Group rates are held through July 30, 2026 · Request your cabin
The Ovary Doc Academy presents

Menopause
at Sea

A continuing professional development program devoted entirely to mature women's health — ten academic sessions aboard a luxury expedition ship, threaded between eight stopovers in the Lesser Antilles.

A palm-framed sunset over Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia
8 days
7 nights
10 sessions
SailingFeb 24 – Mar 3, 2027
EmbarkationVieux Fort, St. Lucia
VesselLe Bougainville, Ponant
Group size20–40 participants

Whether you're new in practice meeting the menopause renaissance head-on, or a pre-WHI-era veteran of the field, this program is built to send you home with an updated knowledge base and practical clinical pearls.

This educational event takes place aboard a luxury cruise ship, where academic sessions are presented by experts in a small-group setting — built for individualized learning, plenty of time for questions, case studies, and discussion. Just as important: ample room to mingle with like-minded colleagues and friends, and to enjoy the amenities, activities, and excursions on offer, spoiled with first-class accommodations and cuisine along the way.

All sessions take place while at sea, so every port-of-call is free for excursions, watersports, and sightseeing.

I am truly in my happy place when diving into scientific rabbit holes to explore medical uncertainties and clarify menopausal mythology.

Dr Nathalie Gamache — Program Director
Destinations & dates

Eight days, seven nights, eight ports.

The maiden voyage sails the Lesser Antilles round-trip from Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. Arrive by February 23rd for a smooth transition from air to sea — pre- and post-cruise extensions are available for anyone who'd like to linger.

DAY 1Vieux FortSt. Lucia — embark
DAY 2SoufrièreSt. Lucia
DAY 3Pigeon Island BeachSaint Lucia
DAY 4Port ElizabethSt. Vincent & the Grenadines
DAY 5Mayreau / Tobago CaysSt. Vincent & the Grenadines
DAY 6PortsmouthDominica
DAY 7Les SaintesGuadeloupe
DAY 8Vieux FortSt. Lucia — disembark
7Nights aboard
8Unique stopovers
1Round-trip — Vieux Fort, St. Lucia
Meet your crew

Two decades of menopause medicine, one crazy dream.

Organized by physicians, for their colleagues who care for mature women — with a travel team that has spent months turning the idea into an itinerary.

Dr Nathalie Gamache
Program director / organizer / speaker

Dr Nathalie Gamache

Gynecologist, menopause specialist & educator

Over ten years of formal training and two decades of clinical experience focused on peri/menopause.

Dr Dedeshya Holowenko
Speaker

Dr Dedeshya Holowenko

Family physician, menopause specialist & health advocate

Nearly 30 years in family and ER medicine, now focused on menopausal care and women's executive health.

Jenny Revesz Travel coordinator

Jenny Revesz

Travel agent, Personal Travel Management

Forty years in travel, with a focus on expedition cruising, Australia and the South Pacific, Africa, and custom journeys. Your single point of contact for all things travel.

Kathi Sirrs Co-organizer / onsite coordinator

Kathi Sirrs

Retired teacher

A 30-year-plus teaching career behind her and an insatiable appetite for learning ahead — kayaking trips from Haida Gwaii to Norway, and now onsite coordination for this voyage.

Explore the educational program

Ten sessions, ovaries to outcomes.

10Academic sessions, from ovarian biology to complex menopause care
20–40Participants, kept small for individualized learning
10+Hours of CPD credit under accreditation review
Ponant expedition ship Le Bougainville sailing at sea
Tour the cruise ship

Le Bougainville

A boutique Ponant ship selected deliberately — a French-owned line, chosen for its destinations, its haute cuisine, and its willingness to build a program like this one around a group of 20 to 40 participants.

Over two months went into designing, negotiating, and refining this program with Ponant. A non-American company and routing were chosen deliberately, for political, ethical, and safety reasons.

92Staterooms & suites
118Crew to serve you
Staterooms & rates

Cabins held for our group.

Per person, double occupancy, in US currency (approximate CAD equivalents shown). All cabins have balconies and convert to a full bed or two singles.

CategoryDeckOccupancyRate pp (US)Approx. CADAvailable
Lower deck stateroom32$4,519$6,4174
Upper deck stateroom42$4,753$6,7504
Upper deck stateroom52$4,888$6,9414
Upper deck stateroom62$5,077$7,2104
Deluxe suite32$6,769$9,6121
Deluxe suite42$6,769$9,6121
Deluxe suite52$6,769$9,6121
Deluxe suite62$6,769$9,6121
Prestige suite52$7,264$10,3151
Prestige suite62$7,498$10,6471

Cabins are held until July 30, 2026. After that date, Ponant no longer guarantees the same fares or conditions — though space allowing, sign-ups continue. Tuition fees of $1,600 + $80 GST = $1,680 CAD are payable by e-transfer to theovarydoc2.0@gmail.com, and registration is confirmed once tuition and the cruise deposit are both received.

What's covered

Included with your stateroom.

Included

  • Your stateroom or suite
  • Port-of-call taxes & gratuities
  • $100 US on-board credit per cabin
  • All meals and snacks aboard
  • Captain's welcome cocktail & gala dinner
  • Open bar — wine, champagne, cocktails, spirits (excluding premium brands)
  • Unlimited wi-fi
  • Evening entertainment and events
  • Room service from a dedicated menu
  • Zodiac transfers for excursions
  • One included shore excursion per person, per day, where offered. Subject to availability and advanced booking.

Not included

  • Flights and transit accommodations
  • Ground transport to/from the ship
  • Travel insurance
  • Paper travel book
  • Visa fees where applicable
  • Personal expenses — shopping, medical consultations, prescriptions, premium alcohol
  • Excursions not listed as included
Payment schedule

Three deposits between now and sailing.

10%By July 30, 2026

First deposit, alongside full tuition payment.

25%By August 26, 2026

Second installment toward the cruise fare.

Full balanceBy January 23, 2027

Full balance due ahead of sailing.

Cancellation policy On or before July 30, 2026, cruise deposits and tuition are fully reimbursed with written notice to theovarydoc2.0@gmail.com and jenny@personaltravel.ca. After that date, we'll first try to fill your spot from the waitlist — if a replacement is found, the cruise portion paid is reimbursed. If not, payments become non-refundable on a rolling basis in line with Ponant's own cancellation schedule, up to 100% of the amount paid from January 24, 2027 onward. Serious medical or family emergencies after July 30 don't carry a refund, but all educational materials and recordings will still be sent to you after the voyage.
Good to know

The fine print, in plain language.

Solo travellers

One cabin is available without a solo supplement, awarded to the first participant who has paid tuition and the first deposit. A second may open up if enough cabins sell. Beyond that, the solo supplement is 100% of a second person's fare — though we'll try to pair up solo travellers who would like to share.

Adult-oriented

This program is designed for the healthcare professionals attending it. Ponant welcomes children aboard, but there is no kids' programming or sitting service, so another adult should be on hand to supervise if you're travelling with your family.

Tax deductible

As continuing professional development, expenses incurred as part of this program are tax deductible for educational and business purposes.