24 Feb Le Commandant Charcot: North Pole & Circumnavigation of Antarctica
Two Truly Epic Cruises And One Truly Epic Ship: Le Commandant Charcot
Alex Burridge – February 2026
MD Antarctica Travel Centre
Le Commandant Charcot is a unique luxury hybrid electric-liquified natural gas polar exploration ship. This pioneering icebreaker encapsulates an eco-friendly design never before seen in the polar regions.
Le Commandant Charcot combines immense power, strength and luxury, all delivered with low emissions as a result of the ships electric liquified Natural gas powered engines and Azipod propulsion technology. In simple terms, an Azipod is an electric motor built into a submerged pod located outside the hull of the ship which can rotate 360 degrees, allowing her to navigate stern first on occasion.
She offers two epic voyages: the Geographic North Pole and a Circumnavigation of Antarctica.
# 1. Geographic North Pole
Currently, Le Commandant Charcot is the only non-Russian ship offering voyages to the North Pole. She offers three North Poles itineraries in 2026 and 2027.
1. The Geographic North Pole 16 Days
Only available in 2026. Starts and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Limited berths available: Upper Deck Balcony Staterooms (AUD$72,595 per person) and Deluxe Suites (AUD$73,935 per person).
2. The Geographic North Pole and Greenland’s East Coast 18 Days
Available in 2026 and 2027. Starts in Reykjavik, Iceland and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
3. The Geographic North Pole 13 Days
Only available in 2027. Starts and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
Visiting the North Pole is a truly amazing experience. Having stood and swam (with the Arctic Ocean floor some 4,000 metres below) at the North Pole, I can say it is truly an experience of a lifetime.
Click below to view Le Commandant Charcot‘s North Pole dates and prices.
Inside the ship, you can expect a very high degree of comfort. Cabins range from Lower Deck Balcony Stateroom (20 metres squared) all the way through to the truly epic Captain’s Suite (at 115 metres squared – including a significant deck and jacuzzi). As with many things French (Le Commandant Charcot is owned by Ponant Exploration, formerly La Compagnie du Ponant), the cuisine on-board is also of a very high standard. A significant selection of French wines and some very delicious cheeses compliment the excellent menus.
She is equipped with 16 zodiacs, has a gym (which you might want to use after enjoying the cheese), sauna, spa, and numerous other facilities you’d expect on a ship of this quality. At the helm, Le Commandant Charcot is often captained by Stanislas Devorsine, a sailor of significant experience including captaining the French Government Icebreaker L’Astrolabe. The new version, the Astrolabe 800, was moored directly in front of Le Commandant Charcot when I inspected the ship in Hobart recently.
Le Commandant Charcot – Hobart
Captain Stanislas Devorsine
Proudly French – Le Commandant Charcot – Hobart
# 2. Circumnavigation of Antarctica
The second truly epic voyage is the 63-day Circumnavigation of Antarctica, offered in 2028. The full circumnavigation is made up of two semi-circumnavigation voyages: the 31-day Unexplored Western Antarctica (Ushuaia to Hobart) and the 31-day Unexplored Eastern Antarctica (Hobart to Ushuaia). There is a night in between in Hobart.
You can choose to join only one voyage and complete a semi-circumnavigation, or, do what so very few people have ever done, and join both voyages to fully circumnavigate the Continent of Antarctica.
Surprising as it may be, these voyages sell out quickly as the itineraries themselves are unique, just like the ship. The full circumnavigation has two cabin categories available starting at AUS$213,000 per person.
Click below to view Le Commandant Charcot‘s Antarctic dates and prices.
Le Commandant Charcot pool – Hobart bridge in background
Le Commandant Charcot Owner’s Suite
Section of Azipod
Call 1300 784 794 or email contact@arctictravelcentre.com.au to talk to one of our Polar Experts to find the cruise that is right for you.
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