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The Emperor Penguins of Bellingshausen Sea
Puerto Montt - Ushuaia
Dates:
31/10/2021
to
19/11/2021
20
days
days
18
nights on board
nights on board
Starting from*
AU$41,820
10% Ponant Bonus
Polar Expedition Overnight in Santiago + flight Santiago/Puerto Montt + transfers + flight Ushuaia/Santiago
Beyond Peter I Island and Charcot Island, this exceptional cruise will take you into the heart of the Bellingshausen Sea.
Named in honour of the Russian admiral and explorer who discovered Antarctica in 1820, this sea in the Southern Ocean, covered by ice floe most of the time, is hard to reach and practically unexplored.
But the reward lives up to the challenge: gigantic colonies of emperor penguins, a unique species endemic to the Antarctic and almost never observed, live here. This animal, elegant and majestic, is the promise of emotional encounters.
In this season, as winter gradually gives way to the austral spring, the chicks, only a few weeks old, become independent and gather in immense “creches”: a magical spectacle to which you will be privileged witnesses.
We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current 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 : PU0345 - O011121
Your itinerary
A unique opportunity to approach colonies of emperor penguins bringing together adults and young at the end of the austral winter. Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables. Lectures and information...
See detailed itinerary
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
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Ushuaia - Ushuaia
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
Overnight in Santiago + flight Santiago/Ushuaia + transfers + flight Ushuaia/Santiago
14 nights on board
Dates:
29/11/2021 to the 14/12/2021
29/11/2021 to the 14/12/2021
Otaru, Hokkaido - Osaka
LE SOLEAL
LE SOLEAL
11 nights on board
Dates:
4/4/2022 to the 15/4/2022
4/4/2022 to the 15/4/2022
Fort-de-France - Fort-de-France
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
8 nights on board
Dates
Departure
Arrival
Ships
Cruise code
Ponant Bonus
Prices from
7/12/2021 to 15/12/2021
Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
U071221
30% Ponant Bonus
AU$4,860
Pearls of the Caribbean
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
Fully booked
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 5
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Fully booked
Owner's Suite
16/1/2022 to 24/1/2022
Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
U160122
20% Ponant Bonus
AU$5,470
Pearls of the Caribbean
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Fully booked
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 5
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Owner's Suite
24/1/2022 to 1/2/2022
Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
U240122
20% Ponant Bonus
AU$5,470
Pearls of the Caribbean
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Fully booked
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
Fully booked
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
Fully booked
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Fully booked
Privilege Suite Deck 5
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Owner's Suite
28/2/2022 to 8/3/2022
Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
U280222
25% Ponant Bonus
AU$5,170
Pearls of the Caribbean
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
Fully booked
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
Fully booked
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 5
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Owner's Suite
8/3/2022 to 16/3/2022
Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
U080322
30% Ponant Bonus
AU$4,860
Pearls of the Caribbean
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
Fully booked
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 5
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Owner's Suite
Victoria, Mahé - Victoria, Mahé
LE BELLOT
LE BELLOT
8 nights on board
Dates:
8/12/2021 to the 16/12/2021
8/12/2021 to the 16/12/2021
Nouméa - Honiara, Guadalcanal Island
LE LAPEROUSE
LE LAPEROUSE
Transfer + flight Honiara/Brisbane
11 nights on board
Dates:
9/2/2022 to the 20/2/2022
9/2/2022 to the 20/2/2022
*Price is per person, double occupancy, is based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of cabin to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Overnight in Santiago + flight Santiago/Puerto Montt + transfers + flight Ushuaia/Santiago
For your serenity, PONANT has organized the following included programme for you, starting the day prior to embarkation
The day before embarkation – Santiago
Transfer from airport to PONANT selected hotel.
In order to organize your transfer, please inform your travel agent 60 days before departure:
- your flight number as well as your arrival time and day
OR
- your chosen pick-up location if not at the airport, within a 50-kilometer range from Santiago city centre
Meet and greet at the hotel by our local representative. Check-in from late morning.
Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon.
Dinner.
Overnight at the hotel.
Embarkation Day – Santiago/Puerto Montt
A light morning breakfast will be served before leaving for the airport for your Santiago/Puerto Montt flight.
Transfer to the airport.
Flight Santiago/Puerto Montt selected by PONANT in economy class.
Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
Approximate flight duration: 3 hours
Meet and greet at Ushuaia airport (English-speaking assistance).
Transfer to Le Commandant-Charcot.
Embarkation.
– Cruise on board your ship
Disembarkation Day – Ushuaia/Santiago
Disembarkation.
Meet and greet at the port (English-speaking assistance).
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of the flight Ushuaia/Santiago selected by PONANT in economy class.
Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
Approximate flight duration: 3 hours
It is highly recommended to have an international inbound flight the day after PONANT selected flight.
Your programme includes:
- Transfer from airport upon flight arrival or from your chosen pick-up location within a 50-kilometer range from Santiago city centre.
- 1-night accommodation in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation.
Your hotel will be confirmed few weeks before your cruise.
- Early check-in available from late morning.
- Hospitality desk at the hotel in Santiago.
- Return flight Santiago/Puerto Montt - Ushuaia/Santiago selected by PONANT, in economy class.
Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
- Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
Your programme does not include:
- Tips for the local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- The local currency is the Chilean Peso. You will be able to make most of your purchases in USD (in small denominations) or by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from the ATM’s.
- Summer season in Santiago: temperatures may be very hot, but often between 68 °F (20 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C).
- Summer season in Ushuaia: temperatures vary between 41 °F (5 °C) and 65 °F (15 °C)
- We recommend you wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
If case PONANT has not received your full flight details, services start at the hotel in time for check-in.
Programme is subject to change.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Services provided
- Private balcony for all our cabins and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite
- Butler service (Duplex Suites, Owner’s Suite, Privilege suites)
- Individually-controlled airconditioning
- Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available, children welcome
- Minibar - 24hr room service
- Satellite TV channels (availability dependent on navigation); selection of videos on demand
- Bose™ Bluetooth speaker
- Safe
- Selection of top-of-the-line bath products.
- Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Internet access Wifi : Satellite reception (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
Choose your stateroom category
Packing Checklist
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:
- A PONANT polar water-resistant parka is offered on board for all departures with an expedition programme (no children sizes, in case of consecutive cruises, only one complimentary parka).
- Half calf rubber boots with non-slip soles, which will allow you to go ashore in 20 cm of cold water, keeping your feet dry for walks and visits on steep paths. Boot rental will be offered onboard (for adults only) on Expedition cruises.
- Comfortable trousers: classic Winter trousers, warm cotton tracksuit, wool leggings
- Waterproof and windproof over-trousers – MANDATORY
- Winter trousers with waterproof over trousers are the ideal combination: water-resistance and comfort of trousers are essential
- Pullover, sweat-shirt or fleece jacket
- Woollen or thermolactyl Thermal underwear
- A warm hat, woollen ear muffs or fleece ear muffs, fleece or woollen neck warmer (avoid scarves that do not stay in place)- MANDATORY
- Wool or silk glove liners, water-resistant and supple gloves
- Thick warm socks (ideally woollen)
Accessories:
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Do not hesitate to visit the online PONANT store which offers a selection of equipment and accessories adapted to our destinations, at the following address: https://boutique.ponant.com
Benefits of the PONANT store:
- Advice on equipment from our experts to help you prepare for your polar expedition
- A wide range of technical equipment for polar expeditions, approved by our experts
- Two delivery options: delivery to your home or directly to your cabin on board the ship
- Duty Free shopping for cabin delivered items
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:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, 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:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
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.
Advice
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
- Wool or thermolactyl technical underwear
- Polar or technical jacket
- Polar sweater or sweatshirt
- Silk or wool glove liners
- Wool leggings
- Warm hiking socks
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
- Waterproof over-trousers - Mandatory
- Waterproof parka - Offered on board (not available in children’s sizes)
- A warm woollen hat covering your ears
- Polar or woollen neck warmer
- Waterproof technical gloves
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection balm
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
ACCESSORIES:
- Highly protective sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Walking poles
- Small waterproof backpack
- Swimsuit (for the spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
PONANT activities
Participative science
Le Commandant-Charcot is fitted with the most modern oceanographic equipment and all the facilities necessary to accompany a scientific team in its research. Guided by our naturalists and the team of scientists, you will thus have the opportunity to make a direct contribution to the global scientific effort. Helping scientists to set up a station on the ice floe, deploying an Argos marker buoy or taking water samples: thanks to simple protocols, you’ll be able to discover part of the scientific adventure in the polar regions and contribute to improving the knowledge of biodiversity, marine mammals or glaciology and better understand Climate/Ecosystem/Man interactions.
Hovercraft
Following the example of Le Commandant-Charcot, designed to sail to the edge of the poles, hovercraft, which work as well on land as they do on sea, will take you to the most hard-to-reach places. Their unique propulsion system will ensure that you can explore the ice floe in total safety, regardless of ice and weather conditions. They will drop you in the heart of the austral or boreal vastness, in the deafening silence specific to this extreme environment, and let you live out a dream of absolute escape.
Helium balloon
Thrill-seekers and fans of exceptional, romantic landscapes, lulled by suspended moments... A flight in a tethered hot air balloon, handled by professionals, will let you take to the skies to admire the infinite crystal-clear panoramas of the Arctic and the Antarctic from above. You will always remember, and with emotion, these summits touching the skies, this immaculate ice floe and these steep hillsides and serrated contours stretching out to the horizon. This will also be an opportunity to observe the ship at work in the vastness of its environment.*
*with limited places available
Kayaking - Le Commandant-Charcot
Glide on the clear waters or between the ice floes and get as close as possible to the immaculate nature of the poles. Supervised by licenced expert guides, you will try your hand in a kayak, a boat that has been favoured by the Inuits for at least 4,000 years. The kayak was initially used for hunting and fishing; for you, it will be a means of making the very most of your adventure on the White Continent or in the Far North.*
*with limited places available
Snowmobiles
Using comfortable, ultra-modern, electric snowmobiles, which are silent and meet the most stringent standards, you can access firm land from the ship in order to constantly discover new panoramas. This light and secure activity, accessible to all, will enable you to travel around safely, explore the polar expanses and become intoxicated by these grandiose landscapes, in the company of professional guides.
Polar diving
Diving in polar waters means an exceptional chance to admire an unusual landscape and to meet marine animals in their natural environment. Whether along an iceberg, meeting a magical world with a thousand and one shades of blue, or along a drop-off in search of anemone, soft coral, giant isopods… Diving will provide you with the unique opportunity to penetrate a unique and little-known world.*
*Optional
Hiking
During each shore landing, depending on the ecological resilience of the biome encountered, we will propose hikes at different levels, in the company of your experienced naturalist guides: from a simple stroll along the coast to walks lasting several hours to reach particular viewpoints or historical sites. When the itineraries allow it, you’ll put on snowshoes to set off, like the explorers of old, to discover areas that have barely known Man. In the Arctic, some excursions will be organised with sled dogs, the faithful companions of the Inuit. Trained to detect areas of thin ice and warn of the presence of bears, they will guide you and ensure your safety.
Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables
Aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, a fleet of 16 Zodiac® expedition dinghies will be used for outings and shore visits throughout the cruise. Getting closer to a glacier calving huge icebergs, setting foot on a sheet of ice floe, observing bears, seals, sea lions and penguins up close: so many unforgettable moments that very few people will ever have the chance of experiencing in these regions that are hostile to man and home to unique wildlife.
Highlights
- A unique opportunity to approach colonies of emperor penguins bringing together adults and young at the end of the austral winter.
- Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables.
- Lectures and information sessions hosted by our naturalist-guides.
- Approach two islands beyond the Antarctic Polar Circle.
- Hiking opportunity.
- Landscapes: glaciers, icebergs, thick ice floes, ice shelves.
- Wildlife: emperor penguins, humpback whales, gentoo penguins, Weddell seals.
- Many included activities: Hovercraft, hot air balloon, snowmobiles…. Discover the full list of activities in the “PONANT Activities” tab.
Ports of Call & Excursions
1 November 2021 Puerto Montt
Embarkation 1/11/2021 from 16h00 to 17h00
Departure 1/11/2021 at 18h00
A picturesque stopover in southern Chile, the colourful city of Puerto Montt is the capital of the Lakes District.ﾠ Here, youﾒll discover reminders of its colonial past at the Plaza de Armas and neoclassical cathedral. The Manuel Montt lookout offers stunning views of the bayﾒs sapphire beauty. Close to the town, the peaceful banks of Lake Llanquihue are conducive for a relaxing walk and the quaint, traditional villages of Puerto Varas and Frutillar are well worth a visit.
2 November 2021 4 November 2021 At sea aboard Le Commandant-Charcot
Arrival 2/11/2021
Departure 4/11/2021
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant-Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
5 November 2021 Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Arrival 5/11/2021
Departure 5/11/2021
Weather permitting, we'll cross the mythic line of the Antarctic Polar Circle, located along 66°33’ south of the Equator. This iconic area demarcates the point from which it is possible to view the midnight sun during the December solstice. Within this circle, the sun remains above the horizon for 24 consecutive hours at least once a year. Crossing this line, an experience known to few people, is sure to be an unforgettable highlight of your cruise through the polar regions.
6 November 2021 At sea aboard Le Commandant-Charcot
Arrival 6/11/2021
Departure 6/11/2021
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant-Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
7 November 2021 8 November 2021 Expedition to Charcot Island
Arrival 7/11/2021
Departure 8/11/2021
When he discovered this island surrounded by sea ice in 1910 from aboard the Pourquoi Pas ? as he mapped Alexander Island, Jean-Baptiste Charcot had not be able to get less than 40 miles away from it. Situated in a zone that experiences frequent low-pressure systems and regular cloud cover, the island remains in many ways an enigma. It is entirely covered in ice and sheer cliffs, with the exception of the rocky outcrops extending over a dozen kilometres in the far north-west. The ice in the narrowest part of Wilkins Sound has been cracking in recent times, thus officially detaching this island from its neighbour, Alexander Island, lying 50 km away. Very few people have landed on this largely untouched island, whose waters attract numerous seabirds, such as petrels, Antarctic terns and skuas.
9 November 2021 10 November 2021 Expedition to Peter I Island
Arrival 9/11/2021
Departure 10/11/2021
You will then head for the legendary Peter I Island. Located 450 km away from the Atlantic coast, it was discovered in 1821 by the Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, who named it in honour of the Russian tsar Peter the Great. In 1909, Captain Charcot sighted it for the first time from aboard the Pourquoi Pas ?, but was unable to land there: “In the parting mists, one or two miles away, an enormous black mass shrouded in clouds appears suddenly before us: it is Peter I Island.” Surrounded by pack ice and with about 95% of its surface covered by ice, this volcanic island, whose highest peak reaches 1,640 metres, is protected by ice cliffs some 40 metres tall, making any approach difficult.
11 November 2021 12 November 2021 English Coast – in search of emperor penguins
Arrival 11/11/2021
Departure 12/11/2021
Along the English Coast, land on the pack ice with your expedition team and head off in search of emperor penguin colonies. Brave the few kilometres’ walk through the magnificent, quasi-unexplored desert of ice to be among the lucky few to observe these majestic penguins from this close and enjoy this rare and intense experience. Emperor penguins are the largest of all living penguin species and they are champions at adapting to the harsh Antarctic climate. They live inland, where they protect their eggs between their feet and their abdomen, and cover long distances in search of food.
13 November 2021 Marguerite Bay
Arrival 13/11/2021
Departure 13/11/2021
The icebergs are each more majestic than the next and scattered around the deep and intense blue waters of Marguerite Bay, one of the most beautiful regions in the Antarctic. It is delimited in the north by the mountainous Adelaide Island, in the south by George VI Sound and Alexander Island, and in the east by the Fallières Coast. Charcot named it after his wife during his second expedition to the Antarctic between 1908 and 1910. In 1909, in the southern summer when the skies are at their clearest, he led an important scientific mission to map and study this region. The bay is home to a number of cetaceans and you may get the chance to observe leopard seals or Adelie penguins.
14 November 2021 Stonington Island
Arrival 14/11/2021
Departure 14/11/2021
In the northeastern part of Marguerite Bay, along Graham Land, you will discover the small island of Stonington. The island was a British research station from 1946 to 1950 and later from 1960 to 1975. Numerous expeditions setting off from this station on dog sledges enabled the mapping of a significant portion of the Antarctic Peninsula. The two-storey steel-framed buildings, whose vestiges are still visible, could accommodate 6 to 17 people. Equipment and facilities from that time can still be found there: the generator, the dog pens, radio equipment and weather instruments, the water reservoir and a storage space. The island is now an important breeding ground for Antarctic terns and south polar skuas.
14 November 2021 Pourquoi Pas Island
Arrival 14/11/2021
Departure 14/11/2021
Le Commandant Charcot will land on the coast of Pourquoi Pas Island, so named in the 1930s by John Riddoch Rymill in honour of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, who discovered it from aboard his ship Le Pourquoi Pas ? during his second expedition to Antarctica between 1908 and 1910. This mountainous island, situated in the north of Marguerite Bay between Graham Land and Adelaide Island, is 28 km long and 14 km large. It is scattered with narrow fjords and snow-covered mountains. You will go to shore in a Zodiac® dinghy with your expedition team and you could get the chance to observe Adelie penguins going about their business on the island’s rocky shores.
15 November 2021 The Gullet
Arrival 15/11/2021
Departure 15/11/2021
The sumptuous landscapes of this narrow channel between Adelaide Island and Graham Land attract all visitors sailing towards Marguerite Bay. It is like an ice palace, its immaculate white walls reflected in the frozen mirror formed by the waters of the Southern Ocean, scattered with icebergs and gleaming blocks of ice. This passage was explored for the first time by the Jean-Baptiste Charcot expedition in 1909, which sketched its position. It was then surveyed in 1936 by the British expedition under John Rymill. It is here in this magical setting that some of the first subaquatic images of the Antarctic were shot during Philippe Cousteau’s four-month expedition to Antarctica between 1972 and 1973.
15 November 2021 Detaille Island
Arrival 15/11/2021
Departure 15/11/2021
Detaille Island is a small island situated off the Loubet Coast in the Crystal Sound, a magnificent region surrounded by snow-covered peaks. A British research station was set up there in 1956, ahead of the International Geophysical Year 1957-58. Like the International Polar Years, organised for the first time in 1882-83, the purpose of this event was to take a coordinated approach to the geophysical research conducted by the different nations. With the island difficult to access, this station was shut down in 1959. The vestiges of the buildings and sledge dog pens that made it possible to map more than 4,000 miles around the island are now maintained by the United Kingdom Heritage Trust.
16 November 2021 At sea aboard Le Commandant-Charcot
Arrival 16/11/2021
Departure 16/11/2021
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant-Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
17 November 2021 18 November 2021 Crossing the Drake Passage
Arrival 17/11/2021
Departure 18/11/2021
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.
19 November 2021 Ushuaia
Arrival 19/11/2021 early morning
Disembarkation 19/11/2021 at 07h00
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…
Le Commandant Charcot
With Le Commandant-Charcot, PONANT has imagined and envisaged the cruise voyage of tomorrow. The latest addition to the fleet will take you following in the footsteps of the great polar explorers in refined surroundings complete with the kind of luxury services never before offered in the farthest reaches of the southern and northern hemispheres.
The indoor swimming pool, the conservatory, the panoramic restaurant, the Blue Lagoon outdoor restaurant, the Main Lounge, the Observation Lounge, the lobby… Each of the common areas has been designed to both convey French-style discreet luxury and arouse wonder and amazement. The common thread running through all their designs is the desire to allow the light to penetrate and open everything up the extraordinary polar landscapes and scenery.
This very first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship powered by LNG has been designed with the greatest attention to detail in terms of safety and respect for the environment.
Until 270 Guests
135 staterooms & suites
190 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Polar Expedition
Realise your dream of adventure in the polar regions ! From your ship’s deck, aboard a Zodiac® inflatable or from land, discover the icy vastness and the fauna of Antarctica (humpback whales, seals, penguins and more) or the Arctic's fjords, glaciers and icebergs in shifting colours, not to mention the polar bears, the variety of wildlife and the special moments shared with the locals. Our team of naturalist guides share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the fauna, the flora, the history of great explorations, geology and climatology. Thanks to its conscientiousness and to the responsible approach that is its hallmark, PONANT has been a leader and expert in cruises to these destinations for more than 20 years.