Close-up of the reinforced bow of Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot pressed into broken pack ice in white-out conditions, Antarctica

Ponant · Le Commandant Charcot · 12 nights

Beyond the Inhabited World

Nuuk to Nuuk, 16 to 28 April 2027, with 2028 to follow. From A$34,910 per person, Paris charter flights included, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

Call 1300 187 630

Helicopter aerial view of Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot in loose sea ice off Greenland, bathed in golden haze, on a Ponant Reykjavik round-trip Arctic expedition cruise

12 nights, roundtrip from Nuuk

Past the last village, into the Nares Strait

North of Kullorsuaq the villages end. Siorapaluk, at 77° North, is the last inhabited place on this coast, and beyond it lies the Nares Strait, the frozen channel between Greenland and Canada that leads to the Arctic Ocean. Le Commandant Charcot is the only passenger ship able to enter it in April. This voyage, built with the polar guides of SEDNA and The Explorers Club, sails from Nuuk through the ice of Baffin Bay to both villages, then into the strait and the North Water polynya, the open water kept clear by wind and current where walrus, narwhal, seabirds and bears gather at the end of winter. The silence of the High Arctic is the point. The expedition team leads each day with the hunters of the communities, and the ice sets the programme.

This is the voyage we suggest to guests who have been to Antarctica and want its northern equal: the Nares Strait and the North Water, where Greenland and Canada nearly touch. We shape the rest around you, the suite, flights from Australia, Paris either side of the charter, and the offers we hold for Arctic Cruise guests. One Australian specialist, from the first conversation until you are home.

3 ports
2 countries
12 nights

Signature moments

Five moments at the edge of the world

Few ships have ever been where this one goes in April. Every landing is made on the sea ice with the expedition team, and the ice and the weather set each day.

Blue water and soaring icebergs in Antarctic waters

Kullorsuaq

Two days with the hunters of the northern Upernavik district: sled dogs, the hunting grounds, the stories of the last guardians of the Pole.

Kullorsuaq

Two days with the hunters of the northern Upernavik district: sled dogs, the hunting grounds, the stories of the last guardians of the Pole.

Day by day

Twelve nights, in outline

The sea ice sets the programme. The outline below is the plan the ship works from; the captain and the expedition leader reshape it around the ice each morning. The full programme comes with the proposal we write for you.

Charter flight from Paris to Nuuk and embarkation.

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot

Le Commandant Charcot is the only passenger ship with a Polar Class 2 hull, built to reach 90° North and the winter coasts of Greenland. She carries 245 guests in suites and staterooms that all open onto a balcony or terrace, with restaurants under Alain Ducasse, an indoor pool, a spa, a science laboratory and a hybrid electric and LNG propulsion that keeps her quiet in the ice.

Le Commandant Charcot

Alain Ducasse at the table

The spa and pool aboard Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot, which cruises to Antarctica.

The indoor pool, ice outside

The main lounge aboard Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot, which cruises to Antarctica.

The main lounge, bow forward

The scenic sauna aboard Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot, which cruises to Antarctica.

Spa and sauna at 80° North

Kayaks and Zodiacs at the ice edge

We want to make your journey as easy as possible

Twelve nights aboard Le Commandant Charcot, return charter flights between Paris and Nuuk with transfers, all meals in every restaurant and 24-hour room service, open bar and in-room minibar, ice landings, Zodiac outings and the activities shared with the communities, lectures and the science programme, Wi-Fi, gratuities, port taxes and the polar parka to keep

Flights from Australia to Paris and home, hotel nights in Paris, optional overnight packages on the ice, travel insurance, visa fees and personal expenses, spa treatments

Ponant includes the return charter flights between Paris and Nuuk. We arrange your flights from Australia to Paris and the nights in Paris either side, so the whole journey is one booking.

Further Exploration

Other Arctic itineraries

The same ship sails Encounter with the Last Guardians of the North Pole the fortnight before, and the two can be booked back to back. Each voyage shows its from price in Australian dollars where published; our specialists help you choose the one that suits the way you like to travel.

Encounter with the Last Guardians of the North Pole

Nuuk to Nuuk, 4 to 16 April 2027, with 2028 to follow. From A$29,280 per person, Paris charter flights included, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

12 Nights

Ponant

From A$53,610

The Geographic North Pole

Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen, through the pack ice to 90° North. Four sailings in 2027, six in 2028, with 2029 to follow. Return charter flights Paris to Longyearbyen included. From A$53,610 per person, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

16 Nights

Quark Expeditions

From US$22,871

Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin

Reykjavík to Reykjavík via Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, flights and helicopter flightseeing included. Two sailings in August 2027, with 2028 and 2029 to follow. From US$22,871 per person in US dollars, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

15 Nights

Aurora Expeditions

From A$30,601

Northwest Passage

Between Toronto or Reykjavík and Calgary, with charter flights to and from the ship included. Two sailings in 2027, two in 2028, with 2029 to follow. From A$30,601 per person, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

11 Nights

Swan Hellenic

From A$23,500

Viking Routes: Canada, Greenland and Iceland

Halifax to Reykjavík in May, Greenland to Canada in September. Sailings in 2027 and 2028, with 2029 to follow. From A$23,500 per person, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

15 Nights

Quark Expeditions

From US$19,281

West Greenland and the Far North: Ilulissat to Qaanaaq

Reykjavík to Reykjavík via Nuuk, flights across the Denmark Strait included. One sailing in September 2027, one in September 2028, with 2029 to follow. From US$19,281 per person in US dollars, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

Polar bear lying on the snow beside blue pressure-ice blocks at the edge of open water, photographed from PONANT's Le Commandant Charcot

Dates & prices

Departures, 2027 to 2029

Twelve nights aboard Le Commandant Charcot, Nuuk to Nuuk. Fares are Ponant’s published Australian fares per person, twin share, with the Paris charter flights included. Ask us before you compare: our offers for Arctic Cruise guests come on top, and we tell you which sailing is the best value for the way you want to travel.

The single 2027 sailing, in partnership with SEDNA and The Explorers Club. Paris charter flights included. Bookable back to back with the Last Guardians voyage ending on 16 April.

Ponant’s 2028 spring voyage into the Nares Strait, longer and later in the season. Ask us for the programme and the Australian fare.

Tell us the month and the suite you have in mind and we hold your place on our list, then come back to you with dates and Australian fares the day they open.

Made to measure

Tell us your Arctic, we build the rest

Every guest sails differently. Tell us what you are hoping for, the ice, the wildlife, the light, who you are travelling with, and we match it to the right sailing, the right stateroom and the right year, with flights from Australia and our own offers included. One Arctic Cruise specialist stays with you from the first call until you are home.