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Le Commandant-Charcot, the very first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas, and the latest addition to the PONANT fleet, has now made it possible to operate polar expedition cruises of a kind never before undertaken.
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.
From the coniferous forests of the North to the glaciers of Antarctica, from the banks of the Amazon River to the idyllic beaches of New Caledonia, from the ancient traditions of the Inuits to the millennium-old cultures of Vanuatu, discover remote corners of the earth and ways of life on board a modern, luxurious ship.
An expedition with PONANT guarantees the best conditions of day to day comfort for you in some of the most remote places on the planet. The comfort of your ship and your cabin, personalised and attentive service, refined gastronomy... the unique atmosphere which we go to great lengths to preserve in order to stay true to our philosophy, creating that privileged feeling of being aboard one’s own private yacht. In the heart of the ice or the distant archipelagos of Oceania, our luxury amenities will make your expedition voyage an unforgettable experience.
Our expedition cruisesWhether in the Polar Regions or along the Amazon River, the size of our ships and their shallow draught mean you can arrive as close as possible to these hard-to-access areas. This proximity o ers the privileged discovery of preserved sites. Our expedition teams are always on the lookout for the unexpected and the surprises inherent to these itineraries, and our flexibility enables us to adapt to these. A genuine philosophy of exploration travel.
During Expedition voyages, our fleet of Zodiac® make landing ashore in remote, seldom visited destinations safe and enjoyable, and enable guests to get as close as possible to ice, coral reefs, waterfalls and fauna. Our Zodiac® are designed to accommodate small groups of 10 passengers. They are easy to step on to from the marina platform at the rear of your ship. Our inclusive Zodiac® and shore excursions are unforgettable experiences, whether you are landing on a deserted beach in the Maluku islands of Indonesia, interacting with remote tribes of Papua New Guinea, or discovering the splendour of Antarctic glaciers.
Our expedition cruises
Specialists of extreme regions, these passionate and fascinating professionals will bring cultural, environmental and historical dimensions to all your outings and will be sure to keep you informed about nearby flora and fauna, local cultures and natural phenomena. As recognised professionals, a er scouting missions in the field, they organise safe outings and shore visits, taking advantage of the opportunities that arise during any expedition. Aboard the ship the pleasure continues, with a series of cultural, scientific or historical presentations.
To make sure you have a safe trip, all our captains and crew are trained on glacier navigation.
Once aboard, enjoy the adventure in total peace of mind. Everything is included: Zodiac® outings and shore visits, excursions, lectures, parkas and boot hire for polar expeditions.
During some cruises and ports of calls, optional paying excursions are offered to visit sites that can be reached only with a local infrastructure.
Le Commandant Charcot has spaces that have never been seen before in the PONANT fleet, designed and fitted out to serve all your needs and requirements whilst at the same time preserving the privacy of each passenger. They were designed by two world-renowned French architectural firms: the Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel and Wilmotte & Associés, whose design brief was to create a real connection with the surrounding landscapes. Names derived from Inuit culture to designate natural elements have been attributed to some of them as a reminder of our deep attachment to this fascinating culture.
An uninterrupted outdoor promenade deck. This means you can walk around the entire ship and get to the bow, unlike most passenger ships.
An essential component of French culture, gastronomy naturally has a place of honour onboard this deep polar exploration vessel.
On deck 5, you will find a 484 m² gourmet restaurant that can accommodate all of our passengers in a single service. Elegance and refinement will be at the rendezvous of your breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
In a more relaxed atmosphere, a 320 m² restaurant located at deck 9 will welcome you for your breakfasts, buffet lunches and themed dinners.
On board, there are 135 suites and staterooms, ranging in size from20 to 115 m², providing warm, understated settings that look out onto the outside world. Each has a private balcony or terrace, the Le Commandant Charcot is fully in keeping with the PONANT philosophy: to provide a rare and exceptional ambiance for every passenger welcomed onboard and reinforce the feeling and sense of sailing on a private yacht.
At the rear of decks 6 and 7 are four stunning 94 m² (1,011 ft²) split-level suites equipped with private terraces and jacuzzis.
The breathtaking 115 m² (1,237 ft²) Suite de l’Armateur (Shipowner's Suite) on deck 8 features wide sliding glass doors offering stunning panoramic views and opening out onto a 180 m² (1,937 ft²) private terrace.
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