Superior Stateroom
30% Ponant Bonus
21 m²
3
In partnership with Le Cercle Polaire, as part of the Women at the Poles operation with featured guest Laurent Mayet.
If there is one place on the globe that fires the imagination of travellers and arouses in them an instant thirst for adventure, it is the immaculate and faraway lands of the White Continent. Inhabited by a surprising endemic fauna, the Antarctic will welcome you during an 11-day expedition cruise.
At the border between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, you will enter Drake Passage. At the roaring fifties and the screaming sixties, the wind blows and the waves beat against the stern of the ship. In the sky, cape petrels lead you toward their realm until you reach the first of the continent’s lands.
Ice is there in all its forms. The mountainous landscapes open up to give way to huge calving glaciers, tabular icebergs drift in the middle of the Southern Ocean, and the sea ice shimmers in the distance. On board, the naturalists share with you the secrets of this unique ecosystem. As you near the shores, the first penguins appear. Gentoo, Adelie, chinstrap: these surprising birds, emblematic of the Antarctic, share their beaches with leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals. During an outing on land or at sea, in a zodiac dinghy or a kayak, you will move through a stunning scenery bathed in polar light.
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the IAATO.
Ref : LY281125
In partnership with Le Cercle Polaire, as part of the Women at the Poles operation with featured guest Laurent Mayet. An expedition cruise to discover the Antarctic Peninsula and its most beautiful secrets...
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Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Laurent Mayet
Founding-President of the think tank le Cercle Polaire
Laurent Mayet is the co-founder of the think tank Le Cercle Polaire which focuses on developing a greater knowledge and better governance of the polar regions (political lobbying and cultural and educational actions). He is the co-director of the revue North and South Poles with Stéphane Hergueta and returns regularly to both the Arctic and the Antarctic, including the geographical Poles.
He held the positions of Special Advisor and the assistant to the former Prime Minister Michel Rocard, Ambassador for Polar Affairs, and Interministerial Coordinator of the National Roadmap for the Arctic from 2009 to 2016, Special Representative on Polar Affairs (2016-2017) and Deputy Ambassador in charge of Ocean Affairs (2018) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is currently in charge of Polar Issues at the Ministry of Education and Youth.
A Navy reservist, in September 2016, he received the Medal for Voluntary Military Service, Bronze Class, in recognition of outstanding chairmanship in the working group Alidade on the Arctic at the Navy Centre of Strategic Studies (CESM), which led to the publication of a significant report on the “opening up of the Arctic marine areas.”
An engineer and oceanographer, he holds the superior teaching degree in physical sciences in France and a postgraduate degree in the philosophy of science.
Languages spoken : french, english and spanish
Photo crédit :© lecerclepolaire
Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, position of ice, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience in remote areas: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
Accessories:
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men:
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
ACCESSORIES:
PONANT activities
Kayak Discovery
Get as up close to the natural environment as possible with an excursion aboard a two-person sea kayak, during one 2-hour session.
Guided by a state-registered polar navigation specialist, you'll discover and explore breathtakingly scenic polar landscapes and scenery.
All the necessary equipment will be provided for you on board.
How is the activity organised?
Once you’ve arrived onboard the ship, you’ll meet your guides and the rest of the people taking part in the activity. This will be an opportunity to provide a general introduction to the activity, outline the rules that need to be followed, provide the necessary equipment and separate the participants into groups based on personal preferences and/or ability level.
The day before the activity is due to take place, a new briefing session will be organised to provide you with further details about the port of call and how the excursion will be organised. We’ll then provide you with the necessary equipment, which you’ll be required to take very good care of.
On the day of the kayak activity, you’ll first get changed at the ship’s marina platform (keeping your boots and parkas with you) before then being transported to land by Zodiac® and taken to your kayaks.
Before you climb into your kayaks and set off on your adventure, your guides will provide a final safety briefing.
What requirements do you need to meet in order to go sea kayaking?
Though it’s always useful to have at least one experience of sea kayaking under your belt, due to the high quality of the equipment we provide and the experience of the guides who’ll be supervising you, we are able to take complete beginners to places normally only accessible to professional kayakers and seasoned outdoor adventurers.
Participants will be formed into groups based on ability level onboard the ship to ensure everyone is able to make smooth progress on the trip.
Sea kayaking is a physically demanding activity, for both the heart and the muscles. We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.
This activity is available to adults (aged 18 or over) and to children of 16 and over when accompanied by a parent.
Please note:
Le Cercle Polaire
Founded in 2006, the NGO, Le Cercle Polaire (LCP) is working to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of the polar regions, the Arctic and Antarctic, in addition to promoting their protection. During the last decade, LCP has played a key participatory role on national, European and international levels in the political battle for a better ecological governance of the polar regions. Since 2009, Company Ponant has been supporting LCP’s cultural and educational actions, including Women of the Poles/Femmes aux Pôles, its ongoing campaign in line with the United Nations Agenda 2030.
Women of the poles
Within the context of the United Nations Agenda 2030 which is comprised of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SWGs), is SDG5, dedicated to Gender Equality and Empowerment of all women and girls. This SDG is defined by the international community as "a necessary condition to ensure a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous world". In recognition and support of this declaration, the NGO Le Cercle Polaire (LCP), has launched the campaign Women of the poles. Certainly, the issue is not of the same importance for women living in places such as Algeria, Iran or Afghanistan.
The campaign brings to light the achievements of polar women adventurers, explorers and photographers from around the world by presenting their first hand accounts of on journeys and expeditions which rival or surpass those of their male counterparts. Polar experiences have recently become one of the symbols among others in the battle for gender equality and of the fight against discrimination affecting women and girls. It is this aspect on which LCP and Ponant (through its initiative #PONANTwomen) choose to put special emphasis although not precluding other important aspects such as the severe beauty of polar landscapes, unique relationships with nature, pushing oneself to the limits, the experience of isotaion and of the void, disorientation and change of scenery, to name but a few.
The Women of the poles campaign led by le Cercle Polaire brings together 50 polar women adventurers, explorers or photographers from around the world presenting the singular story of each women’s accomplishment and the spirit brought to each. These first hand accounts will be published on a Facebook page, on the Cercle Polaire website page, and a digital booklet grouping the photos and the writings of the Women of the poles.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Subject to weather conditions. The expedition highlights, encounters with the wildlife and itinerary described illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Embarkation 28/11/2025 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 28/11/2025 at 6:00 pm
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…
Arrival 29/11/2025
Departure 30/11/2025
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to know about the zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about this magical region, where every cruise is a unique experience. You will experience exceptional sailing moments on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
Arrival 1/12/2025
Departure 5/12/2025
Succumb to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these extreme parts.
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula. Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.
Arrival 6/12/2025
Departure 7/12/2025
If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.
Arrival 8/12/2025
Disembarkation 8/12/2025 at 7:00 am
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…
Polar Expedition
Make your dreams of adventure come true, explore the boundaries of the world, and discover wild and legendary territories. The icy immensity of Antarctica, the constantly changing glaciers and icebergs of the North Pole, the mysterious mists of the North European coastlines, the most remote fjords on the planet… Every destination unveils unrivalled landscapes, home to increasingly varied fauna. Our team of naturalist-guides will share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology, the fauna and flora, and will invite you to share special moments with the local populations.
Free solo supplement
FREE SOLO SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Complete your Air Package experience with an additional night in Buenos Aires.
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Meet at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to your Air Package hotel. Early check in 11am.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Buenos Aires
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
Day at leisure, 4 hours guided visit in option (with bilingual guide).
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Personal expenses and other expenses not mentionned in the program.
Please note:
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$530
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed program.
With this rich and varied program, you can admire the wild nature of Patagonia in the Torres del Paine nature reserve, and finally explore the spectacular Perito Moreno glacier.
Day 1 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Meet and greet at the Ezeiza International Airport of Buenos Aires in arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative upon arrival of the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the Palladio MGallery 5* (or similar).
Check-in.
Lunch, afternoon, and dinner are at your leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Buenos Aires, Argentina/El Calafate, Argentina/Puerto Natales, Chile
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Buenos Aires airport for the flight to El Calafate selected by Ponant. Upon being welcomed by your local English-speaking representative, you will be transferred in a local restaurant for lunch, with a demonstration of the "Gaucho" life. Later drive towards the Chilean border at Cerro Castillo (about a 3-hour drive). Proceed through border formalities, and board your motorcoach with your Chilean local driver and guide.
Proceed to Puerto Natales (1.5-hour drive), and you will arrive at The Remota Patagonia lodge hotel 4* (or similar).
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3 - Puerto Natales, Chile /Torres del Paine National Park, Chile /El Calafate, Argentina
Early breakfast and check out of your hotel.
Today visit the Torres del Paine National Park, which provides wonderful views onto the Torres Massif and its jagged peaks, as well as of Grey Glacier. Several short hikes enable visitors to reach the most beautiful viewing points in the park and to become acquainted with the wealth of flora and fauna found in the area.
This 227,298-hectare sanctuary was founded under the name of Lago Gray National Tourism Park on May 13, 1959, when the main activity of the area was still Livestock and tourism were relegated to a few adventurers. Just on April 30, 1970, the park adds 11,000 new hectares to its protected terrain and is baptized as it is known today: Torres del Paine National Park. The park encompasses ancient forests, glaciers, lakes, rivers and fjords, and fauna including guanacos, foxes, pumas and a diverse array of birds.
Boxed lunch with beverages will be provided.
Transfer to El Calafate (about 2-hour drive) to the Hotel Posada Los Alamos 4* (or similar), enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 - El Calafate, Argentina/Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina/El Calafate, Argentina
After breakfast, visit the spectacular Perito Moreno glacier. This extraordinary tour will bring you to the biggest and most important highlight of the Argentine Patagonia region.
Depart from the hotel to visit Perito Moreno (approximately 1 hour 17 min drive time from El Calafate). During this tour, you will notice the dramatic change in landscape. While in El Calafate everything is dry, harsh and flat, at the park entrance you will see trees, mountains and green vegetation. Soon you will see the breath-taking Perito Moreno glacier, the centerpiece of the national park. Due to unusually favorable local conditions, it is one of the few advancing glaciers on the planet. The Moreno glacier merits a visit and you will be highly impressed standing only a few meters away from its 200 to 260-yard high (60 to 80 m) walls. The deep blue colors of the ice and the shape of the glacier with all its small columns are unbelievable. You will have enough time to explore this site by yourself, before returning to El Calafate.
You will be return to Posada Los Alamos Hotel (or similar) for the night.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 - El Calafate/Ushuaia
Breakfast and check out of hotel. Transfer to El Calafate airport in time for flight El Calafate/Ushuaia selected by PONANT.
After being welcomed by our local English-speaking representative, you will be transferred to a local restaurant for lunch.
Enjoy some time at leisure in the city center of Ushuaia before your transfer to the pier in time for embarkation.
Your hotels:
Hotel Remota Patagonia Lodge 4*
This hotel offers you a stay immersed in the wild landscapes, history, and traditions of Patagonia.
The rooms, elegant and comfortable, promise you a sophisticated connection to nature thanks to windows with a view on majestic landscapes arounds. Its luxurious services include a spa as well as common areas that will allow you an authentic and luxurious stay.
Hotel Posada Los Alamos 4*
The Hotel Posada Los Alamos is situated in the heart of El Calafate, close to Argentino Lake. It has spa facilities, an indoor pool and free Wi-Fi in all areas. The guest rooms feature heating, as well as a mini bar and cable TV. Rooms have views over the organic garden and the mountains beyond.
Your program includes:
Your program does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotels:
Palladio MGallery 5*
Suipacha 1036, C1008 CABA, Argentine
+54 11 4114-3400
Remota Patagonia lodge 4*
Ruta 9 Norte km 1, 6160000 5, Natales, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chili
+56 2 2387 1270
Hotel Posada Los Alamos 4*/ El Calafate
Ing. Hector Mario Guatti 1135, El Calafate - Santa Cruz - Patagonia
+ 54 29 0249 1144
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$6,760
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed program.
Day 1 - Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Meet and greet upon arrival of the flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT by our local representative.
You will be transferred to the Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires MGallery 5* (or similar).
Lunch and afternoon at leisure.
Dinner included at the hotel.
Optional activity: Tango Show Dinner experience.
You will be immersed in this magnificent cultural Argentinian heritage. Sit back and enjoy some of the best dancers of Buenos Aires, enjoying a tasty dinner.
Day 2 - Buenos Aires
Breakfast followed by check-out.
Day at leisure.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for your flight selected by Ponant or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Your hotel:
Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires MGallery 5* (or similar)
Located in the refined neighborhood of La Recoleta, known for its neoclassical architecture, the hotel offers easy access to the main tourist attractions of Buenos Aires. The establishment has elegant and spacious rooms, swimming pool, restaurant and bar, for an authentic and exclusive stay.
Your program includes:
Your program does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Palladio Hotel Buenos Aires MGallery 5*
Av. Callao 924
C1023 AAP
Buenos Aires
Argentina
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents. Travelers are advised to check on their government websites, or relevant local authorities for the latest Travel Advisories, passport, visa and health requirements for your intended destinations.
Total : AU$770
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.