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Peregrine Travel Centre

Caribbean Sea and Maya Secrets of the Yucatán

Caribbean Sea and Maya Secrets of the Yucatán

From AUD $7,690

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Description

PONANT brings you an itinerary in the Caribbean Sea, sailing along the Mexican peninsula of Yucatán to Guatemala and Belize.

In Cozumel, you will board Le Bellot for an 11-day cruise combining idyllic beaches and Pre-Columbian sites.

Your first port of call at Seybaplaya will be an opportunity to discover the city of Campeche, established by the conquistadors. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has retained its surrounding wall and fortifications.

Le Bellot will then set sail for Progreso, famous of its immaculate sand beaches, and the gateway to more wonders. First, Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán, offers a pleasant mix of colonial architecture and Mayan heritage. Next, the famous ancient city of Uxmal, whose impressive dimensions reveal the former greatness of the Mayan economic and political capital.

Your ship will then call at Water Caye which offer wonderful scuba diving opportunities to discover the treasures of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

The next port of call will be Santo Tomás de Castilla. From there, you will be able to discover the pyramids of Tikal, another major site of the Maya civilisation, or the palaces, pyramids and sanctuaries of the Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quiriguá.

Next, you will discover Belize, its heavenly beaches and its wonderful barrier reef, home to the emblematic Great Blue Hole, one of the most stunning diving spots in the world.

Trip Name
Caribbean Sea and Maya Secrets of the Yucatán
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 131 metres Passenger Capacity: 184 Built: 2019-2020 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 Bellot 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. 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. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS Le Bellot 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 COZUMEL
Off the Riviera Maya, Cozumel is Mexico’s second largest island. Located at the northern extremity of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the island is renowned for its snorkelling and diving sites and the incredible clarity of its waters protected by a marine park. The island’s coasts and interior are also full of treasures: sacred Maya sites devoted to medicine, love and fertility; cenotes; a museum; an ecological reserve; mangroves; lagoons; coastal dunes; long unspoiled beaches. Don’t hesitate to climb to the top of the lighthouse in the Punta Sur Nature Reserve in the island’s south, to admire the panorama of these wild expanses from above.
Day 2 - Day 2 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 3 - Day 3 SEYBAPLAYA
Seybaplaya is a small commercial port located in the western part of the Yucatán Peninsula, 30 km south of the state capital, Campeche. This wild coastline is carved out by clear rocks that plunge into the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico; the road that connects this small port to the port of Campeche crosses the virtually uninhabited expanses of vegetation of this sparsely populated state. This stop off the beaten path will let you discover the charms of this former colonial fortified town with pastel-coloured, partially pedestrianised, little streets.
Day 4 - Day 4 & 5 PROGRESO
On the Yucatan Peninsula, the charming seaside town of Progreso will delight visitors seeking authenticity. In addition to its magnificent sandy beaches and pleasant seafront promenade, the town offers ideal access to the former Mayan cities of Chichen Itza and Uxmal. UNESCO World Heritage sites, they allow visitors to be truly immersed in Pre-Columbian Mexico, discovering one of the world’s most mysterious civilisations. In the surroundings, be sure to visit Mérida, capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán. Called “the White City” due to the colour of the limestone used to build its dwellings, this old colonial city, built on the ruins of a Mayan site, offers a mix of tradition and modernity, colonial architecture and Mayan heritage.
Day 5 - Day 6 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 6 - Day 7 ISLA UTILA
The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkelling.
Day 7 - Day 8 SANTO TOMÁS DE CASTILLA
A port city located in the north-east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Amatique Bay, Santo Tomás de Castilla offers exceptional access to the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Quiriguá. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this place takes you back in time, deep into a décor of ruins and vestiges from the 8th century.
Day 8 - Day 9 BELIZE CITY
Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.
Day 9 - Day 10 HALF MOON CAYE
The tropical green crescent of Half Moon Caye is a natural monument of Belize stretching out over crystal-clear waters. The appeal of the oldest protected marine and ornithological area in Central America stems from its beaches lined with coconut trees, but most importantly from its incredible underwater world, which you will be able to explore with fins, mask and snorkel. Corals, sponges, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, eels and groupers live in the turquoise waters, while on land the coastal forest is home to amusing geckos and a large colony of red-footed boobies, spectacular divers that penetrate the water at high speed to feed on small fish and squid.
Day 10 - Day 11 COZUMEL
Off the Riviera Maya, Cozumel is Mexico’s second largest island. Located at the northern extremity of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the island is renowned for its snorkelling and diving sites and the incredible clarity of its waters protected by a marine park. The island’s coasts and interior are also full of treasures: sacred Maya sites devoted to medicine, love and fertility; cenotes; a museum; an ecological reserve; mangroves; lagoons; coastal dunes; long unspoiled beaches. Don’t hesitate to climb to the top of the lighthouse in the Punta Sur Nature Reserve in the island’s south, to admire the panorama of these wild expanses from above.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $7,690Deluxe Stateroom
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $19,430Prestige Deck 6 Suite
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $20,410Privilege Suite
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $22,480Grand Deluxe Suite
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $23,630Owner's Suite
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $8,590Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $9,040Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $9,580Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $13,520Deluxe Suite
26-12-202205-01-2023AUD $18,440Prestige Deck 5 Suite

Inclusions

    • A cruise to four Central American countries: idyllic beaches, pre-Columbian sites, and discovery of the Garifuna culture.
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic fortified town of Campeche, the pre-Columbian city of Uxmal, Tikal by plane and the archaeological park and Mayan ruins of Quirigua from Santo Tomás de Castilla; the Belize Barrier Reef with Half Moon Caye and the Great Blue Hole.
    • Exceptional architectural heritage, vestige of the colonial era.
    • From Progreso, visit Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán, renowned for its cultural heritage.
    • Swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving at the Great Blue Hole in Belize, one of the world’s ten most beautiful diving sites according to Captain Cousteau.
    • The possibility of visiting Tulum before your cruise.
    • Possibility of diving (PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board.

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