Le Commandant Charcot, PONANT EXPLORATONS

This ship is the only PC2 class ice breaker ship in the world. Your polar adventure begins on July 27, 2026, in Longyearbyen, the northernmost territorial capital in the world, where rugged glaciers, vast mountains, and raw Arctic wilderness create an awe-inspiring backdrop. The following day, your ship traces the dramatic coastline of Spitsbergen, with its jagged peaks, ancient glaciers, and fjords alive with seabirds, offering unforgettable views from the deck. From July 29 to August 2, you venture deep into the heart of the sea ice, navigating shifting landscapes of pristine white, fractured ridges, and winding channels of open water. This ever-changing frozen world is also home to unique wildlife, perfectly adapted to life on the ice. On August 3, you reach the ultimate destination: the Geographic North Pole, a remote and mythical point at 90° North, permanently cloaked in ice and long a dream of explorers. Few have stood here, making your arrival aboard Le Commandant Charcot a true milestone. From August 4 to 8, you again sail through the sea ice, savoring magical maritime moments and wildlife encounters. The voyage concludes with another passage along Spitsbergen’s spectacular shores before returning to Longyearbyen on August 11, leaving you with memories of pristine wilderness and a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Polar Odyssey: Reykjavik, Iceland to Tromso Norway

Embarkation date: 28.09.26

Duration: 16 nights

Guest speaker on board, chef Alaistair Mcleod.

Your expedition begins in Reykjavík on September 28, 2026, where Iceland’s lively capital blends culture, history, and natural wonders. From panoramic views at Perlan to the striking Hallgrímskirkja church and bustling streets like Laugavegur, the city charms with its energy, while the nearby Blue Lagoon offers soothing geothermal waters. The following day, you sail aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel, designed to navigate into regions inaccessible to ordinary ships. Onboard lectures and exchanges with specialists enrich your understanding of the polar world, while your presence contributes to ongoing scientific research. On September 30, the remote Ittoqqortoormiit region of East Greenland invites you into its pristine polar landscapes, where towering peaks, vast snowfields, and a resilient Inuit community preserve traditions like dog sledding and hunting. From October 1 to 3, you explore Scoresby Sound, the planet’s largest fjord system, with sheer peaks and drifting icebergs painting surreal panoramas once mapped by historic explorers. Sailing into the shifting sea ice on October 4 brings magical encounters with ever-changing landscapes and unique Arctic wildlife. Finally, between October 5 and 8, you enter Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest protected area, where dramatic fjords and untouched wilderness leave a lasting impression.

North Sea to The Baltic: Bergen, Norway to Helsinki, Finland

Embarkation date: 14.11.26

Duration: 10 nights

Your journey begins in Bergen on November 14, 2026, a city once Norway’s capital, rich in medieval heritage and Hanseatic history. Stroll its UNESCO-listed quarters, discover its thriving art scene, and ride the cable car for sweeping views over fjords and the harbour. The next day, you sail into the majestic Lysefjorden, flanked by dramatic cliffs and famed for landmarks like Preikestolen and the dizzying Kjerag boulder. On November 16, colourful Egersund welcomes you with its preserved wooden houses, historic churches, and vibrant old quarter, followed by Kristiansand on November 17, where pastel façades, grid-style streets, and charming wooden districts reveal the town’s seafaring past. Skagen, Denmark, awaits on November 18, with its sweeping beaches, glowing light, and artistic legacy of the Skagen Painters. A day at sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot follows, offering rare lectures and scientific insights into polar exploration. On November 20, Visby on Gotland enchants with medieval walls, cobbled streets, and rose-covered cafés, before Stockholm reveals its royal palaces, museums, and island landscapes on November 21–22. Tallinn’s fairy-tale old town on November 23 immerses you in Gothic charm and centuries of history, before your voyage concludes in Helsinki on November 24, where neoclassical elegance meets modern Nordic vibrancy.

Baltic Bliss and Winter Wonders: Helsinki, Finland to Helsinki, Finland

Embarkation date: 24.11.26

Duration: 9 nights

Your Baltic voyage begins in Helsinki on November 24, 2026, where neoclassical architecture blends harmoniously with striking modern design, and vibrant districts like Kallio offer boutiques, restaurants, and Finnish culinary delights. The next afternoon, you arrive in Stockholm, a city of islands where Gamla Stan’s medieval lanes, the Royal Palace, and cultural gems like the Vasa and ABBA museums await. November 26 brings a day at sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a pioneering polar exploration vessel, where lectures and scientific insights enrich the experience. On November 27, Visby on Gotland enchants with cobbled streets, medieval walls, and rose-clad cafés, while Gdańsk follows on November 28, dazzling with colourful Hanseatic façades, amber workshops, and historic treasures along its lively quays. Another enriching sea day precedes your arrival in Riga on November 30, where Gothic landmarks meet Art Nouveau splendour in Latvia’s dynamic capital. After sailing on December 1, Tallinn greets you on December 2 with its fairytale old town, medieval towers, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Your journey comes full circle in Helsinki on December 3, where Nordic elegance, cultural vibrancy, and tranquil green spaces provide a fitting finale to an unforgettable Baltic exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot.

Disko Bay: Helsinki, Nuuk, Greenland to Reykjavik, Iceland

Embarkation date: 28.04.27

Duration: 15 nights

Set sail on an extraordinary polar adventure beginning in Nuuk on 28 April 2027, where colourful houses brighten the fjordside and echoes of Viking history linger. From here, your journey unfolds into the icy heart of Baffin Bay (29–30 April), where sculpted icebergs shimmer beneath the polar light and the majestic polar bear reigns supreme. On 1 May, marvel at the drifting ice giants of Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage wonder and a haven for graceful humpback whales. The voyage continues to Disko Island (2–3 May), where crystalline light and frozen fjords create a magical backdrop, before arriving in Sisimiut (4–5 May), a vibrant Arctic town of stilt houses, history, and culture. Return briefly to the wild beauty of Baffin Bay (6 May), then explore Narsarsuaq’s Viking vestiges and dramatic fjords (7 May). On 8 May, wander colourful Qaqortoq and experience the rare thrill of bathing in Uunartoq’s natural hot springs. Discover the picturesque Inuit village of Aappilattoq and sail through the majestic Prince Christian Sound (9 May), before witnessing the dazzling Kujalleq Glacier (10 May). Two days at sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot (11–12 May) bring enriching lectures and breathtaking ice navigation, before your unforgettable journey concludes in Reykjavík on 13 May.

The Geographic North Pole: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen

Embarkation date: 01.09.27

Duration: 12 nights

Your epic voyage begins in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen (1 Sept 2027), the world’s northernmost capital, framed by soaring mountains, vast glaciers, and pristine wilderness. From here, sail along the dramatic coastline of Spitsbergen (2 Sept), where jagged peaks, sculpted fjords, and rich birdlife offer unforgettable Arctic panoramas. The adventure intensifies as you spend three days navigating through the shifting sea ice (3–5 Sept), where endless white landscapes, drifting floes, and open water channels create ever-changing scenery—and the chance to encounter wildlife that depends on this frozen world. On 6–7 Sept, you’ll achieve the extraordinary: reaching the Geographic North Pole (90° North), a legendary destination visited by only a privileged few, where the sun and darkness alternate in six-month cycles and explorers’ dreams are made real. Returning south, you’ll once again experience the breathtaking beauty of the sea ice (8–10 Sept), before arriving in Ny-Ålesund (11 Sept), a historic mining town turned international research hub, home to the world’s northernmost post office. On 12 Sept, explore the northwest region of Spitsbergen, a land of glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife—whales, walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and perhaps even polar bears. Your extraordinary expedition concludes back in Longyearbyen on 13 Sept 2027, leaving you with memories of an unparalleled polar adventure.