Ponant has announced a major expansion of its French Polynesia cruise programme for 2026, adding new luxury expeditions to remote island groups. The cruise line will deploy two vessels from Papeete, including the Paul Gauguin and Le Jacques Cartier, offering longer discovery voyages to the Marquesas, Austral, Tuamotu, and Gambier Islands. Officials say the expansion targets demand for immersive, low-impact exploration in the South Pacific.