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 LeCommandant Charcot, an enveloping cocoon that is widely open onto the exterior polar setting. This place is home to emperor penguins, these 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 stem of your ship, you...read more 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 moments to give you an experience that will remain unique. It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon the Weddell Sea; welcome to an extraordinary universe with compelling appeal. Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here! 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 and vary with each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the IAATO.
Cruise Itinerary
Arrive
Depart
Day 1: Santiago
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Day 2: Santiago - Flight to Ushuaia
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18:00
Day 3:Crossing The Drake Passage
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Day 4:Crossing The Drake Passage
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Day 5: North Antarctic Peninsula
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Day 6: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 7: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 8: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 9: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 10: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 11: The Weddell Sea Exploration
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Day 12:Crossing The Drake Passage
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Day 13:Crossing The Drake Passage
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Day 14:Ushuaia - Flight to Santiago
08:00
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Note: Ship ports may not be located in the starting & ending cities listed. Transfers to and/or from the ship port may be required.
Life Onboard Le Commandant-Charcot
Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details
Note Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Ponant. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Ponant. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.