PONANT EXPLORATIONS

PONANT EXPLORATIONS – FOR WHAT TYPE OF TRAVELLER?

Those seeking a unique and exclusive voyage

  • Ultra-modern, intimate ships
  • Luxury comfort and discrete, attentive service (butler for some suites)
  • 1 crew member for every 2 guests on Le Ponant and 1 crew member for every guest on Le Commandant Charcot
  • Tailor-made assistance before, during, and after the itinerary (flights, transfers, private excursions, hotel accommodations)

Those seeking a “French Touch”

  • The only French cruise company with an international crew, ensuring a truly bilingual experience on board.
  • The expertise of Ducasse Conseil forgastronomy worthy of the finest restaurants, and accompanied by fine wines. On board Le Commandant Charcot, Le Nuna: the first Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea
  • Exclusive partners: Pierre Hermé, Veuve Clicquot, Hermès, Bordier, Diptyque and Fragonard

Those passionate about exploring the world, seeking adventure, and expedition

  • The exploration of countless natural and cultural treasures on every itinerary
  • A wide choice of excursions (secret coves, ancient cities, UNESCO world heritage sites, polar treks, etc.)
  • Exceptional experts and guests on board (artists, historians, researchers, naturalist guides)
  • Zodiac outings and landings accompanied by an expedition team
  • Close encounters with local populations
  • Meaningful travel around four themes: Planet, Culture, Lifestyle, and Geopolitics

Those in search of relaxation and well-being

  • Dedicated areas on every ship: spas, fitness rooms, saunas, steam rooms and hair salons
  • An outdoor swimming pool on all ships (except Le Ponant, La Désirade and Le Spirit of Ponant), and an indoor pool on Le Commandant Charcot.
  • Destination-specific treatments (snow cabin on Le Commandant Charcot, heated seawater pool on all ships – except Le Ponant, Le Spirit of Ponant and  La Désirade).

Can you canoe – swim and walk where there is ice berges? Yes you can , the experienced staff offer and look afer you. As a example when swimming you are attached to a rope cable. Ask for more details. 

Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot is – unique and special. The first hybrid electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas, exploring the most inaccessible shores and remote polar regions. It serves as both a luxury cruise ship and a scientific research vessel, featuring laboratory spaces and science equipment.

It is the only Polar Class 2 passenger ship in the world. Designed to travel and break through up to 2.5 metres of ice. No other ship can go so far and enter such areas as this ship. 

Life on Board

Gastronomy

Celebrated as a pillar of French art de vivre, gastronomy takes center stage aboard Le Commandant Charcot. Guests can delight in two exceptional dining venues:

Nuna – Gourmet Restaurant
The Nuna, the one and only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea, offers an excellent menu specially designed by the Michelin-starred chef, featuring some of his signature dishes. Ligne Roset furniture, French Bernardaud porcelain and Elne glassware bring elegance and refinement to your à la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Sila – Restaurant
In a more relaxed atmosphere, a bright 320 m² restaurant welcomes you for your breakfast, buffet lunches and themed dinners.

Lounges and Bars

Three contemporary lounges and bars create welcoming spaces to socialize, enjoy live music, or simply unwind while soaking in the ship’s elegant ambiance. All areas have under floor heating. 

Well-Being

In collaboration with SOTHYS™ and KÉRASTASE / L’Oréal Paris, the spa offers a wide range of massages, beauty treatments, and haircare services. A fully equipped fitness center and experience the authentic polar ritual by going from the sauna to the snow cabin. A moment that revitalizes the body and mind, reserved for adventurers.

Heated indoor swimming pool

Blue Lagoon Baths

Theatre

The intimate theatre hosts lectures by naturalists and guest speakers, as well as live performances, concerts, and artistic shows, enriching the onboard experience.

Your Cabin

The Deluxe Staterooms on Le Commandant Charcot offer a harmonious blend of style and comfort. Each features a private balcony, twin or king-size bed, elegant bathroom, and modern amenities. With refined décor, warm tones, and thoughtful details, these staterooms provide guests with a relaxing retreat and panoramic ocean views throughout their voyage.

Upgrades to prestige staterooms and suites available – ask for more details.

Ship Facts

  • Passenger Capacity of 245
  • 215 Crew members
  • 123 staterooms and suites
  • 2 Restaurants
  • 3 Bars/lounges
  • Theatre
  •  Spa
  • Gym
  • Indoor pool
  • Blue Lagoon Baths
  • Cabin with double/twin beds for sole occupancy
  • En-suite with shower and W/C
  • All cabins are outside cabins with balcony
  • Air-conditioning
  • Hairdryer
  • Nespresso coffee machine
  • Minibar
  • Safe
  • Free WiFi
  • Flatscreen TV

Cruises

From the Arctic to the Antarctic, the North Sea to the Norwegian Fjords and more find our upcoming voyages aboard Le Commandant Charcot below:

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.

Encounter with the Last guardians of the North pole – in alliance with SEDNA Exploration.  Nuuk, Greenland – Nuuk, Greenland

Embarkation date: 04.04.27

Duration: 12 nights

Embark on an unforgettable Arctic adventure, beginning in Nuuk, where colourful houses line vast fjords steeped in Viking history. Sail aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a pioneering luxury icebreaker, venturing deep into frozen seas inaccessible to ordinary ships while learning from onboard polar experts.

Journey beyond the Arctic Circle to Kullorsuaq, a remote village where traditional hunters still live in harmony with nature, offering a rare glimpse into authentic Greenlandic life. Cruise through the icy wilderness of Baffin Bay, surrounded by sculptural icebergs and the chance to spot majestic polar bears in their natural habitat.

In Disko Bay, marvel at towering icebergs drifting from the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord and watch for humpback whales in these pristine waters. This extraordinary voyage blends exploration, wildlife, and culture, creating a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the last guardians of the North Pole before returning to Nuuk.

In the Ice of the Arctic: Reykjavik, Iceland to Longyearbyen, Norway

Embarkation date: 08.06.27

Duration: 16 nights

Set sail from Reykjavík, Iceland’s vibrant capital, where colourful streets, striking architecture, and geothermal wonders set the stage for an extraordinary Arctic expedition. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a state-of-the-art polar exploration vessel, journey into remote and rarely visited regions of East Greenland.

Discover the wild beauty of the Ammassalik region and the isolated Blosseville Coast, where towering mountains, drifting icebergs, and untouched landscapes create a dramatic backdrop. Experience life in one of the world’s most remote communities in Ittoqqortoormiit before venturing deep into North-East Greenland’s sea ice, in search of polar bears and breathtaking frozen scenery.

Continue to Svalbard, exploring protected reserves rich in wildlife, from seabird colonies to walruses and Arctic foxes. Sail through the spectacular Hinlopen Strait and along Spitsbergen’s glacier-carved fjords, where ice meets ocean under the midnight sun, before concluding your journey in Longyearbyen.

In the Ice of the Arctic: Longyearbyen, Norway to Reykjavik, Iceland

Embarkation date: 13.06.27 or 24.06.27

Duration: 16 nights

Begin your Arctic voyage in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost capital, surrounded by dramatic glaciers and untouched wilderness. Sail through the spectacular landscapes of southwest Spitsbergen, where towering fjords, shimmering icebergs, and abundant wildlife—from whales to seabirds—create an unforgettable natural spectacle.

Explore the protected reserves of Svalbard, including Søraust and Nordaust, home to polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, and vast bird colonies. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, continue into the remote ice fields of North-East Greenland, navigating through ever-changing sea ice in search of extraordinary wildlife and pristine beauty.

Encounter isolated communities in the Ittoqqortoormiit region, where Inuit traditions endure, before discovering the wild Blosseville Coast and the stunning Ammassalik region. This immersive journey blends exploration, culture, and breathtaking Arctic scenery, concluding in Reykjavík, Iceland’s vibrant capital, where geothermal wonders and colourful city life provide the perfect finale.

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

Embarkation date: 27.07.27, 20.08.27 or 01.09.27

Duration: 12 nights

Embark in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost capital, and set sail along the dramatic coastline of Spitsbergen, where jagged mountains, deep fjords, and vast glaciers create a striking Arctic landscape. Journey into the heart of the sea ice, navigating ever-changing frozen expanses and encountering wildlife uniquely adapted to this extreme environment.

Experience the ultimate polar achievement: reaching the Geographic North Pole, a rare and extraordinary destination few have ever visited. Continue exploring the ice floe before returning south to Ny-Ålesund, a historic hub for Arctic exploration and scientific research.

Discover the wild beauty of northwest Spitsbergen, where glaciers, islands, and abundant wildlife—from whales and walruses to Arctic foxes and polar bears—bring the region to life. This remarkable expedition combines adventure, discovery, and breathtaking scenery, ending back in Longyearbyen after an unforgettable journey to the top of the world.

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