English
Available November 2027

Setting sail for the ice of the mythical Weddell Sea

Departure Nov 8, 2027 ⚓ Ushuaia
Arrival Nov 20, 2027 ⚓ Ushuaia
Duration 13 days 12 nights
Operator 🇫🇷 PONANT French Luxury
Ship Le Commandant Charcot 200 guests
Ice class PC2 Polar Class 2: Year-round operation in moderate multi-year ice; true polar icebreaker.
Year built 2021

Day by day

Route:
Ushuaia North Antarctic Peninsula Weddell Sea North Antarctic Peninsula Ushuaia

Itinerary and landing sites are indicative and subject to change based on weather, sea ice, and wildlife conditions.

Day 1 — Ushuaia

Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…

Day 2–3 — Crossing the Drake Passage

Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to know about the zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about this magical region, where every cruise is a unique experience. You will experience exceptional sailing moments on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.

Day 4–5 — Antarctic Peninsula
Day 6–7 — The Weddell Sea exploration
Day 8 — North Antarctic Peninsula

Throughout your time in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. You will sail through the Antarctic Sound, named after Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjöld’s ship, which was trapped by the ice during an important scientific expedition in 1902. The gateway to the Weddell Sea, this sound is filled with gigantic tabular icebergs and plates of sea ice drifting northward from the coastal areas of this vast sea. It is home to Adelie penguins and a great many leopard seals.

Day 9–10 — The Weddell Sea exploration
Day 11–12 — Crossing the Drake Passage

If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.

Day 13 — Ushuaia

Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…

Activities

Hiking & snowshoeing

Optional activities

Crunch through pristine snow up glaciated ridges and volcanic vantage points for breathtaking 360° panoramas over iceberg-choked straits and penguin rookeries.

Kayaking & paddling

Optional activities

Paddle in near-silence through mirror-calm glacial bays, drifting alongside iridescent ice sculptures and listening to the deep exhales of surfacing humpback whales.

Polar plunge

Optional activities

Take the leap of a lifetime directly into near-freezing Antarctic waters from a Zodiac, ship gangway, or geothermal black beach for the ultimate polar badge of honor.

Expedition Overview

Operator

PONANT

French Luxury

PONANT operates dedicated polar expedition voyages to the White Continent with seasoned expedition teams.

Month

November 2027

Early Season · Pristine Ice

Unbroken snow landscapes, massive icebergs, and penguin courtship rituals across freshly opened bays.

Penguin Mating Giant Icebergs Seal Pupping
Regions

Visited Regions

2 regions on this voyage
Drake Passage

Drake Passage

Rite of Passage • Albatross Alley

Weddell Sea

Weddell Sea

Iceberg Alley • Tabular Giants & Emperor Penguins

Cabin offers

Cabin Occupancy Price (per person) Promo Availability Source detail.action
Lower deck balcony stateroom
Lower deck balcony stateroom Best price

20 m² · 2 guests

Aggregation of PONANT's Prestige Stateroom tier on deck 6. A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm); A bathroom with shower; A panoramic sliding bay window.

  • A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
  • A bathroom with shower
  • A panoramic sliding bay window
  • A 5 m² glazed private balcony
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $31,180 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Upper decks balcony stateroom
Upper decks balcony stateroom

20 m² · 2 guests

Aggregation of PONANT's Prestige Stateroom tiers on decks 7 and 8. A 53 ft² glazed private balcony; Panoramic sliding window; One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm).

  • A 53 ft² glazed private balcony
  • Panoramic sliding window
  • One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
  • Bathroom with shower
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $31,740 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Deluxe Suite
Deluxe Suite

28 m² · 2 guests

Decks 6, 7 and 8. A 53 ft² glazed private balcony; Panoramic sliding window; One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm).

  • A 53 ft² glazed private balcony
  • Panoramic sliding window
  • Lounge area with chaise lounge and two armchairs
  • One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
  • Bathroom with shower
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $33,110 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Prestige Suite
Prestige Suite

40 m² · 4 guests

Decks 7 and 8. A 107 ft² glazed private balcony; Two bathrooms with shower; Two sliding panoramic windows.

  • A 107 ft² glazed private balcony
  • Two bathrooms with shower
  • Two sliding panoramic windows
  • Living room with sofa, armchair, TV, and courtesy sliding door
  • One bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $44,990 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Grand Suite
Grand Suite

42 m² · 3 guests

Deck 6. A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm); A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub; A panoramic sliding bay window.

  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • A lounge area with chaise longue and second TV
  • A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi
  • A king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
  • A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
  • A panoramic sliding bay window
  • A 5 m² glazed private balcony
  • Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $47,740 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Privilege Suite
Privilege Suite

48 m² · 4 guests

Deck 8. A lounge with sofa bed, armchair, and sliding courtesy door; A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm); A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub.

  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • A lounge with sofa bed, armchair, and sliding courtesy door
  • A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi
  • A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
  • A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
  • Two panoramic sliding doors and rectangular porthole
  • A 12.5 m² glazed private balcony
  • Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
  • Private return transfer
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $50,500 Ponant Bonus -15% sold out PONANT
Duplex Suite
Duplex Suite

94 m² · 4 guests

Decks 6 and 7. A lounge with armchairs, sofa bed, steam fireplace and TV; A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV; A bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub.

  • Private return transfer
  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • A lounge with armchairs, sofa bed, steam fireplace and TV
  • A dining room with a 6-seater table
  • A minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses
  • A Samsung tablet connected to Wi-Fi
  • A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV
  • A bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub
  • Five panoramic windows and a glazed panoramic swing door
  • A private 26 m² terrace: outdoor lounge with sofa and armchairs, jacuzzi
  • Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $68,430 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Owner's Suite
Owner's Suite

115 m² · 6 guests

Deck 8. A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm); A living room with armchairs, two sofa beds, steam fireplace, and second TV; A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub.

  • Private return transfer
  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
  • A living room with armchairs, two sofa beds, steam fireplace, and second TV
  • A desk and bookcase
  • A Samsung tablet connected to Wifi
  • A dining room with a 6-seater table
  • A minibar with RIEDEL crystal glasses
  • A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
  • A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer
  • A private 186 m² terrace: outdoor lounge with deckchairs, hot tub, two sofas, and dining table
  • Two panoramic sliding bay windows
  • Two pairs of Swarvoski CL Companion 10 x 30 binoculars
  • A Swarovski Optik ST VISTA telescope
In your cabin
  • A private balcony
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Electronic safe
  • Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
  • Terrace for the Duplex Suites and the Owner's Suite
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $94,380 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator

Prices are captured from operator websites and may change — the operator's site is authoritative. Captured Sep 3, 2026 06:19 UTC.

Getting ready for this voyage?

Everything worth bringing on an Antarctic expedition — an interactive checklist you can tick off as you pack, keep as a personal link and download as a PDF.

Open the packing checklist

Wildlife on this route

Wildlife

Humpback Whale

A 14–17 metre baleen whale known for breaching and long pectoral fins, often seen feeding on krill in loose groups along the ice edge.

Wildlife

Orca

Black and white apex predator instantly recognizable by its pale eye patches, the orca is the largest of the dolphins and one of the ocean's most capable hunters. Sightings often involve a tight-knit family pod working the ice edge together.

Wildlife

Wandering Albatross

The snowy albatross, better known as the wandering albatross, has the widest wingspan of any living bird alive today. Watch for it riding the wind for hours behind the ship without a single wingbeat.

Wildlife

Leopard Seal

The leopard seal is the Antarctic's second-largest seal after the elephant seal, built long and muscular with a spotted, leopard-like coat. It is the region's top predator, hunting penguins, fish, and even other seals along the ice edge.

from $31,180
per person · Lower deck balcony stateroom
View at operator