For the first time in history, a cruise ship is set to circumnavigate the whole of Antarctica. Ponant Explorations’ luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will make the journey at the start of 2028, led by captains Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau. Sales are scheduled to open at the end of 2025.
Between January 2028 and March 2028, the Le Commandant Charcot vessel will explore the nearly 18,000 kilometres of Antarctic coastline. Some of the regions it passes through are still largely uncharted and the ship and its passengers will thus tread in the footsteps of historical explorers.
“After sailing the Ross Sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot, I had the privilege of following in the footsteps of explorers Ross, Shackleton and Amundsen, who made history at the South Pole. I was captivated by the majesty of these polar landscapes as well as the incredible human adventures etched into them. Today, we want to allow guests to experience the thrill of exploration during the first circumnavigation of Antarctica. A land where humans have never set foot, a frozen world yet to be discovered,” Captain Garcia added.
Le Commandant Charcot, sailing under the French flag, will start its journey in Ushuaia (Argentina) and will reach Hobart (Tasmania) 30 days later. After a two-day stopover, the vessel will travel back to Ushuaia via a 34-day route following Antarctica’s eastern shoreline. Travellers will get the chance to explore the continent by Zodiac, on snowshoe hikes, and by kayak. A polar plunge will also be a possibility for the bravest explorers.
“Ponant Explorations’ spirit is about those moments of shared awe as we witness the immense forces of nature at play. As one of the originators of this project and personally involved, I am deeply committed to guiding guests in uncovering the secrets of this new maritime route. It is a privilege to help them experience how we humbly engage with the elements — the wind, the sea, the ice — bringing us as close as possible to the marvels of the natural world,” said Captain Étienne Garcia.
A well-equipped ship
Le Commandant Charcot – named after the French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot – features a PC2 polar hull, which allows the ship to navigate polar regions while minimising its environmental impact through a hybrid electric engine powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). There are two laboratories on board to collect water, ice, and air samples while a SIMS antenna continuously measures ice thickness.
The ship meets the highest maritime safety and environmental standards. Both Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau have gained ice navigation expertise by travelling at the highest latitudes while commanding ships of the Ponant Explorations’ fleet.
