Ponant inaugurates departures for Antarctica

November 12, 2021

Ponant is the first operator to resume cruises to the White Continent with the launch of the inaugural season of the ship Le Commandant Charcot. The company’s high-polarity exploration vessel set sail from Punta Arenas on November 1.

“It is with great emotion that we welcomed the very first passengers. It is a moment that marks the culmination of six years of work and the resumption of the company’s activities in Antarctica. Sailing aboard the Commandant Charcot opens up new horizons,” testifies Patrick Marchesseau, Commandant of the ship. ” Our passengers have been lucky since the first days of our inaugural cruise to observe emperor penguins, an extremely rare encounter. »

Ponant

This inaugural cruise runs November 1-16, 2021 and explores the Bellingshausen Sea off the beaten path with a team of 20 nature guides accompanying passengers.

A total of 14 different routes and 33 departures are scheduled this winter between November 2021 and March 2022. Le Lyrial, L’Austral, Le Boréal and Le Soléal, the company’s four sister ships, will also be featured.

Nearly 13 different exploration trips, are planned for winter 2022/23, with 34 departures. These trips offer completely new itineraries, in the footsteps of great explorers, and a unique opportunity to observe extraordinary and secret wildlife. Among the organized activities, passengers will enjoy Zodiac dinghy landings, sea kayak trips under the supervision of French state-certified kayak guides, lectures, hovercraft rides, polar water activities or even hiking, walking or snowshoeing.