Explore Ponant’s New Hybrid Cruise Ship for Eco-Friendly Polar Expeditions

The great irony of visiting Antarctica is that a trip there can damage the very ecosystem you’re going to see. As the continent registers record temperatures—and warming occurring at a rate three times faster than the global average—there’s also a rush on Antarctica, as travelers race to see it before things change even more dramatically. The Arctic, meanwhile, is experiencing similar trends: more ships, more travelers, and ecological impacts due to climate change.

Now, the French cruise line Ponant is addressing this conundrum while still meeting massive traveler demand for epic polar expeditions. The company’s newest ship, Le Commandant Charcot, will be the first of Ponant’s hybrid-electric ships, designed to run on comparatively cleaner-burning liquid natural gas and battery reserves. This innovative approach will reduce, though not eliminate, carbon emissions during the ship’s inaugural trip to the Arctic in May 2021.

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The inaugural season for the Charcot, formerly known as the Ponant Icebreaker, will include Arctic itineraries with stops in Greenland, Iceland, and Norway’s Jan Mayen Island. Furthermore, later in the season, the ship will head to the Geographic North Pole before transiting the Northwest Passage in September.

The Charcot will then sail south—all the way south—to Antarctica, where its hybrid capabilities will enable ultra-long itineraries. Trips to Antarctica will include a 20-day journey through the Drake Passage and Bellingshausen Sea, off the Antarctic Peninsula. All Charcot sailings will feature naturalist-led tours, Zodiac excursions, and a variety of onboard experiences.

Moreover, as for the amenities, the ship will accommodate 270 passengers in 135 suites, including 68 suites with balconies. There will be two restaurants, a spacious infinity pool overlooking the stern, another indoor swimming pool, and a small spa featuring a “snow room.” You know, just in case.