PONANT South America Cruises 2026
Discover the best PONANT cruise deals to South America. PONANT is a French luxury expedition cruise line offering voyages to polar regions, tropical islands, and remote coastlines on elegant small ships with French refinement. South America cruises explore Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Vibrant cities, Amazon rainforest,...
Why PONANT to South America?
PONANT offers exceptional South America cruises with french luxury expedition, icebreaker ship (le commandant charcot), and small ships (92-264 guests). South America cruises explore Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
Great value for travelers wanting to experience South America. As a luxury line, PONANT fares typically run €4,000 - €25,000, while South America itineraries across all lines average €2,000 - €6,000 — most sailings last 14-day.
PONANT attracts luxury expedition seekers and french culture enthusiasts, which pairs well with South America highlights like city tours, wine tasting, cultural experiences. The varies by region climate makes October, November, December the most popular months to sail.
Live Availability
Current PONANT South America cruises in our catalog: 6 upcoming departures across 6 itineraries, from €1,430 — typical lengths 6 days, 7 days, 11 days.
Ships on these itineraries: L`austral, Le Boreal, Le Lyrial
Where PONANT Visits in South America
PONANT Key Features
French luxury expedition
Icebreaker ship (Le Commandant Charcot)
Small ships (92-264 guests)
All-inclusive luxury
Expert naturalist guides
French gastronomy
Zodiac excursions
South America Highlights
Christ the Redeemer in Rio
Tango culture in Buenos Aires
Machu Picchu access
Amazon rainforest
Wine regions
PONANT Ships to South America
About PONANT South America Cruises
PONANT is known for ponant is a french luxury expedition cruise line offering voyages to polar regions, tropical islands, and remote coastlines on elegant small ships with french refinement. French gourmet cuisine with open seating. All dining and beverages included.
Best Months to Visit
October, November, December, January, February, March
Typical Duration
14-day cruises
Planning Your PONANT South America Cruise
PONANT offers exceptional value for travelers seeking french luxury expedition. Their South America itineraries visit popular ports including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, with prices typically ranging from €2,000 - €6,000.
The best time to cruise to South America is during October, November, December. Varies by region, Southern hemisphere seasons PONANT ships feature french luxury expedition, icebreaker ship (le commandant charcot), small ships (92-264 guests).
With luxury service and upscale amenities, PONANT provides an elevated cruise experience to South America.
Sample PONANT South America Itinerary
Departure Port
Board PONANT ship, enjoy sail-away party, french luxury expedition
Rio de Janeiro
City tours, wine tasting, explore Rio de Janeiro
Buenos Aires
Wine tasting, cultural experiences, explore Buenos Aires
Lima
Cultural experiences, rainforest excursions, explore Lima
Santiago (Valparaiso)
Rainforest excursions, beach visits, explore Santiago (Valparaiso)
Montevideo
Beach visits, city tours, explore Montevideo
At Sea
Enjoy PONANT amenities, icebreaker ship (le commandant charcot), relaxation
At Sea
Enjoy PONANT amenities, icebreaker ship (le commandant charcot), relaxation
Return to Port
Disembarkation, final breakfast, depart ship
Explore More Cruise Options
Explore more cruise options and find your perfect voyage
Browse all cruise deals
Other Cruise Lines
Other Destinations
Best Months
Popular Durations
Can't find what you're looking for? Browse all cruise deals
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PONANT cruises to South America cost?
▼
PONANT cruises to South America typically range from €2,000 - €6,000 per person. PONANT is a luxury cruise line with premium pricing. Book 6-12 months in advance for best rates.
What makes PONANT special for South America cruises?
▼
PONANT is known for french luxury expedition, icebreaker ship (le commandant charcot), small ships (92-264 guests). French gourmet cuisine with open seating. All dining and beverages included. Best for: french luxury expedition, polar voyages.
What ports does PONANT visit in South America?
▼
PONANT South America cruises typically visit Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago (Valparaiso). Specific itineraries vary by ship and season. Most cruises include 6-8 port stops.
Which PONANT ships sail to South America?
▼
Popular PONANT ships sailing to South America include Le Commandant Charcot, Le Bougainville, Le Lyrial. PONANT operates 4+ ships. Check current schedules for specific ship assignments.
What's the best time for a PONANT cruise to South America?
▼
The best months to visit South America are October, November, December. Varies by region, Southern hemisphere seasons PONANT typically offers 14-day itineraries during peak season.
Where do PONANT South America cruises depart from?
▼
PONANT sails from home ports including Ushuaia, Reykjavik, Marseille. For South America itineraries, departure ports depend on the season and ship deployment — expect fares of €2,000 - €6,000 and voyages of 14-day. Comparing the same sailing across departure ports often reveals meaningful price differences.
When to Book Your Cruise
12+ months before
Best cabin selection, lowest deposits, early saver rates up to 30% off
6-12 months before
Good availability, competitive pricing, ideal for Wave Season deals (Jan-Mar)
3-6 months before
Limited cabin choice, but potential for unsold inventory discounts
1-3 months before
Very limited options, mostly inside cabins, last-minute deals rare on popular dates
What's Included in Your Cruise Fare
Included in Fare
- Stateroom accommodation for cruise duration
- Main dining room meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Buffet and casual dining venues
- Pool, hot tubs, and fitness center access
- Most onboard entertainment (shows, live music, movies)
- Kids clubs and youth programs
- Room service (may have late-night fee)
Extra Costs
- Alcoholic beverages and specialty coffee
- Specialty restaurants ($25-75 per person)
- Shore excursions ($50-200+ per excursion)
- Spa services and salon treatments
- Casino and bingo
- Photos and professional photography
- Gratuities ($12-18 per person/day)
- Wi-Fi packages ($15-30 per day)
Never Miss a Price Drop
Open the web app to track cruises and get instant alerts the moment prices drop on trips matching your preferences — right in your browser. 40,000+ deals. AI-powered. Zero fees.
Open Web App