Hybrid icebreaker Commandant Charcot Ponant: North Pole, Arctic, Antarctic

The concept
The luxury expedition ship Le Commandant Charcot is specially designed for voyages in the polar regions. Accordingly, the ship's concept is much more in-depth than that of some of its competitors. For example, certain cabins are reserved for researchers. Research institutions can apply with their projects and are then allowed to send their team along free of charge. Passengers also benefit from this: they have the opportunity to actively collect samples and data, exchange ideas with the scientists and thus gain unique insights. The two laboratory rooms on board are highly authentic: unpolished, not stylish, but highly functional - for example, for drilling holes in the ice. In addition, the Commandant Charcot shares much of the data it collects on its voyages with scientific institutions. For example, the thickness of the ice is transmitted to a university in real time.

Exceptional suites and cabins
With only 123 suites and cabins ranging in size from 20 to 115 m², all with a private balcony or terrace, Le Commandant Charcot remains true to the PONANT philosophy of welcoming every guest in a luxurious ambience and giving them the feeling of travelling on a private yacht. In the aft areas of decks 6 and 7 there are four unique duplex suites, each measuring 94 m² with their own terraces and jacuzzi. On deck 8, the exclusive Owner Suite is 115 m² in size. It has panoramic windows and a 186 m² private terrace.

The design
What the teams from Studio Jean-Philippe Nuel and architects Wilmotte & Associés have achieved here is absolutely world class and new in the expedition cruise world. The colour scheme of the interior is cream, glacier pale blue and anthracite combined with dark wood, elegant and at the same time extremely cosy and homely. The most important thing is that the look is decidedly understated. Here it has been understood that the ship must take a back seat to nature, not steal the show, and at best simply blend in with it. With one exception: anyone boarding one of the glass lifts will pass the 9×3 metre artwork "Oscillation" - a gigantic screen with a graphic ice scene that is constantly changing. Definitely an eye-catcher!
There are virtually no sharp edges: every piece of furniture, every partition wall and every decorative element nestles into the eye of the beholder with curves, another homage to nature, which rarely creates right angles. The most important component of the interior design: lots and lots of daylight. This not only saves the unpleasant artificial light, but also brings the polar landscape into the interior of the Commandant Charcot.

The culinary arts
Feelings of happiness for gourmets, made by French star chef Alain Ducasse. Expectations are correspondingly high.
From the six-course menu to the grill at the outdoor bar Inneq and in the two restaurants Nuna (deck 5) and Sila (deck 9), excellent cuisine is on offer. The bar in the Observation Lounge is perfect for sundowners, aperitifs and digestifs! Those who prefer to dine in complete privacy can do so at any time: 24-hour room service is included in the cruise price in all cabins.

Technical data
Length: 150 metres
Width: 28 metres
Draught: 10 metres
Average speed: 15 knots
Ice class: Polar class PC2
Classification society: Bureau Veritas
Flag: French
Number of decks: 5
Number of guests: 245
Zodiacs: 16
Tonnage: 31,757 GT
Electric motors: 34 MW
Drive power: 42 MW
Shipyard: Sovik/Norway