Madagascar to Seychelles
New Year's Luxury All-Gay Cruise 2026

10 nights from Nosy Be, Madagascar to Victoria (Mahé), Seychelles

December 28, 2026 – January 07, 2027
Ponant Cruises Le Dumont d’Urville

Celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 with your friends from Vacaya on our most extraordinary adventure yet! Ring in New Year’s 2027 with us and set sail on a journey as bold, luxurious, and unforgettable as you are, and for up to 38% less than PONANT’s rates for the same non-LGBT+ itinerary! We’re heading back to our most beloved destination ever – Seychelles – but this time, we’re upping the ante with two exhilarating twists… We start our adventure on the wildly enchanting island of Madagascar, where nature runs untamed, and magic feels real. It’s raw, it’s rare, and it’s unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Our 2026 Madagascar to Seychelles Luxury All-Gay Cruise isn’t just a trip. It’s your moment. Your escape. Your celebration of life, love, and the thrill of discovery in one of the most stunning corners of the world imaginable.

Space is limited, and we expect demand to be high. So, book early. Book boldly. And let your next great story begin right here!

Towering baobabs. Surreal landscapes. And creatures so unique they seem imagined – like the lemurs who just might be dancing in the treetops (yes, we "like to move it, move it", too). With 90% of its wildlife found nowhere else, Madagascar is a wondrous world begging to be explored.

Then, we glide across the Indian Ocean aboard the stunning Le Dumont d’Urville, and welcome 2027 beneath a sky full of stars on one of the most exquisite ships afloat. This isn’t your average New Year’s countdown. No, this is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration set against the endless blue!

And then… Seychelles. Oh, beautiful Seychelles. The destination that stole Vacayans’ hearts in 2022 returns in all its glory. Think powdery white sands, emerald mountains, secluded coves framed by giant Jurassic-era granite boulders, giant tortoises, and coral reefs that burst with life and color. It’s not just beautiful, it’s transformational – the kind of place that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

Now, here’s the kicker: VACAYA’s rates are 5% to 38% less than PONANT’s retail rates for the same journey, and yet you get so much more – VACAYA’s signature entertainment, curated social experiences, unmatched energy, a joyful, welcoming community, and spontaneous moments destined to become core life memories.

An Unmistakable Value For Holiday Luxury

VACAYA’s super yacht cruises are unapologetically exclusive – welcoming to all, of course, but built for discerning travelers seeking intimate experiences, splendid accommodations, and unparalleled comfortable service. Of course, savvy travelers recognize “value” rarely means “low price.” Instead, value is defined as getting something extraordinary for a great price. And that’s exactly what VACAYA’s 2026 Madagascar to Seychelles Cruise over New Year’s Eve 2026 delivers.

Let’s be frank… in this particular case, “value” actually does mean lower prices when compared to PONANT’s retail pricing for the same itinerary. For example, Prestige Staterooms with VACAYA are 15% less expensive and our Grand Deluxe Suites are a whopping 38% cheaper – an extraordinary value, especially when you factor in all the VACAYA extras that are layered on top of the standard 5-star PONANT experience.

Ultimately, your V Team is dedicated to providing you with the very best. That’s what drives us, journey after journey. And it’s amazing all that’s included::

• Luxury accommodations for 10 Nights aboard super yacht Le Dumont d’Urville

• All meals onboard

• Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

• Expedition Excursions

• Daily afternoon tea and pastries

• Coffee & tea throughout the day

• 24×7 Room Service

• 24×7 Stateroom Service

• 24×7 Reception Desk

• Onboard Satellite WiFi (One device at a time per person)*

• The VACAYA Touch:

- Your V Team Hosts

- Signature Entertainment

- Themed Cocktail Parties

- Social Activities

The following services are available for an additional charge:

• Non-Expedition Team-Led Shore Excursions

• Spa Treatments/Massages

• Salon Services

• Laundry

• Satellite Telephone Services

• Medical Services

*Please note that we travel to some remote areas where the limits of satellite WiFi are certainly felt. Your patience at those times is greatly appreciated. With all satellite service at sea, we will occasionally encounter limited connection and reduced bandwidth. Streaming is rarely supported.

Your Ship - Ponant's Luxury Le Dumont d’Urville

Le Dumont d’Urville, like fellow Explorer Class sisters Le Champlain, Le Bougainville, Le Jacques Cartier, Le Bellot, and Le Laperouse, epitomizes the unique feel and atmosphere of the ships of the PONANT fleet. Subtly combining luxury, intimacy, and serene well-being, the ship has been designed to offer her guests both moments of conviviality and spaces conducive to peaceful tranquility and a sense of escape and getting away from it all. Her exterior and interior lines testify to the ingeniousness and refinement with which the PONANT’s groundbreaking Explorer Class ships have been designed.

Le Dumont d’Urville was built in 2019, the fourth of six Explorer Class ships from PONANT. She’s decidedly upscale and unashamedly French, guaranteed to take your breath away.

Le Dumont-d’Urville belongs to a new generation of ships fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly, and which come equipped with lounges that are largely open to the exterior, an outdoor swimming pool and a Blue Eye, an underwater lounge.

Meet PONANT super yacht Le Dumont d’Urville…

SUPER YACHT ADVANTAGE
The upside of going on smaller vessels like the super yachts of PONANT is that you can visit seaside cities and towns that don’t have ports or harbors constructed with enormous ships in mind. This allows you to get right to the heart of the culture of your chosen destination, and you won’t find yourself hampered by all of the Duty-Free outlets that characteristically dominate the larger ports. It’s one thing to explore a busy and thriving metropolis. It’s quite another to witness the extraordinarily intimate atmosphere of a smaller port of call. On your journey with VACAYA, you’ll get to go to places big-ship cruisers can only dream of!

STATEROOMS
Elegantly-designed staterooms and spacious suites boast a warm contemporary interior design by Jean-Philippe Nuel. The designer took direct inspiration from the destinations and cultures explored during PONANT’s stopovers and then punctuated the design with beautiful ethnic touches. Every stateroom onboard boasts a lovely veranda, open minibar (replenished as needed), and unlimited WiFi access, and 24-hour room service. Select suites offer even more luxuries including butler service to tend to your every need including unpacking and repacking upon request. See pricing page for specifics.

POOL & NATURE VIEWING DECK
The ship’s heated pool offers a panoramic view of our surroundings and is equipped with a counter-current swimming system for those who wish to maintain their lap swimming regimen while on vacation (or show off your physical endurance for the entire shipboard community). This is THE spot for daytime relaxation. There’s also an outdoor bar and loungers, chairs, and sofas, perfect for our organized events and cocktail parties or simply meeting up with your friends.

3-POSITION MARINA
Imagine diving off of the ship while docked inside a tranquil cove on a warm sunny day. A fully-equipped sundeck and 3-position marina allow access to the sea for swimming and water sports. A submersible mini-port, an original and unique concept, enables direct access to the ship’s tenders, kayaks, and other watercraft. Just one more Super Yacht Advantage.

RESTAURANTS
On Deck 4 Aft, you’ll find the ship’s panoramic restaurant, which can accommodate all of us in a single sitting. This dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts, and cheeses at your disposal. And the ship’s discrete and attentive crew will provide table service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For a more relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 serves grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. And of course, complimentary room service is available to you 24×7.

BLUE EYE LOUNGE
Blue Eye is a first-of-its-kind multi-sensory underwater lounge built to transport you to the universe under the sea. The designers’ mission is to enable you to see and feel the underwater universe in a way that never ceases to amaze. Bathed in deep blue light, the lounge has windows shaped like whale eyes to bring you closer to the marine mammals you’ll see and hear behind the giant portholes. Hydrophones pipe in the natural symphony of the sea. The sofas also vibrate softly to the sounds and images of sea creatures are projected onto digital screens, creating a unique, multi-sensory experience of life underwater without getting wet!

LOUNGES & BARS
Different lounges enable guests to socialize and share moments together during their cruise. Our ship features a main lounge, an ideal place to meet over a drink and watch daytime or evening events; the panoramic lounge, an intimate bar with a unique view of the horizon; and the outdoor bar, a relaxation area with access to the pool and solarium. The main lounge can accommodate all guests for VACAYA’s social activities both day and night.

THEATER
The theatre seats 188 and is equipped with the latest sound and lighting technology. This will be the showcase venue for VACAYA’s all-star entertainment line-up. It’s also equipped with an LED wall as the backdrop, allowing for multimedia presentations and destination lectures.

WELLNESS
The Spa offers a series of luxury treatments. Choose from moisturizing facials, relaxing massages, aromatherapy baths, anti-aging treatments, and enjoy a moment of absolute relaxation. There’s a salon as well, offering hair styling, barbering, manicures, and pedicures. The spa area includes a lovely sauna that’s larger than you’d typically expect on a ship this size. With a window facing the outdoors and long curvy benches, it’s an enticing retreat after an active expedition. The Fitness Center, boasting picture-perfect views of the open sea, features the latest Technogym machines including a Kinesis Wall..