Posted on 02/14/2025

It's the first time ever that a cruise ship has navigated the frozen St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada - in the WINTER! Carving new horizons for small-ship, luxury expedition cruising even more than Antarctic and Arctic cruises, which are held during the summer months. 

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Ponant's CEO Herve Gastinel, on board Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot on the occasion of the inaugural icebreaking passage. We dive into what makes Le Commandant Charcot perhaps the only luxury, small expedition ship capable of pushing the boundaries of this kind of expedition cruising, and why Quebec, of all the winter maritime destinations in the world, attempted this incredible new feat of cruising. 

Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot is a game-changer in expedition cruising, blending pioneering polar exploration with sustainable luxury. It was the world’s first luxury polar exploration cruise ship with a hybrid-electric, liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion system. 

Here are more ways Le Commandant Charcot is unique:

1. Icebreaker Capabilities (watch the video for more!)

• Unlike most expedition cruise ships, it is a Polar Class 2 (PC2) icebreaker, meaning it can navigate deep into Arctic and Antarctic ice.
• Allows for unprecedented access to remote locations, such as reaching the Geographic North Pole.

2. Hybrid LNG-Electric Propulsion

• Uses LNG, which reduces emissions compared to conventional fuels.
• Electric battery hybrid system enhances efficiency and allows short silent, zero-emission cruising.

3. Luxury Meets Exploration (check out the interiors in the video!)

• Ponant combines high-end luxury with serious scientific research capabilities.
• Features spacious suites with private balconies, a spa, fine dining, and lounges.
• Carries scientific labs and equipment for onboard researchers.

4. Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Design

• Equipped with advanced waste management and water treatment systems.
• Reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions through dynamic positioning instead of anchoring.

5. Cutting-Edge Scientific Contribution

• Hosts scientists and researchers to study climate change and polar ecosystems.
• Allows passengers to participate in citizen science programs.

6. Unmatched Polar Itineraries

• One of the only passenger ships able to reach the Geographic North Pole.
• Explores Greenland, Antarctica, the Ross Sea, and the remote Arctic regions.

START YOUR LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISE!

 

By: Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist. 

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