In January 2028, Ponant Explorations will depart on a 62-day voyage circumnavigating Antarctica aboard the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot .
Departing Ushuaia, Argentina, the expedition unfolds in two legs: a 30-day westward journey along Antarctica’s coast from Ushuaia to Hobart, Tasmania, followed by a three-day stopover in Hobart, then a 31-day return voyage along Antarctica’s eastern coastline back to Ushuaia.
This odyssey promises complete immersion in one of the last unspoiled territories on the planet. New experiences and highlights include:
- Sailing the Ross Sea along the world’s largest ice shelf and marine sanctuary, nicknamed the “last ocean”
- Getting up close to little-known and inaccessible lands: Charcot Island, the islands of Marie Byrd Land, Wilkes Land, Adélie Land and the Balleny Islands
- Observing exceptional wildlife: penguins, humpback whales, Antarctic minke whales, orcas, seals, elephant seals, sea lions, petrels, and more.
- Admiring Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on the planet and a landmark for the great expeditions to the South Pole.
- Reliving the epic exploits of legendary polar explorers—Sir Ernest Shackleton, Sir Robert Falcon Scott, Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Mawson and Amundsen—with the opportunity to visit the remains of their campsites and sail through the area where the Endurance was wrecked.
- Excursions by Zodiac, snowshoe hikes, kayaking, and a polar plunge.
“Ponant Explorations was born from a pioneering spirit, and Le Commandant Charcot represents the pinnacle of exploration, providing travelers with experiences that were once deemed impossible,” Samuel Chamberlain, CEO, Ponant Explorations Group Americas, said in a statement. “As the only passenger ship with a PC2 rating, it’s well-suited to embark on this rare milestone voyage representing the essence of polar discovery—all in a way that’s safe and respectful of the ecosystems across this pristine region, while embracing guests in comfortable elegance and French refinement.”
The complete 62-day circumnavigation can be booked as a single voyage, or travelers can choose to book either leg independently for a half-circumnavigation of Antarctica.
Full Circumnavigation: “Sail Around the White Continent”
- Ushuaia-Ushuaia, 62 days/60 nights
- Departing January 11, 2028
- Starting from $147,360 per person
Itinerary 1: ”Unexplored Western Antarctica between Two Continents”
- Ushuaia-Hobart, 30 days/29 nights
- Departing January 11, 2028
- Starting from $74,470 per person
Itinerary 2: ”Unexplored Eastern Antarctica between Two Continents”
- Hobart-Ushuaia, 31 days/30 nights
- Departing February 11, 2028
- Starting from $83,520 per person
Le Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot is the world’s only luxury icebreaker and the sole passenger vessel with a PC2 polar-class hull, designed to navigate the most extreme polar conditions. Its hybrid electric propulsion using liquefied natural gas (LNG) limits environmental impact. An onboard laboratory also supports scientific research into Antarctic ecosystems. The experienced crew is specifically trained in ice navigation, while naturalist guides and polar research scientists will share their expertise through talks and presentations throughout the voyage.
All staterooms and suites feature private balconies or terraces, with interiors that reflect Nordic minimalism and thoughtful touches. At the heart of the ship’s dining program is Nuna, the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea. Public spaces include the glass-enclosed Observatory Lounge, firelit Main Lounge, open-air Blue Lagoon deck with heated seating, and a spa featuring Biologique Recherche treatments, a snow room, sauna, and an indoor pool.
*The sailing schedule and any landings, activities and wildlife encounters are subject to weather and ice conditions. These experiences are unique and vary with each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that the experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the IAATO.
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