The St. Lawrence River in the Heart of the Boreal Winter
13/2/2027 departure is available in combination with the ocean voyage from Bergen to Montreal on February 2, 2027, aboard Le Commandant Charcot. The ocean voyage is offered free of charge as part of this booking. Discover the cruise here.
With featured guest Sue Flood, British Photo Ambassador. Le Commandant Charcot, a technological wonder capable of sailing in the most extreme environments, is opening up new horizons in unrivalled comfort and invites you to explore the Saint Lawrence. This river is not accessible to traditional ships in winter, so this exclusive and all-new PONANT journey lifts the veil on unique great open spaces, where the waters, once turbulent, freeze into ice, and where the forests are dressed in an immaculate white coat. You will sail among different states and forms of ice - from drifting and fragmented sea ice to solid ice - and will be able to admire the evolution of this spectacular natural scenery from the reassuring cocoon of Le Commandant Charcot. In these lands, only the murmur of broken ice, bearing mysteries and legends, disturbs the calmness. Aboard the ship or on shore, you will seize the opportunities to explore these places where nature reigns supreme and in never-ending variety: boreal forests of immaculate conifers, snow-covered valleys and a sea of ice. Set off to discover this enchanting environment, thanks to winter activities such as hiking or snowshoeing, dog sledding or ice fishing. You may be lucky enough to see typical animals like caribou, elk and black bears in their natural habitat, or watch whitecoats being born in the Magdalen Islands, if weather and ice conditions permit. In this region, where souls are filled with deep serenity, the colourful houses and fishing huts stand valiantly. Their sparkling facades, in bright and vibrant colours, defy the harshness of the winter landscape. Here, in one of the "few places where you can experience the cold with so much warmth" (Saguenay proverb), you will receive a hospitable welcome from Quebeckers and the Innu and Micmac peoples in unforgettable get-togethers. These indigenous communities, who include some of the First Nations, will tell you about their stories, legends and ancestral traditions. A journey suspended in time, where lives blend with the natural elements and where the wild beauty of nature is revealed in its full splendour.
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Deluxe Suite Deck 7
Deluxe Suite Deck 8
Prestige Suite Deck 7
Prestige Suite Deck 8
Grand Prestige Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 8
Duplex Suite
Owner's Suite
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Book now |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Deluxe Suite Deck 7
Deluxe Suite Deck 8
Prestige Suite Deck 7
Prestige Suite Deck 8
Grand Prestige Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 8
Duplex Suite
Owner's Suite
Additional charges:
Port Taxes and Fees: $890 AUD
Vessel Type: Polar Luxury Expedition
Passenger Capacity: 135 cabins
Length: 149.9 meters
Built: 2018/2019
Le Commandant Charcot is a purpose-built polar exploration vessel engineered for extreme environments, operating with a hybrid electric–LNG system that reduces noise, vibration and emissions while pushing deeper into ice than conventional ships. Interior spaces follow a restrained, insulated design philosophy that supports comfort in high-latitude conditions: multiple lounges, refined dining rooms, theatre, boutique and extensive wellness areas arranged to maintain warmth, calm and controlled movement throughout the ship. Accommodation spans 123 staterooms and suites, all with balconies, with upper-tier suites extending up to 115 m².
The vessel integrates dedicated scientific infrastructure into its core layout, including laboratories and working spaces that support ongoing polar research. Field operations and environmental systems are engineered from the ground up for low-impact navigation, aligning with the ship’s mandate to access remote polar areas responsibly. A full virtual deck plan and live bow-mounted webcam reinforce the ship’s emphasis on landscape immersion and transparency of experience.
Read About Our Experience on Board Le Commandant Charcot
It’s All About the Destination… And This Ship
Special Offers
Online prices reflect the current brochure fare savings of up to 30%. Prices may change based on demand. Terms and conditions apply. This special offer is subject to availability. Please contact us for more details.
Inclusions
• Accommodation in stateroom
• The full meal plan
• The Open Bar: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day. Certain premium alcoholic beverages on the menu are not included in the Open Bar
• Free Wi-Fi internet access 24 hours a day*
• Activities offered during expedition cruises
• Access to all the common areas on board our sister ships and Ponant Explorers: fitness room, steam room, hair salon, swimming pool (sea water, heated), solarium, lounges, theater, boutique & leisure area
• TRANSFER + FLIGHT SAINT PIERRE & MIQUELON/MONTREAL
Exclusions
• Flights other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Passport and visa costs if applicable
• Premium beverages package (Can be purchased on board)
• Optional Excursions where applicable
• Spa treatments on board
• Pre and post cruise accommodation unless otherwise stated
• Transfers unless specified
• Gratuities
Luxury Expedition
Highlights
• Take a trip through the heart of nature as you explore the St. Lawrence in winter – a PONANT exclusive that is only possible on board Le Commandant Charcot – and enjoy a warm welcome from the people of Canada. • The eye and the advice of our photo ambassador, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalized advice to improve your photographic skills. • Outings and shore visits with a team of naturalist-guides. • Visit traditional villages and get to meet indigenous Innu and Micmac communities. • The possibility of admiring the unique colours of the Northern Lights rippling across the sky. • Activities during the unique winter season: kayaking, ice fishing and tasting raw rockfish, dog sledding, tastings of local produce, and optional activities such as ice climbing, canoeing on ice and skijoring. • The chance to see newborn whitecoats* in the Magdalen Islands: the only place in the world where you can observe this unique scene. (Subject to weather and ice conditions). • Make the most of Quebecois hospitality and conviviality. • Unforgettable overnight stays to take the time to contemplate the spectacle on offer. • Landscapes: great open spaces, fjords, immaculate boreal forests, sea ice, snow-covered valleys.
Our Associates Include
