Ocean Voyage: Dakar – Walvis Bay

The cruise fare includes:

• Twelve nights’ accommodation aboard Le Dumont d’Urville in the selected stateroom or suite
• Full-board dining from dinner on embarkation day until breakfast on disembarkation day
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard
• Snacks and refreshments outside standard meal times
• Open Bar, including selected water, soft drinks, wines, beers, champagne, spirits, coffee and tea
• 24-hour room service
• Selected minibar beverages
• Unlimited onboard Wi-Fi, subject to satellite coverage
• Conferences, events, shows and onboard entertainment
• Access to the ship’s lounges and public areas
• Access to the swimming pool
• Access to the fitness centre and hammam
• Butler service in selected suite categories
• Port taxes

As this is a non-stop ocean voyage, there are no intermediate shore excursions or port activities.

Unless specifically added to the confirmed booking, the following are not included:

• Flights to Dakar and from Walvis Bay
• Airport, hotel and cruise-terminal transfers
• Pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel accommodation
• Optional private arrangements in Dakar or Namibia
• Premium alcoholic beverages identified separately on the onboard menu
• Spa treatments, massages, beauty treatments and hairdressing
• Laundry and ironing services
• Private fitness sessions
• Medical consultations, medication and treatment onboard
• Travel insurance
• Passport, visa and entry-formality costs
• Boutique purchases, professional photographs and personal expenses
• Discretionary gratuities
• Any service not expressly identified as included in the confirmed booking

Embarkation in Dakar

The cruise departs from the Port of Dakar, Senegal.

Emirates operates direct services between Dubai International Airport and Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport. Published flight duration is approximately 10 hours 40 minutes, although the total elapsed time shown for individual services may vary.

Guests travelling from the UAE should arrive in Dakar at least one day before embarkation, preferably on 24 November 2026. This provides additional time for flight disruption, immigration, luggage collection and the transfer to the port.

Blaise Diagne International Airport is approximately 54–61 kilometres from the Port of Dakar. Allow around 45–75 minutes by private car, depending on traffic.

Disembarkation in Walvis Bay

The voyage concludes at Walvis Bay, Namibia, on 7 December 2026.

Walvis Bay International Airport is approximately 15–16 kilometres from the harbour town. A private transfer generally takes around 15–25 minutes, depending on the cruise berth and traffic.

There are no nonstop flights between Walvis Bay and Dubai.

The most practical routes generally involve:

• An Airlink flight from Walvis Bay to Johannesburg, followed by an Emirates flight to Dubai; or
• An Airlink flight from Walvis Bay to Cape Town, followed by an Emirates flight to Dubai

The direct Johannesburg–Dubai sector takes approximately eight hours. The direct Cape Town–Dubai sector takes approximately nine hours 20–25 minutes.

Allow sufficient connecting time, especially when travelling on separately issued tickets. Flight schedules and operating days must be checked for the actual travel date before ticketing.

Accommodation

Guests spend twelve nights aboard Le Dumont d’Urville, one of the intimate PONANT Explorers vessels.

The ship accommodates:

• A maximum of 184 guests
• 92 staterooms and suites
• Approximately 118 crew members

Accommodation categories include:

• Lower Deck Balcony Stateroom – 19 m²
• Upper Deck Balcony Stateroom – 19 m²
• Deluxe Suite – 27 m²
• Prestige Suite – 38 m²
• Privilege Suite – 32 m²
• Grand Suite – 45 m²
• Owner’s Suite – 45 m²

Butler service is available in selected suite categories.

Dining

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout the voyage.

Dining aboard Le Dumont d’Urville reflects PONANT’s French culinary identity, with refined menus and attentive table service. The onboard package also includes:

• Snacks and refreshments
• Selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Selected minibar drinks
• 24-hour room service
• Dietary arrangements requested in advance

Guests should communicate food allergies and dietary requirements when booking and reconfirm them before departure.

For a non-stop Atlantic voyage between Senegal and Namibia, bring:

• Lightweight and breathable daytime clothing
• Comfortable casual clothing for days at sea
• Long trousers and layered tops
• A light sweater or fleece for air-conditioned areas
• A waterproof or wind-resistant jacket
• Comfortable non-slip shoes for walking around the ship
• Swimwear
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• High-protection sunscreen
• Smart-casual clothing for evenings
• An elegant outfit for the Captain’s reception or gala evening
• Camera or binoculars for ocean observation
• Books, an e-reader or other personal entertainment
• Personal toiletries
• Sufficient prescription medication in hand luggage
• Passport, travel insurance and relevant medical documentation

Walvis Bay can be cool and windy because of the cold Benguela Current, so a warm layer is recommended even though the voyage begins in a warmer climate.

No specialist landing or expedition footwear is expected because the voyage has no intermediate shore visits. Final packing instructions issued by PONANT should always take precedence.