Ponant Adds 12-Night North Pole Voyages on Charcot for 2027

A polar bear at the North Pole
Cruise Industry
By
Updated Published

Ponant Explorations has introduced a series of 12-night expeditions to the Geographic North Pole in 2027 aboard Le Commandant Charcot, offering a condensed option that complements the line’s longer polar programs and responds to growing demand from travelers in the Americas.

Sailing roundtrip from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, departures are slated for July 27, August 8, August 20, and September 1, 2027, with the route crossing the Arctic Ocean to 90° North.

“Unique among polar expeditions, this journey to the Geographic North Pole offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the Arctic as few ever have. Over the past 15 months, we’ve worked closely with our deployment team to thoughtfully design a 12-night itinerary that will appeal to this market,” said Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of Ponant Explorations Group, Americas.

“With Le Commandant Charcot, we’ve created a ship that not only pushes the boundaries of polar navigation but also serves as a platform for scientific research, environmental stewardship and cultural exchange,” added Chamberlain.

After departing Longyearbyen, the hybrid icebreaker will skirt Spitsbergen’s coastline before entering the pack ice on its northbound push to the Pole. Along the way, guests may spot polar bears, seals, whales, and Arctic foxes and—conditions permitting—set foot at the planet’s northernmost point.

What’s on the program

  • A bid to reach the Geographic North Pole (90° N)
  • Encounters with glaciers, dramatic ice compression ridges, and Svalbard’s fjords and peaks
  • Chances to observe polar bears, whales, seals, seabirds, and Arctic foxes
  • Adventure activities: Zodiac outings, kayaking, ice landings, snowshoeing, and a polar plunge
  • A call at Ny-Ålesund, the historic high-Arctic research settlement linked to early explorers
  • Scenic cruising along Spitsbergen’s wild northwest coast
  • Experiencing both the midnight sun and potential Northern Lights depending on timing and conditions

Ponant noted that each expedition includes roundtrip air from Paris to Longyearbyen, transfers, and the line’s signature all-inclusive luxury.