World First: Le Commandant Charcot to Complete a Full Circumnavigation of Antarctica in 2028

PONANT EXPLORATIONS' luxury icebreaker is about to achieve a new world first. In an unprecedented feat for a cruise ship, Le Commandant Charcot will embark on a full circumnavigation of the White Continent between January and March 2028, departing from Ushuaia.

Photo credits: PONANT EXPLORATIONS

Le Commandant Charcot will journey through remote, uncharted regions and navigate nearly 18,000 kilometres of coastline along the frozen continent - larger than Europe. The circumnavigation of Antarctica is a polar expedition unlike any before.

Specifically designed for expeditions in extreme environments, Le Commandant Charcot features a PC2 polar hull, allowing her to navigate polar regions while minimising her environmental impact thanks to her hybrid electric engine powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sailing under the French flag, she meets the highest maritime safety and environmental standards. Her experienced crew is specially trained for ice navigation.  

Le Commandant Charcot will set sail in January 2028, from Ushuaia (Argentina) westward to reach Hobart (Tasmania) in 30 days. After a two-day stopover she will then depart again towards her starting point, this time following the eastern coast of Antarctica over 34 days. This unprecedented itinerary was designed by Captains Etienne Garcia and Patrick Marchesseau. Their expertise in ice navigation at the highest latitudes, gained while commanding ships of the PONANT EXPLORATIONS fleet, has made this new sailing dream a reality. They will jointly command Le Commandant Charcot during this exclusive voyage.

“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’s 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.” - Captain Étienne Garcia

This unique voyage, filled with adventure, will serve as a bridge between the past and the future. It will revive the legacy of the great polar explorers, those legendary figures who braved the frozen expanses. In the pioneering spirit of Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot, guests will travel back in time and discover the remnants of forgotten camps - witnesses to these incredible expeditions. 

“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.”

Exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot

 Le Commandant Charcot is a true support base - comfortable and fully autonomous - for all polar expeditions: by Zodiac, on snowshoe hikes, by kayak and, of course, the challenge of the polar plunge. She houses two laboratories - one dry and one wet - equipped to collect and analyse samples from water, ice and air. A new SIMS antenna continuously measures ice thickness. 

Sales for this exclusive trip are scheduled to open in December 2025

Reservation: pre-registrations are open by talking to your preferred travel agent or a Ponant specialists on AU 1300 737 178 or NZ 0800 767 018.