Berlin
Ostend
Cruising At Sea
Antwerp
Copenhagen
Warnemünde
Amsterdam
Kiel Canal
Dunkerque
London
Overview
From Copenhagen, Le Champlain sails south to the northern coast of Germany, where you spend the first two days of your voyage in the Baltic seaports of Warnemünde and Wismar. This is the heart of the area once dominated by the Hanseatic League, and you may tour a number of towns—Lübeck, Rostock, and Wismar itself—whose well-preserved Old Towns (two of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites) speak to the wealth produced by the League's monopoly of trade.
The third day of cruising is spent navigating the 61-mile-long Kiel Canal, which cuts across the Jutland Peninsula and connects the Baltic Sea to the North Sea. Two hundred and fifty nautical miles are saved by using the canal instead of sailing around the peninsula.
Harlingen is your first port of call in the country of The Netherlands, 25% of which has been reclaimed from the sea via terps, dikes, windmills, and lake-draining. One of the most ambitious of these reclamation projects is the Woudagemaal steam-powered pumping station—built in the 1920s, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and still in operation. Here you will learn about an early version of water management technology that will become increasingly important as sea levels around the world rise.
As the official capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam is home to a Royal Palace that hosts state visits and official receptions. A guided visit to the Palace will focus on its role in international politics and cultural exchange, but you will also be drawn to the elegance of its architecture and to artworks that recall the splendor of the Dutch Golden Age. A second possibility for your time in Amsterdam is a tour of the Dutch Resistance Museum, chronicling the hard work and heroism of the Dutch struggle against totalitarian rule during World War II. Alternatively, choose to enjoy a cruise through Amsterdam’s famous canals, or visit the world renowned Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum.
The Hague, which is home to the Dutch Parliament and the residence of the royal family, is also home to the International Court of Justice, housed within the Peace Palace, which you may explore on a guided tour. Or you may travel to nearby Rotterdam Harbor to see a floating dairy farm, that is both a demonstration of the practicability of sustainable farming in an intensely urban environment and a vision of the future. A third option for the day is to visit the 18th-century windmills at Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site and another example of Dutch mastery of the art and science of water management.
Antwerp is your gateway to Brussels and to a choice of tours of two institutions crucial to and depicting the history of the security of Europe and of the broader Atlantic world. A visit to the European Parliament, the legislative branch of the European Union, will introduce you to its work seeking to advance the common interests of its 27 member countries. Or you may prefer a guided tour through the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, a collection spanning more than 10 centuries of military and technological history. Alternatively, stay in Antwerp and explore the city’s historic Diamond District.
From the Belgian port of Ostend, enjoy a walking tour of the exquisitely preserved medieval town of Bruges. Two other possible excursions focus on sustainability—one on the promise of wind power at the North Sea Offshore experience; the other a visit to Agrotopia, a state-of-the-art urban farm in the town of Roeselare. Alternatively, you may travel to nearby Raversyde, home to the remnants of the Atlantic Wall, a massive network of bunkers and tunnels built by the Germans and used in both World Wars.
Dunkirk offers a choice of museums with displays on various aspects of the city's World War II history. The Dunkirk Museum focuses on Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Allied Troops in 1940, while the Blockhaus d'Éperlecques and La Coupole tell the story of German military installations during the Occupation.
On the final day of the voyage, Le Champlain sails from Dunkirk at midday, across the English Channel and up the Thames River, reaching London Bridge late in the evening, where the ship remains docked overnight before disembarkation in London the next day.
Cruise Itinerary
Copenhagen captivates with its blend of royal history and modern Scandinavian cool. Visit the 17th-century Rosenborg Castle, home to Denmark’s crown jewels, or stroll through the picturesque Nyhavn harbor with its colorful townhouses and lively cafés.
The iconic Little Mermaid statue sits serenely by the waterfront, while Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, offers charming rides and lush gardens in the heart of the city. Your ship will dock at the Port of Copenhagen, which is a 30 minute drive to Copenhagen Airport and a 15 minute drive into the city centre.
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.
This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Located at the estuary of the Warnow river, Warnemunde is a highly popular German seaside resort on the Baltic Sea. This 12th-century fishing village became a port of crucial importance to the economy of the Hanseatic City of Rostock in the 14th century. Today, the old fishermen’s houses have become shops and cafés, and beautiful mansions line the promenade.
You will also be able to discover Rostock, where the city-centre architecture and the ramparts, built of bricks from Brandenburg, are a reminder of the city’s position in the Hanseatic League. Succumb to the charms of the merchant houses around New Market Square or of Saint Mary’s Church and its astronomical clock.
One of the prettiest towns along the Baltic Coast, Wismar's gabled facades and cobbled streets make this small city look essentially Hanseatic. The city has one of the finest preserved and restored treasuries of German Brick Gothic architecture, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ships will dock at this port.
Top Things to Do in Wismar:
- stroll through the UNESCO listed old town
- visit the nearby city of Lübeck
- journey to Berlin and visit the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate & the Reichstag Building
- explore the city of Hamburg
Connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, the Kiel Canal is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Slicing a man-made path through the German countryside, this 61-mile-long marvel of engineering allows vessels to avoid 250 nautical miles of sea sailing on average, ensuring a faster and safer passage through Europe.
The leisurely transit takes roughly 8 hours and you will cruise past waterfowl in the marshes, as well as cows, sheep and bike riders along the banks. You’ll witness the small freight ships and pleasure craft that share the waters of the world’s busiest man-made waterway.
Lying at the mouth of the Harinxma canal in the Frise province of the Netherlands, Harlingen has always had a very close relationship with the sea. Once a whale fishing centre and today a port specialised in shrimp fishing, its dynamism has transformed it into a modern city which also offers travellers museums and sites of interest. The local museum, the Hannemahuis, is housed in an 18th Century dwelling and presents a collection of regional furniture and objects retracing the history of the city. The lighthouse and the city hall with their typically Dutch architecture also deserve a visit.
Amsterdam, the vibrant capital of the Netherlands, is famed for its picturesque canals and historic charm. Start your visit with a leisurely canal cruise, offering a unique perspective of the city's stunning 17th-century architecture. The Anne Frank House, located on Prinsengracht, provides a poignant glimpse into history, making it a must-see landmark.
Wander through the Museum Quarter, home to the renowned Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum. For a local experience, explore the lively Jordaan district, filled with boutique shops, cozy cafes, and art galleries. Don't forget to stop by the Albert Cuyp Market, where you can sample Dutch treats like stroopwafels and fresh herring, immersing yourself in Amsterdam's vibrant culinary scene.
Scheveningen, a former small fishing village, is the seaside resort of La Hague, which is the seat of the government of the Netherlands and official residence of its king, and also called the “legal capital of the world”. Only a 20-minute tram ride from the city centre, Scheveningen has a holiday feel, with its long fine sandy beach, its kitesurf boards and its windsurf boards. On the promenade that runs along the sea, you will admire the Grand Hôtel Amrâth Kurhaus, a jewel from the baroque era, as well as the De Pier, a 382-metre (1,250-foot) long pier — one of the longest in the world — as well as many trendy restaurants.
Antwerp is a stylish and sophisticated city filled with monumental reminders of its prosperous medieval and Renaissance past. It is renowned for being the 'world's leading diamond city' and for its beautifully preserved Gothic and Baroque architecture. Small ships will dock at Willemdok or Kattendijkook piers, while large ships will dock at Wandelteras Zuid cruise terminal.
Top Things to Do in Antwerp:
- visit the Rubens House Museum
- tour the Cathedral of Our Lady
- explore nearby Ghent or Brussels
- tour Fort Breendonk, a Nazi SS transit camp
Located on the Flemish coastline, the elegant city of Ostend, or Oostende, is a favourite summer destination for Belgians due to its stretch of fine white sand named the 'queen of beaches.' Ostend is also a gateway port for the nearby cities of Brussels and Bruges. Ships will dock at the Port of Oostende.
Top Things to Do in Ostend:
- visit the Atlantic Wall Museum
- cruise around Bruges on a canal boat
- spend the day in Belgium's capital, Brussels
- tour the medieval city of Ghent
- visit Mu.ZEE, the art museumii
Well known throughout the world as the scene for Operation Dynamo in 1940, Dunkirk is one of the few places in Europe that seamlessly combines a wealth of history with fabulous boutique shops, delightful restaurants, a stunning golf course and miles of sweeping sandy beaches.
Top Things to Do in Dunkerque:
- browse a museum devoted to the Battle of Dunkirk & operation Dynamo
- visit the battle sites & Fort Des Dunes
- drive the scenic Opal Coast
- visit Lille, the capital of the French Flanders
London, a vibrant metropolis brimming with history and culture, is a must-visit destination for cruise travellers. Explore the historic Tower of London, witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, and stroll across the majestic Tower Bridge. Art enthusiasts will relish the treasures housed in the British Museum and Tate Modern.
Explore London's culinary diversity at Borough Market, where a variety of international flavors await. Be sure to visit the lively Covent Garden, renowned for its street performers and charming boutiques. From the tranquil Royal Parks to the vibrant West End theatres, London provides a captivating blend of British heritage and modern vitality.
Life Onboard Le Champlain
You will love the onboard innovations, French gastronomy and sophisticated chic when you cruise on Le Champlain. Read more
Your ocean facing accommodation provides you a well appointed luxurious home as you explore the seas. Read more
Enjoy the views as you take a dip or swim in the resistant currents of the infinity pool. Read more
The chic innovative underwater lounge offers guests a chance to view and hear marine life. Read more
Enjoy the convivial social life in the main lounge or take in a show in the theatre. Read more
The two restaurants offer exquisite French gastronomy, both with outdoor settings and Ponant's impeccable service. Read more
Availability
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Port charges, taxes and fees included.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Ponant. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Ponant. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
