Le Commandant Charcot: a new chapter in the saga of polar exploration

Discover the log of the newest member of the PONANT fleet

Read on to learn more about the development Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid-electric advanced polar exploration cruise ship designed to sail right to the heart of the polar regions while respecting the natural environment. Hear about building and designing the ship, plotting the itineraries and developing unique, authentic and unforgettable experiences and activities.

This is a story of people, vision, design, passion and respect for the environment, a story of the scientific and maritime exploration of the Poles. The story of this new ship is nothing if not unusual, and it is well worth telling. Let’s meet those who brought Le Commandant Charcot to life, from its architecture and design to its technical innovations.

Discover how Le Commandant Charcot was designed to magnify the polar regions with elegance and power, large windows, and light-filled, energising on-board areas. Its designers share the story.

Remarkable is a fitting word to describe the ship’s unusual capacities and innovations. Check out five of the ship’s key features.

Meet the people who will be at the ship’s helm, ready to share an unusual adventure with the crew and passengers exploring the Poles.

When exploration serves research and science is shared, the voyage takes on its full meaning on board this observatory of the evolution of polar environments

Out-of-this-world navigation

The polar adventure of Le Commandant Charcot is a blank page that is being written collectively, combining maritime and scientific expertise and cooperation with local populations. Its single goal is to sail in the wake of the greatest explorers, to places few have ventured before, exploring beyond the known world.

Sheet ice, icebergs, polynyas, and more. As you prepare to sail to the very heart of the Poles, do you know all there is to know about polar ice? Now’s the time to check! Travelling to Antarctica? Head for the Ross Sea, the largest marine park in the world, or for the mysterious and wild Peter I Island. Geographic North Pole or magnetic North Pole? Learn more about this mythical point.

Le Commandant Charcot pushes back the limits of polar navigation and pays homage to Jean-Baptiste Charcot, the man British explorer Robert Falcon Scott called ‘the gentleman of the Poles’, as well as other explorers, including Sir Ernest Shackleton, Fridtjof Nansen, Paul-Emile Victor, James Clark Ross, Fabian Gottlieb Thaddeus von Bellingshausen and Jean-Louis Etienne.

The Poles like never before

Sail through the ice and feel the thrill of adventure as you explore a new world, as untouched distant lands come into view. Exploring aboard Le Commandant Charcot is an immersive experience that enables you to discover the authentic soul of the Poles.

Take a closer look at dog sledding: discover the story of the Inuit’s ancestral mode of transport.

Why do Emperor penguins make turtle formations? And are polar bears really white? Get ready to meet the lords of Antarctica and the Arctic.

Snowshoeing on the ice, contemplating the immaculate landscapes and wildlife as you paddle a kayak, gaining an insight into scientific research, and more: connect with the polar environment and discover all its benefits.

Meeting the Inuit population when their villages are surrounded by sea ice offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in an age-old culture that has managed to adapt to this extreme environment.

Experts ready for a unique journey

Managing experiences and safety regulations in extreme environments and ensuring environmental preservation are our priorities: find out about the rigorous  expedition team training.

A cruise aboard Le Commandant Charcot is a unique and authentic experience. Every single detail, every encounter, every extra mile we go to has been carefully thought out and planned. Slip behind the scenes to discover how we have woven our tapestry of magnificent experiences.

Find out more

Download Le Commandant Charcot Brochure

Watch the video of Le Commandant Charcot reaching The Geographical North Pole

Do all roads lead to the North Pole? Discover five routes to this mythical region.

What are the differences between the Arctic and Antarctica?

Getting ready for a polar expedition: it’s more about the mind than the body.

Reading tips to let your imagination travel before exploring The Polar Regions.

For more information contact Julie Rogers, National Business Development Manager for South East Asia and India on +61 455 129 990 or jrogers@ponant.com

Alternatively contact PONANT reservations: reservations.aus@ponant.com.au or asia.ponant.com