Itinerary
At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina’s northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego’s historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk’nam, and Alakaluf Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony, establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in 1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former inmates and prison staff. Today the Indians of Darwin’s “missing link” theory are long gone—wiped out by diseases brought by settlers and by indifference to their plight—and the 60,000 residents of Ushuaia are hitching their star to tourism.The city rightly (if perhaps too loudly) promotes itself as the southernmost city in the world (Puerto Williams, a few miles south on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, is a small town). You can make your way to the tourism office to get your clichéd, but oh-so-necessary, “Southernmost City in the World” passport stamp. Ushuaia feels like a frontier boomtown, at heart still a rugged, weather-beaten fishing village, but exhibiting the frayed edges of a city that quadrupled in size in the ’70s and ’80s and just keeps growing. Unpaved portions of Ruta 3, the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, are finally being paved. The summer months (December through March) draw more than 120,000 visitors, and dozens of cruise ships. The city is trying to extend those visits with events like March’s Marathon at the End of the World and by increasing the gamut of winter activities buoyed by the excellent snow conditions.A terrific trail winds through the town up to the Martial Glacier, where a ski lift can help cut down a steep kilometer of your journey. The chaotic and contradictory urban landscape includes a handful of luxury hotels amid the concrete of public housing projects. Scores of “sled houses” (wooden shacks) sit precariously on upright piers, ready for speedy displacement to a different site. But there are also many small, picturesque homes with tiny, carefully tended gardens. Many of the newer homes are built in a Swiss-chalet style, reinforcing the idea that this is a town into which tourism has breathed new life. At the same time, the weather-worn pastel colors that dominate the town’s landscape remind you that Ushuaia was once just a tiny fishing village, snuggled at the end of the Earth.As you stand on the banks of the Canal Beagle (Beagle Channel) near Ushuaia, the spirit of the farthest corner of the world takes hold. What stands out is the light: at sundown the landscape is cast in a subdued, sensual tone; everything feels closer, softer, and more human in dimension despite the vastness of the setting. The snowcapped mountains reflect the setting sun back onto a stream rolling into the channel, as nearby peaks echo their image—on a windless day—in the still waters.Above the city rise the last mountains of the Andean Cordillera, and just south and west of Ushuaia they finally vanish into the often-stormy sea. Snow whitens the peaks well into summer. Nature is the principal attraction here, with trekking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and sailing among the most rewarding activities, especially in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park).
Remote and otherworldly, Antarctic is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking on ice floes, the whales and orcas.
Remote and otherworldly, Antarctic is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals and the iconic penguins. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers, and scientists who have come to work, and eventually intrepid visitors coming to enjoy this pristine and remote wilderness. It is a region of protected bays, unscaled snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and a few places where whalers or scientists have worked. Just as irresistible are the many Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguin colonies, the seals basking on ice floes, the whales and orcas.
At 55 degrees latitude south, Ushuaia (pronounced oo-swy-ah) is closer to the South Pole than to Argentina’s northern border with Bolivia. It is the capital and tourism base for Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southernmost tip of Argentina.Although its stark physical beauty is striking, Tierra del Fuego’s historical allure is based more on its mythical past than on rugged reality. The island was inhabited for 6,000 years by Yámana, Haush, Selk’nam, and Alakaluf Indians. But in 1902 Argentina, eager to populate Patagonia to bolster its territorial claims, moved to initiate an Ushuaian penal colony, establishing the permanent settlement of its most southern territories and, by implication, everything in between.When the prison closed in 1947, Ushuaia had a population of about 3,000, made up mainly of former inmates and prison staff. Today the Indians of Darwin’s “missing link” theory are long gone—wiped out by diseases brought by settlers and by indifference to their plight—and the 60,000 residents of Ushuaia are hitching their star to tourism.The city rightly (if perhaps too loudly) promotes itself as the southernmost city in the world (Puerto Williams, a few miles south on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, is a small town). You can make your way to the tourism office to get your clichéd, but oh-so-necessary, “Southernmost City in the World” passport stamp. Ushuaia feels like a frontier boomtown, at heart still a rugged, weather-beaten fishing village, but exhibiting the frayed edges of a city that quadrupled in size in the ’70s and ’80s and just keeps growing. Unpaved portions of Ruta 3, the last stretch of the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, are finally being paved. The summer months (December through March) draw more than 120,000 visitors, and dozens of cruise ships. The city is trying to extend those visits with events like March’s Marathon at the End of the World and by increasing the gamut of winter activities buoyed by the excellent snow conditions.A terrific trail winds through the town up to the Martial Glacier, where a ski lift can help cut down a steep kilometer of your journey. The chaotic and contradictory urban landscape includes a handful of luxury hotels amid the concrete of public housing projects. Scores of “sled houses” (wooden shacks) sit precariously on upright piers, ready for speedy displacement to a different site. But there are also many small, picturesque homes with tiny, carefully tended gardens. Many of the newer homes are built in a Swiss-chalet style, reinforcing the idea that this is a town into which tourism has breathed new life. At the same time, the weather-worn pastel colors that dominate the town’s landscape remind you that Ushuaia was once just a tiny fishing village, snuggled at the end of the Earth.As you stand on the banks of the Canal Beagle (Beagle Channel) near Ushuaia, the spirit of the farthest corner of the world takes hold. What stands out is the light: at sundown the landscape is cast in a subdued, sensual tone; everything feels closer, softer, and more human in dimension despite the vastness of the setting. The snowcapped mountains reflect the setting sun back onto a stream rolling into the channel, as nearby peaks echo their image—on a windless day—in the still waters.Above the city rise the last mountains of the Andean Cordillera, and just south and west of Ushuaia they finally vanish into the often-stormy sea. Snow whitens the peaks well into summer. Nature is the principal attraction here, with trekking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife spotting, and sailing among the most rewarding activities, especially in the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego National Park).
Services provided
- Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner’s suite
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (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
- 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
- Private return transfer
- Priority boarding
- Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
- utler service
- An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
- A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
- A living room with armchairs, two sofa beds, steam fireplace, and second TV
- A desk and bookcase
- A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi
- A dining room with a 6-seater table
- A minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses
- A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
- A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer
- A private 186 m² terrace: outdoor lounge with deckchairs, hot tub, two sofas, and dining table
- Two panoramic sliding bay windows
- Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
- A Swarovski Optik ST VISTA telescope
Services provided
- Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner’s suite
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (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
- 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
- Private return transfer
- Priority boarding
- Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
- Butler service
- An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and a basket of fruit every day
- A lounge with armchairs, sofa bed, steam fireplace and TV
- A dining room with a 6-seater table
- A minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses
- A Samsung tablet connected to Wi-Fi
- A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV
- A bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub
- Five panoramic windows and a glazed panoramic swing door
- A private 26 m² terrace: outdoor lounge with sofa and armchairs, jacuzzi
- Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
Services provided
- Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner’s suite
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (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
- 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
- Priority boarding
- Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
- Butler service
- An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
- A lounge with sofa bed, armchair, and sliding courtesy door
- A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi
- A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
- A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
- Two panoramic sliding doors and rectangular porthole
- A 12.5 m² glazed private balcony
- Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
Services provided
- Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner’s suite
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (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
- 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
- Priority boarding
- Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
- Butler service
- An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
- A lounge area with chaise longue and second TV
- A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi
- A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
- A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
- A panoramic sliding bay window
- A 5 m² glazed private balcony
- Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
Services provided
- Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner’s suite
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (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
- 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
- A lounge area with chaise longue and two armchairs
- A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
- A bathroom with shower
- A panoramic sliding bay window
- A 5 m² glazed private balcony
Services provided
- Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner’s suite
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (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
- 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
- A lounge with sofa, armchair, TV and sliding courtesy door
- A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
- Two bathrooms with shower
- Two panoramic sliding bay windows
- A 10 m² glazed private balcony
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.
- Deck 5
- 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
In a more relaxed atmosphere, a 320 m² restaurant located at deck 9 will welcome you for your breakfasts, buffet lunches and themed dinners.
- Deck 9
- Indoor capacity: 142
Open-Air Bar
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.
- Deck 9
- Bar capacity : 79
- Restaurant capacity : 62
Whether you wish to have breakfast in the privacy of your stateroom, savour a snack in the middle of the day or enjoy your dinner in an intimate setting, our Room Service is available for you. Have a gourmet interlude and treat yourself from a varied menu at any time of day or night *.
Excursions & land itineraries
Each itinerary has been thoughtfully created by our teams to offer you a complete excursion experience. You can discover the hidden gems of the regions you visit in line with your interests.
Hidden creeks, ancient cities, UNESCO world heritage sites… the world reveals its hidden gems as you journey along the routes taken by travellers. In keeping with our ethos “Accessing the worlds treasures by sea”, we offer a wide choice of land excursions during all our cruises (except for expeditions). Chosen by our PONANT experts for their cultural value and historic interest, these excursions can last a few hours or a few days. If you need to stay on land overnight, we take care of your stay from start to finish, until you rejoin your ship. These longer excursions mean you can discover the unmissable sites of the region you are visiting, like Cuzco in Peru for example or the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
You can access these trips by pre-booking two months before your departure date.
This first ever deep polar navigation cruise ship 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 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.
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.
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.
A scientific research and monitoring vessel
Sailing through the remote and icy regions of the poles provides a unique opportunity to regularly and periodically collect scientific data for use in understanding how sea ice forms, analysing ocean circulation, studying the biological characteristics of the polar marine environment, tracking and monitoring marine megafauna, and analysing the social and environmental impacts of tourism. The data collected by researchers and passengers through citizen science sessions is helping to advance research into these regions – 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.
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Two dedicated expedition boarding and disembarking rooms to port and starboard.
- A conference room (Ilua – to be inside, to understand) : 30 seats
The Expedition Desk is located on Deck 5.
Anori (the wind) – Deck 9
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A bar and a 262 m² (2820 ft²) observation lounge
- Library, reading area, live entertainment on certain evenings
- 2 Swarovski Optik telescopes
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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
- Deck 5
- A reception area of 270 m²
- The shipping office
- Administrative services on board
- The sales office run by our Reception and Travel Manager
- “Ponant Studio” photo space
- “Oscillations”: a digital work of art by Miguel Chevalier
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.
- 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
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Deck 9
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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 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.
- Kita (let’s go) – Deck 5
- Capacity of 270 people
- State-of-the-art sound and light technologies
- LED wall at the back of the stage allowing the projection of supports in very high resolution
A photography and videography team escort you throughout your trip. These professionals capture the most beautiful moments of your cruise, which you can share with family and friends upon your return. Meet them on DECK 5 (DECK 6 on the PONANT Explorers ships) at the photo/video area, where you can also order souvenir pictures and videos.
The Cigar Lounge is located on Deck 5.
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.
- 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 gyms on our ships are equipped with the very latest Technogym© equipment and machines. Treadmills, exercise bikes, Kinesis Wall© strength training machines and many other types of equipment are all provided in a laid-back relaxing environment. The wide floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the sea add undeniable charm to the exercise sessions.
Each day also begins with organised morning workout sessions, either out in the open air or in the theatre. These are supplemented by water aerobics in the pool, or in the sea off the beach for PONANT passengers, when the situation allows it.
Provided in partnership with KÉRASTASE® and L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL®, the hairdressing salon offers a complete range of top quality treatments designed to strengthen, nourish and reinvigorate hair’s shine and brilliance. Our stylists are available to serve all your styling, highlighting, colouring, cutting and tailored hair advice needs.
Your stateroom Officer will be able to take care of your laundry**. The washing and ironing of your clothes will take between 24 and 48 hours. Only ironing** can be delivered on the same day. As dry-cleaning is not possible on the ship, please only give us clothes that can be washed in water.
** These services are not free of charge and are billed directly to your stateroom account.
Closed spaces such as the lounges, the dining room, the staterooms and the reception are non-smoking areas. We invite you to smoke in designated outdoor parts of the ship.
Adapters are provided on board, they are available at the reception office of our ships.
European Standard Sockets
The 220 volt 50 hertz alternating current is distributed by sockets meeting European standards. Onboard power is 200 volt AC (European standard) and 110 volt AC (North American standard). For safety reasons, hair irons and clothes irons cannot be used in staterooms. Please note that on Le Ponant, 110 volt AC is only available in stateroom bathrooms.
Children under one year of age shall not be authorised to embark on the ships.
For children aged between 1 and 8 years old, an authorisation to board the ship must be made in writing to PONANT. Subject to agreement, a liability waiver must be completed and returned to the company to validate the registration.
On classic cruises (“yachting”), children are accepted from the age of one, with a maximum of 5 children between 1 and 6 years old on board.
On “expedition” cruises children are accepted from 6 years old (except cruises aboard Le Commandant Charcot) and must be fully independent during all the outside activities organised and during disembarkation in rubber boats, be sufficiently tall to sit on the inflatable sides of the boats, and old enough to understand, and immediately respond to the orders given by the persons in charge. As a result, children’s participation in any activity in an inflatable boat shall be subject to the agreement of the Captain and of the Expedition Head, depending on the sea conditions, and the difficulty of disembarking at each location visited. The ships do not carry Parka’s in children’s sizes. Parents must arrange to bring a suitable Parka for children. In all cases, children and young people under the age of 18 are at all times on board or on land under the full and total responsibility of their parents or carers.
For all “expedition” cruises on board Le Commandant Charcot, children are accepted from 8 years old only.
Children aged 4 years or more can be welcomed in the Kid’s Club when the service is offered on board
The crew are bilingual in French and English. All signage and announcements made are in French and English. On certain 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.
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available on all of our ships, in both the staterooms and the communal areas. One or several computers are at your disposal in the recreation centres. Please note that the Wi-Fi connection may be discontinued depending on the navigation area and landscapes that may block the vessel from satellite coverage, especially at high latitudes (no connection possible beyond 80° North or South), or for technical reasons beyond our control.
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
There is a charge for medical consultations undertaken by the doctor or nurse on board. The price can vary according to the time and place of the consultation (hospital or stateroom). Any medication must also be paid for by the passenger. If using medications on a regular basis make sure to bring adequate supplies for the duration of your cruise.
Special Medical Treatment
If you have any special treatment, we ask you to inform the reservation service when you register for the cruise, to note it on the information sheet before departure, then inform the on-board crew at the moment of departure and always keep your medication with you for the duration of the cruise.
Seasickness
Our ships (except Le Ponant) have stabilisers equipped with dynamic fins which adapt to the movements of the ship. This system allows the ship to anticipate and compensate for the pitching and tossing of the sea to achieve greater stability. Passengers suffering from seasickness will see their symptoms alleviated and are pleasantly surprised to not feel uncomfortable during their journey. However it is wise to bring travel motion medication with you for peace of mind.
Our Sisterships, PONANT EXPLORERS and Le Commandant Charcot were designed for people with reduced mobility in mind:
- Specially designed staterooms;
- Access ramps allowing easy movement in communal areas;
- Posters, signage and stateroom numbers are translated into Braille.
Despite these arrangements, each passenger should be able to be independent or travel with a close family member or friend who can give them whatever assistance they require during their trip.
If a person has not been judged suitably fit for travel in complete safety, the company reserves the right to refuse their embarkation. Disembarkation in difficult places or in a Zodiac® is subject to the approval of the Captain, who will always have the safety and wellbeing of the passenger in mind.
Technical Accessories
We advise you to equip yourself with a ski mask, sunglasses, walking poles (available to purchase in the shop), a waterproof rucksack, binoculars, a technical watch, a mosquito head net (for the Arctic) and a waterproof pouch.
We advise our passengers to wear casual and elegant outfits at their convenience, and more formal attire for the Captain’s Dinner.
Sustainable development is enshrined in the company’s articles of association and has been at the heart of the PONANT project since its inception. Founded over thirty years ago by committed sailors, the company was born out of a desire to share a passion for the oceans and the treasures of the Earth. This responsibility commits us to a respectful dialogue with the environment and the populations we meet and to investing in many fields related to the preservation and development of the natural and cultural heritage of the polar and oceanic regions.
Clean Ships
We were among the first cruise operators in the world to abandon the use of heavy fuels, and our ships are equipped with electric diesel engines and SCR catalytic converters, which enable a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Our polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, is a hybrid-electric vessel, propelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG enables a 25% reduction in carbon emissions, an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and a 95% reduction in fine particle emissions. Each time we design a new ship, we equip it with the latest available eco-technologies, enabling us to maintain our position as the cruise industry’s environmental leader, ahead of international regulations in some areas. A commitment recognised by many independent organisations:
- Our entire fleet is Clean Ship certified by the Bureau Veritas. This certification guarantees that our ships fulfil very precise criteria: emissions levels, waste processing, waste water etc.
- In 2020, PONANT was recognised as “the cruise operator with the greenest fleet in the world in terms of airborne emissions” by the German NGO, NABU.
- PONANT was awarded the Prix des Palmes du Tourisme Durable 2020 (Prize for Sustainable Tourism) in the “Voyage” category for the elimination of heavy fuel oil in favour of LS MGO.
- In 2019, PONANT became the first European cruise company to obtain the North American Green Alliance certificate. This certifies that its members have adopted practices and technologies that are respectful towards the environment.
- PONANT is also a signatory of the Charte Bleue from Armateurs de France, which commits the maritime sector to act to protect the marine environment.
Wastewater
All of the wastewater is treated by means of processes that exclude the use of chemical products. The recycled water is used to clean the exterior of the ship. The water that is discharged into the sea is treated, drinkable water.
Waste
We have optimised our organisation in order to reduce waste at the source. Waste is nonetheless still produced on board. As of 2020, 60% of this is sorted and recycled, with an objective of 85% set for 2023. We ensure the complete traceability of this waste.
Single-use plastics
We have eliminated the use of single-use plastics (straws, cups, food serving trays, laundry bags etc.). A metallic flask is issued to each passenger on 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.
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
- Inneq Bar
- Blue Lagoon
- Sila Restaurant
- Indoor Pool
- Winter Garden and Detox Bar
- Fitness
- Spa
- Nail Bar
- Snow Room
- Panoramic Lounge
- Sauna
- Bridge
- Staterooms
- Accessible Staterooms
- Staterooms
- Training Centre
- Staterooms
- Accessible Staterooms
- Promenade Deck
- Nuna Gastronomic
- Restaurant
- Aft, Bridge
- Photo Video
- Reception Desk
- Expeditions Desk
- Shop
- Cigar Lounge
- Sales Cruise Desk
- Main Lounge
- Theatre
- Bar
- Expedition Room
- Conference Room
Get in touch with our team to start planning
Call and speak to a member of our experienced team today on +44 (0)1491 528 988 or email info@authenticcruises.co.uk.
Alternatively, leave your details and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.