PONANT is claiming to be in “pole position” as the first cruise operator to resume luxury expeditions to Antarctica. The company’s brand new Le Commandant Charcot (pictured) departed on its maiden voyage to the White Continent from Chile’s Punta Arenas on 01 Nov, the first in a season of 14...
PONANT is claiming to be in “pole position” as the first cruise operator to resume luxury expeditions to Antarctica.
The company’s brand new Le Commandant Charcot (pictured) departed on its maiden voyage to the White Continent from Chile’s Punta Arenas on 01 Nov, the first in a season of 14 different itineraries and 33 sailings scheduled through until Mar.
The vessel’s captain, Patrick Marchesseau, said welcoming the first guests on board was the culmination of six years of hard work creating the vessel.
“Our guests were even fortunate enough to observe emperor penguins from the first days of our cruise, an extremely rare encounter,” he said.
The 16-day maiden expedition explored the Bellingshausen Sea, and included a 20-strong team of onboard naturalists.
Le Commandant Charcot is one of five Ponant ships set to visit Antarctica this season, with Le Lyrial, L’Austral, Le Boreal and Le Soleal also heading south.
Ponant has also released a new campaign showcasing the hybrid-electric Le Commandant Charcot vessel, with a digital showcase including a two-minute video initially rolling out in Europe and the UK and then in the Americas and Asia-Pacific in 2022.
A sneak peek (in French) is live at cruiseweekly.com.au/videos.
