Le Commandant Charcot

Your staterllm attendant is at your disposal to provide a laundry service. It takes 24 to 48 hours to wash and iron your clothes. Only an ironing service can be provided on the same day. Dry cleaning is not possible, so we kindly ask you to only give us clothes that can be washed with water.

** These services are chargeable and billed directly to your cabin account. 

Ships are non-smoking, even on accommodation balconies. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas of the ship.

Electrical plug adapters are provided on board, they are available at the reception.

Are the electrical outlets on board compliant with European standards?

Yes, the alternating current 220 volts 50 Hertz is distributed through outlets compliant with European standards. The electricity on board is in 220 volts AC (European standard) and 110 volts AC (North American standard). For safety reasons, the use of hair straighteners and irons is not allowed in the staterooms. On board Le Ponant, the 110 volts AC is only distributed in the bathroom of the staterooms.

Children under one (1 year old / 12 months) are not permitted on PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruises.

On Classic cruises, children are permitted from one (1 year old), with a maximum of five children aged one to six (1 to 6 years old) on board each voyage.

Children aged four years and older are welcome at the Kids’ Club when the service is offered on board.

On Expedition cruises, children are accepted from the age of six (6 years), and from eight (8 years) on Le Commandant Charcot, and they must be able to be completely independent during landings in zodiacs, and to understand and respond immediately to instructions given by expedition leaders. Therefore, these landings are subject to the agreement of the captain and the expedition leader, depending on the sea conditions and the difficulty of access to each site visited.

In all cases and at all times, both on board or on land, children and young minors are the full and total responsibility of their parents or accompanying adults.

The languages spoken on board are French and English. The signage is in French and English. On some cruises, crew members also speak other languages.

A satellite telephone system is at your disposal for contacting anyone, anywhere in the world. The cost of the call is added to the stateroom account (€6/minute). Calls that you receive can be transferred directly to your stateroom or to any other communal area on the ship. To receive or send faxes, please see Reception.

You have free Wi-Fi internet access on board all ships (cabins and common areas). On the Sisterships (L’Austral, Le Lyrial, The Boréal, Le Soléal), one or more computers are available to you in the leisure areas. Thanks to the Starlink network provided by Marlink, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP guarantees you quality Wi-Fi access, regardless of the location and navigation conditions.

There is a doctor on board available to the passengers on all our ships:

The schedules of consultation are listed each day in the log book (emergency consultation 24/7).

The Sisterships, PONANT Explorers and Le Commandant Charcot also have a hospital for any small surgery.

During the excursions, the passengers are accompanied by a doctor or a nurse.

There is a fee for consultations on board . The price may vary according to the time and place of the consultation (hospital or staterooms). You must also pay for medications.

The doctor on board is not authorised to distribute sick leaves and prescriptions. Only accounts and invoices are provided which may be used by the passenger to obtain a refund from his/her health insurance if his/her contract allows.

Medical Consultations

Consultations, medical and surgical procedures, laboratory tests or medical imaging examinations (radiology) carried out on board by the doctor or nurse are subject to charges. The price may vary depending on the time and location of the consultation (at the onboard hospital or in the cabin). The cost of all procedures is displayed in the waiting room. Guests are also required to pay for any medications.

The ship’s doctor is unable to provide medical certificates and prescriptions. Only reports and invoices are issued, which can be used by the guest to claim a refund from their health insurance if their policy allows it.

Special Medical Treatment

If you have a special treatment, please inform the reservation service at the time of your registration, indicate it on the information form filled out before departure, then inform the crew on board at the time of boarding and bring your specific medications for the duration of the cruise.

Seasickness

Our ships (with the exception of Le Ponant and the Spirit of Ponant) are equipped with stabilisers fitted with dynamic fins that adapt to the movements of the ship. This system allows for anticipation and compensation for pitch and roll to provide great stability. Guests anticipating seasickness experience reduced symptoms and are surprised not to be inconvenienced.

Only the Sisterships, the PONANT Explorers, Paul Gauguin and Le Commandant Charcot have been designed to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility.

Staterooms specially designed on board the Sisterships, decks 3 (307), 4 (407) and 5 (509) 3 c for two people aged 18. in a wheelchair, with a double bed (180 x 200) cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 shower and toilet in the bathroom as well as a balcony of 4  2 (only for cabins on the decks 4 and 5) having a small ramp Wheelchair accessible,

on board the PONANT Explorers, decks 4 (431) and 5 (527) 2 cabins for two people each at 27.5 2in a wheelchair, with a double bed (180 x 200) cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 sink, shower, and toilet in the bathroom, as well as a balcony of 4  Wheelchair accessible,

on board the Commandant Charcot, points 6 (626 and 628) and 8 (818) 3 cabins for two people each of 28 

2I’m accIin a wheelchair, with a double bed (180 x 200) cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 shower and toilet in the bathroom, as well as abalcony of 7.5.2 a small ramp Wheelchair accessible,

on board the Paul Gauguin, bridge 4 (415 and 416) 2 cabins for two people each aged 21 in a wheelchair, with a double queen size bed (160 x 200) cm) only for the 416, and a double queen size bed (160 x 200 cm) or two single beds (80 x 200 cm) for the 415, shower and toilet in the bathroom, as well as.a window with panoramic view.

Ramps providing easy access for movement in common areas.

Posters, signage, and cabin numbers translated into braille.

Despite these arrangements, each passenger must be able to be autonomous or travel with a companion who can provide all the necessary assistance during their journey. If a person is not deemed sufficiently fit to travel safely, the company reserves the right to refuse their boarding. Landings in difficult areas or on zodiacs are subject to the approval of the captain, always with the passenger’s well-being and safety in mind.

Technical Accessories

We recommend that you bring a ski mask, sunglasses, walking sticks, a waterproof backpack, binoculars, a technical watch, a mosquito net for the face (in the Arctic), and a waterproof pouch. These accessories are also available for purchase at the onboard shop.

Dress Code

We recommend wearing casual and elegant outfits, cocktail attire for gala evenings, and white or black and white attire for the Officers’ evening. Shorts and bermudas are not allowed in the evening at gourmet restaurants.

Expedition Cruise

For an expedition cruise, pack practical clothing and comfortable shoes. During your polar cruises, a polar parka in your size will be provided and boots in your size will be loaned to you.

Sustainable development is enshrined in the company’s statutes and is at the heart of the PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP project. Founded over 30 years ago by committed sailors, the company was born out of a desire to share the passion for the oceans and the treasures of the Earth. This responsibility commits us to engage in a respectful dialogue with the environment and the populations encountered, and to invest in various areas related to the preservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural heritage of polar and oceanic regions.

To learn more about our commitments to sustainable development and about the PONANT Foundation, visit the page. Engagements.

Clean Ships

We were among the first in the world to abandon heavy fuel. Our ships are equipped with electric diesel engines and SCR catalytic converters, which help reduce our emissions and fuel consumption. Our high polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, is a hybrid electric ship, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and light fuel. Thanks to LNG, there is a reduction of -25% in CO2 emissions, -85% in nitrogen oxide emissions, and -95% in fine particle emissions. Every time we design a new ship, we equip it with the latest eco-technologies available, allowing us to maintain our position as a leader in the cruise industry in terms of the environment, surpassing international regulations in some aspects. This commitment is recognised by numerous independent organisations. If you would like to learn more, please visit our section on ‘labels, certifications, and distinctions’ on the Engagements page.

Wastewater

Wastewater is treated using processes that exclude the use of chemicals. The treated water is sometimes reused on board for technical purposes (laundry, deck washing…) and is used for the external cleaning of the ship.

Waste

We have optimised our organisation to reduce waste at the source, waste is still produced on board. Equipment adapted for sorting each type of waste is in place. This equipment helps reduce the stored volume and facilitates their recovery. We ensure complete traceability of this waste and have a valuation rate of 80% by 2026.

Single-use plastics

We have eliminated single-use plastics (such as straws, cups, food portions, laundry bags, etc.). A metal water bottle is provided to each guests during expedition cruises, and water fountains are available in the common areas of the ships. We are also developing the bottling of our water in glass bottles.

Discover all our products in daily actions.

Each of us can contribute to building a better world. Travelling aboard Le Commandant Charcot means committing to leaving a minimal footprint, in line with the values we defend and share in this code of ethics. In polar regions, the expedition team will provide you with guidance for ensuring compliance with the IAATO and AECO regulations, the organisations that govern these regions. 

BEFORE THE TRIP

• Take an interest in the destination and find out about its inhabitants – their customs and practices – its wildlife, culture and history, setting aside all prejudices and preconceived ideas
• Only pack the essentials
• Ensure compliance with the prohibition on the import of forbidden products

DURING THE TRIP

Leave no lasting signs of your visit

• Do not leave litter on site
• Do not move anything or remove anything from the places visited (sand, stones, bones, plants, etc.)
• Do not carve on rocks, ruins or buildings
• Avoid trampling on the vegetation

Do not disturb the wildlife

• Keep conversation low and move slowly
• Comply with the minimum distance guidelines
• Leave all food on board the ship
• Give right of way to the animals when they’re on the move and accessing water

Show respect to the communities

• Behave in an open manner
• Adapt to the local customs
• Certain populations, in the tropical regions, wear little clothing: avoid inappropriate staring
• Ask before taking photographs
• Do not walk in the gardens, cemeteries, remains or other archaeological sites, and do not look into the windows of dwellings unless invited to do so
• Contribute to the local economy by purchasing craft souvenirs (unless they contain feathers, fossils, bones, plants and stones: ask the naturalist guides for advice) 

Comply with the security guidelines

• Listen carefully to the instructions issued 

  by the crew and the expedition team

• Stay on the signposted footpaths
• Follow the group
• Do not interact with guides responsible for bear watching
• Dress appropriately for the climatic and landscape conditions
• Know and respect your physical limits

AFTER THE TRIP

• Share your experience with others
• Raise the awareness of your friends and family and encourage them to get involved
• Continue to keep up to date on the regions visited 

A complete offer (excluding Spirit of PONANT and La Désirade¹)

SERVICES INCLUDED ON ALL OUR CRUISES

• Full board from arrival to departure day
• High-end gastronomy in all restaurants
• All drinks in restaurants, bars and minibars. All drinks are included² (selection of champagnes, wines and spirits, beers, cocktails, water, soft drinks, hot drinks)
• 24-hour room service
• Butler service for certain suites³
• Free and unlimited internet access on board
• Evenings, shows and other entertainment
• Access to the fitness area and the hammam or sauna, depending on the ship.
• All port and security fees

SERVICES INCLUDED DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF CRUISE/SHIP

• Timeless: one included excursion⁴ per person, per day and per stopover, led by local guides (visits to monuments, tastings of local products, etc.)
• Discoveries: one included activity per person, per day and per stopover, which can be either an included excursion⁴ led by local guides or an included activity led by naturalist guides
• Expeditions: one activity included per person, per day, per port of call, led by naturalist guides (hiking, zodiac excursions, etc.).
• Some more secluded ports of call, with few or no facilities, will be offered for independent exploration. Passengers will thus have the freedom to explore the area and enjoy activities on their own (swimming at the beach, shopping, restaurants, shows, etc.).
• Lectures by our naturalist guides or our destination expert (excluding sea voyages)
• Non-motorized water sports activities (excluding diving), such as kayaking on the Commandant Charcot or stand-up paddleboarding depending on the ship, are subject to weather and safety conditions, local authorizations, and the Captain’s agreement.
• Taxes for national parks and protected areas
• The accompaniment of a team of naturalist guides is provided only on expedition and discovery cruises; on land or, depending on the destination, during excursions and/or landings by Zodiac.

If you follow a specific diet (vegetarian, diabetic, low calorie, gluten-free, allergy…), it is essential to specify it when making your reservation. You will then receive adapted menus throughout your cruise.

Every season, we offer a wide range of cruises with ‘no single supplement’: you thus benefit from a double stateroom to yourself, at no extra cost. The onboard atmosphere is conducive to meeting and interacting with other guests, and the crew ensures your well-being and integration on board. Discover the cruises by consulting the single page offered.

Our app accompanies you in your preparations and during your stay on board. Find the services offered and the information that facilitates your journey.

Are you soon boarding with us?

Thanks to its app, PONANT accompanies you in your travel preparations, and then during your stay on board. Find our services and information that will make your cruise even easier.

Prepare your cruise with peace of mind

• Receive notifications to pre-book your programs before and after the cruise, as well as your excursions.
• Get a sneak peek of the captain and crew who will accompany you during your stay.
• Follow in real-time the positioning of the ship on which you will embark.
• Access your luggage checklist, the clothing outfits recommended by our experts for your destination, and the formalities to be expected before your departure.
• Check the steps of your journey and find out the details of the amenities in your cabin.

Once on board, the PONANT app makes all your procedures easier

• Use the guest mode to access onboard services without logging in.
• Find the highlights of your cruise, day by day.
• Add your favourite excursions to your wishlist.
• Check out the most beautiful photos from your cruise.
• Order your breakfast and room service from your smartphone.
• Conference schedules, spa relaxation sessions… All your important appointments on board are noted in your application.

Download the application

The companion of your next journey

Download on the App Store

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Required Android version: 5.0 and later Required iOS version: 12.4 and later