Tauck ventures into small ship cruising with Ponant vessels

• Tauck has announced two new voyages onboard Ponant ships.
• One voyage takes in Japan and Korea as well as the Arctic.
• The journeys are priced from $22,000 and include five-star hotel stays and more.

Tauck, known for its river and land journeys, will be delving into small ship cruising, with the company launching two new itineraries in 2026. The company will be chartering two Ponant ships for the cruises.

The two additional voyages are called Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea and Arctic Days & Northern Lights, venturing into Asia as well as Northern Europe.

Sakura Seas: Japan and Korea

It’s Tauck’s first foray featuring Seoul and will introduce guests to the history and culture of Japan and South Korea. 

The 14-day itinerary (from $24,990 AUD per person, double occupancy, plus airfare) begins in Seoul, South Korea’s dynamic capital, where an initial three-night stay offers guests a choice of three hotel options, including the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Conrad Seoul, or Four Seasons Seoul. 

There will be visits to landmark sites in and around Seoul, including the 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Korean War Memorial Museum. They’ll also explore traditional Hanok village homes, shop in a vibrant local market, and enjoy free time to explore as they please. Guests then travel by high-speed bullet train to Busan, where they’ll tour the city before embarking Ponant’s elegant 184-passenger Le Soléal. 

The eight-night cruise begins with a choice of activities in the fishing port of Sakaiminato, before visiting Hagi to discover samurai-era homes, castle ruins, and the city’s renowned pottery. In Beppu, options include relaxing in hot springs, visiting scenic geothermal sites, or touring the historic Usuki Castletown. Uwajima follows with excursions to a pearl farm or a traditional garden with a calligraphy demonstration and tea ceremony. 

Le Soléal continues to Miyajima Island, where guests will see the iconic floating torii, then to Hiroshima for visits to the Peace Memorial and Atomic Bomb Museum. After docking in Tamano, guests can enjoy a cycling excursion through town, explore art on Naoshima Island, sample craft beer, or travel to Kurashiki to enjoy a walking tour. In Kobe, options include a local city tour or an overland excursion to Kyoto’s famous temples. Guests next disembark in Osaka before enjoying two nights at a choice of hotels in Tokyo, complete with guided city sightseeing including visits to the Meiji Shrine and Edo Museum, and a farewell dinner with a sumo wrestling demonstration.

Tauck will offer three departures of the Sakura Seas itinerary next year, with two eastbound (Seoul-to-Tokyo) trips departing on April 10 and 26, and a westbound Tokyo-to-Seoul departure on April 19. Included in Tauck’s price are all shore excursions, all gratuities, onboard beverages (adult and otherwise), airport transfers, all taxes and fees, and more.

Arctic Days & Northern Lights

Set against the stunning backdrop of northern Norway’s Arctic landscapes, Tauck’s new Arctic Days & Northern Lights itinerary (from $22,690* AUD per person, double occupancy, plus airfare) offers a 12-day exploration of the region’s cultural and natural wonders, highlighted by prime opportunities to witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing spectacles—the Aurora Borealis. 

The cruise sets sail aboard Ponant’s Explorer-class ship Le Lapérouse, from Tromsø, Norway’s vibrant Arctic urban center, charting a course along Norway’s rugged Arctic coast. Carefully curated stops offer unique opportunities to connect with the region’s indigenous cultures, explore historic sites, and witness the celestial dance of the northern lights against the dramatic Arctic backdrop. Due to exceptional demand, all 2026 sailings of Arctic Days & Northern Lights are already sold out, with a waitlist available for interested travelers.