When designing Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant Explorations set out to create a vessel that could venture further afield, to places where “few others dare to go”. The ship is capable of sailing to some of the planet’s most inaccessible regions, helmed by seasoned captains with extensive expertise in ice navigation.
In the Arctic, its destinations include the North Pole, and it is one of the few passenger vessels in the world capable of reaching 90° North Greenland. Its programme also includes a trans-arctic between two of the four north poles, and Antarctica, including the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula.
Facilities and excursions
Onboard guests enjoy an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, conservatory, panoramic restaurant, Main Lounge, Observation Lounge and lobby. Each shared space has been designed to convey discreet French-style luxury, with a focus on natural light and open spaces, which let the extraordinary polar landscapes take centre stage.
When they leave the ship, customers are immersed in polar experiences such as kayaking, snowshoeing, polar plunges, zodiac excursions and dog sledding, which vary by the cruise and itinerary.
Suites and staterooms
Carrying up to 245 guests, Le Commandant Charcot boasts 123 suites and staterooms, each boasting a private balcony or terrace, meaning your customers will feel as though they are sailing on a private yacht.
The aft of decks six and seven feature four 94-square-meter, split-level suites with private terraces and Jacuzzis.
On deck eight, the 115-square-metre Suite de l’Armateur (Shipowner’s Suite) offers panoramic views through expansive sliding glass doors that open onto a 186-square-metre private terrace.
Culinary excellence
This is also the only vessel to feature a gastronomic restaurant curated by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, meaning your clients can have an exquisite dining experience in the heart of the polar regions. The menu features healthy, refined and elegant dishes, while a second restaurant and a grill also serve wholesome, gourmet fare.
Environmental stewardship
This hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), meaning it excels in safe and low-impact polar navigation.
Le Commandant Charcot is the world’s first passenger ship with a Polar Class 2 (PC2) ice-strengthened hull, allowing it to navigate drifting sea ice and reach the most remote and isolated regions, when conditions permit.
Protecting polar ecosystems and coastal sea ice remains a top priority for the team, who focus on more responsible exploration, which they believe hinges on “expertise, innovation, humility before nature, collaboration with local communities and a commitment to minimal environmental impact.”
