From: New Zealand, Dunedin
To: New Zealand, Dunedin
Dates: 29.12.2025 - 12.01.2026
Duration: 15 Nights
Ship: LE SOLÉAL

Expedition to New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

Through PONANT’s alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature award-winning director and producer Natalie Hewit. Making prime-time documentaries for international broadcasters for more than a decade; her most recent project documented an expedition to Antarctica to find the wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance in the toughest conditions on the planet. PONANT invites you to discover the wild and untouched beauty of New Zealand’s Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands. Set sail on a 15-day expedition cruise with an exceptional itinerary and allow yourself to be transported to another world where the wildlife rules and you are but visitors. From Dunedin, the Edinburgh of New Zealand that is a lively student city with a rich Scottish Heritage, you will reach Ulva Island. This first call on Paterson Inlet is renowned as an extraordinary nature sanctuary. Our team of naturalists and destination experts will be on hand to show you some of the rarest bird species in the world. You will follow your voyage towards Fiordland National Park, which is part of Te Wähipounamu, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, home to the majestic Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.  You will enjoy a zodiac cruise and spot Fiordland crested penguins, get up close to spectacular waterfalls and enjoy the vistas from the ship’s outer decks. You will then head to the Snares islands, a haven for the country’s wildlife with some 35,000 endemic Snares Gorfous and a colony of around a thousand fur seals before discovering Macquarie Island, part of Australia. Often described as the Galápagos of the Southern Ocean, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are among some of the best preserved and protected environments on the planet, where you will experience scenery and wildlife like nowhere else on Earth. You will be captivated by the breathtaking scenery, meadows of megaherb forming a colourful tapestry, and towering cliffs buffeted by the power of the waves and wind - the playground of the Royal Albatross. With a myriad of penguins patrolling the black sandy beaches it is truly a nature-lover’s dream come true. Your ship will finally reach Dunedin, the end of your voyage. Any disembarkation on the Subantarctic Islands is subject to weather conditions and on obtaining the authorisation of the local authorities. To preserve the wild environment of these islands, the number of visitors is in fact strictly controlled. Wherever possible, we will run Zodiac excursions around their shorelines in order to guarantee the best possible experience for all guests if it is not possible to disembark.

LE SOLÉAL

  • Guests: 264
  • Suites: 132
  • Crew: 145
  • Spa: 1
  • Restaurants: 2
  • Length: 466 ft
  • Beam: 59 ft
  • Draft: 15.3 ft
  • Ice class: 1C
  • Classification: Bureau Veritas
  • Flag: French
  • Decks: 6
  • Zodiacs: 11
  • Tonnage: 10 944 UMS
  • Motors: 2 x 2300 KW
  • Power: 6 400 KW
  • Construction: Fincantieri-Ancône-Italy
Ship in Details

Cruise Itinerary

Day
Date
Location
Arrival
Departure
1
Dec 29, 2025
New Zealand, Dunedin
16:00*
19:00
2
Dec 30, 2025
New Zealand, Ulva Island
-
-
3
Dec 31, 2025
New Zealand, Dusky Sound
-
-
3
Dec 31, 2025
New Zealand, Doubtful Sound
-
-
4
Jan 1, 2026
New Zealand, Milford Sound
-
-
5
Jan 2, 2026
New Zealand, The Snares
-
-
6
Jan 3, 2026
Enderby Island, Auckland Islands
-
-
6
Jan 3, 2026
Musgrave Inlet, Auckland Islands
-
-
7
Jan 4, 2026
cruising
-
-
8-9
Jan 5, 2026 – Jan 6, 2026
Australia, Macquarie Island
-
-
10
Jan 7, 2026
cruising
-
-
11
Jan 8, 2026
New Zealand, Campbell Island
-
-
12
Jan 9, 2026
cruising
-
-
13
Jan 10, 2026
New Zealand, Antipodes Islands
-
-
14
Jan 11, 2026
cruising
-
-
15
Jan 12, 2026
New Zealand, Dunedin
-
08:00**
The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice at the discretion of the cruise line or due to operational, weather, port, or safety considerations. The cruise operator reserves the right to substitute ports, alter the order of calls, or modify the program as necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.

Cabins & Accomodations

Window or Porthole Stateroom

  • Cabin: 21 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Lower deck balcony stateroom

  • Cabin: 21 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Upper decks balcony stateroom

  • Cabin: 21 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Deluxe Suite

  • Cabin: 27 m²
  • Pax: 2
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Prestige Suite

  • Cabin: 37 m²
  • Pax: 4
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Owner's Suite

  • Cabin: 45 m²
  • Pax: 2
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