Ponant Partners with Kering for Luxury Cruise Featuring Gucci and Bottega Veneta Workshops

From September 8 to 18, 2027, Ponant Explorations will offer a unique luxury cruise designed to immerse travelers in the heart of Italian craftsmanship and heritage. The voyage, titled "All aboard for Italian luxury," will take place on the ship Le Boréal, sailing from Livorno to Venice. The itinerary includes calls at significant locations such as Florence, the island of Elba, Taormina, Sorrento, and the Venetian lagoon, providing a comprehensive tour of Italy's diverse regions and cultural centers.

This exclusive experience is built around a collaboration between Ponant Explorations (a component of Artémis, owned by the Pinault family) and five prestigious Italian luxury houses under the Kering group umbrella: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Pomellato, and Ginori 1735. The cruise aims to provide participants with unparalleled access to these brands' heritage treasures. Guests will discover the intricacies of craftsmanship through workshops, live demonstrations by professionals, and in-depth discussions, with prices starting at €11,930 per person.

The journey begins in Florence, where travelers will gain exclusive access to Kering's flagship brand, Gucci. The house will open its extensive archives and the doors of Palazzo Gucci, allowing guests to explore pieces that chronicle the brand’s history and its longstanding relationship with travel. This immersive experience will be further enhanced by an exhibition on board Le Boréal, which will showcase various objects and documents related to the brand's legacy.

As the cruise reaches Venice, Bottega Veneta will offer guests a detailed exploration of its world. An itinerary linking locations historically significant to the house will culminate in a unique demonstration in a Venetian palazzo. Here, visitors will observe the crafting process of luxury leather goods, including the brand’s iconic Intrecciato weave, and participate in a discussion explaining the essential steps involved in accessory design.

Throughout the voyage, other Kering houses will present their expertise. Brioni will demonstrate the meticulous process of master tailoring, from fabric selection and cutting to the assembly of a garment. This session will reveal the logic behind each movement and decision required to create fine clothing. Pomellato will focus on gemstone selection, guiding participants through evaluation criteria and demonstrating how colors, volumes, and settings work together to define a piece before it is manufactured. Ginori 1735 will open its Florentine manufactory, offering visitors a firsthand look at the creation of porcelain, from shaping to decoration, along with a practical painting techniques workshop. A dedicated pop-up café will complete the Ginori experience.

Beyond the luxury house visits, the cruise itinerary incorporates stopovers in northern and southern Italy designed to link local traditions with the themes of craftsmanship, place, and creativity. Travelers will have opportunities to explore historic centers, discover museums, visit wine estates, and see locations such as the island of Elba, Otranto, and Taormina. The on-board dining will reflect the regions visited, focusing on authentic, regionally inspired cuisine rather than spectacle. Optional pre- or post-cruise programs are available for deeper exploration around Florence, Chianti, or Verona, catering to individual interests.

Ultimately, this voyage serves a strategic purpose for the Pinault family by fostering collaboration and generating new dynamics between the diverse assets under their ownership, seamlessly blending the travel and luxury sectors into a singular, integrated experience.