For many travellers, reaching the North Pole sits at the edge of imagination—a destination that seems more mythical than real. In 2027, PONANT will make that dream a little more tangible with a new series of 12-night expeditions aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker.
Launching from Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago, the voyages (departing July 27, August 8, August 20, and September 1) are designed to shorten the epic journey north without diminishing its sense of wonder. Guests will push through shifting ice floes and sculpted fjords, following a route that culminates at 90° North—the geographic North Pole, where few humans have ever stood.
Days are dictated by the rhythm of the Arctic itself: the ship’s reinforced hull carving through vast ice fields, the possibility of spotting a polar bear pacing the floes, or watching a pod of whales slip across the glassy surface. Zodiac outings, ice landings, kayaking, snowshoeing, and even the polar plunge bring guests closer still, while a stop in Ny-Ålesund connects them with the stories of early explorers and today’s scientific community.
Life on Board
If the destination feels otherworldly, life on board is anything but austere. Le Commandant Charcot—the same ship that made history in 2022 as the first passenger vessel to reach the North Pole—balances frontier exploration with refined French style. Every suite comes with a private balcony or terrace, while public spaces invite lingering: the glass-walled Observation Lounge, the firelit Main Lounge, or the open-air Blue Lagoon deck, complete with heated benches.
Dining is a highlight, anchored by Nuna—the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea—where French culinary artistry meets the stark backdrop of the polar environment. After days on the ice, guests can retreat to the spa for Biologique Recherche treatments, unwind in the snow room and sauna, or swim in the indoor pool.
Purposeful Exploration
For PONANT, these journeys aren’t just about luxury in remote places—they’re also about responsibility. Le Commandant Charcot is powered by a hybrid LNG-electric propulsion system, engineered to reduce environmental impact while navigating uncharted ice. The ship also serves as a platform for scientific research, cultural exchange, and environmental stewardship.
As Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of PONANT Explorations Group, Americas, puts it: “This journey to the Geographic North Pole offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the Arctic as few ever have. Coupled with our French flair for hospitality, this is purposeful exploration at its finest—providing today’s time-strapped travellers with the rare opportunity for transformative discovery.”
