In a bold and unprecedented move, luxury expedition company Ponant has announced that its icebreaking vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, will become the first cruise ship in history to complete a full circumnavigation of Antarctica.
The groundbreaking voyage is scheduled for early 2028 and promises to be one of the most ambitious polar expeditions ever undertaken by a civilian vessel.
Departing from Ushuaia in January 2028, the 245-metre hybrid-electric ship will navigate nearly 18,000 kilometres around the White Continent, traversing remote and little-explored stretches of ice-bound coastline that few have ever seen.
Her journey will be split into two legs: the first taking guests from Ushuaia to Hobart in Tasmania over 30 days, followed by a 34-day return via the eastern coast of Antarctica after a two-day stopover in Hobart.
This extraordinary expedition was conceived and planned by Captains Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau, both seasoned navigators with extensive experience at the helm of Ponant’s polar fleet.
They will jointly command Le Commandant Charcot for the duration of the voyage, guiding guests through some of the planet’s most forbidding and beautiful wilderness.
“Ponant Explorations’ spirit is about those moments of shared awe as we witness the immense forces of nature at play,” said Captain Garcia.
“As one of the originators of this project and personally involved, I am deeply committed to guiding guests in uncovering the secrets of this new maritime route.
“It’s a privilege to help them experience how we humbly engage with the elements – the wind, the sea, the ice – bringing us as close as possible to the marvels of the natural world.”
Sailing under the French flag, Le Commandant Charcot is equipped with a PC2 polar hull and is powered by a hybrid engine using liquefied natural gas (LNG), enabling her to operate in extreme environments while minimising environmental impact.
The ship meets the highest standards of maritime safety and sustainability, with a specially trained crew for ice navigation and a suite of onboard scientific facilities, including wet and dry laboratories and a state-of-the-art SIMS antenna to measure ice thickness in real time.
More than a luxury cruise, this journey will be a modern-day polar odyssey – offering a glimpse into the storied past of polar exploration.
Guests will follow in the footsteps of legendary adventurers like Ross, Shackleton and Amundsen, uncovering relics of early expeditions and experiencing the awe of venturing into untouched landscapes where humans have rarely, if ever, set foot.
“After sailing the Ross Sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot, I had the privilege of following in the footsteps of explorers Ross, Shackleton and Amundsen, who made history at the South Pole,” added Captain Garcia.
“Today, we want to allow guests to experience the thrill of exploration during the first circumnavigation of Antarctica – a land where humans have never set foot, a frozen world yet to be discovered.”
Guests on board will also be able to immerse themselves in the elements through a range of expedition activities, including snowshoe treks, kayaking, Zodiac excursions and even the iconic polar plunge.
Sales for this once-in-a-lifetime voyage are expected to open in December.
