AZIPODS
The world's most powerful propulsion pods, providing safety and exceptional 360° manoeuvring ability in the ice.
Duplex Suite
1011 ft2
4
Le Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot, the World's Only Luxury Icebreaker 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.
Up to 245 Guests
123 staterooms & suites
215 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Navigate to the novel and unknown:
Discover the new Le Commandant Charcot website. Live an immersive digital experience deep at the heart of extreme lands and environments, as if you were really there.
Immersive polar experiences
Kayaking, snowshoeing, polar diving or swimming in a wet suit, zodiac exploration, dog sledding: explore the polar world through total immersion.
Charcot moments
Le Commandant Charcot is equipped with the kinds of spaces never before seen in the PONANT fleet, spaces designed to wonderfully enhance the onboard environment and extend the polar experience to every moment of the day. Both enveloping and at the same time open to the exterior, the atmosphere of wellbeing these spaces offer emanates from the meticulous detail and delicateness of the exquisitely sensory-awakening materials used.
All-round 360° connection with the polar environment
Begin the day with a fitness or meditation session, or alternatively go for a stroll around the ship on the promenade deck, taking time out to spend a relaxing break on one of the heated benches as you do so and enjoying the opportunity to watch wildlife through the two Swarovski Optik spotting scopes. From the prow, experience the unforgettable sensation of being all alone in the vast immensity around you.
A gourmet start to the day
Savour the delights of a richly varied gastronomic breakfast in the soothing polar light. Choose from a range of hot drinks, Lenôtre pastries baked on board, bread made freshly each day by our own French baker, home-made cakes and muffins, pancakes, waffles, eggs, cheeses, cold cuts, detox juices, and more.
Morning
Midday
Awaken the senses
Head to the wellness space for a detox cocktail and the chance to lie back and relax in front of the panoramic windows; enjoy the pleasures of the indoor pool heated to 32°C; or settle down comfortably in one of the hanging seats in the wellness space and admire the wonders of the icy landscapes after a traditional Nordic experience at the spa, the sauna and the snow cabin.
Lunch in style
Admire the view of the polar environment as you lunch in the softly muted ambiance of the gastronomic restaurant Nuna; basque in the sun's rays at the ship's other restaurant, Sila; or alternatively, enjoy the more casual and relaxed atmosphere offered by the open-air bar. Choose from a range of French and international cuisine served à la carte or as a buffet, fine wines recommended by the sommelier, and signature dishes by Alain Ducasse in the form of vegetable and lobster cookpots showcasing the delights of the sea and natural produce.
Learn all about the ice
The evolution of the climate in the polar regions, the formation of icebergs, the ice pack and the frozen sea in all their different states: unlock some of the mysteries of the Far North and the White Continent through the knowledge and expertise of Antoine Viot (a geological engineer specialising in Svalbard) and glaciologist and climatologist Julien Alex.
Afternoon
Tea time
The magical otherwordly wonder of the polar environment
After a briefing by the expedition team, head off to explore the banks, shores and icy expanses aboard a Zodiac inflatable boat, or a kayak, on a dog sled or just with a simple pair of snow shoes, and connect with the authentic essence of the poles. Collect valuable data for use in polar research as part of citizen science sessions conducted on board or during off-board excursions.
Soft landing
Return to the ship and warm yourself up around the brazier while you enjoy an afternoon tea of truffle "Croque Charcot" or one of the sweet or savoury treats available throughout the day at the Inneq bar, and take advantage of the pleasures of the Blue Lagoon, with its water heated to between 27°C and 37°C by the ship's energy recuperation system.
Artistic interlude
Continue your exploration on board by going for a stroll to explore the 300 ornaments and works of art decorating the ship's interior spaces; contemplate and admire the monumental digital work by artist Migeul Chevalier adorning the Atrium skylight; and let yourself be transported by the musical creations of Michel Redolfi.
Polar impressions
Discuss your experiences or browse the pages of the most beautiful works available on the poles as you enjoy an apéritif in the main lounge or in the observation lounge. Encounters with wildlife experienced from the decks of the ship or during off-board excursions, first impressions of the poles, the majesty of the scenery: each moment lived is an invitation to share and to continue the voyage in order to fully enjoy every extraordinary instant of this mesmerizing journey.
Evening
24h/24
A made-to-measure end to the evening
After your gastronomic dinner at the Nuna restaurant, enjoy the opportunity to listen to a Chopin impromptu interpreted by the onboard pianist in one of the two lounges, or watch a performance or projection in the theatre. Cigar aficionados have the option of the Cigar Lounge – one of the ship's most exclusive spaces – where they can enjoy the delights of a selection of fine cigars and premium spirits.
The PONANT App
After booking your cruise, download the PONANT app from the Apple Store or Google Play. It will support you throughout your voyage. Before your cruise, get practical information about how to pack your bag, the composition of the team on board, pre-book your excursions, etc. During your trip, enjoy daily highlights of your cruise, make an appointment with the spa, order the photos from the cruise and book your excursions.
Le Commandant Charcot in pictures
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Reaching the absolute aboard Le Commandant Charcot
A polar odyssey through the ice of the Arctic and Antarctica
Discover Le Commandant Charcot
Follow Le Commandant Charcot:
Deep polar exploration
Le Commandant Charcot, the World's Only Luxury Icebreaker opens the gateways to the highest latitudes of the Arctic and the Antarctic. Embark for a faraway odyssey combining exploration with science, and become experts in these regions that for centuries have stirred the imaginations of the greatest adventurers. See this captivating and wondrous part of the world for yourself.
An on-hand expedition team by your side
Le Commandant Charcot expedition team, composed of 19 to 23 experts, constitutes one of the best guest-to-staff ratios found on any voyage of this kind. Biologists, naturalists, engineers, glaciologists, and geologists, these experts in the polar regions will be on hand to ensure the safety of all your activities and experiences and to share their passion for the poles. They will be by your side throughout your voyage of discovery, providing key insights to help you get the most out of the encounters with fauna, flora and local populations that await you, and helping you better understand the stakes and challenges involved in preserving this natural and cultural heritage.
Expedition leaders
Alongside the captain, the expedition leader is the main person responsible for managing and coordinating the exploration aspect of the cruise. They supervise the team of naturalist guides and scientific mediators, ensure the safety of the organised activities offered, and tailor and adapt the experiences, thus ensuring the full richness of these fascinating ecosystems is revealed in all its glory.
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Naturalist guides
A team of 23 naturalist guides trained in supervising activities in polar environments will be by your side every day to interpret and explain everything about these largely unexplored ecosystems, both onboard the ship and during onshore activities. Meet some of the members of the team.
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Science Mediators
The scientific mediation team on Le Commandant Charcot brings science to life for guests onboard the ship. Their mission is to give you an insight into the profession of scientific researcher and the challenges involved in the scientific approaches deployed, and enable you to contribute directly to the study and protection of the polar regions by giving you the opportunity to take part in citizen science workshops.
+The poles like never before
Le Commandant Charcot takes you further than ever before, sailing well inside the polar circles and deep into the middle of the ice, where only a PC2 polar class ship (icebreaker) can safely venture. Onboard, on land, on the sea or on the ice, enjoy a range of unique, intense and authentically immersive experiences amidst the quasi-hypnotic power of the polar environment, such as dog sledding, sightseeing excursions in Zodiac® inflatable boats, snowshoeing, polar diving, kayaking, ice fishing and citizen science sessions.
Discover the voyages
A scientific adventure
Sailing through the remote and icy regions of the poles provides a unique opportunity to regularly and periodically collect scientific data to better understand these fragile ecosystems – which more than a century after the heroic golden age of polar exploration still have much to reveal – and move forward efforts to protect and preserve them.
Read more
Participate in the study of the polar regions
Collect data from the deck of the ship or during your outings. Missions that sharpen your powers of observation!
Take photos of whale and help supply the Happy Whale tracking app with data, identify and count seabirds so that their distributions and life cycles can be better understood, describe atmospheric phenomena, observe and listen to underwater wildlife using cameras (ROV) and hydrophones, collect samples of plankton, analyse the samples collected through microscopes.
This information is contributing to databases that are essential for the study and preservation of these ecosystems.
PONANT works with the Polar Citizen Science Collective, an international association that enables everyone to practically contribute to a better understanding of the polar regions through citizen science projects.
Expedition leaders
John Frick
John has been sharing his passion for adventure and polar voyages with others for 30 years. He has been a PONANT expedition leader since 2015. His work as a naturalist guide has taken him all over the world, from the Arctic and Alaska to Africa and Nepal. John speaks English.
Florence Kuyper
After training in humanities and gaining professional experience in applied social science, Florence visited and discovered Antarctica and became passionately interested in polar destinations. Florence has been an expedition leader for PONANT since 2015. She loves teaching people about the history of the polar regions and passing on her knowledge of penguins and ethnology. Florence speaks French, English, Dutch and German.
Jonathan Zaccaria
An engineer by training, Jonathan worked on both French and international scientific bases in Antarctica before becoming a naturalist guide on expedition cruises to the polar regions in 2018, after which he went on to become an expedition leader. Jonathan speaks French, Italian, English, Spanish and German.
Naturalist guides
Laura Jourdan
Laura was biology teacher in France at a secondary institution before to venture into the polar regions. In Svalbard, she was taken by the polar bug and decided to become a polar guide. After 3 years of professional experience between Svalbard and Northern Norway, she joined PONANT in 2019.
Laureline Formanek
A doctor in marine biology, Laureline worked initially as a university researcher and lecturer before going on to join teams of naturalist guides on boats operating wildlife watching trips in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Canada. She has been working for PONANT since 2015. Laureline speaks French and English.
Rémi Bigonneau
Rémi trained in environmental education and conservation management and has participated in numerous research and conservation programmes out in the field, particularly in the French Southern and Antarctic Territories and Siberia. He is also a specialist in ornithological observation. He speaks both French and English.
Batshéva Bonnet
Batsheva is a qualified veterinarian and has completed a thesis on the physiology of the Adélie penguin. She also had the opportunity to study king penguins on the island of Crozet and elephant seals in Kerguelen during two periods she spent in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (an overseas French territory). Bathsheva is involved with organisations that campaign to increase awareness about the polar environment and serves as a member of veterinary teams for sled dog races in France and aboard. She speaks both French and English.
Christian Genillard
Christian is an engineer with a passion for cold seas and the polar regions. Having visited Antarctica for the first time in 1993, he began working as a naturalist guide in 2004 before later going on to become an expedition leader on voyages to Spitsbergen, Greenland, Antarctica, South Georgia and the Russian Far East. He has been sailing with PONANT since 2015 and speaks French and English.
Benjamin Dy
Alison has degrees in both geography and political science and developed a deeper interest in the Circumpolar World and the geopolitics and peoples of the Arctic while studying in Canada. She has been sailing with PONANT as a naturalist guide since 2018. Alison speaks both French and English.
Science Mediators
Alison Thieffry
Alison has degrees in both geography and political science and developed a deeper interest in the Circumpolar World and the geopolitics and peoples of the Arctic while studying in Canada. She has been sailing with PONANT as a naturalist guide since 2018. Alison speaks both French and English.
Daphné Buiron
Daphné Buiron holds a doctorate in glaciology and spent 14 months at the Dumont d'Urville scientific station in Antarctica. She then decided to devote herself to the protection, study and exploration of the polar regions, firstly as a teacher and researcher, then as a guide-naturalist. Daphne has been sailing with PONANT since 2015. She speaks French, English and German.
Participate in studies into the way ecosystems work by collecting data as part of special citizen science sessions conducted onboard this floating polar monitoring and research station. Missions that sharpen your powers of observation!
- Activity examples:
- Taking photos of whale flukes and helping supply the Happy Whale tracking app with data
- Identifying and counting seabirds so that their distributions and life cycles can be better understood
- Describing atmospheric phenomena so that the way surface and air temperatures interact can be better understood
- Observing and listening to underwater wildlife using cameras (ROV) and hydrophones
- Collecting samples of plankton, which is fundamentally important for all marine life, so its reaction to temperature changes in the polar environment can be analysed
- Analysing the samples collected through microscopes
Conceived from the outset as a ship of scientific opportunity, the Le Commandant Charcot is equipped with a range of research-dedicated facilities:
- A modular wet lab with a side door providing access to the sea for deploying sensors or collecting samples with plankton nets.
- A dry lab connected to an entirely science-dedicated onboard network and designed for carrying out computer work and data analysis.
- Lecture theatres for sharing knowledge and information with cruise guests.
- A quarterdeck that can be used for deploying sensors, especially via the ship's hoist.
“Thanks to the instruments already installed on board,* the Le Commandant Charcot is also able to continuously supply data about the thickness of the ice, the water, sound velocity and the climate.”
Hughes Decamus, chief mechanic
*SIMS (Sea Ice Monitoring System), thermosalinograph, miniSVS, meteorological and oceanographic station.
The common areas of Le Commandant Charcot
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 have been attributed to some of them as a reminder of our deep attachment to this fascinating culture.
Expeditions and conferences rooms - Deck 3
- Two dedicated expedition boarding and disembarking rooms to port and starboard.
- A conference room (Ilua - to be inside, to understand) : 30 seats
Reception - Deck 5
- A 270 m² (2,906 ft²) reception space
- The expeditions desk
- The onboard administrative services
- The sales office run by our reception and voyages manager
- The photo area : « Studio Ponant »
- "Oscillations": a digital artwork by Miguel Chevalier
The theatre
Kita (let’s go) - Deck 5
- Capacity for 270 persons
- Cutting edge audio and lighting technology
- LED stage background wall enabling the projection of ultra-high resolution media
The main lounge - Deck 5
- A 313 m² (3,369 ft²) main lounge
- A 24 m² (258 ft²) cigar lounge
- A tea room and bar with a programme of live music on certain evenings
Promenade Deck - Deck 5
The outside promenade deck is uninterrupted. This means that, unlike most passenger ships, it is possible to walk all the way around the ship and to the bow. It is also equipped with benches heated by energy recovery and two Swarovski Optik telescopes.
Boutique
Illu (the igloo, the house) - Deck 5
The Illu boutique is a space of wonder, an authentic extension of your journey and the ship, dedicated to the polar world. 95% of the souvenir range is made in France.
- A range of Dodo and Pomellato jewellery and watches from Ulysse Nardin and Garmin.
- A range of ready-to-wear clothing and special outdoor items suitable for the polar adventure: The North Face, Garmin, Swarovski Optik, Vuarnet, Feelfree, Icebreaker, Black Diamond, Suunto, Eric Bompard
- Bespoke tips and advice from experts about how to get the most out of the onboard experience and the shore excursions
- A multilingual range of publications covering each different destination: informational guides, gorgeous photographic books, novels and adventure stories, a special range for children, etc.
- Unique souvenirs so you can share the magic of the Charcot experience with others
- A range of accessories for the home
"French designers Gangzaï and Atypyk have created a collection of polar-destination-styled postcards, notebooks, bookmarks, magnets, mugs, coasters, aprons and toys such as spinning tops and tangrams for the Le Commandant Charcot.”
Vittoria, gift shop manager
The pool deck - Deck 9
- A heated indoor swimming pool with a superb skylight thanks to its large glass roof
- A sunroom with large external-facing windows
- A Detox bar with sofas and armchairs
- Blue Lagoon pools, an outdoor heated lagoon with a temperature that ranges from 27 to 37° C using recycled energy from the ship
- A giant firepit (Inneq - le feu), so you can enjoy the polar landscapes in complete comfort
- An outdoor bar (Blue Lagoon bar) where you can enjoy a varied and refined range of sweet and savoury food throughout the day (11:00-18:00)
The Observation Lounge
Anori (the wind) - Deck 9
- A bar and a 262 m² (2820 ft²) observation lounge
- Library, reading area, live entertainment on certain evenings
- 2 Swarovski Optik telescopes
Wellness Lounge
Nuan (wellness / happiness) - Deck 9
A hair salon facing the boundless horizon, massage cabins with large windows, a sauna with an unobstructed view of the immense white polar expanse… The wellness areas on board Le Commandant Charcot take on a new dimension. These spaces, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, combine design and comfort, and have been created with expert know-how using repsonsible brands.
Read more“We wanted to created a sensory journey in connection with the Conservatory, which is home to the heated indoor pool and the Detox Bar. The curves are very soft and understated, and exotic materials have been used, like the raw Carrara marble with pearlescent reflections in the treatment rooms, or the black marble in the relaxation area”
Chloé, Spa Manager
- 430 m² dedicated to wellness
- Spa Biologique Recherche : 3 massage and beauty cubicles (including one double cubicle with sea view), a nail salon, 2 lounges with sea view to to wait or relax after a session
- A hair salon with Davines products
- A Sauna (Ikuma - the burning heat)
- A Snow Room (Siku - the ice) a fun and invigorating snow bath you can try out after leaving the sauna
- Gym with with sea view and TECHNOGYM machines (elliptical trainers, Kinesis®, 3 treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machine…), dedicated coach and group or private lessons (according to availability) of fitness, yoga, pilates, meditation, aquagym...
- A heated indoor swimming pool (Imaq - sea water) with countercurrent swimming and a superb skylight thanks to its large glass roof
- A sunroom with large external-facing windows
- A Detox bar with sofas and armchairs
For Le Commandant Charcot, PONANT has chosen to work with two new partners: Biologique Recherche for facial and body treatments, and Davines for hairstyling. These two brands share the same philosophy of bespoke, personalised service and care for the environment.
- 100% made to measure: a tailored approach with indvidually selected procedures.Every treatment is unique.
- Natural and eco-friendly active ingredients: naturally or plant-sourced raw active ingredients, packaging made from recycled materials
Two signature treatments designed to give you a gentle return on board after shore excursions in extreme environments have been created especially for the Le Commandant Charcot: "expedition return" and "exploration return".
The restaurants onboard Le Commandant Charcot
An integrant component of the PONANT hallmark approach, fine dining takes on an impressive new look on board Le Commandant Charcot. Chef Alain Ducasse and his team offer contemporary French cuisine of the highest standard. These artists align culinary know-how and cutting-edge kitchen technology to bring dishes worthy of the world’s top restaurants to the sea.
Gastronomic Restaurant
Nuna (the earth) - Deck 5
Nuna, the 484 m² gastronomic restaurant at the rear of deck 5, can seat all the ship's passengers at a single sitting. Elegant and refinement are all part and parcel of the à la carte dining experience it has to offer at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ship's second bridge is located at the back of the restaurant: behind its large windows, you will have a front row seat to observe the crew during their operations.
- Capacity : 245
- French and international cuisine
- Signature dishes by Alain Ducasse
- Fine wine cellar
- Furniture by Ligne Roset
- Bernardaud French china and glassware by Elne
“To go where others do not go - in the geographical sense but also in the gastronomic sense, such is the challenge that we take up on board Le Commandant Charcot. This experience is absolutely unique: never before has the French art of living been so far-reaching, and we are very proud to contribute to it with PONANT.”
Jérôme Lacressonnière, Director at Ducasse Conseil
Restaurant
Sila (the sky, outside) - Deck 9
In a more relaxed atmosphere, a 320 m² restaurant located at deck 9 will welcome you for your breakfasts, buffet lunches and themed dinners.
- Indoor capacity: 142
Open-air bar
Inneq (the fire) - Deck 9
At the open-air bar, you can enjoy a varied and refined range of international sweet and savoury dishes throughout the day (11am-6pm), as well as a permanent menu.
- Bar capacity : 79
- Restaurant capacity : 62
A more eco-friendly sailing
PONANT’s latest addition to the fleet, Le Commandant Charcot - the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas, is the epitome of a more responsible and sustainable sailing. Safe and low impact polar navigation is her area of expertise, taking advantage of the latest innovations and even developing new, market-leading technologies and solutions to make Le Commandant Charcot one of the most advanced polar vessels at sea today.
Exceptional suites and staterooms
Equipped with 123 suites and staterooms with private balcony or terrace, 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 186 m² (2,002 ft²) private terrace.
A unique concierge service
To assist you in all the steps related to your cruise, our Concierge Travel team is at your dispposal at any time. Our experts help you plan and develop your tailor-made trip. Before embarking Le Commandant Charcot, rest assured our team had handle every details.
Information & reservations
+ 33 4 91 26 62 20
A more eco-friendly sailing
PONANT’s latest addition to the fleet, Le Commandant Charcot - the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas, is the epitome of a more responsible and sustainable sailing. Safe and low impact polar navigation is her area of expertise, taking advantage of the latest innovations and even developing new, market-leading technologies and solutions to make Le Commandant Charcot one of the most advanced polar vessels at sea today.
LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG)
Only ship in the world that is genuinely autonomous for a period of one and a half months using LNG thanks to 2x 4,500 m3 tanks.
ELECTRIC POWER
Largest battery bank ever installed on a cruise ship. Zero emissions and quiet sailing in electric mode in protected areas.
RESPECTFUL TOWARDS ECOSYSTEMS
Shell and sea creature detectors, electronic positioning system without the need for anchoring, ballast water processing, reduced noise and vibrations.
PC2 SHELL
Only passenger ship in the world with a PC2 polar class shell, ensuring total safety and the ability to travel through channels inaccessible to other expedition ships.
ELECTRICAL QUAY CONNECTION
in ports that are equipped.
RECYCLED ENERGY
Blue Lagoon baths and benches on the promenade deck heated by recycled energy generated by the ship’s propulsion.
WASTE REDUCTION
Onboard production and bottling of drinking water in glass containers, supply and provision of stainless steel flasks, elimination of single-use plastics.
CONTROLLED ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Optimisation of navigation routes, energy management systems, ship speed limitation.
CERTIFICATION
Clean Ship label awarded by the Bureau Veritas guaranteeing reduced atmospheric emissions and water and waste processing.
LOW EMISSIONS
25% less carbon emissions, 85% less nitrogen oxide emissions and 95% less fine particle emissions.
AZIPODS
The world's most powerful propulsion pods, providing safety and exceptional 360° manoeuvring ability in the ice.
LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG)
Only ship in the world that is genuinely autonomous for a period of one and a half months using LNG thanks to 2x 4,500 m3 tanks.
ELECTRIC POWER
Largest battery bank ever installed on a cruise ship. Zero emissions and quiet sailing in electric mode in protected areas.
RESPECTFUL TOWARDS ECOSYSTEMS
Shell and sea creature detectors, electronic positioning system without the need for anchoring, ballast water processing, reduced noise and vibrations.
PC2 SHELL
Only passenger ship in the world with a PC2 polar class shell, ensuring total safety and the ability to travel through channels inaccessible to other expedition ships.
ELECTRICAL QUAY CONNECTION
in ports that are equipped.
RECYCLED ENERGY
Blue Lagoon baths and benches on the promenade deck heated by recycled energy generated by the ship’s propulsion.
RÉDUCTION DES DÉCHETS
Onboard production and bottling of drinking water in glass containers, supply and provision of stainless steel flasks, elimination of single-use plastics.
CONTROLLED ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Optimisation of navigation routes, energy management systems, ship speed limitation.
CERTIFICATION
Clean Ship label awarded by the Bureau Veritas guaranteeing reduced atmospheric emissions and water and waste processing.
LOW EMISSIONS
25% less carbon emissions, 85% less nitrogen oxide emissions and 95% less fine particle emissions.
Mathieu Petiteau,
Director of New Construction at PONANT
We had to imagine, develop and design everything from A to Z. No ship like Le Commandant Charcot had ever seen the light of day. Going to such privileged environments without limiting our impact as much as possible was out of the question.
The art of polar navigation
Le Commandant Charcot is the world's first passenger ship to be fitted with a Polar Class 2 (PC2) hull. This gives it the ability to sail between the sheets of drifting sea ice and reach the most remote and isolated regions, when conditions allow. Protecting the polar ecosystems and the coastal sea ice – a vital habitat for marine wildlife – is our priority. Expertise, innovation, humility before nature, cooperation with local peoples and ensuring a minimal impact on the environment are the fundamental concepts behind responsible exploration.
Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau,
Captains onboard Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot is both an extraordinary vessel and a safe and comfortable ship. It's a sailor's dream; an outstanding accomplishment You simply could not do better when it comes to sailing in polar regions; though to minimise our impact as far as possible, we explore these regions with a tremendous sense of humility.
Pioneer of safety regulations in the polar regions
The rescue and safety equipment developed and designed from scratch by PONANT for Le Commandant Charcot (Ice Cube, group survival kit, floating polar shelters and survival suits) currently exceed the existing safety criteria established by the tourism industry as well as the military, raise the bar for maritime safety and standards in polar tourism, and help experts across the world to devise new safety strategies
Ecosystem-friendly landing protocols
Our approach is also based on a carefully considered choice of itineraries, the drafting of a specific environmental brief for each sensitive region or area, a code of conduct for passengers, and of course, a zero tolerance policy regarding the impact we leave behind when we travel through an area.
PONANT is a member of IAATO (the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) and AECO, (the International Association of Expedition Cruise Operators for Responsible, Environmentally Friendly and Safe Tourism), two organisations responsible for regulating tourism activities in Antarctica and the Arctic. Our itineraries and protocols in the polar regions are designed in accordance with the directives issued by these organisations, which stipulate the maximum number of passengers allowed to disembark and the specific conduct to be followed (i.e. maximum wildlife approach distances; briefings for passengers, crew and expedition personnel; the level of Antarctic experience of expedition personnel; and emergency and medical evacuation plans).
In detail
Technical Specificity
Services provided
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite
- 24hr room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- 3 ADA staterooms
Your stateroom category