Greece
Island houses, a boat for the day, and dinners by the water.
Ponant · Le Bougainville
Le Bougainville: Greek islands in summer with Ponant's kids' club
A small French ship, a summer children's programme and harbours only yachts can use.
- Duration
- 7 nights
- Region
- Greek Islands
- Ship
- Le Bougainville
- Guide price
- From £4,500 pp
- Best for
- Families · Three generations
Planning figure per person for the cruise itself. Final price depends on sailing date, suite and availability; flights, hotels and transfers are added in your proposal.
A seven-night Ponant cruise on Le Bougainville around the Cyclades and Dodecanese on a summer departure with a children's club, for families who want a small ship without leaving the children behind.
Most small luxury ships are quietly adult. Ponant is the exception in summer, when selected Mediterranean departures run a children's club, and that makes it possible to have the yacht-sized Greek island cruise with the children aboard. Le Bougainville carries under 200 guests and slips into harbours like Patmos and Symi that larger ships pass by.
The food is French and very good, the service is bilingual, and the atmosphere is relaxed European. Families who summer in France will feel at home.
Why we like it
- Children's club on selected summer departures
- Under 200 guests; harbours the big ships cannot use
- Overnight calls on some islands
- French food and a relaxed European atmosphere
- A marina platform for swimming at anchor
The ship
Le Bougainville is one of Ponant's Explorer-class ships, carrying around 180 guests in staterooms and suites with balconies, with an underwater lounge, a stern marina and a small pool. The atmosphere is elegant and relaxed, with French and English service.
Cabins we'd recommend
- Two Deluxe staterooms side by side on Deck 4 or 5
- A Prestige suite for grandparents
- Connecting cabins are limited; ask early
What the fare includes with Ponant
- Dining and drinks
- Wi-Fi
- Expedition activities on expedition sailings
- Children's club on selected summer sailings
Everything else, flights, hotels before and after, transfers and private days ashore, we add around it. More on Ponant →
Like the look of this?
We'll tell you whether it's actually right for your party, and build the flights, hotels, transfers and extras around it.
Ask us about this cruise →No obligation. A specialist replies personally.
Who it's for
- Families with children aged four and up who want a small ship
- Francophile families
- Grandparents and grandchildren together on an adventurous week
- Travellers who want small harbours and overnights
Who it isn't for
- Anyone who wants large suites and many restaurants
- Travellers who will find bilingual announcements irritating
- Groups needing many connecting cabins
Sample itinerary
Day by day
A representative itinerary. Ports and order vary by sailing date; we confirm the exact itinerary in your proposal.
- Day 1
Athens
A hotel night in Athens, the Acropolis early with a private guide.
- Day 2
Board in Piraeus
Embark and sail for the Cyclades.
- Day 3
Paros or Naxos
Beaches, a village walk, and the kids' club's first afternoon.
- Day 4
Santorini
Anchored in the caldera; Oia at dusk after the day boats go.
- Day 5
Patmos
A tiny harbour, the monastery of St John, swimming from the marina.
- Day 6
Symi
The neoclassical harbour and a boat to a quiet bay.
- Day 7
Mykonos
Windmills and the old port in the evening.
- Day 8
At sea or Hydra
Hydra on some departures, car-free and lovely for children.
- Day 9
Athens
Disembark and fly home or stay on.
What we'd add
The voyage is only part of the trip.
- Flights to Athens
- Athens hotel nights with a family guide
- Private transfers
- Private boat trips for the family in Symi or Paros
- Confirmation that the kids' club runs on your departure
Like the look of this?
We'll tell you whether it's actually right for your party, and build the flights, hotels, transfers and extras around it.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Which Ponant departures have the kids' club?
Selected sailings in the main summer holidays. We confirm the specific departure carries it before recommending it to a family.
Land & sea
Before and after the ship
Embarkation and disembarkation nights are part of the same plan. These are the places we would build around this Greek Islands sailing.
Also consider
Similar sailings
Explora I: a Western Mediterranean week for three generations
Barcelona to Rome with connecting suites, a real kids' programme and nobody dressing for dinner.
Evrima: the Riviera and Corsica on a Ritz-Carlton yacht
Nice to Rome by yacht, with a marina off the stern and a children's programme that makes it work for families.
Seven Seas Grandeur: Greek islands with everything included
Athens round trip with excursions, drinks, speciality dining and flights in the fare.