Antarctica aboard small, environmentally-friendly ships
Embark on an unforgettable Antarctic expedition and sail along the continent's incredible coasts, admire its unique wildlife — from king penguins to whales — and navigate through immaculate white scenery, where icebergs glimmer and shine in an explosion of blues, from turquoise to the darkest navy. Featuring a maximum of just 132 staterooms and suites, our purpose-built expedition ships provide an intimate atmosphere and luxury comfort, plus travel alongside an expert Expedition team.
Which type of Antarctic adventure would you like to experience?
Set sail on a classic luxury expedition aboard our Sisterships
With almost 20 years of experience in extreme regions, PONANT is a true Polar Specialist. Our Sisterships - Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Lyrial or Le Soléal - will take you in search of ice floes and unique wildlife on the White Continent, guided by your expert Expedition team.
Join Andrew Daddo, PONANT Ambassador, on a life-changing journey in the film, Beyond the Polar Circle.
Pushing boundaries of exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot
We invite you to experience an immersive polar odyssey to the farthest reaches of the poles aboard the world's first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration ship, powered by liquified natural gas. Le Commandant Charcot is a marvel of technological innovation, while providing luxurious comfort and support for scientific missions on trailblazing, never-before-seen itineraries.
Follow in the footsteps of the great polar adventurers. Witness Antarctica’s untamed lands and pristine, immaculate landscapes.
Discover penguin colonies, marine wildlife and the most iconic panoramic views the White Continent has to offer on the Antarctic Peninsula, in the South Shetland Islands and along the shores of the Subantarctic islands (South Georgia and the Falkland Islands).
Explore the limits of the known world at times of year when these high latitudes are inaccessible to other ships, and get up close to a range of exceptional wildlife and scenery: emperor penguins and the ice shelves of the Weddell and Ross Seas, Marguerite Bay, and the mysterious islands of Charcot and Peter I.
Our fleet is made up exclusively of modern small-sized ships with a maximum of 132 staterooms and suites on board, and are equipped with the very latest technologies.
Enjoy an all-inclusive expedition in a superbly luxurious environment. Enjoy generously sized common spaces, including two restaurants, a spa, lounges, a theatre, and an indoor pool. The Blue Lagoon outdoor pool and the brazier are heated by recycled energy.
Our all-inclusive expeditions include Zodiac outings & shore excursions with the expedition team, onboard lectures, parka and boot rental, all meals & Open Bar**, 24h room service, unlimited Wi-Fi, butler service for suites, plus French luxury brands onboard.
Your experienced Expedition Leaders supervise a team of 23 naturalist guides. They will lead activities such as:
- Polar diving
- Kayaking
- Participative science
- Zodiac outings
- Showshoeing and Hiking
Savour the tastes of gourmet cuisine, created in partnership with Ducasse Conseil, chef Alain Ducasse's high-end catering company, at two all-inclusive restaurants on every ship. Sip your favourite cocktail at the bar and relax in various lounge areas.
Safe and low impact polar navigation is our area of expertise, taking advantage of the latest innovations and even developing new, market-leading technologies and solutions - Le Commandant Charcot is one of the most advanced polar vessels at sea today.
Responsible travel: Our ships’ small capacity limits propulsive power and reduces the quantity of fuel and emissions. 100% of the fleet have the CLEANSHIP label, the highest Bureau Veritas classification. PONANT is also proud to be a member of IAATO & AECO.
Le Commandant Charcot utilises liquefied natural gas (LNG), and is fitted with the most advanced environmental technology in the industry; unique ice routing software which optimises energy consumption & reduces impact, water treatment and waste management.
Your Welcome Offer
Save AU$800
per stateroom on your first cruise*
PONANT Bonus
Save up to 30%
when you book your expeditions early^
Book and sail with confidence
SERENITY
booking policy
Rebook or cancel without charge up to 30 days before departure.
FIND OUT MORE ►Strict sanitary
Protocols
Whether on land or onboard, your safety is our primary concern.
FIND OUT MORE ►
Did you know?
We have absolute absolutely magical memories of this trip to Antarctica on board Le Commandant Charcot! This ship is a real gem jewel in terms of comfort and technology; it is almost a journey in itself! And As for the crew, what can we say about the crew: they were unfailingly kind and always took great care of us... The Captain Etienne Garcia, whom we would like to thank once again, shared his great enthusiasm with us was able to communicate his enthusiasm to us...
Paul-Henri M.
Le Commandant Charcot – January 2023
Our commitments, certifications & awards
* AUD800 discount is per stateroom (AUD400 per guest) with the code BWELCOM. Offer valid for guests travelling on their first PONANT cruise. Where the stateroom is occupied on a single occupancy basis, the discount remains AUD400 per person. Offer is non-retroactive, not applicable on Ocean Voyages, cannot be combined with other special offers unless specified, and may be modified and/or cancelled without prior notice. Offer available when booking with your preferred travel agent.
^ Ponant Bonus prices may vary depending on cruise availability and may be subject to change without previous notice. Rates may vary depending on the departure date.
** Open Bar includes wine, beer, French Champagne, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. Premium beverages and brands available at an additional cost.