Le Commandant Charcot
28 May 2026
PONANT EXPLORATIONS
16 Nights
May 28, 2026
May 29, 2026
May 30, 2026
May 31, 2026
June 1, 2026
June 2, 2026
June 3, 2026
June 4, 2026
June 5, 2026
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To sail to the lands beyond the Arctic Circle is to push the boundaries of exploration in the wake of those who made discovering the polar regions their life’s mission. With humility, you will set a course for the north-east of Greenland, inaccessible to traditional ships in this late spring, before cruising to Svalbard and its untouched landscapes. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a marvel of technology, you will be amazed by the opportunities for guided exploration in these remote parts. You will progress through one of the hardest to reach areas in the Far North.
On your journey, the Ammassalik, Blosseville and Ittoqqortoormiit regions reveal mythical places associated with the history of the discovery of the Arctic – places where the names Paul-Emile Victor, Jules de Blosseville and Jean-Baptiste Charcot still resound.
To the north-east of Greenland, you will sail through the drifting ice floes of the North Pole and continue your exploration in the heart of immaculate scenery. The sea ice reveals itself in all its formsMarvel at the subtle light changes on the ice.
Your route then leads eastward, towards Svalbard. As you progress through this polar landscape, Nordaustlandet (North East Land) will display Europe’s largest ice cap and some of its most majestic fjords. You will cross the frozen expanses of the Hinlopen Strait, where the contours of the glaciers shape the horizon, and you will get up close to monumental basalt cliffs. In the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve, classed as an Important Bird Area, the ice-cloaked arid spaces are also home to cetaceans and Svalbard reindeer.
Whether from the exterior decks of your ship, during an outing in an inflatable dinghy or a kayak, or during a hike near blue-tinged icebergs, you will have multiples opportunities to get to know this wild and stunning world a little better.
In extreme conditions, at the end of spring when ice dots the barren landscapes, these remote parts reveal themselves to travellers. Despite the harsh climate and environment, the wildlife thrives here, offering the humble and patient observer the most wonderful of rewards.
Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.
Services provided
Services provided
Services provided
Services provided
Services provided
Services provided
Services provided
Nuna, the 484 m² gastronomic restaurant at the rear of deck 5, can seat all the ship’s passengers at a single sitting. Elegant and refinement are all part and parcel of the à la carte dining experience it has to offer at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ship’s second bridge is located at the back of the restaurant: behind its large windows, you will have a front row seat to observe the crew during their operations.
In a more relaxed atmosphere, a 320 m² restaurant located at deck 9 will welcome you for your breakfasts, buffet lunches and themed dinners.
At the open-air bar, you can enjoy a varied and refined range of international sweet and savoury dishes throughout the day (11am-6pm), as well as a permanent menu.
Whether you wish to have breakfast in the privacy of your stateroom, savour a snack in the middle of the day or enjoy your dinner in an intimate setting, our Room Service is available for you. Have a gourmet interlude and treat yourself from a varied menu at any time of day or night *.
On each of our ships, you can enjoy room service at any hour of the day and night (except at night on Le Ponant). A butler service is also available to passengers:
Anori (the wind) – Deck 9
On board all our ships, a shop is open during sailing. It offers a selection of presents and souvenirs: clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and accessories.
The Illu boutique is a space of wonder, an authentic extension of your journey and the ship, dedicated to the polar world.
The outside promenade deck is uninterrupted. This means that, unlike most passenger ships, it is possible to walk all the way around the ship and to the bow. It is also equipped with benches heated by energy recovery and two Swarovski Optik telescopes.
The Theatre* is the most unique meeting space on board. It’s the largest space on the ship and regularly accommodates all the passengers. It plays host to shows and entertainment as well as conferences from our experts, naturalist guides and guests of honours. The Theatre makes every cruise unique and enriching thanks to its constant and very accessible events.
A photography and videography team escort you throughout your trip. These professionals capture the most beautiful moments of your cruise, which you can share with family and friends upon your return. Meet them on DECK 5 (DECK 6 on the PONANT Explorers ships) at the photo/video area, where you can also order souvenir pictures and videos.
The Cigar Lounge is located on Deck 5.
Dedicated to leisure and relaxation, the libraries onboard all our ships stock a range of books and board games. This space is also equipped with Wi-Fi connected computers.
The Sisterships and The PONANT Explorers have a special area for children onboard known as the Kids Club. Books, television, board games and consoles (PS4 or Wii™) are all provided for their use and enjoyment.
Nuan (wellness / happiness) – Deck 9
A hair salon facing the boundless horizon, massage cabins with large windows, a sauna with an unobstructed view of the immense white polar expanse… The wellness areas on board Le Commandant Charcot take on a new dimension. These spaces, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, combine design and comfort, and have been created with expert know-how using responsible brands.
The gyms on our ships are equipped with the very latest Technogym© equipment and machines. Treadmills, exercise bikes, Kinesis Wall© strength training machines and many other types of equipment are all provided in a laid-back relaxing environment. The wide floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the sea add undeniable charm to the exercise sessions.
Each day also begins with organised morning workout sessions, either out in the open air or in the theatre. These are supplemented by water aerobics in the pool, or in the sea off the beach for PONANT EXPLORATIONS passengers, when the situation allows it.
Provided in partnership with KÉRASTASE® and L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL®, the hairdressing salon offers a complete range of top quality treatments designed to strengthen, nourish and reinvigorate hair’s shine and brilliance. Our stylists are available to serve all your styling, highlighting, colouring, cutting and tailored hair advice needs.
