Signature highlights
Third ship in PONANT’s six-vessel Explorers series, with a marina platform, Blue Eye underwater lounge, outdoor pool, open-air spaces, and an intimate 184-guest scale.
Le Bougainville
Le Bougainville is an 184-guest PONANT cruise ship, in service since 2019. This page lists 51 upcoming departures across 36 itineraries in Mediterranean, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
Live Position ● 4 hours ago
Heading to: IT IR
7.5 knots
Under Way Using Engine
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Le Bougainville
Le Bougainville is an intimate PONANT expedition yacht designed for small-group exploration in coastal and remote destinations. The 184-guest ship combines French-inspired hospitality with open-air observation areas, a marina platform for water activities, an infinity-style pool, and the Blue Eye underwater lounge. Its 92 staterooms and suites are ocean-facing, with private balconies, while onboard programming includes destination lectures, naturalist presentations, live performances, and relaxed dining in a compact, elegant setting.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- PONANT
- Builder / shipyard
- VARD Tulcea, Romania (hull); VARD Søviknes, Ålesund, Norway (outfitting)
- Registry / flag
- Mata Utu, Wallis and Futuna; French flag
- Call sign
- FLDT
- IMO number
- 9814040
- MMSI
- 578001300
- Draft
- 4.6 m
Onboard Experience
Dining
French-inspired gastronomy is served in the main restaurant, with a more casual grill-style option available in an open-air setting.
Entertainment
The theatre hosts lectures, naturalist and destination presentations, concerts, live shows, and other performances; lounges and panoramic outdoor areas provide quieter alternatives.
Staterooms & suites
All 92 staterooms and suites are ocean-facing and include private balconies. Categories range from balcony staterooms to Deluxe, Prestige, Privilege, Grand and Owner’s suites.
Pools, spa & wellness
The ship offers a spa with treatments, a hammam, hairdressing services, and a fitness room, plus an outdoor pool and sun deck.
Accessibility
The builder lists two fully ADA-accessible cabins.
Environmental features
The ship was designed with environmental technologies and holds Bureau Veritas CLEANSHIP-related certification within PONANT’s modern fleet; the operator states that environmental performance is periodically improved.
Explore This Ship
Jump from Le Bougainville sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
7 Nights
Costa Rica by Sea: Wildlife and Rainforests of the Pacific Coast – with Smithsonian Journeys
8 Nights
Cruising the Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea: Venice to Athens – with Smithsonian Journeys
7 Nights
Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca – with Smithsonian Journeys
Ports of Call
Next: Aug 14, 2028
1 upcoming departure
7 Nights
Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys