Wake up aboard your Ponant Explorer Series yacht, Le Bellot – noted for its innovative "green" technology and exemplary service – in a stateroom custom-made for your cruising comfort with a host of sophisticated amenities …. sink-in-soft luxury bedding, fully stocked minibar, pampering French toiletries, and a private balcony. Breakfast tempts… enjoyed à la carte in your room, on deck in the open air or in our elegant gourmet restaurant with a decidedly French twist… from croissants and café as you like it to a buffet of freshly prepared delights. After breakfast, you may venture off the ship for a morning of guided sightseeing ashore on a choice of included excursions, or indulge in the ship's many onboard pleasures. If the spa calls, you can sign up for a massage, a steam bath, aromatherapy treatment or a facial for that "good life glow." Or exercise your options in the fitness center. Lunch as you choose… in the more formal setting of Le Restaurant Gastronomique, or perhaps staying ashore to sample the local fare in today's port of call. Beverages, from soft drinks to house wine and spirits, complement your mood and are always complimentary aboard ship. Afternoon invites more exploration ashore… or relaxation onboard, whether it's lounging at the pool, cuddling up with a good book, attending an insightful lecture by an onboard expert, or enjoying a cocktail with a friend or two in Ponant's groundbreaking Blue Eye underwater lounge – located beneath the water line – that allows you to see, hear and virtually feel marine life in the deep sea! Tonight, dine with new friends in your choice of restaurant, or sneak away for a romantic dinner, candlelit, out on deck. Nighttime brings out the stars – be they in the sky above, or onstage in Le Théâtre. And when it's time to turn in, your bed will be turned down… often with a sweet treat on your pillow. You'll close your eyes and sleep to the rhythm of the seas, enjoying the reverie that's inherent on every Tauck cruise aboard Ponant's new, elegant Explorer Series ship, Le Bellot.

Blue Eye Lounge
Aquatic wildlife... underwater... on the outside looking in...
Exclusive to our Explorer-Series small ships, Le Bellot, Le Lapérouse, Le Dumont d'Urville and Le Champlain, The Blue Eye lounge is the world's first multi-sensory, underwater lounge. The space's graphical references evoke cetaceans and jellyfish – and inspiration is evident in the lines of the lounge, the positioning of the body, the furniture and the fittings. All focus is drawn towards the two portholes, shaped like the eye of a cetacean and looking out upon the subaquatic world. The lighting in the lounge is developed through touches, disseminated in the space, allowing the spirit and the gaze to dive into the spectacle unfolding outside. The mural décor disappears to make way for the integrated digital screens projecting the images filmed live by three underwater cameras. Placed at the ship's strategic points, these cameras enable guests to witness, for example, the spectacle of dolphins playing in the bow waves. 

Le Bellot
From Ponant's new Explorer Series...
Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, life aboard ship evokes a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Access is just the beginning...
Gateway to adventure!
A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides easy boarding… easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for shore excursions… and easier access to the sea for swimming and various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding.
                                              

                                    

The Tauck Difference

We're a company, and a family, of passionate travelers. As a family-owned travel company for nearly a century, our values and vision remain true: always do the right thing. Deliver more than what's expected. With journeys across 7 continents, in over 100 destinations and to 70+ countries, we keep moving forward to find new ways to enhance travel experiences that will be memorable for a lifetime - and we're honored to have the trust and guest satisfaction to be voted to Travel + Leisure® World's Best Awards for 28 consecutive years. We invite you to see the world as you've never seen it before.

Unique, Exclusive Access

Unique and exclusive access create a journey unlike any other. It's not just about the places you visit – it's how you experience them. With Tauck you'll see the world differently thanks to our exclusive access in destinations the world over. Authentic experiences that provide special access to hidden gems and must-see sights – at times of day when the crowds have gone. Go behind the scenes to take you into places not accessible to the public. Show you the world differently than you could see it on your own. And astonish you along the way.

Closer Connections

The best travels bring the right kind of connections, with locals who share their daily lives along with cultural insights, secrets of nature, stories of the past that define the present, and special skills – and a journey becomes both enriching and everlasting. The most memorable trips aren't just about the grand sights you see. They're also about the little experiences you have along the way, those personal encounters and unexpected moments that make your visits – and your memories – extraordinary.

Guided by the Best

Personal, caring service is the hallmark of our Tauck Directors and our handpicked local guides. Together, they provide an enriching, truly authentic travel experience. Our Tauck Directors come from 41 countries and collectively speak a total of 52 languages. Their expertise in local culture, customs, and traditions allows them to show you the world in ways you couldn't experience on your own… making the difference between a trip, and the trip of a lifetime.

Travel Confidently

Just book your trip, pack, and go. Leave your worries behind as you experience an effortless vacation with peace of mind, as we take care of all the details from start to finish. Your journey comes with Tauck's comprehensive, built-in support system a century in the making. It begins with the care and local knowledge of our Tauck Directors and local guides. and extends to our network of incredible travel partners around the world. Our experienced Global Response Team stands ready to spring into action to respond to situations as they unfold. We manage the unexpected – big and small – so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Supporting a thriving world

For over six decades, we have been committed to making a positive impact – environmentally, socially and economically – in the places we travel to. At Tauck, we center our commitment to creating a thriving world on three key pillars: People, Places, and Planet. By focusing on these areas, we strive to contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all, ensuring a healthy planet – and meaningful connections for travelers and local residents in the places we visit.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to inspire and enable sustainable travel experiences that protect our planet, preserve cultural heritage, and support local communities. We are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint, supporting local economies, and fostering meaningful connections between travelers and the destinations they visit. Through mindful and responsible practices and partnerships, we aim to create a positive impact that ensures future generations can enjoy and appreciate the beauty and diversity of our world.

Our Partners

Our itineraries are woven into the very fabric of places where we travel. We partner with a wide range of businesses, from family-owned enterprises to larger companies, creating jobs and enhancing the economic health and vitality of these destinations.

Operating Sustainably

Operating sustainably is crucial for long-term success and positive impact. By prioritizing environmental, social, and economic sustainability, we can reduce our carbon footprint, conserve natural resources, and support local communities. Sustainable practices foster innovation, improve efficiency, and align with environmentally-conscious guests. Moreover, they ensure compliance with regulations and mitigate risks associated with climate change. Ultimately, sustainability drives resilience, enabling us to thrive while contributing to a healthier planet.

History

Tauck has invested in more than 80 national parks, monuments and destinations the world over to better protect our planet – and preserve natural, historical and cultural destinations for generations to come. Destination grants include Mesa Verde, Grand Teton National Park Foundation, Civil War Trust, National Civil Rights Museum, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Jasper National Park, and Friends of Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris), Grand Pré National Historic Site (Nova Scotia), and Wilderness Safari Camps (Africa).  
 
Going hand-in-hand with destination grants is our commitment to encourage and actively participate in volunteerism. Our commitment to destination preservation can be traced back to Arthur Tauck Jr's quiet donation to preserve the bell tower of the old North Church in Boston – a landmark visited by Tauck's very first guests in 1925 and countless thousands hence.   
 
These efforts include Tauck's on-tour national park guest volunteer program that won a "Preserve America" presidential award. Additionally, hundreds of Tauck employees have participated in annual volunteer days in places like Valley Forge, Harper's Ferry, The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ellis island, Gettysburg National Military Park and more.