French excellence meets the world's last frontier
PONANT
Discover Antarctica with the masters of luxury expedition cruising. PONANT delivers the world's most remote frontier through a lens of pure elegance, where cutting-edge, intimate ships meet daily zodiac excursions and the sophisticated French art de vivre.
Highlights
What makes PONANT different
France's leading expedition cruise line, PONANT is one of the world’s most experienced polar operators. Its Antarctica fleet ranges from the intimate sisterships, Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial, to the groundbreaking Le Commandant Charcot, the only Polar Class 2 passenger ship ever built. Each ship, and each sailing, comes complete with luxurious French design, expert-led expeditions and access to Antarctic destinations other operators simply cannot reach.
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French design and refinement
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Culinary experiences at sea
Onboard luxury and offboard adventures
Sustainably powerful ships
Unrivalled routes
Fleet
PONANT's luxurious family of ships
True French luxury at sea, PONANT's fleet adds a touch of the continent to every one of its ships.
The only ship in the fleet with a PC2 rating, Le Commandant Charcot is the first hybrid electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas enabling it to reach the most inaccessible shores.
EXPERIENCE Le Commandant CharcotPONANT Signature Voyages
From the Falkland Islands to the Weddell Sea, these are the expeditions that define PONANT's spirit of exploration. Each voyage is a carefully crafted journey into some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth
Sustainability
Their Environmental Commitments
Modern ships, advanced technologies, strict landing protocols, environmental impact studies, crew training, and guest awareness: PONANT is committed every day to better respect marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Reduced emissions
FAQs about your journey with PONANT
PONANT attracts travellers who expect both genuine polar exploration and impeccable French hospitality. The questions below address what our clients ask most before booking. If yours is not here, our specialists are a call away.
PONANT has five ships sailing to Antarctica: Le Commandant Charcot, L'Austral, Le Boreal, Le Lyrial and Le Soleal. Le Commandant Charcot is a Polar Class 2 hybrid-electric icebreaker and the only ship of its kind in passenger service. While still very well equipped for their southern journeys, the four sister ships carry a lower 1C ice-class hull and operate the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falklands routes.
Le Commandant Charcot holds a Polar Class 2 certification, the highest ice rating of any passenger vessel in the world. This allows it to navigate the Weddell Sea, reach Peter I Island and operate in deep polar regions that no other expedition ship can access. It also carries two Airbus H145 helicopters.
Most of PONANT’s Antarctic Peninsula itineraries depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. However, the Ross Sea expedition departs from Dunedin, New Zealand and the 2028 circumnavigation departs from Ushuaia with a stopover in Hobart, Tasmania, between the two legs, or it can be booked as two one-way journeys.
Indeed. While exploring the far reaches of our planet, PONANT does so with a sense of elegance. These expeditions offer a comfortable experience, ensuring that luxury cruisers have everything they need included in their journey. We suggest the Emblematic Antarctica itinerary, crafted as an introductory expedition to the southern continent. It features a well-defined structure, knowledgeable naturalist guides, and ships designed for a more intimate experience. Our concierge team is here to help you create the perfect itinerary tailored to your desires for the voyage.
Talk with a specialist
A conversation, not a commitment
Book a no-obligation discovery call and we’ll help you learn more about PONANT and whether it’s the right line for what you’re looking to experience.