Luxury Adriatic Yacht Cruise with Ponant Cruises and Exclusive Access to the Venice Art Biennale 2026 in Partnership with the Pinault Collection at Palazzo Grassi

Dear Member,
Join us for an unforgettable, exclusive event: a six-star, seven-night cruise of the treasures of the Adriatic, in partnership with the world’s most celebrated modern art collection, the Pinault Collection Palazzo Grassi, to Venice. Arriving on our mega-yacht in the Grand Canal, and staying for two more luxurious nights on board, we shall be there in person for the world’s most prestigious, oldest-running art festival, the Venice Art Biennale.

We shall also receive private views of both the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana, museums which hold the world’s most important contemporary art collection, accompanied by Pinault Collection art experts. For lovers of fine art, travel and mega-yachts, we can hardly think of anything more inspirational!
We shall be sailing as if on a private yacht, with the luxury French cruise specialists Ponant—another jewel in the Pinault Collection crown—aboard the latest state-of-the-art Explorer class cruise yacht of only 92 staterooms and suites, the luxuriously chic Le Dumont d’Urville. Launched in 2019, Le Dumont d’Urville is herself a work of art as well as of sophisticated maritime engineering. She is what the yacht specialists call ‘eye sweet’, with sleek exterior lines and a refined, open-to-the-sea design which is perfect for summer in the Med. Her interior décor is exquisite.
Furthermore, Le Dumont d’Urville features one of the latest maritime wow factors—two ‘blue eyes’ set into her hull, revealing the marine life below as she sails—not only sight, but sound. The crystal waters of the Adriatic offer ideal viewing conditions. This is a yacht combining luxury and cutting-edge marine engineering with discovery of Art and Nature.
We shall enjoy a luxurious stateroom or suite, fine French cuisine, excellent and unlimited Champagne, wines and spirits—all that is left for us to do is relax and enjoy the experience.
Even the ports of call have been selected for their incomparable cultural and environmental treasures, which will be highlighted in advance by the art experts onboard with us.
Our itinerary begins on Mon, Jun 15, 2026, with our flight from London to Dubrovnik, Croatia, boarding Le Dumont d’Urville from 20:00, ready to sail on the evening tide; Tues, Jun 16, Trogir, Croatia; Wed, Jun 17, Zadar, Croatia; Thur, Jun 18, Rijeka, Croatia; Fri, Jun 19, Ravenna, Italy; Sat, Jun 20 to Sun, Jun 22, Venice, Italy.

The choice is then ours: to fly back to London, or to stay extra nights in a palazzo in Venice to fully absorb the sights and sounds of Venice during the Biennale and then fly back to London—or take the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, departing on Jun 23 for Paris, connecting with the Eurostar to London, adding perhaps the apogee of sophisticated indulgence to our journey.

But first, the cruise and its opening scene, Dubrovnik. This fair city juts like a silver finger into the blue sea, beneath green, cypress-clad mountains, warmed by long hours of sunshine. Beautifully restored after the war damage inflicted in the early 1990s, it is one of the most spectacular fortified cities in the world, filled with honey-coloured houses, cobbled mediaeval streets, aristocratic palazzi and Baroque churches, surrounded by that azure sea.

Here in this Croatian city, without a car in sight, you really do feel as if you have stepped back in time: Dubrovnik is the Mediterranean as it used to be, yet not without a modern vision: Croatia’s finest modern and contemporary art is here. And as we relax and enjoy our first four-course dinner with wines in Le Dumont d’Urville’s restaurant, we shall leave Dubrovnik on the evening tide. Our first port of call is a worthy first course to the cultural feast which awaits us: Trogir, renowned as the most beautiful medieval town in Dalmatia.

Trogir, founded by the Greeks, is also a Unesco World Heritage Site. Fall under the spell of the beauty of its monuments, such as the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, a masterpiece of Romanesque arts and one of the most beautiful in Croatia.

Early next morning, we shall awake to see a vision of historic Zadar. On the monumental Land Gate, the winged lion that symbolises the City of the Doges still watches over passers-by as they make their way through the narrow streets of this ancient Roman walled city, now a vibrant mix of history and creativity.
As we return to Le Dumont d’Urville to relax as she sails into the night, there is time also to explore the elegant pleasures of what is almost a private super-yacht, suffused with French flair. We shall enjoy classic French cuisine, dining on an ever-changing menu, expertly created by leading French chefs under the auspices of Michelin Star chef Alain Ducasse, and with fine French wines and sommelier service: and remember, all but premium drinks are included—if you enjoy good Champagne and wine, this is for you!
It is too soon to know the exact menus on board, but a sample would be an appetiser of Cep and chestnut velouté, starter of Lobster, celery ‘rémoulade’ and truffle. For the main course there may be Langoustines with pepper and tender fennel; or perhaps Beef Rossini, Anna potatoes and candied shallots, served with sauce Périgueux. And for puddings, we may enjoy Ponant’s speciality chocolat-praliné. And when the evening’s enjoyment is over, we shall retire to our sumptuous suites, ready to wake to a new dawn in Istria.

The charming city of Rijeka. Nestling in the Kvarner Gulf, just a stone’s throw from the famous Krk, known as ‘the Golden Island’, this port town offers a taste of the gentle Croatian way of life, with delicacies and strolls between the sea and the mountains.

Back on board Le Dumont d’Urville, we shall wine and dine, enjoy the pool, the beauty salon, spa and hammam, perhaps music or a show—or take in Nature’s show in Le Dumont d’Urville’s relaxation lounge, watching the sea life below us through the ‘blue eyes’ and listening, thanks to the sound system. Bottlenose dolphins perhaps; turtles, leatherback, green and loggerhead; seahorses, groupers and sharks. And of course, the pleasures of a relaxing evening in your own private suite and on your balcony, taking in the long balmy twilight and sea air. An evening cocktail perhaps, or more Champagne, and then to sleep, awaking next morning on the other side of the Adriatic.
On the shores of Italy, the stunning Ravenna is revealed. Capital of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the city of Emilia-Romagna recounts its age-old history between the Romanband Byzantine cultures through its incredible ancient mosaics.
The grandest of finales, our sleek luxury yacht will enter Venice the Serenissima via its lagoon. We are timed to be here for the 61st edition of the most prestigious and oldest-running art biennial, showpiece of art from around the world. We shall be free to take our own line to explore the pavilions and the riot of art which throngs the city—and we shall benefit in particular from private views of the Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana, accompanied by our Pinault Collection art experts.
We shall have two glorious nights in Venice aboard Le Dumont d’Urville, to appreciate the Biennale and also explore Venice at our leisure: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges Palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas, the small interlacing streets, canals and squares all await us during this awe-inspiring event, which will undoubtedly live in the memory for ever.
BOOK THIS AMAZING CRUISE AT YOUR EXCLUSIVE CLUB RATES

Don’t miss your exclusive advantageous Club rates, currently starting at £4597 per person (two sharing) instead of the full price of £5070 for the cruise only.

¶ Click here to view all Ponant Cruises, remembering that the rates shown are prior to your CountryClubuk savings!

To check the CountryClubuk savings, follow the link below to tell us your chosen cruise—or call the Member Services team on 020 7399 2960 for independent advice and exclusive Members’ rates.