Intrepid Travel, REI Co-op Launch Global Adventure Travel Itineraries
November 19, 2025Holland America Line Unveils 2027-28 Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Sailings
November 20, 2025
Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS are teaming up to offer 35 new ocean cruise departures in 2027.
The voyages feature two Smithsonian Journeys experts, who lead lectures and informal discussions about each destination.
One of the new offerings is “A Solar Eclipse at Sea: Voyage Along the Iberian Peninsula,” giving travelers a chance to view the 2027 solar eclipse from the Mediterranean, with insights from Jim Zimbelman, senior geologist emeritus for the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
In addition to working with PONANT EXPLORATIONS, Smithsonian Journeys also partners with AmaWaterways to offer river cruises.
The brand also organizes small-group land journeys, cultural stays, active journeys, private jet trips and tailor-made trips for independent travelers.
“Our travelers desire quality experiences that are both enriching and immersive, and our 2027 collection aboard PONANT’S ships of refined luxury and relaxed comfort deliver that expertly,” says Walter Littlejohn III, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys.
This article originally appeared in TravelPulse; additional content regarding Smithsonian Journeys’ partnership with AmaWaterways appears here.
Contact My Journey Begins Travel to book your one-of-a-kind trip with Smithsonian Journeys.
About Ponant
Ponant, the world’s only French-flagged cruise company, offers luxury small-ship cruising on 12 distinctive yachts. Ponant, based in Marseilles, France, is a subsidiary of CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company.
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Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways Unveil 2027 River Cruises
Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways are teaming up to offer 42 new river cruises in 2027, including new itineraries in France and Southeast Asia.
Together, the two companies will offer 11 voyages on some of Europe’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Rhône.
All departures—which range from eight to 15 days—include optional pre- and post-cruise land packages hosted by an AmaWaterways cruise manager. Each journey also includes exclusive excursions and opportunities to connect with various scholars. Two Smithsonian Journeys experts will also be aboard each voyage.
“We first announced the Smithsonian Journeys/AmaWaterways alliance just a few months ago, for cruises beginning in spring 2026, and we’ve seen an overwhelmingly positive response from the market—underscoring a growing demand for meaningful and enriching travel,” says Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys.
He adds: “With interest continuing to build, we are excited to introduce the 2027 program, featuring sailings along Europe’s most iconic rivers and, new for 2027, a chance to venture farther, delving into the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia on the culturally rich Mekong River.
The 2027 voyages are:
- NEW: Grand Waterways of France: Cruising Normandy, Burgundy, and Provence
April 22–May 6, Aug. 26–Sept. 9, Oct. 7–21, 2027 – 15 days starting from $8,759 per person double occupancy.
- NEW: Along the Mekong: Charms of Vietnam and Cambodia
Jan. 1–25, Feb. 15–22, Nov. 1–8, 2027 – 17 days starting from $5,299 per person double occupancy.
- Holland and Belgium in Spring: A River Cruise at Tulip Time
April 4–11, April 9–16, April 12–19, April 16–23, 2026; NEW DATES – April 8–15, April 10–17, April 15–22, April 22–29, 2027 – Eight days starting from $3,699 per person double occupancy.
- Cruising the Upper Danube: Romantic Ports from Bavaria to Budapest
May 18–25, June 15–22, Sept. 7–14, Oct. 5–12, 2026; NEW DATES—May 17–24, June 14–21, Sept. 6–13, Oct. 4–11, 2027 – Eight days starting from $3,949 per person double occupancy.
- Cruising the Lower Danube: Gems of Southeast Europe
May 25–June 1, June 22–29, Sept. 14–21, Oct. 12–19, 2026; NEW DATES—May 24–31, June 21–28, Sept. 13–20, Oct. 12–19, 2027 – Eight days starting from $3,949 per person double occupancy.
- The Grand Danube: A River Cruise from Germany to Romania
May 18–June 1, June 15–29, Sept. 7–21, Oct. 5–19, 2026; NEW DATES—May 17–31, June 14–28, Sept. 6–20, Oct. 4–18, 2027 – 15 days starting from $6,799 per person double occupancy.
- Christmas Markets along the Danube: A River Cruise from Nuremburg to Budapest
Dec. 5–12, Dec. 10–19, 2026; NEW DATES—Dec. 1–8, Dec. 4–19, 2027 – Eight days starting from $3,749 per person double occupancy.
- Christmas Markets along the Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel
Nov. 28–Dec. 5, Dec. 12–19, 2026; NEW DATES—Dec. 4–11, Dec. 5–12, 2027 – Eight days starting from $3,849 per person double occupancy.
- The Captivating Rhine: A River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel
May 14–21, June 20–27, July 18–25, Sept. 26–Oct. 3, 2026; NEW DATES—May 26–June 2, June 19–26, July 10–17, Sept. 25–Oct. 2, 2027 – Eight days starting from $3,699 per person double occupancy.
- Cruising Portugal’s Enticing Douro River Valley
May 8–15, June 9–16, Sept. 4–11, Sept. 25–Oct. 2, Oct. 13–20, 2026; NEW DATES—May 7–14, June 4–11, Sept. 17–24, Oct. 1–8, Oct. 15–22, 2027 – Eight days starting from $4,499 per person double occupancy.
- Rhône River Cruise: Colors of Provence
May 21–28, July 16–23, Oct. 8–15, 2026; NEW DATES—May 20–27, Oct. 7–14, Oct. 21–28, 2027 – Eight days starting from $4,299 per person double occupancy.
- Along the Seine: A River Cruise from Paris to Normandy
May 14–21, Sept. 3–10, Sept. 24–Oct. 1, 2026; NEW DATES—May 13–20, Sept. 23–30, Oct. 14–21, 2027 – Eight days starting from $4,549 per person double occupancy.
- Taste of Bordeaux: Cruising the Waterways of Southwest France
Oct. 1–8, 2026; NEW DATE—Sept. 30–Oct. 7, 2027 – Eight days starting from $4,799 per person double occupancy.