If guests are looking for adventure in the lap of luxury, bucket list experiences at sea don’t get much better than these voyages with Ponant.
Ponant has launched three exclusive voyages to the Antarctic for the 2025 season to see the majestic Emperor Penguin colonies of Snow Hill Island.
Guests will venture where few others can go aboard Le Commandant Charcot – the only commercial vessel that can navigate through heavy drift ice into the southern reaches of the Weddell Sea.
Wildlife abounds
Le Commandant Charcot is the world’s only luxury icebreaker where you can explore Snow Hill Island on foot, walking the same ice fields as the Emperor Penguin colonies.
This life-changing experience includes a chance to linger for hours among Emperor Penguins, Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins.
Not active enough? Travelling with Ponant means guests can also kayak, hike, go snowshoeing and take a ‘polar plunge’ in this remote, icy region.
And they can capture the moment under the expert guidance of wildlife photographer, Cindy Miller Hopkins, who will hold workshops, conferences and give advice to make sure memorable moments are not missed.
Ponant commercial manager, Ryo Ijichi says, “our exclusive 2025 departures offer more than just observation; they provide an immersive, authentic polar expedition.
“Guests have the privileged opportunity to encounter these colonies in person venturing into the Weddell Sea from the Drake Passage, to an area that is inaccessible to other vessels”.
Floating on five stars
Le Commandant Charcot is Ponant’s first LNG-powered hybrid electric luxury polar exploration vessel. But being on an expedition ship doesn’t mean sacrificing life’s little luxuries.
On board are 123 suites and staterooms with private balconies or terraces, including four split-level suites with private terraces and jacuzzis.
There’s also a heated indoor swimming pool, outdoor heated lagoon and a wellness lounge with a sauna, snow room and gym, because who doesn’t want sea views while you work out?
When it comes to dining, menus are created under the careful eye of three-Michelin-star chef Alain Ducasse.
The Emperor Penguin of the Weddell Sea are 12-night expeditions, departing from Ushuaia on the 30th October, 11th and 22nd November 2025.
For more information, visit ponant.com.
