In winter 2027, Ponant will sail the legendary Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean, with its new 10-night Exploration in the Heart of Baja California circuit. Co-developed with local communities, the route is particularly exciting for clients on the West Coast.
“We are both pleased and proud of the incredible enthusiasm the new itinerary has generated,” said Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of Americas for Ponant Explorations Group — the parent company overseeing the rebranded Ponant Explorations, Paul Gauguin Cruises and a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions — in a statement to TravelAge West.
“Our new itinerary allows regional travel agents the chance to showcase a luxury adventure experience that has the comfort of taking place close to home, while still being incredibly experiential,” Chamberlain said. “Travel agents can also offer clients a new way to explore a familiar destination.”
Ponant will be offering four Sea of Cortez cruises.
Credit: 2025 Julien Fabro/Ponant
Four sailings onboard the 184-guest Le Bellot will depart roundtrip from Cabo San Lucas, including a special Smithsonian Journeys sailing on February 10. The other three departures are scheduled for January 31, February 20 (already fully booked) and March 2.
The itinerary wraps around the Baja California Peninsula, with planned visits to Guerrero Negro, Magdalena Bay, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Loreto Bay National Park, Loreto, Coronado Island, Los Islotes and La Paz (Pichilingue).
"When designing itineraries, the priority is to place local communities and the environment at the heart of each journey,” said Jose Sarica, director of research and development expedition experience at Ponant Explorations. “Creating an itinerary in Baja California was a challenge for my team and me. We have a huge responsibility to share this exceptional environment, to pass it on to future generations, and to show that we are worthy of the trust placed in us by the people who live there.”
Sarica promises guests will feel truly alive and connected to nature — just as he did while exploring the region. Ponant will partner with local communities to provide logistical resources for most regional visits and lead activities such as wildlife encounters with gray, blue and humpback whales, orcas, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and pelicans.
The itinerary visits locations on the Baja California Peninsula.
Credit: 2025 Julien Fabro/Ponant
The Smithsonian Journeys sailing will feature two onboard Smithsonian Experts to host a bonus lecture series. It will also include a Smithsonian-curated excursion or activity in every port, as well as bundled airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days.
Walter Littlejohn III — a familiar name in the cruise travel agent community, formerly of Crystal River Cruises, and now senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys — shared that the travel brand is thrilled to expand its Ponant alliance with this new trip. The new itinerary comes after an enthusiastic response to Smithsonian’s 2026 offerings in Panama and Costa Rica, Antarctica and the Indian Ocean.
"Our upcoming expedition to Baja California invites curious travelers to experience the region’s untamed beauty up close — snorkeling with sea lions, encountering gray whales and discovering rare flora and fauna on desert islands,” Littlejohn said. “This journey continues Smithsonian’s legacy of deepening understanding through exploration and lifelong learning, while honoring the vibrant ecosystems and communities that make Baja so extraordinary.”
The itinerary has been three years in the making, and further deployments have not yet been finalized.
“Though we’re encouraged by the strong interest from our guests and will continue to evaluate future expansion opportunities based on feasibility and demand,” Chamberlain said. “Our itinerary deployment team is always seeking new and innovative ways to enhance the guest experience, with a special focus on crafting unique journeys, including in the Pacific.”
As for potential future sailings embarking in California rather than Cabo, Chamberlain shared that no official decisions have been made at this time, but guest interest plays a key role in shaping offerings.
"We’re always eager to explore new embarkation destinations that enhance the overall experience,” he said.
