Ponant Opens Bookings for 62-Day Antarctica Voyage

Ponant Exploration has launched reservations for a 62-day circumnavigation of Antarctica aboard Le Commandant Charcot, scheduled for early 2028.

According to the company, the expedition will cover nearly 14,300 miles of Antarctic coastline during the austral summer, offering guests an extensive exploration of the continent’s icy landscapes.

Le Commandant Charcot is set to depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, on January 11, 2028.

“Ponant Explorations was born from a pioneering spirit, and Le Commandant Charcot represents the pinnacle of exploration, providing travelers with experiences that were once deemed impossible,” said Samuel Chamberlain, CEO, Ponant Explorations Group Americas.

“As the only passenger ship with a PC2 rating, it’s well-suited to embark on this rare milestone voyage representing the essence of polar discovery—all in a way that’s safe and respectful of the ecosystems across this pristine region, while embracing guests in comfortable elegance and French refinement.”

The 62-day, 60-night itinerary can be reserved as one complete voyage or split into two separate segments, allowing travelers to opt for a half-circumnavigation.

The first leg is a 30-day expedition concentrating on western Antarctica, sailing from Ushuaia to Hobart, Tasmania, and includes a three-day stopover in Hobart. The second leg consists of a 31-day journey along Antarctica’s eastern coastline, returning to Ushuaia after departing Hobart on February 11, 2028.

Highlights of the expedition are expected to include navigating the Ross Sea, calling at remote locations such as Charcot Island, and viewing Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on Earth, among other destinations.