Transarctic, the Quest for the Two North Poles on Le Commandant Charcot

Cruise, Ocean cruise
Offer Image
  • Offer Image
  • Le Commandant Charcot Sailing
  • Le Commandant Charcot Common Area
  • Le Commandant Charcot Outside Space
  • Le Commandant Charcot Pool

In partnership with The Explorers Club, our ship will host esteemed members of The Explorers Club, renowned for their trailblazing expeditions to the farthest reaches of the globe. Equipped with specialized laboratories onboard, Science Grantees will provide invaluable firsthand knowledge, delving into their ongoing research. Meanwhile, our esteemed Speakers will captivate audiences with engaging lectures and thrilling narratives drawn from their own daring explorations. Join us as we venture to the world's most remote corners, where discovery and adventure await at every turn.

With featured guests Laurence de La Ferrière, renowned French adventurer and Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.

In 1926, when Umberto Nobile crossed the Arctic via the North Pole, aboard the Norge airship that he designed himself, he became the first man in the world to undertake this crossing. It was an exploit that many would subsequently attempt to repeat. For, behind the idea of exploring our planet’s last latitudes, there lies the prospect of raising our spirit, of matching our thirst for the unknown with our deep desire to gain a greater understanding of the world in which we live.

Le Commandant Charcot, a ship of scientific opportunity, follows in the tradition of Nobile, a pioneer and a tireless architect of polar discovery, in order to discover some of the Arctic’s secrets during a dedicated research mission at the highest point of the north.

The ship, the latest addition to the company’s fleet, shaped for polar exploration, is preparing to sail, a never travelled, transpolar maritime route, that is inaccessible to traditional ships. From the legendary Bering Strait, a link between the East and the West, to the ice-covered land of Svalbard, Le Commandant Charcot will carve out a path through the ice floes, exploring the ice of the Beaufort Sea, and use open water leads to attempt to reach the elusive Magnetic and Geographic North Poles.

Like a pioneer, you will cross these ice-covered landscapes of the Arctic by sea. During your exploration, you will discover the research projects that are part of the scientific mission taking place on board. This is a unique opportunity to clarify your knowledge alongside a multi-disciplinary team of around twenty researchers on board, to understand their investigations and closely follow their work. Also accompanied by our expert naturalists, you will discover unique ecosystems while sharpening your perception of the polar world and comprehending the stakes of their transformation. Use this journey to grant yourself an initiatory immersion: the rare occasion to take part in an adventure that is making a contribution to scientific research.

Taking an all-new route means pledging to enter an unexplored world with respect, taking the time to observe and understand, as a conscious witness, the unfolding show. With your senses awakened, with the ice floe as your travel companion, you will move through an ever-changing environment, its hypnotic panoramas of raw beauty sculpted by sea winds and plays on light. In the heart of the drifting ice, you will savour the constantly renewed poetry of the elements.

Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.

Interests
  • Luxury
About Le Commandant Charcot
About Ponant
Ponant logo

PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries that touch all corners of the globe. Every cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery—all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of extreme landscapes.

Why cruise with PONANT?

• 13 luxury small ships, able to easily navigate small waterways and visit remote destinations not accessible by large cruise ships.

Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration yacht, sails further into the polar regions (including the Geographic North Pole).

• The youngest expedition fleet afloat.

• The leader in luxury polar expeditions for over 20 years and cultural cruising for over 30 years.

• Over 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents.

• Experts on board our voyages of discovery and learning to enrich guests’ understanding of the destinations.

• An exclusive partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, the the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution.

• Understated elegance on board with French-inspired cuisine, fine wines, and chic design.

• Proud to partner with Sothys, Veuve Clicquot, and Ducasse Conseil. Ships feature fabrics by Pierre Frey, beauty products from Hermès, macarons by Ladurée, and tea from Palais des Thés.

• 100% of our staterooms have a sea view and 95% have a balcony (100% on the PONANT EXPLORERS).

• Attentive yet discreet service from an experienced, multilingual onboard staff and crew.

• Open bridge access (requires approval from Captain).

• “Clean Ship” certification for the fleet in recognition of their eco-friendly features.

• All-inclusive pricing with open bar, gratuities, port fees, and taxes (including Zodiac explorations/landings on expeditions).

• The world’s first underwater passenger lounge, the Blue Eye, featured exclusively on the PONANT EXPLORER ships.

Sep 05, 2025 through
Sep 25, 2025
Sep 1, 2025 7:00 PM
20 Nights from
$54,910.00 (USD)
Per Person
+ $1,210.00 taxes/fees
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 Cat.PR6
Itinerary Image
Prices are per-person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted.