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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Le Commandant-Charcot
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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
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
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.
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)
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)
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)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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)
Paul Gauguin Cruises
•All shipboard meals, in your choice of venues
•Complimentary 24-hour room service
•Complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits, beers, soft drinks, bottled water, and hot beverages served throughout the ship
•In-room refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and bottled water
•All shipboard entertainment, including our troupe of Polynesian performers and live music in the evenings
•Presentations by onboard experts, and select sailings feature guest hosts
•Onboard gratuities for room stewards, dining and bar staff
•Watersports, including complimentary kayaking and paddle boarding from our marina or destination beaches
•Complimentary snorkel gear for use throughout the cruise
•Use of our secluded, white-sand beach in Bora Bora*
•A day on our private islet, Motu Mahana, off the coast of Taha’a, featuring snorkeling, watersports, a barbecue, full bar service, and
•Polynesian hospitality (on select voyages)
•Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
*Subject to availability as conditions allow. When unable to call there, we will be offering a tender to the pier and a free shuttle to Matira Beach, the island’s award-winning public beach that features restaurants, public facilities and shopping.
• 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