Today sees the opening of sales for Arctic 2021 cruises aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, a truly exceptional luxury polar exploration vessel.
Le Commandant-Charcot, a hybrid electric ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), will be the first to bring guests to the Geographic North Pole at 90 ° latitude north, in unrivalled conditions of comfort.
Le Commandant-Charcot, designed for ultimate polar exploration
The Geographic North Pole, the eastern coast of Greenland, the Northwest Passage, the Ross Sea, the Charcot and Peter I islands… Aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, guests will experience brand new itineraries in regions usually inaccessible to classically-designed ships because of the ice floe. Innovative routing software makes it possible to slip through the naturally created channels in the ice, while the ship’s powerful engines allow it to free itself, if necessary, from denser sea ice.
This formidable exploration vessel will take guests to the most southern and northern latitudes of the planet to live adventures of a lifetime in unrivalled comfort.
First luxury polar exploration vessel equipped with the latest innovations in environmental protection
Designed to be a new type of cruise ship, it incorporates all the latest innovations in environmental protection, making PONANT a model of excellence in responsible tourism. With its hybrid propulsion combining liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric generators, Le Commandant-Charcot has been designed to minimise its environmental impact. It will also host a scientific research laboratory equipped to study the ecosystems and the biodiversity of these polar settings in perpetual change.
In fact, Le Commandant-Charcot is the first exploration vessel to surpass the ecological standards set out in international regulations.
Brand new itineraries following in the footsteps of the great explorers
A polar exploration ship, with PC2 Polar Class certification, Le Commandant-Charcot will be able to reach the Geographic North Pole and remote parts of Antarctica such as the Ross Sea, or the Charcot and Peter I islands, among other exceptional destinations.
Arctic 2021 Itinerary Examples:
Inaugural Cruise: “In the Wake of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot” Expedition
Join Le Commandant-Charcot for an unforgettable voyage that follows in the wake of famous French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot. Commencing in Le Havre, France, this 14 night inaugural Arctic voyage will take adventurous travellers to explore the far reaches of the Alftanes Peninsular of Iceland and the ice floes of western Greenland, including the majestic Blosseville Coast and Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord network.
From Le Havre, France to Reykjavic, Iceland
From 31 May to 14 June 2021 – 15 days / 14 nights
From AUD 23,770 per person* in a Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
The “Geographic North Pole” Expedition
Lying at a latitude of 90° North, the geographic pole is a mythical point covered by ice floe all year round, 700 km from any emerged land. Leaving from Spitsbergen, this expedition explores sumptuous landscapes that are constantly changing according to the movements of the ice. The luminosity of the polar light lends itself perfectly to the observation of fauna, which is particularly rich at this time of year.
Le Commandant-Charcot will then start to move through the pack ice in the direction of the Holy Grail of all polar explorers: The North Pole.
From Reykjavik, Iceland to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
From 8 to 23 August 2021 – 16 days / 15 nights
From AUD 36,760 per person* in a Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
“Discovering the Northeast Greenland National Park” Expedition, in partnership with National Geographic Expeditions
Le Commandant-Charcot will sail along one of the least accessible regions in the Far North: the north-east coast of Greenland. In these extreme latitudes, nature is equally as extreme. The itinerary of this expedition offers guests a unique experience in the heart of the Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: here, there is no trace of human life, just nordic landscapes as far as the eye can see and magically coloured glaciers. In the early summer, the ice floe breaks up, letting animals get closer to the coastlines: these are optimal conditions for observing the exceptional Arctic fauna.
From Reykjavik, Iceland to Reykjavik, Iceland
From 24 June to 6 July 2021, 13 days / 12 nights
From AUD 24,900 per person* in a Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
* Prices are per person including Ponant bonus, in Australian dollars, based on a double occupancy, including port taxes, yield managed, correct at time of writing – 13/06/2019. As prices are based on Ponant Bonus fares, and are yield managed, these prices are likely to decrease over time or no longer apply, according to availability and at any moment without prior notice. Photo credits: © PONANT Nicolas Dubreuil, Servane Roy-Berton, SDI Stirling Design International
Information & Reservations
Sales opening for Arctic 2021 expeditions on Le Commandant-Charcot are open now. Visit https://au.ponant.com/cruises/LE-COMMANDANT-CHARCOT for more itineraries and pricing.
Antarctic 2021-2022 expeditions will open for sale in December 2019. Pre-booking is available now and is highly recommended. Any pre-booking request for Le Commandant-Charcot requires a deposit of AUD 400 (including taxes) per person.
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