Signature highlights
Blue Eye underwater lounge, marina platform, outdoor pool, open-air observation areas and Zodiac-based expedition operations.
Le Dumont d’Urville
Le Dumont d’Urville is an 184-guest PONANT cruise ship, in service since 2019. This page lists 75 upcoming departures across 51 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.
✓ Small-ship expedition travelers
✓ Passengers wanting balconies in every accommodation category
✓ Travelers who value lectures and destination programming
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their authors’ free licenses. Tap a photo for the credit and license.
Le Dumont d’Urville at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 45%
A small expedition-size ship at 9,988 gross tons — #308 of 566 ships we track. 54 tons of ship per guest.
Best for
- Small-ship expedition travelers
- Passengers wanting balconies in every accommodation category
- Travelers who value lectures and destination programming
- Guests preferring included dining and an open bar
- Couples seeking a quiet yacht-style atmosphere
Think twice if you want
- Travelers seeking large-resort entertainment
- Passengers wanting many specialty restaurants
- Guests who prefer interior or oceanview cabins
- Nightlife-focused cruisers
- Families seeking a large children's complex
Live Position ● 23 minutes ago
Heading to: DZ AAECurrently on: Ancient shores of the Mediterranean (9 nights) — En route to Málaga (Spain) — last stop Valletta (Malta)
Coming up
- Málaga end of cruise
14.0 knots
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Le Dumont d’Urville
Le Dumont d’Urville is a 184-guest expedition yacht in PONANT’s intimate Explorers class. Built by VARD and delivered in 2019, it combines balcony accommodations with a French-inspired onboard experience and expedition facilities for remote coastal destinations. Passengers have access to an underwater Blue Eye lounge, outdoor pool, marina platform, theatre, lounges, spa and fitness room. The ship carries 92 staterooms and suites and is designed for small-group exploration supported by naturalist-led presentations and Zodiac excursions.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Compagnie du Ponant (PONANT)
- Builder / shipyard
- VARD Tulcea, Romania (hull); VARD Søviknes, Norway (outfitting)
- Registry / flag
- Wallis and Futuna
- Call sign
- FLDS
- IMO number
- 9814052
- MMSI
- 578001200
- Draft
- 4.6 m
- Previous names
- Le Kerguelen
Onboard Experience
For families
The ship is primarily designed for adults and expedition travelers rather than family-oriented resort cruising. Its compact scale, educational programming and supervised expedition activities may appeal to older children, subject to voyage-specific policies.
Pools, spa & wellness
Facilities include an outdoor pool, SOTHYS and Davines spa services, hammam, hairdressing services and a fitness room.
Accessibility
Accessibility arrangements should be confirmed with PONANT before booking. Expedition operations, Zodiac transfers and some shore landings may limit mobility access.
Environmental features
The ship uses modern environmental and energy-efficiency technologies for its class, and PONANT states that it continues to improve the vessel’s environmental performance.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
Deck 7
Spa Fitness room SundeckDeck 6
Art Gallery Studio PONANT Library Upper decks balcony stateroom Deluxe Suite Prestige Suite Privilege Suite Grand Suite Owner's SuiteDeck 5
Bridge Upper decks balcony stateroom Deluxe Suite Prestige Suite Privilege Suite Grand SuiteDeck 4
Gastronomic restaurant Upper decks balcony stateroom Deluxe SuiteDeck 3
Theatre Grill restaurant Pool deck Boutique Excursion Desk Marina Bar Medical Centre Lower deck balcony stateroom Deluxe SuiteView the official Le Dumont d’Urville deck plans from PONANT →
Cabins & suites
Balcony 49%
Suite 51%
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower deck balcony stateroomOperator code DEL; private balcony. | Balcony | 13 | 204 sq ft | 2 | 3 |
| Upper decks balcony stateroomOperator codes PR4, PR5 and PR6; private balcony. | Balcony | 32 | 204 sq ft | 2 | 4, 5, 6 |
| Deluxe SuiteOperator codes DS3, DS4, DS5 and DS6; private balcony. | Suite | 5 | 290 sq ft | 3 | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Prestige SuiteOperator codes PS5 and PS6; private balcony. | Suite | 34 | 409 sq ft | 4 | 5, 6 |
Dining, bars & venues
8 included 3 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Grill restaurant
Included
An outdoor restaurant serving informal meals including grilled dishes, salads and desserts.
Gastronomic restaurant
Included
The main dining room serves breakfast, lunch and formal à la carte dinners.
Bars & lounges
Main lounge
Varies
The principal indoor lounge hosts daytime activities, live music and evening entertainment.
Panoramic lounge
Varies
An observation lounge with a bar, library, internet space and access to the panoramic terrace.
History & sister ships
Other PONANT EXPLORERS class ships
Where Le Dumont d’Urville sails, month by month
| Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
Oct 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Africa & Middle East | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mexico & Pacific Coast | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ports it visits most
Explore This Ship
Jump from Le Dumont d’Urville sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
8 Nights
Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights: Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys
Ports of Call
Next: Nov 7, 2026
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Nov 15, 2027
1 upcoming departure
All 51 itineraries and their departure dates
- A Circumnavigation of Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys 10 May 2027, 6 May 2028, 5 Oct 2028
- An Autumn Escape: Côte d’Azur, Italian Riviera & Corsica 21 May 2028
- Ancient shores of the Mediterranean 6 Nov 2027
- Ancient shores of the Mediterranean 11 Apr 2028
- Ancient Wonders and Culinary Delights: Cruising Southern Italy and Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys 13 Oct 2028
- At the heart of the Greek islands 22 Jun 2027, 29 Jun 2027, 13 Jul 2027
- Atlantic Odyssey from the Iberian Peninsula to the Canary Islands 7 Nov 2026
- Atlantic Odyssey from the Iberian Peninsula to the Canary Islands 15 Nov 2027
- Authentic Mediterranean Shores 28 Apr 2028
- Canary Islands, Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula 3 Apr 2028
- Cities and splendours of the Adriatic 4 Aug 2027, 18 Aug 2027, 1 Sep 2027, 16 Aug 2028, 30 Aug 2028
- Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys 28 Jul 2027, 26 Jul 2028
- Cruising the Aegean: Turkey and the Greek Isles – with Smithsonian Journeys 14 Oct 2027
- Cruising the Dalmatian Coast and the Ionian Sea: Venice to Athens – with Smithsonian Journeys 29 Sep 2027
- Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys 6 Jul 2027, 24 Jun 2028
- Culture and islands of the Mediterranean 29 Oct 2028
- From the Iberian shores to the Italian coast 4 Apr 2027
- Jewels of Madagascar 27 Dec 2027
- Landscapes and Historic Sites of the Peloponnese 7 Oct 2027
- Madagascar & South Africa 17 Dec 2026
- Madagascar & South Africa 10 Feb 2027, 20 Feb 2028
- Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean – with Smithsonian Journeys 31 Jan 2027, 10 Feb 2028
- Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys 18 May 2027
- Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys 7 Jun 2027, 14 May 2028
- Namibian & South African Coastlines 16 Dec 2027
- Namibian & South African Coastlines 7 Dec 2026
- Natural Wonders and Cultural Jewels of Dalmatia 11 Aug 2027, 25 Aug 2027, 23 Aug 2028
- Natural Wonders and Cultural Jewels of Dalmatia 9 Aug 2028
- Ocean Voyage: Dakar - Walvis Bay 25 Nov 2026
- Ocean Voyage: Dakar - Walvis Bay 5 Dec 2027
- Ocean Voyage: Walvis Bay - Dakar 3 Mar 2027, 12 Mar 2028
- Peaceful islands and ancient treasures of the Mediterranean 14 Jun 2027
- Sailing the Adriatic: Treasures of Eastern Italy and Sicily – with Smithsonian Journeys 27 Sep 2028
- Sicilian interlude 3 May 2027
- South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope – with Smithsonian Journeys 21 Feb 2027, 2 Mar 2028
- Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys 21 Oct 2028
- Sweet Mediterranean Escape 5 Jun 2028
- The Adriatic Sea - with the Paris Opera Ballet 2 Aug 2028
- The Cyclades, in the Wake of Le Ponant 17 Jun 2028
- The Cyclades, in the Wake of Le Ponant 1 Jul 2028, 8 Jul 2028
- The essential Seychelles 7 Jan 2027, 15 Jan 2027, 23 Jan 2027, 17 Jan 2028, 25 Jan 2028, 2 Feb 2028
- The Mediterranean: in the Footsteps of Great Civilisations 23 Apr 2027
- The Mediterranean: in the Footsteps of Great Civilisations 13 Apr 2027
- There is a little bit of Franz Schubert in all of us 20 Apr 2028
- Tuscany, Liguria and the French Riviera 26 May 2028
- Volcanic landscapes from Canary Islands to Cape Verde 25 Nov 2027
- Volcanic landscapes from Canary Islands to Cape Verde 15 Nov 2026
- Volcanic landscapes from Cape Verde to Canary Islands 15 Mar 2027, 24 Mar 2028
- Waves & Melodies: 12th Piano Festival at Sea 29 Oct 2027
- Well-being break in the Mediterranean 20 Jul 2027
- Well-being break in the Mediterranean 15 Jul 2028
All Upcoming Departures
Le Dumont d’Urville FAQ
What flag does Le Dumont d’Urville sail under?
Le Dumont d’Urville is registered in Wallis and Futuna.
How many passengers does Le Dumont d’Urville hold?
Le Dumont d’Urville carries about 184 guests with roughly 118 crew.
How old is Le Dumont d’Urville?
Le Dumont d’Urville entered service in 2019.
How big is Le Dumont d’Urville?
At 9,988 gross tons and 132 m long, Le Dumont d’Urville is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 45% of the 566 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on Le Dumont d'Urville?
Daytime dress is casual and comfortable. Smart-casual clothing is recommended for dinners, with cocktail attire for gala evenings; shorts and bermudas are not allowed in the evening at the gourmet restaurant.
Are meals and drinks included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, as are snacks, 24-hour room service and a wide selection of drinks through the open bar. Some premium alcoholic beverages are charged separately.
Are gratuities included?
PONANT describes gratuities for ship staff as customary but discretionary. Guests may leave an additional gratuity at the end of the cruise if they wish.
Is Wi-Fi included?
Yes. PONANT includes 24-hour Wi-Fi access, although connection quality and availability can depend on navigation and latitude.
Is Le Dumont d'Urville accessible to guests with reduced mobility?
The ship has facilities accessible to guests with reduced mobility and two accessible staterooms. Specific voyage and excursion suitability should be confirmed before booking.
Are children allowed on board?
Children are permitted subject to age restrictions that vary by cruise type. The ship also has a Kids' Club, but it is not a large resort-style children's facility.