Ponant Expeditions’ luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will achieve a new world first in 2008, circumnavigating Antarctica.
In an unprecedented feat for a cruise ship, Le Commandant Charcot will embark on a full circumnavigation of the White Continent between January and March 2028, departing from Ushuaia.
Le Commandant Charcot will journey through remote, uncharted regions and navigate nearly 18,000 kilometres of coastline along the frozen continent, one that’s larger than Europe, in a polar expedition unlike any before.
Specifically designed for expeditions in extreme environments, Le Commandant Charcot features a PC2 polar hull, allowing her to navigate polar regions while minimising her environmental impact thanks to her hybrid electric engine powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sailing under the French flag, she meets the highest maritime safety and environmental standards while her experienced crew is specially trained for ice navigation.
Le Commandant Charcot will set sail in January 2028, from Ushuaia (Argentina) westward to reach Hobart (Tasmania) in 30 days. After a two-day stopover, she will then depart again towards her starting point, this time following the eastern coast of Antarctica over 34 days.
This unprecedented itinerary was designed by Captains Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau. Their expertise in ice navigation at the highest latitudes, gained while commanding ships of the Ponant Expeditions fleet, has made this new sailing dream a reality. They will jointly command Le Commandant Charcot during this exclusive voyage.
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, those legendary figures who braved the frozen expanses. In the pioneering spirit of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot, guests will travel back in time and discover the remnants of forgotten camps – witnesses to these incredible expeditions.
Le Commandant Charcot is a true support base – comfortable and fully autonomous – for all polar expeditions: by Zodiac, on snowshoe hikes, by kayak and, of course, the challenge of the polar plunge. She houses two laboratories – one dry and one wet – equipped to collect and analyse samples from water, ice and air, while a new SIMS antenna continuously measures ice thickness.
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