Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Jul 12 - Jul 27 2026
15 Nights
Price from per person
£30,550
Le Commandant Charcot is the world’s first luxury icebreaker, offering unrivaled comfort coupled with the ability to explore the most extreme, inaccessible regions of the planet. Follow the paths of heroic explorers and reach the North Pole or venture into the deepest sea ice in Greenland or Antarctica with the utmost comfort and luxury.
The first time we joined an expedition on Le Commandant Charcot we quickly realised it is a never-before-seen advancement in luxury expedition cruising. It is the first cruise ship to be built with an Icebreaker (PC2 class) hull and hybrid propulsion, opening up endless opportunities for exploration in an environmentally responsible way.
With just 245 guests, it also offers an intimate, unrivalled, small-ship luxury expedition experience. Le Commandant Charcot is designed with unique features such as an uninterrupted promenade deck that enhances the passenger experience while offering breathtaking views of pristine polar landscapes.
The ship is meticulously designed with a beautiful observation lounge and interior spaces. A large on-deck hot lagoon is the perfect place to enjoy the endless polar landscapes. Inside the luxurious cabins, all feature balconies and sumptuous ensuites. Additionally, the ship uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel source, significantly reducing harmful emissions and enhancing sustainability.
Le Commandant Charcot is a groundbreaking (or should we say icebreaking!) ship that holds many accolades. On February 27th, 2022, it set a world record for reaching the most southerly point on Earth with a ship at 78⁰44’S in the Bay of Whales, Antarctica. Compared to other cruise ships, Le Commandant Charcot stands out with its innovative technology, elegant interior, and exceptional service, making it a premier choice for high-end adventure travel.
Its unique hull design and powerful engines made it the first ever purpose-built passenger ship to reach the North Pole. It is also the only French-flagged vessel to do so. It was also the first ship to navigate the northwest passage on its most northern route.
It is one of the most sustainable ships ever built and the first polar cruise ship built with hybrid electric engines and powered with liquified natural gas.
Le Commandant Charcot is built for actual expeditions and can be autonomous for 1.5 months, allowing it to reach previously inaccessible places. The immersive experiences available in the polar environment aboard Le Commandant Charcot include activities such as dog sledding and kayaking, offering travelers a unique connection to these extreme and remote regions.
The icebreaking hull is the highest of any purpose-built cruise ship, with a Polar Class 2 rating that allows it to reach previously unexplored polar regions.
Le Commandant Charcot features cutting-edge technology, including a wastewater treatment plant, so only clean water discharges into the ocean. High capacity batteries are installed on a cruise ship allow it to run in full electric mode for up to 2 hours for sustainable sailing with zero emissions. The vessel can remain in place without anchoring thanks to its sophisticated dynamic positioning system.
Le Commandant Charcot offers a platform for scientific discovery with onboard wet and dry science labs and resident scientists who gain valuable insights into the polar regions during voyages.
It is one of the safest ships ever built, with onboard rescue and safety equipment and a group survival kit that surpasses military requirements.
Choose from various exciting and groundbreaking voyages on Le Commandant Charcot to explore The North Pole, Antarctica, East Greenland, the Northwest Passage, or Canada.
Our helpful travel advisors have first hand experience sailing on Le Commandant Charcot and will offer you the best advice on choosing your voyage, cabins options and help you to find the best price.
Why not take advantage of our Free Polar Consultation to help you plan your expedition?
Price from per person
Price from per person
Price from per person
Yes, Le Commandant Charcot is an icebreaking cruise ship. It is a polar exploration vessel operated by the French cruise company Compagnie du Ponant. The ship is designed to navigate in icy waters and is equipped to take passengers on expedition cruises to the polar regions, including the Arctic and Antarctica.
Its icebreaking capabilities allow it to access remote and otherwise difficult-to-reach areas in these extreme environments, providing passengers with the opportunity to explore the unique landscapes and wildlife of the polar regions in comfort and safety.
Le Commandant Charcot takes 245 guests on Arctic expeditions and 200 guests in Antarctica. It has 215 crew members and staff.
The Owner’s Suite on Le Commandant Charcot is the finest accommodation on the ship and is also the most expensive. In 2024, expect to pay £129,800 (€149,000, $157,000) per guest on a 25-day Northwest Passage Cruise.
The world’s only luxury icebreaker is Le Commandant Charcot. Its unique icebreaking capabilities allow it to reach the North Pole and other remote places inaccessible by other ships in the highest levels of comfort and luxury.
Le Commandant Charcot was named after the French polar explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot. Jean-Baptiste Charcot was a prominent figure in the history of polar exploration, known for his expeditions to the Antarctic regions in the early 20th century. He significantly contributed to our understanding of polar environments and the Southern Ocean. The ship, Le Commandant Charcot, was named in his honor to continue the tradition of French exploration in polar regions.
Le Commandant Charcot has a fleet of 16 Zodiacs, which accommodate ten guests in each.
Le Commandant Charcot offers unique ice breaker voyages to the North Pole, Greenland, Svalbard, The Northwest Passage, and Antarctica.
Its unique icebreaking capabilities allow it to reach many inaccessible areas to regular expedition ships.
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