On Location: “A marvel of engineering”: PAX unpacks Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot icebreaker

STORY BY DIANE TIERNEY 

If you have clients that would like to visit the ends of the earth, Ponant Cruises’ Le Commandant Charcot is the ultimate expedition cruise ship to choose for its one-of-kind features.

This bucket list cruise ship is an industry game-changer – powerful on the outside and plush on the inside. Michelin-star gourmet dining adds to the exceptional experience.

PAX was on board Charcot from November 20-25, 2024 for a non-stop voyage from Norway to Finland with a few international travel advisors from Britain, Spain, Norway and the United States.

The ship, which debuted in November 2021, is the world’s first and only luxury, hybrid-electric LNG icebreaker cruise ship. In July 2022, the quiet, environment-friendly, icebreaker became the first to take passengers to the Geographic North Pole (most northern point on the planet) and the North Pole of inaccessibility (the most northern point furthest from land) in September 2024. 

Your clients on a North Pole voyage can literally feel on top of the world where meridians merge for the ultimate bragging rights that very few tourists can claim.

With expedition and cold weather cruising increasing in popularity, the 245-passenger, 230-crew Charcot is also ideal for cruises to Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland and many cold remote regions year-round as the ship is rated Polar Class 2, as opposed to Ice Class. It also operates voyages in Canada.

“A marvel of engineering”

The ship is a marvel of engineering. The steel used for the hull is six centimetres thick and there’s machinery that can break through ice that’s about 2.5 metres thick.

The onboard equipment is jaw-dropping. It has a helicopter operated by Canadian pilots (for scouting and emergencies), amphibious all-terrain vehicle, snowmobiles, kayaks, zodiacs, an underwater drone and more.

Combining cruising with conservation, it also has research laboratories on board for world-class scientists, including Canadians, to study the effects of climate change and more. Your clients can tour the laboratories, meet them and attend seminars. Part of the cruise ticket price goes to supporting this program.

The $430 million U.S. Charcot can also carry enough fuel to last about four months, has two engine rooms and two Captain’s bridges – at the bow and the stern for reverse maneuvers. The officers welcome your clients to visit and tour the bridges.

Charcot has two large, heated pools. The aft infinity-style pool called the Blue Lagoon graces the area in a semi-circle for gorgeous wake views. It’s surrounded by cozy white furnishings, a firepit-style heater, bar and grill. The second pool is at spa and has a glass dome above for beautiful sky views.

The spa also has several treatment rooms and relaxation areas as well as a sauna, snow room and salon. The gym is on the other side of the ship and features floor-to-ceiling views.

Guests can also go outside to the bow’s helipad for the best front row view of wildlife. The outdoor benches throughout the ship are also heated to make viewing comfortable.

A Michelin-level partnership

Ponant partnered with Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse – more than 21 stars received and about 30 restaurants – for fine French dining at all three restaurants.

Nuna features gourmet cuisine in an elegant dining room with wake views. Nuna offers an upscale buffet and has aft views, as well as a large window showing the Captain’s second bridge.

Inneq is an outdoor grill by the pool to enjoy dining inside or out.

Bars & lounges

On deck nine, the Observation Lounge overlooking the bow and enormous helipad is the most popular spot for its panoramic views, sumptuous furnishings, bar and stage for musicians.

The Main Lounge on deck five is just as beautiful and a lovely place with a steam fireplace to enjoy drinks, musicians and special events such as champagne and caviar celebrations.

There’s also a Detox Bar for smoothies near the indoor pool. A classic Cigar Lounge is also available.

That’s entertainment

The 276-seat theatre features a small troupe of about five singers, dancers and musicians and the shows are low-key and high-brow from ballroom dancers to opera singers.

The space is also used for movies, as well as seminars with guest speakers ranging from ecologists to astronauts.

A “cruise ship of tomorrow"

All 123 staterooms (across seven categories) have balconies or terraces and range from 215 to the 1,237-square-foot Owner’s Suite that also has a 2,000-square-foot terrace with a hot tub. Butler service is included with some staterooms.

Some large staterooms are strategically located on deck six for clients who want one of the top suites, but will be navigating rough seas, such as the Drake Passage to Antarctica, for which a low, mid-ship stateroom is best.

Checking under the beds leads to a surprise – there are full-body survival suits in duffel bags. The ship also carries polar camp equipment and supplies to create a community of domes if an evacuation to ice was required. The camp testing exercise included experts from around the world including Canada.

Regardless of Charcot’s itineraries, cruising on this ship is akin to flying on the Concorde in terms of travel transportation bucket lists. Charcot is considered a “cruise ship of tomorrow.”  

And if you’ve ever seen the epic climate-change disaster movie “2012,” you’ll know why Charcot will make you think it’s the best choice to book your clients on if a strong Ark is required (kidding, of course).

Diane Tierney has been on 94 cruises to 57 countries and has 141,000 followers on Instagram @Cruiseguru.  

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