Package duration: 17 nights Fly, Cruise & Stay
Package starts: 20th August 2026 - with flight from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Darwin
Cruise starts: 21st August 2026 - from Darwin, Australia
Cruise ends: 6th September 2026 - into Lautoka, Viti Levu Island, Fiji
Package ends: 6th September 2026 - with flight back to home city from Fiji
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BIG SAVINGS INCLUDING FREE FLIGHT!
Twin PR4 Prestige Balcony was $22,740 - your special price from $18,285*pp
Twin PR5 Prestige Balcony was $23,795 - your special price from $19,095*pp
Twin PR6 Prestige Balcony was $25,075 - your special price from $20,195*pp
Twin DS3 Deluxe Suite was $33,270 - your special price from $27,430*pp
Single PR4 Prestige Balcony was $42,975 - your special price from $18,470*pp
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A MELANESIAN MELODY Fly FREE*, Cruise & Stay package includes:
- FREE* One way economy class airfare from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane (other cities on request) to Darwin
- 1 nights accommodation in Darwin with breakfast
- 15 night Melanesia expedition cruise aboard Le Jacques Cartier from Darwin to Lautoka
- All meals while on board the ship (from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation)
- Captain`s welcome cocktail and gala dinner onboard
- Open Bar (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands) during cruise
- Evening entertainment and events
- Room service 24h (special selection)
- Highly qualified bilingual French/English expedition team
- Zodiac excursions and off ship excursions
- Park entry fees into protected areas (where applicable)
- Port taxes
- One way economy class airfare from Nadi to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane
Special Conditions
*Conditions Apply: All prices shown here are per person share twin (unless stated as single) in AUD, based on best available cruise fare at time of publication (20 June 2025). Some cabins may have obstructed views. All airfares/taxes are due in full 24 hours from reservation and strict cancellation/change fees apply. Selected routing and airlines apply to package offers - any variances requested by guest will incur surcharges. A passport is required to travel on this cruise as it visits international waters. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Please note that the prices shown here are not shown in real time. While we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ from the prices in our booking system at time of reservation. Transfers only included if guests are arriving/departing by air at specific airports on exact package dates and not included in Darwin pre cruise. Offer ends 31 August 2025 or sold out/withdrawn and is subject to availability at time of booking. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Travel insurance is mandatory on expedition cruises and not included.
Special Validity Dates
Special is valid from 23 June 2025 to 31 August 2025 or until sold out/withdrawn.
Pre-cruise Itinerary
Date
Activity
20 Aug 2026
Flight from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Darwin. Check into hotel
21 Aug 2026
Check out hotel, make own way to port, embark ship
Cruise Itinerary
Date
Port
Arrive
Depart
21 Aug 2026
Darwin, NT, Australia
5:30 PM
22 Aug 2026
At Sea
23 Aug 2026
At Sea
24 Aug 2026
Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia
2:00 PM
7:30 PM
25 Aug 2026
At Sea
26 Aug 2026
Port Moresby PNG
7:00 AM
4:00 PM
27 Aug 2026
Alotau, Papua New Guinea
2:00 PM
8:00 PM
28 Aug 2026
At Sea
29 Aug 2026
At Sea
30 Aug 2026
Honiara, Solomon Islands
8:00 PM
31 Aug 2026
At Sea
1 Sep 2026
At Sea
2 Sep 2026
Espiritu Santo Island Vanuatu
7:00 AM
5:00 PM
3 Sep 2026
Port Vila Vanuatu
7:00 AM
10:00 PM
4 Sep 2026
At Sea
5 Sep 2026
At Sea
6 Sep 2026
Lautoka, Fiji
7:00 AM
Post-cruise Itinerary
Date
Activity
6 Sep 2026
Disembark ship, make own way to airport. Fly Nadi to home city
Leaving from Darwin, PONANT invites you to embark on board Le Jacques Cartier for a 17-day journey featuring idyllic landscapes, lush nature and ancestral civilisations with secular traditions. Set off to discover the ancestral lands of Australia and four Melanesian treasures: Papua New Guinea, the Vanuatu archipelago, the Solomons and the Fiji islands.
On cosmopolitan Thursday Island, in the far north of the Australian territory, make the most of a visit to discover the history of this part of the Pacific during the Second World War. The Jacques-Cartier will set sail for Papua New Guinea, a fascinating land that is home to no fewer than 700 ethnic groups within a highly diverse yet mainly unexplored, ecosystem.
Setting sail for the Salomon Islands! You will stop over in Honiara on the large island of Guadalcanal, where exoticism and beauty go hand in hand, from paradisiacal waterfalls to lush green hills.
Then, the Jacques Cartier sails towards heavenly lands, where white sandy beaches encircle luxuriant forests with unique ecosystems, and legends and myths remain engraved in memories and traditions... In Port-Vila, capital of Vanuatu, you will relish the unforgettable sight of magnificent bays, a colonial heritage, paradise beaches and enchanting waterfalls. In Espiritu Santo, the archipelago's main island, you are sure to be captivated by the unspoilt seabed surrounding this luxuriant islet.
Your journey will end in Lautoka in Fiji, famous for its sugar cane crops.
Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.
As the sixth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Jacques Cartier will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.
Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.
Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.
Ship Profile & Stats
Maiden voyage: July 2020
Tonnage: 9,900 gross tons
Length: 131 metres
Beam: 18 metres
Draft: 4.5 metres
Speed: 12.5 knots
Ship registration: French
Passenger capacity (dbl): 184
Officer nationality: French
Ship Amenities
110/220 volts outlet
Bath Robes
Flat screen television
Hair Dryer
In Room Safe
Individual Climate Control
Ipod(TM) players
Minibar
Satellite Direct Line Telephone
Ship Facilities
Art Gallery
Bars
Fitness Centre
Hydraulic Platform for Water Sports / Swimming
Main Lounge
Dining Room
Panoramic Lounge
Shopping Boutiques
Spa
Swimming Pool
Theatre
EXPERIENCE CRUISING ANOTHER WAY, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF YACHT CRUISES.
Our mission is to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships.
To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment - a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared - and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.
To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.
Yacht cruises: more than a cruise, a privilege...
Attentive, professional, discreet and elegant, the fully bilingual service on board will meet your every desire. Our unique atmosphere is filled with a signature sentiment: a warm welcome from an experienced crew who are passionate about what they do, in the tradition of private yachting.
In the dining areas, our gourmet cuisine is worthy of top fine dining restaurants: exquisite wines are available, and menus are created with expertise by our skilled chefs with a French-inspired menu enhanced by specialties from our various ports of call.
Pleasure, enrichment, discovery: relax - we take care of everything...
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Private return transfer
• Priority boarding
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• Butler service
• An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
• A lounge with armchair, double sofa bed (160 x 190 cm), and second TV
• A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• A bathroom with shower, Balneo bathtub and smart mirror
• A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer
• Included premium pass: access to a selection of premium spirits at the bar
• A private 40 m² terrace: 2 deckchairs, jacuzzi, and outdoor lounge area with sofa and armchair
• Two panoramic sliding bay windows
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Priority boarding
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• Butler service
• An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
• A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• A lounge with sofa convetible to a double bed (160 x 190 cm), armchair, and second TV
• A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
• A private 32 m² terrace with two deckchairs and four-seater dining table
• 2 panoramic sliding bay windows
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Priority boarding
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• Butler service
• An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
• A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door
• Two bathrooms with shower
• A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs
• Two panoramic sliding bay windows
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
• A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door
• Two bathrooms with shower
• A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs
• Two panoramic sliding bay windows
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Priority boarding
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• Butler service
• An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• A lounge area with chaise longue and armchair
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window
Satellite TV
Desk with stationery
Ipod(TM) players
Video on demand
Safe
Hairdryer
Bath robes
Satellite direct line telephone
110/220 volts outlet
French bath products
24hr room service
Internet access wifi
Butler service.
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Priority boarding
• Butler service
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• A lounge area with chaise longue and armchair
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• One chaise longue
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• One chaise longue
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
• One chaise longue
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
• One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV
• A bathroom with shower
• A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
• A glazed panoramic swing door and rectangular window
From
AU $18,285*
per person
*All prices are per person twin share unless stated as solo, triple or quad share.
