We came across Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot by pure chance. When planning our Antarctic wedding for December of 2020, we had originally booked our adventure with another company. It was also an expedition ship but smaller in size, pricier (excursions had additional fees), and the amenities were lackluster- one restaurant, a tiny gym and sauna, and our room had a small window equipped with two twin-sized beds. We were okay with roughing it a bit but weren't thrilled shilling thousands for this particular ship. Little did we know, 2020 was not a good year for planning a wedding, let alone, planning an overseas trip. After the company cancelled our trip a whopping four times, our travel agent, Deanna from Southern Expeditions, offered us to change companies so that we could finally go on this trip we had planned since 2019.
Introducing Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot: a luxurious ice breaking vessel that allows explorers to go beyond their wildest dreams. When we heard that not only was the exquisite ship actually going to Antarctica January of 2022, Ponant was a cheaper option and offered us so much more than the company we had originally chosen. After two years of cancellations, we ecstatically agreed to change our plans and explore Antarctica with Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot.
Eco-friendly Travel
This brilliant French ice-breaker was launched in 2021 and is the first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship that is powered by liquified natural gas. You will not find plastic bottles or straws aboard the vessel, the water is recycled via a desalinization system onboard, and energy is recycled from the engines to heat the interior and exterior pools as well as outside benches, making this a great option for eco-friendly travel. While sailing past wildlife, the captain is able to turn off the generators, making the ship completely silent so that guests may sight-see quietly while leaving the fauna in peace.
Carrying a total of 245 passengers, Ponant is able to take guests ashore, weather depending. Unlike giant cruise companies that only sail to Antarctica, Ponant allows total exploration on land and immerses its guests in unique activities like kayaking, hiking, polar plunge, zodiac cruises, and more.
Your Stay Onboard the Le Commandant Charcot
Ponant is the ultimate in luxurious hospitality and fine dining. The modern and upscale design throughout the ship allows guests to feel pampered and inspired. Around the ship, you will find consistence in warm lighting, muted tones, extravagant artwork, and comfortable high-end seating. Le Commandant Charcot was thoughtfully designed, they didn't cut corners here.
We were surprisingly upgraded to the Deluxe Suite (Cabin 821) on embarkation day, originally booked with the Prestige Balcony. All rooms onboard include a private balcony, king-sized bed, a fully stocked and included-in-price mini bar filled daily with soda, fresh juice, and alcohol, Nespresso machine with coffee and tea, Wi-Fi (availability based on navigation), 24/h room service, flat screen tv with movies on demand, Bose Bluetooth speakers, electronic safe, cozy bathrobes in your choice of size, Dyson hairdryer, and a direct-line telephone. Every guest onboard receives a heavy-duty Parka in chosen size and a stainless-steel water bottle to keep, however, the Deluxe Suite also includes a leather-bound journal and a waterproof drybag backpack souvenir. The Deluxe Suite has a large walk-in closet with an ottoman, making getting ready to go ashore that much easier. We also received a complimentary bottle of champagne and slice of cake, welcoming us onboard and congratulating us on our soon-to-be nuptials.
Ponant's luxury delights all of the senses including taste. Le Commandant Charcot is equipped with Nuna Gastronomic Restaurant (Deck 5), the main dining room, Sila (Deck 9), the buffet, and Inneq (Deck 9), the on-deck grill. Both Sila and Nuna are open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner while Inneq is open from late morning to late afternoon. Nuna Gastronomic is in collaboration with French-born chef Alain Ducasse, so naturally, we skipped the buffet more often than not and enjoyed the delicious and delicate cuisine served in Nuna.
We were pampered from sunrise to sundown, eating our fair share of caviar and truffle throughout the day, all included in the cost. No matter your palette, there is something for everyone, whether you're an adventurous eater that enjoys duck foie gras, you prefer the comforts you know and love like steak or pasta, or you if have dietary restrictions (i.e dairy free, vegetarian, nut allergies, or gluten-free). Sila is a great option for a quick morning breakfast or when guests desire a snack. We visited Inneq once and enjoyed their fresh Poke Bowl, however, with being an on-deck grill and traveling in Antarctica, it was much too chilly to sit outside and enjoy our food. Guests are more than welcome to bring their meal inside Sila, as it's right next door to Inneq.
Every dish served onboard was cooked to perfection and may have been the best food we have ever eaten. Don't forget to treat yourself to dessert every night, as wonderful as the meals are onboard Le Commandant Charcot, the desserts are just as delightful.
When you're not enjoying the culinary skills of the chefs onboard, you may find yourself relaxing at the Wellness Lounge on Deck 9. The Wellness Lounge immerses you in utter bliss with relaxing options to benefit your mind, body, and soul. Treat yourself to a visit in the spa and enjoy a hot stone massage or an algae wrap. No need to rush back to your room afterwards, embrace the views of the passing ice floes as you sip on hot tea while relaxing in hanging chairs. If you're looking for a new hairstyle, look no further than the salon. With the most comfortable chairs imaginable and floor to ceiling windows, guests will feel pampered while admiring the beautiful scenery. The sauna is a wonderful option after a workout in the lavish fitness center. After lifting weights or getting your cardio in for the day on top-of-the-line treadmills, head on over to the sauna, where the views are just as amazing. The large window in the sauna allows for maximum relaxation as you sit in the warmth; you might even catch a glimpse of an Orca! It's also worth a try to brave The Ritual, a visit to the sauna for a couple of minutes and a quick session in the Snow Room, repeat three times. The Snow Room was a personal favorite, as I truly love the cold. Play with the snow and let it melt on your arms and legs, soaking in the benefits of cold therapy. After taking part in The Ritual, you will feel euphoric! Make sure to book your time slot early, the sauna and snow room are included in the fare and it books out quickly.
You may also visit the Detox Bar that serves healthy smoothies and hot loose tea leaf blends, all included during your stay with Ponant. Enjoy your beverage in the sunroom while lying on comfortable loungers and looking out of the large external-facing windows as you watch the beautiful world pass by. Take a dip in the heated indoor pool with a large skylight above; clean towels and robes are available next to the showers. Deck 9 is a wonderful area to feel rejuvenated, making you feel ready for the next day of adventures.
Le Commandant Charcot is equipped with a mud room (Deck 3) that stores included Wellies boots for personal use throughout the duration of your trip, marked with your name and room number so that it is tailored to your shoe size so you're not sharing boots with other guests. The mud room is also the gangway to bring guests onto zodiac cruises and landings; you will quickly get familiar with this beautifully designed room as you await your next adventure. This large area has plenty of seating so that you may comfortably get your gear on. Don't be fooled by the name, the mud room is just as lavish as the rest of the ship. When coming back onboard from the frigid climate, you may receive hot chocolate or tea to warm you up. Ponant goes above and beyond for its guests both on and off the ship.
During sailings, you may visit the gorgeous theater (Deck 5) to watch lectures presented by scientists, guides, and photographers onboard. Depending on your sail date, the magnificent Le Commandant Charcot may be in partnership with National Geographic or Smithsonian Journeys, so it's highly recommended to attend the lectures. There are daily discussions in the theater conversing about landings and activities as well as a recap on the day spent. These discussions are not only helpful for preparing travelers for the day but also fills you in on things you may have missed from other tour groups (i.e sightings, science-related news, etc). The theater is for informative lectures only and does not show movies or puts on productions.
When traveling with Ponant, it's best to be ready for anything. The captain may choose to shut off the ship at any given time to allow guests and scientists time to watch and study the wildlife. Cabin balconies are great for these viewings as long as you're on the correct side. However, it's best to enjoy your time in the lounges so that you may have the opportunity to join in on the sightings and not feel rushed to go on deck. There are two main indoor lounges on Le Commandant Charcot, the Grand Salon (Deck 5) and the Observatory Lounge (Deck 9, Forward). Both lounges have comfortable and plentiful seating, stunning artwork, access to an outdoor deck with a total of four Swarovski Optik telescopes (two per lounge), live music, and a bar. The Observatory Lounge also has table games, which was a great way to pass time on days spent sailing the Drake Passage.
Just across the Observatory Lounge, on Deck 9 (aft), is where you'll find the pool deck and outdoor lounge, equipped with a fire pit, a bar, and Inneq. Have a swim in one of two Blue Lagoon pools, heated with recycled energy to temperatures between 27-37 degrees Celsius (80-98 degrees Fahrenheit). No matter which lounge you visit on Le Commandant Charcot, you are guaranteed a beautiful view.
Ponant is mostly all-inclusive and that includes beverages (soda, freshly squeezed juice, tea, smoothies, water, and alcohol). Though, there are some drinks that cost more (price shown on menu), there are plenty of included-in-price options. Our room steward knew my obsession over the mango juice and fully stocked our mini-fridge with it every day, no extra cost! We also visited the Detox Bar at least twice a day, ordering 1-3 smoothies per visit (we were the only guests in the Wellness Lounge during each trip up to Deck 9, so we made friends with the barista quickly). From smoothies to adult beverages with dinner, we were quite impressed with the quality and quantity we received without paying any hidden fees.
There are a few additional activities onboard that you can purchase, including chocolate, olive oil, caviar, and adult beverage tastings. There is also a Cigar Lounge (Deck 5) where you can enjoy a cigar and whiskey pairing. If you're not interested in paying for extra onboard activities, no fret. Ponant hosts a Gala night with savory gastronomical pairings of food and drink, trivia on sea days, and live evening music. You can also take a brief tour of the Bridge (when the sign is posted) and watch the crew in action, at no extra cost.
Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot is the perfect ship for explorers and epicureans alike. Whether you're brave enough to jump into freezing waters or you find pleasure in pure luxury, Ponant has it all and does it extremely well.
If you would like to view a full video tour of Ponant's exquisite ship, Le Commandant Charcot, hit "play" down below!
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