The North Pole trip that I did in July on Le Commandant Charcot was an incredible experience. Breaking through the ice is phenomenal and we all loved this modern, homely ship.
I’ve been asked for years if I can plan a trip to the emperor penguins, so I’ve secured excellent group fares with Ponant and I know that this will be another mind blowing trip.
As we know, it’s a privilege to explore the polar regions and I do hope that you’ll join me on this incredible voyage of discovery.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Jann
The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea from 11 to 24 November 2025
on Le Commandant Charcot, the world's only Luxury Icebreaker
The theatre of the greatest expeditions, a refuge for the rarest wildlife and an endless ice desert, the Weddell Sea promises you intense emotions during a voyage of exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot, an enveloping cocoon that is wide open onto the exterior polar setting. This place is home to emperor penguins, majestic birds endemic to the Antarctic, rarely observed and only in the most southern latitudes. The ultimate quest and the promise of all-new, unforgettable encounters.
From Drake Passage, as the wind blows and the waves crash against the stern of your ship, you will enter the southern seas, to the extreme and captivating Weddell Sea. Ice floe as far as the eye can see and gigantic tabular icebergs form the horizon of the colonies of Adelie penguins that populate this expanse. Contemplating these curious and quirky birds is a real privilege and the guarantee of an equally fascinating and touching show. Yet the ultimate challenge of this exploration is the search for and the encounter with their majesties, the emperor penguins. In this season, as the winter gradually makes way for the southern spring, you will perhaps witness a magical show – that of the largest penguins in the world waddling along the ice floe or the younger penguins learning to swim. It is rare to discover their elegance, so the encounter will be priceless.
During your exploration of the Weddell Sea, you will follow in the footsteps of the great polar epics like that of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Our passionate naturalists will also share the history of the gigantic tabular icebergs with you, including their birth in the heart of the immense Larsen Ice Shelf. The ice here boasts all possible shades and the white takes different forms in the surrounding reliefs. Let yourself be guided and set off on an adventure into the heart of incredible and unexpected nature. Your Captain and the expert naturalists humbly seize these opportunities to give you an experience that will remain unique.
It is a challenge and a privilege to sail the Weddell Sea; welcome to an extraordinary universe with compelling appeal.
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing schedule and any landings, activities and wildlife encounters are subject to weather and ice conditions. These experiences are unique.
Voyage Highlights
Nicolas Vincent, Endurance 22’s Expedition Sub-Sea Manager and Cindy Miller Hopkins, Photo Ambassador and full-time professional travel & wildlife photographer with 25 years experience.
An exploration into the almost inaccessible Weddell Sea, in search of majestic emperor penguins, amidst immaculate and dreamlike landscapes.
Outings and shore visits in a zodiac inflatable with a reinforced team of naturalist guides.
The eye and advice of our photo ambassador, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalized advice to improve your photographic skills.
Lectures on board with our passionate experts, specialists in the fauna, flora and history of the polar regions.
Landscapes: immense glaciers, table top icebergs, immersion in the heart of the ice floes.
Wildlife: the possibility to observe emperor, Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins; Weddell, leopard and crabeater seals; humpback and orcas.
Many activities including kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing and polar plunge.
Each departure is unique. The itinerary, landings, wildlife encounters and activities are subject to weather and ice conditions.
Special Group Prices for Cruise Options in Euros and subject to change until a booking has been made:
Prestige Balcony Stateroom (20m² + 5m2 balcony) on Decks 6, 7 & 8 from €23 299 per person sharing.
Deluxe Balcony Suite (28m² + 5m2 balcony) on Decks 6, 7 & 8 from €24 722 per person sharing.
Prestige Balcony Suite (40m² + 10m2 balcony) on Decks 7 & 8 from €33 450 per person sharing.
Grand Prestige Balcony Suite (42m² + 5m2 balcony) on Deck 6 from €35 478 per person sharing.
Privilege Balcony Suite (48m² + 12.5m2 balcony) on Deck 8 from €37 505 per person sharing.
Duplex Balcony Suite (94m² + 26m2 balcony) on Decks 6/7 from €50 693 per person sharing.
Owner’s Suite (115m² + 186m2 balcony) on Deck 8 from €77 140 per person sharing.
Once booked, a 25% deposit is required within a few days to secure the booking; full payment is due by end July 2025.
Cruise Fares include:
A pre-cruise hotel in Santiago for 11 November plus hotel / airport / ship transfers and Santiago/Ushuaia/Santiago charter flights.
All meals while on board the ship
Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
Unlimited Wi-Fi
Port charges
Complimentary “Open Bar”, pouring wines, house champagne and alcohol excluding premium brands.
Evening entertainment and events
24-hour room service
Complimentary parka
Complimentary boot rental
Gratuities are not included and are an additional €12 per person per night.
Le Commandant Charcot has a guest capacity of 235 and is an extraordinary ship
The world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas. Discover new and unique experiences whilst enjoying unprecedented luxury and comfort.
The polar experience is further enhanced through exceptional facilities such as the Blue Lagoon, an outdoor pool heated by recuperated energy; the Snowroom, an invigorating snow bath to use immediately after the sauna; and the circular promenade deck equipped with heated benches and spotting scopes.
Le Commandant Charcot provides a rare and exceptional ambiance for every guest welcomed onboard and reinforces the feeling of sailing on a private yacht.
All suites / staterooms have a private balcony or terrace.
At the rear of decks 6 and 7 are four stunning 94 m² (1,011 ft²) Duplex Suites equipped with private terraces and jacuzzis.
The breathtaking 115 m² (1,237 ft²) Suite de l’Armateur (Owner’s Suite) on deck 8 features wide sliding glass doors offering stunning panoramic views and opening out onto a 186 m² (2,002 ft²) private terrace.
Gastronomy
Chef Alain Ducasse and his team offer contemporary French cuisine of the highest standard. These artists align culinary know-how and cutting-edge kitchen technology to bring dishes worthy of the world’s top restaurants to the sea
Environmentally Friendly Exploration
Le Commandant Charcot is paving the way as the first deep polar exploration cruise ship that’s equipped with a hybrid liquefied natural gas propulsion system (currently the cleanest energy available). With the use of the latest green technologies this minimises the impact of your polar odyssey on the planet and makes a positive contribution to the people and lands that you visit.
The ship has many facilities on board for scientific research as it’s equipped with its own laboratories and a host of scientific researchers in disciplines such as glaciology, oceanography, marine biology, climatology, and the social sciences.
Expedition Leader and Naturalist guides
Alongside the captain, the expedition leader is the main person responsible for managing and coordinating the exploration aspect of the cruise.
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan your ideal holiday – 021 434 9394