In 2027, Ponant Explorations will offer 12-night voyages to the geographic North Pole aboard Le Commandant Charcot. Designed to showcase “the full magnitude of polar exploration in a shorter time frame,” these itineraries are a response to demand from the Americas’ market and complement the line’s longer North Pole voyages.Sailing round-trip from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, these journeys depart 27 July, 8 August, 20 August and 1 September 2027. They will traverse the drifting sea ice of the Arctic Ocean en-route to 90 degrees north.Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.Said Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of Ponant Explorations Group, Americas: “With Le Commandant Charcot, we’ve created a ship that not only pushes the boundaries of polar navigation but also serves as a platform for scientific research, environmental stewardship and cultural exchange.”
Geographic North Pole Explorations Overview
Departing from Longyearbyen, the ship will sail the coasts of Spitsbergen before navigating the “ever-shifting” ice floe en-route to the geographic North Pole. Along the way, guests may witness such Arctic wildlife as polar bears, seals, whales and Arctic foxes—before stepping foot on the northernmost point of the planet.
Highlights of the exploration include:
The quest to reach 90 degrees North—permanently ice-covered, sunlit for six months of the year, and one of the most inaccessible places on Earth.
Witnessing Arctic landscapes, including towering glaciers, dramatic ice compression ridges and Svalbard’s sculpted fjords and rugged peaks.
Encountering rare wildlife like polar bears, whales, seals, seabirds and Arctic foxes.
Zodiac outings, kayaking, ice landings, snowshoeing and “the ultimate Arctic ritual”—polar plunging.
A visit to Ny-Ålesund, a remote research outpost linked to the early explorers, and sailing through Spitsbergen’s wild northwest coast.
Experiencing “the haunting beauty” of the Arctic under the midnight sun—and, conditions permitting, the Northern Lights.
All expeditions include round-trip airfare from Paris to Longyearbyen, transfers and Ponant Explorations’ all-inclusive sailing experience.
About Le Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot, which made history in 2022 with the first passenger sailing to reach the Geographic North Pole, is the only ship in the world with Polar Class 2 (PC-2) classification, giving it the ability to navigate uncharted ice floes and shifting glaciers. The ship has a hybrid electric propulsion system powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), allowing for navigation with reduced environmental impact and a smoother, quieter ride.All staterooms and suites have private balconies or terraces. Nuna—the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea—celebrates French culinary artistry. Public spaces include the glass-enclosed Observation Lounge, firelit Main Lounge, open-air Blue Lagoon deck with heated seating and a spa with Biologique Recherche treatments, a snow room, sauna and an indoor pool.
