Ponant has revealed an extraordinary new chapter in expedition cruising with the announcement of a world-first Antarctic circumnavigation aboard Le Commandant Charcot. This landmark journey will see the luxury icebreaker traverse nearly 18,000 kilometres of some of the planet’s most remote and untouched coastlines, offering an unprecedented perspective of the White Continent — an area larger than Europe.
Departing in January 2028, the voyage begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, with the vessel charting a westward course to Hobart, Tasmania, over 30 days. After a two-day stopover, Le Commandant Charcot will return to Ushuaia over 34 days via Antarctica’s eastern coastline, completing the full circumnavigation. This exceptional itinerary has been developed by PONANT’s esteemed Captains Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau, renowned for their polar navigation expertise, who will co-command the ship throughout the expedition.
Purpose-built for polar exploration, Le Commandant Charcot is equipped with a PC2-rated hull and powered by a hybrid electric propulsion system using liquefied natural gas (LNG), significantly reducing her environmental footprint. Sailing under the French flag, the vessel meets the highest international standards for safety and sustainability. Her specialised crew is expertly trained for ice navigation, ensuring guests experience the polar regions with the utmost care and confidence.
This unique voyage, filled with adventure, will serve as a bridge between the past and the future. It will revive the legacy of the great polar explorers — legendary figures who dared to traverse the frozen frontiers. In the pioneering spirit of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot, guests will journey back in time, encountering relics of historic expeditions and visiting long-abandoned camps that once bore witness to human endurance and discovery.
Contact your Ponant representative for more details.
