baltic where virtually the entire city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stockholm offers a chance to see the stunning Royal Palace and to visit the Vasa Museum, which features the 17th-century Vasa warship, rescued from the bottom of the sea after 333 years and lovingly restored. Helsinki is internationally recognized for its striking modern architecture, while Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. On Gotland—the largest island in the Baltic Sea—an included walking tour of the beautifully preserved medieval town of Visby, once a stronghold of the Hanseatic League, is followed by a specially arranged private choral performance at the St. Clemens Church Ruin and a reception with canapes and sparkling wines. Szczecin, a city nearly destroyed during World War II, is home to the Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania, which was completely rebuilt and its interior restored following the war as a testament to the city’s resilience.

Trip Name

A World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic (Le Dumont d'Urville)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 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 Dumont d'Urville 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. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Dumont d'Urville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Dumont d'Urville has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 STOCKHOLM

The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centres: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.

Day 2 - Day 2 HELSINKI

Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical centre where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialities like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the centre, is a good place to sit and unwind.

Day 3 - Days 3 - 4 SAINT PETERSBURG

Founded in 1703 by Tzar Peter the Great, Saint Petersburg has kept its original aura and is still one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Bathed by the waters of the Neva, the “Venice of the North” boasts an impressive wealth of historic and artistic features. From the emblematic Nevsky Propect, the city’s main thoroughfare, exploring the city by foot is a pleasure. With its baroque cathedrals, imperial palaces, suspended bridges, theatres and museums, Saint Petersburg is a jewel of a city. To make the experience even quainter, take a boat ride along the canals though the ancient capital of the Czars.

Day 4 - Day 5 TALLINN

Opening onto the Baltic sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallin will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval centre where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. To get a taste of this town’s rich past, you can also visit the Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle. Try some of the local dishes, such as the smoked herring, roast elk and salmon with wild berries.

Day 5 - Day 6 VISBY, GOTLAND

This old Hanseatic city lies to the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications at Dalmans gate and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as Powder tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island’s specialities, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.

Day 6 - Day 7 AT SEA

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.

Day 7 - Day 8 SZCZECIN

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Day 8 - Day 9 COPENHAGEN

Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometres away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high colour of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weaves through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorebrod, a traditional dish composed of several kinds of smoked fish.

Day 9 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

Our World Affairs programs provide expert insight into contemporary issues that affect our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren. These voyages are accompanied by men and women—journalists, ambassadors and generals—who have shaped the modern world through their words and deeds. As we travel into the past and engage with its legacy, we will also attend to the present, engaging with our guest experts on the current state of international relations and on the prospects for the future.
Travelling with You: Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and now a global security analyst for NBC News.
Travelling with You: Ambassador William Burns, former Ambassador to Russia (2005 – 2008) and current President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Travelling with You: Robin Wright, staff writer for the New Yorker and author of more than half a dozen award winning books on international security matters.