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The Hudson Strait, Foxe Basin, Fury and Hecla Strait, all legendary names, follow one another and will plunge you, like modern-day explorers, into one of the most mythical sagas of polar exploration. In untamed and wild nature, you will have the privilege of sailing along Greenland.

On your route, you will visit an Inuit village and witness Banks Island, famous for the wreck of HMS Investigator lying offshore and also for its National Park with its abundant fauna anf home to the world’s largest concentration of musk oxen.

Beyond the Arctic Circle, your senses will further be ignited as the sight of the glistening ice floes, blue-tinged glaciers, rugged mountain chains and rolling tundra captivates you. Long fantasised about before being discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, the Northwest Passage promises you a trip that is synonymous with going back to basics

Highlights


• Crossing the Northwest Passage to discover the most remote places and icy channels of this legendary maritime zone.

• Outings and shore visits in a zodiac inflatable or hovercraft* with a team of experienced naturalist guides.

• Navigation in Foxe Basin, blocked by ice for much of the year.

• Visit a traditional Inuit village at the entrance to the Fury and Hecla Strait.

• Exploration of the Aulavik National Park, renowned for the largest concentration of musk oxen in the world.

• Landscapes: icy channels, fjords, vast expanses of ice floe, myriads of jagged islands, blue-toned glaciers, mountain chains, expanses of tundra, vertiginous walls.

• Fauna: Arctic foxes, sea birds, belugas, bowhead whales, walruses and the possibility of seeing polar bears.

Day 1 Reykjavík

Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.

Day 2 At Sea

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Day 3 - 4 Southern coast of Greenland

Set sail in the traces of the Norwegian explorer Erik Le Rouge by travelling along the south coast of Greenland. Your ship will head deep into the longest network of fjords in the region, the Prins Christian Sund. This sumptuous natural canal, surrounded by craggy mountains and impressive glaciers will offer you stunning landscapes.

Day 5 - 6 At Sea

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Day 7 - 9 Hudson Strait

Linking Hudson Bay, the second largest bay in the world, to the Atlantic Ocean, the Hudson Strait was identified for the first time by the Venetian explorer Sebastian Cabot in 1517. However, it wasn’t until 1660 that the English sailor Henry Hudson explored this maritime passage as far as the bay. Offering privileged access to the centre of Canada, in the 18th Century the Hudson Strait became a commercial route, notably used for fur trading. Some 800 km in length and congested with ice for most of the year, it will offer you a truly unique sailing experience.

Day 10 - 11 Foxe Basin

Named after the 17th-century explorer Luke Fox, who was the first to reach it, Foxe Basin marks the entry of the mythical Northwest Passage, much coveted since the 15th century and first crossed from one side to the other by Roald Amundsen in 1906. Blocked by ice for much of the year, Foxe Basin is home to the last emerged lands to be discovered in North America, in 1948, during aerial surveys: the Prince Charles, Air Force and Foley Islands. In summer, bowhead whales take up residence here to give birth.

Day 12 Fury and Hecla Strait

At the heart of the Arctic Ocean, set sail in the footsteps of the British explorer W.E. Parris who in 1822, during his desperate quest to find the North West Passage, discovered the Fury and Hecla Strait. The expedition that he led with two Royal Navy vessels, HMS Fury and HMS Hecla, in the hope of crossing the mythical maritime passageway, ended in failure. Trapped in the ice, the two ships were blocked to the north of Foxe Basin, but this allowed them to identify the strait separating the Melville peninsula and Baffin Island. Covered by ice floe for the majority of the year, this narrow stretch of sea is very difficult to access. When you enter the passage, you will have the privilege of visiting the Inuit village of Igloolik

Day 13 - 18 Ice crossing of the Northwest Passage

At the far north of the American continent, in the most northerly part of the Arctic archipelago, the Northwest Passage is the shortest waterway between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Its crossing has been coveted since the 15th century and Roald Amundsen was the first to do so in 1906. Blocked by thick ice floe for most of the year, to date only a lucky few have managed to sail from one side to the other. The crossing of this little-mapped and little-explored region is a challenge worthy of Le Commandant Charcot, which was designed to sail in extreme environments. Sheltered in its refined and protective setting, you will make the most of this exploration of the ice with the inimitable appeal of the first time: just like the first explorers, you will sail in its channels sculpted by glacial erosion and discover spectacular landscapes, made up of craggy terrain and monumental fjords. You will be able to measure the privilege of undertaking such an exploration in the light of the experience’s rarity.

Day 19 - 20 Banks Island

Located in the north of Canadian archipelago of the Northwest Territories, Banks Island, also known as Banks Land offers landscapes that are as sumptuous as they are spectacular. The island, covering some 70,000 km², offers a landscape of hills and valleys as well as sheer cliffs and canyons, a result of the glacial erosion. To the north of the island, the Aulavik National Park is home to a very rich wildlife mainly consisting of Arctic wolves, muskox, caribou, Arctic foxes, lemmings and many varieties of birds.

Day 21 - 24 Sailing ice floes in Beaufort Sea

Bordering the north coasts of Alaska and Canada, the Beaufort Sea was feared for centuries because of its extreme climatic conditions. Covered for most of the year with a thick layer of ice, and unexplored until 1914, this part of the Arctic Ocean, named in honour of the British Admiral Francis Beaufort, will reveal to you its sumptuous icy landscapes. Will a bit of luck, maybe you will cross the path of some Beluga, the region being renowned for hosting many colonies of these white whales.

Day 25 Nome, Alaska to Seattle

Located along the Bering Strait at the westernmost point of Alaska, Nome offers the rustic charm of a former gold-mining town, set in the middle of magnificent wilderness. As you weave in and out of the brightly coloured houses, you will discover the pioneering legacy that still marks local traditions. Fishing, reindeer rearing, sledge-racing... People here live from their manual labour. The surrounding plains provide stunning vantage points for observing Arctic fauna. Disembarkation. Meet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative. Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Nome/Seattle selected by PONANT. Flight Nome/Seattle selected by PONANT. Approximate flight duration: 5 h 00. We highly recommend you stay one night in Seattle after this flight

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change. 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 coastal 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.

12 August, 2024 to 05 September, 2024
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 6

$84,580 AUD pp
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Area : 20 m² Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin 5 m² private balcony Shower Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Prestige Stateroom Deck 7

$86,250 AUD pp
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
Area : 20 m² Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin 5 m² private balcony Shower Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Prestige Stateroom Deck 8

$87,910 AUD pp
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
Area : 20 m² Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin 5 m² private balcony Shower Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Deluxe Suite Deck 6

$90,390 AUD pp
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Area : 28 m² Capacity :2 passengers per cabin Private balcony for all our cabins and suites Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available, children welcome Minibar - 24hr room service Satellite TV channels (availability dependent on navigation); selection of videos on demand Bose™ Bluetooth speaker Safe Selection of Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products. Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi : Satellite reception (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)

Deluxe Suite Deck 7

$94,550 AUD pp
Deluxe Suite Deck 7
Area : 28 m² Capacity :2 passengers per cabin Private balcony for all our cabins and suites Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available, children welcome Minibar - 24hr room service Satellite TV channels (availability dependent on navigation); selection of videos on demand Bose™ Bluetooth speaker Safe Selection of Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products. Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi : Satellite reception (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)

Deluxe Suite Deck 8

$97,880 AUD pp
Deluxe Suite Deck 8
Area : 28 m² Capacity :2 passengers per cabin Private balcony for all our cabins and suites Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available, children welcome Minibar - 24hr room service Satellite TV channels (availability dependent on navigation); selection of videos on demand Bose™ Bluetooth speaker Safe Selection of Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products. Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi : Satellite reception (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)

Prestige Suite Deck 7

$126,100 AUD pp
Prestige Suite Deck 7
Area : 40 m² Capacity :up to 4 passengers per cabin 10 m² private balcony 2 Showers Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Prestige Suite Deck 8

$130,250 AUD pp
Prestige Suite Deck 8
Area : 40 m² Capacity :up to 4 passengers per cabin 10 m² private balcony 2 Showers Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Grand Prestige Suite

$134,410 AUD pp
Grand Prestige Suite
Area : 42 m² Capacity :2 passengers per cabin Private balcony for all our cabins and suites Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available, children welcome Minibar - 24hr room service Satellite TV channels (availability dependent on navigation); selection of videos on demand Bose™ Bluetooth speaker Safe Selection of Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products. Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi : Satellite reception (availability dependent on navigation and latitude) Butler service and priority boarding : Owner’s Suite, Duplex Suites, Privilege Suites and Grand Prestige Suites

Privilege Suite Deck 8

$142,710 AUD pp
Privilege Suite Deck 8
Area : 48 m² Capacity :up to 4 passengers per cabin 12.5 m² private balcony Shower & Balneo bathtub Butler service Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Suite Duplex

$196,680 AUD pp
Suite Duplex
Area : 48 m² Capacity :up to 4 passengers per cabin 26 m² private balcony with jacuzzi Shower & Balneo bathtub Butler service Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Owner's Suite

$234,040 AUD pp
Owner's Suite
Area : 114 m² Capacity :up to 2 passengers per cabin 186 m² private balcony with jacuzzi Shower & Balneo bathtub Butler service Individually-controlled airconditioning Stateroom layout: king-size bed or twin beds - communicating staterooms available Minibar - 24hr room service Flat screen satellite TV Video on demand IPod™ docks Safe French bath products Dressing table with hairdryer Direct line telephone 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Internet access Wifi.

Additional charges:

Port Taxes & Fees: 1780 AUD pp

Le Commandant-Charcot

Vessel Type: Polar Luxury Expedition

Passenger Capacity: 135 cabins

Length: 149.9 meters

Built: 2018/2019

Be the first aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, the world's luxury polar exploration vessel, and enjoy a unique sailing experience in the Arctic or Antarctic!

With its hybrid propulsion combining liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electric generators, Le Commandant-Charcot has been designed to minimise the environmental impact of travel to the furthest latitudes. 

The decoration of the ship, imagined by two internationally renowned design and architecture firms - the studio of Jean-Philippe Nuel and Wilmotte & Associés - is designed to be in harmony with the environment. The approach is contemporary with the desire to create a warm and elegant setting; stone, wood and leather recall the natural environment in which the ship is sailing.

Equipped with just 135 staterooms including 31 suites with balconies and outside views, Le Commandant-Charcot welcomes you in an intimate and refined atmosphere. Outstanding gastronomy in the two restaurants, relaxation in the indoor pool surrounded by its winter garden, relaxation in the well-being area with sauna and Snow Room... Like on a private yacht, each of our guests is unique.

PUBLIC AREAS

Le Commandant-Charcot has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger.

A 177 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An expeditions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Hospitality & Travel Manager officer, Our boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, The image & photo desk.

The different lounges: A 302 m² main lounge including a 28 m² cigar lounge, a tea corner and a bar, with live music on selected evenings, A 400 m² panoramic bar and lounge, An open-air Bar.

The recreation spaces 

Fitness & Beauty Corner: Fitness room: Elliptic, running machines, bicycles... 

Beauty Corner: Hairdresser, Massage rooms, Sauna, Snow Room, Nail Shop.

Pool area: Indoor Pool and winter garden - Outdoor Pool

Theatre: Capacity: 270-276 - Main show room for conferences and live entertainment on selected evenings - State-of-the-art audio and video technology.

Leisure area: Public areas - Library - Medical centre.

16 Zodiac®.

Cabin layout for Le Commandant-Charcot

Kayaking - Le Commandant Charcot

Glide on the clear waters or between the ice floes and get as close as possible to the immaculate nature of the poles. Supervised by licenced expert guides, you will try your hand in a kayak, a boat that has been favoured by the Inuits for at least 4,000 years. The kayak was initially used for hunting and fishing; for you, it will be a means of making the very most of your adventure on the White Continent or in the Far North.* *with limited places available

Hiking or snowshoeing

During each shore landing, depending on the ecological resilience of the biome encountered, we will propose hikes at different levels, in the company of your experienced naturalist guides: from a simple stroll along the coast to walks lasting several hours to reach particular viewpoints or historical sites. When the itineraries allow it, you’ll put on snowshoes* to set off, like the explorers of old, to discover areas that have barely known Man. *with limited places available

Ice fishing

What better place than the icy Arctic regions to practice ice fishing? Assisted by the naturalist guides, you will look for the perfect spot to cut your hole on the ice floe or on frozen lakes and try to catch fish using an ancestral method. This activity off the beaten path will equally delight fans of sports fishing and those who are curious for new discoveries.* *with limited places available

Polar water activities

Experience the unrivalled sensations of immersion in cold water. Whether you take a polar plunge in a swimsuit or a dip in a dry-suit* that allows you to float, you will enjoy a unique experience in an exceptional setting, surrounded by ice. Feel intense thrills and enjoy the energy boost you get as your body warms back up after the swim! *with limited places available

Participative science

Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with the most modern oceanographic equipment and all the facilities necessary to accompany a scientific team in its research. Guided by naturalists trained in participatory science, you will thus have the opportunity to make a direct contribution to the global scientific effort. Assist research by taking part in a turbidity study using a Secchi disk, counting wildlife, studying the state of the pack ice or taking water samples: thanks to simple protocols, you’ll be able to discover part of the scientific adventure in the polar regions and contribute to improving the knowledge of biodiversity, marine mammals or glaciology and better understand Climate/Ecosystem/Man interactions.

Up to 30% Off - Ponant Bonus

Prices online do not show the discounted rates. Terms and Conditions apply, special offer is subject to availability, please contact us for more details.

Inclusions


• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• All meals while on board
• Non-alcoholic and Alcoholic beverages included (Excluding Premium Brands)
• Free wifi (Subject to coverage)
• Flight Nome/Seattle selected in economy class (approx 5 hours)
• The transfer mentioned in the programme.
• English-speaking assistance.

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
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