
Le Commandant Charcot
Highlights
- Extraordinary icebreaking vessel with the highest ice-class rating of any purpose-built cruise ship for a cutting-edge polar exploration experience
- World's first hybrid-electric polar cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), setting a new standard for eco-friendly expedition travel
- Luxurious accommodations and amenities including duplex suites, an infinity pool, snow room, two science centers, and Michelin-starred fine dining
Le Commandant Charcot, named after the distinguished French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, is not just a ship; it’s an extraordinary floating oasis of luxury amidst the icy expanses of the polar regions that redefines the very essence of polar exploration.
With the highest ice-class rating of any ship built to date, Polar Class 2—meaning it can operate year-round in ice that has built up over multiple years—this purpose-built expedition vessel can venture where others dare not sail, capable of breaking through ice up to 8.5 feet thick, allowing you to explore the remotest polar regions during seasons and in conditions that were once deemed impossible in unparalleled and almost unimaginable comfort. Indeed, in 2021 she was the first purpose-built passenger cruise ship to reach the North Pole.
Sustainable Exploration
But this luxurious ‘icebreaker’ is groundbreaking in more ways than one. Le Commandant Charcot is also the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas. The epitome of responsible and sustainable sailing, this provides the ability to switch to silent, zero-emission mode using its large battery bank, which adds to the magic of wildlife encounters in complete silence amidst a vast expanse of ice.
Its dedication to sustainability goes beyond propulsion however, with onboard desalination and waste heat recovery systems, as well as advanced wastewater treatment. The ship’s...
Specifications
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Guests245
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Staff & Crew215
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Guide & Crew to Guest Ratios1:8 & 1:1.1
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Guest to Space Ratio1:130
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Number of Decks5
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Number of Cabins123
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Zodiacs & Loading Bays16
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Year Built2021
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Ice ClassPC2
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Length492.1 ft (150.0 m)
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Beam92.0 ft (28.0 m)
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Draft33.0 ft (10.1 m)
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Cruising Speed15kn
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Stabilizers-
Amenities
About the Le Commandant Charcot
Le Commandant Charcot, named after the distinguished French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, is not just a ship; it’s an extraordinary floating oasis of luxury amidst the icy expanses of the polar regions that redefines the very essence of polar exploration.
With the highest ice-class rating of any ship built to date, Polar Class 2—meaning it can operate year-round in ice that has built up over multiple years—this purpose-built expedition vessel can venture where others dare not sail, capable of breaking through ice up to 8.5 feet thick, allowing you to explore the remotest polar regions during seasons and in conditions that were once deemed impossible in unparalleled and almost unimaginable comfort. Indeed, in 2021 she was the first purpose-built passenger cruise ship to reach the North Pole.
Sustainable Exploration
But this luxurious ‘icebreaker’ is groundbreaking in more ways than one. Le Commandant Charcot is also the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas. The epitome of responsible and sustainable sailing, this provides the ability to switch to silent, zero-emission mode using its large battery bank, which adds to the magic of wildlife encounters in complete silence amidst a vast expanse of ice.
Its dedication to sustainability goes beyond propulsion however, with onboard desalination and waste heat recovery systems, as well as advanced wastewater treatment. The ship’s dynamic positioning system enables it to hover, rotate 360 degrees, and navigate through ice with finesse all without dropping an anchor. This system not only ensures smooth maneuverability but also enhances wildlife viewing opportunities.
Refined Interiors & Exteriors
From the moment you step into the ship’s lobby, with its immense skylight and mesmerizing 30-foot-tall digital artwork created by Miguel Chevalier, you’ll find yourself transported to a world of elegance and sophistication. Renowned French designers Jean-Philippe Nuel and Jean-Michel Wilmotte have masterfully crafted interiors that seamlessly blend polar-inspired palettes of whites and blues with warmer, plush spaces, all complemented by artworks by over 30 artists. It’s as if you’ve stumbled upon a chic city hotel in the heart of the Antarctic.
The public spaces on Decks 5 and 9 are a testament to luxury and innovation. On deck 9 the Blue Lagoon, an infinity-style pool overlooking the icy landscapes, beckons as the overlooking Open-air bar, Inneq’s heated seating and central fire pit offers warmth, comfort, and a refined range of international sweet and savoury dishes amidst the frigid surroundings.
Mid-deck, the relaxed Sila restaurant welcomes guests for your breakfasts, buffet lunches and themed dinners, and nearby Nuan, the ship’s spa named after the Inuit word for “wellbeing,” pampers with treatment rooms, a hair and nail salon, and takes hot and cold treatments to a new level with its sauna and snow room. Adjacent, the winter garden known as Imaq, meaning “water” in Inuit, invites you to unwind in its indoor pool with relaxation area and detox bar.
The large observation lounge to the bow provides breathtaking views and overlooks the helipad, where a single, four-passenger helicopter is used by the expedition and scientific teams on board to scout landing sites and aid research.
On deck 5 you’ll find the 245-guest theater, although Antarctic voyages are limited to 200 passengers, and the main lounge, which exudes a stylish ambiance with a mesmerizing fireplace and an extensive cocktail list, and where evenings are enriched with live performances. Here you’ll also find the boutique, photo suite, cigar lounge, and to the aft bridge, the main fine-dining restaurant, Nuna, with menus curated by the world-renowned, Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse, reflect the ship’s dedication to French culinary excellence. French wines, Champagne, and spirits flow freely, complementing the delectable meals served on board.
Surrounding them all is the 360 degree promenade deck, ideal for walking off those indulgent dishes. Le Commandant Charcot is one of the few cruise ships equipped with an uninterrupted promenade deck around its entire circumference. Watch the pristine white scenery and the polar wildlife from a superb vantage point as you stroll around, and then stop for a break on one of the warm benches, heated by the ship’s clever energy recuperation system.
Luxurious Accommodations
All accommodation options are located on decks 6, 7, and 8, and feature balconies offering breathtaking views of the polar landscapes, and are well-appointed and equipped with modern amenities featuring WiFi, 24-hour room service, and premium bath products. Even the entry-level Prestige Staterooms are spacious and offer the utmost comfort. The ship’s other suite categories offer various levels of luxury, including butler service, separate lounge areas, and more. Most noteworthy are the opulent Owner’s Suite and two-level Duplex Suites to the rear which provide vast living areas and unrivaled views from expansive balconies.
Commitment To Scientific Research
Below the luxurious accommodations lies an arsenal of scientific equipment, as the stylish ship deceptively doubles a floating research platform dedicated to preserving and understanding the polar regions. As well as its helicopter, the ship boasts an otherworldly all-terrain vehicle known as the Sherp, and two laboratories where scientists from all over the world are invited to collaborate with the on board team for cutting-edge research.
The ship’s commitment to scientific exploration extends to its operations, with allocated time to perform research during itineraries, as well as its hull, which has an opening for sea water measurements in the most challenging ice conditions. A dedicated science officer is on hand to keep guests apprised of the ongoing scientific work as it happens.
Embark on the voyage of a lifetime in unparalleled style, and let Le Commandant Charcot redefine your perception of polar travel—a vessel that not only breaks through ice but also breaks through expectations, setting new standards of luxury in expedition cruising.
Owner's Suite
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Duplex Suite
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Privilege Suite Deck 8
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Grand Prestige Suite
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Prestige Suite Deck 8
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Prestige Suite Deck 7
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Deluxe Suite Deck 8
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Deluxe Suite Deck 7
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Deluxe Suite Deck 6
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
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Itineraries

The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Joing writer and journalist, Dominique Le Brun, who has devoted numerous books and articles to the maritime world in all its aspects. He himself has been sailing since his childhood, and that is why, after studying law, he turned away from the professional way that was open to him to become a skipper and yacht deliverer.
The experiences and adventures he lived through during this type of sailing inspired his first reports in the nautical press: he thus became a freelance journalist and author of cruising guides. These first publications led Dominique Le Brun to realize that beyond sailing, his true passion was for maritime culture.
From then on, enriching his reports with research work, themselves reinforced by his experience as a sailor, he conducted a systematic study of all the major themes inspired by the oceans. His essays, biographies, anthologies, stories and reports deal with the exploration of the planet sea, marine literature and painting, the trades and traditions of the sea… Today’s pressing current events direct his centers of interest towards the evolution of climates and geostrategic questions. It is therefore not surprising that he is particularly interested in the poles, to which he has already devoted five books.
Dominique Le Brun is a member of the group of Marine Writers, a permanent guest of the Académie de Marine and a Knight of the Order of Maritime Merit.
Cassandra’s drive to protect the ocean has taken her to all seven continents, though Antarctica holds her heart. She holds advanced degrees in Marine Science, Science Communication, and Environment and Resources, having completed her PhD at Stanford University. She’s worked in the lab, underwater, and at sea – including five research expeditions to Antarctica.
Cassandra was a core member of The Last Ocean, a grand-scale media project focused on protecting the Ross Sea. Her work helped drive the adoption of the world’s largest marine protected area in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, one of the healthiest marine ecosystems left on Earth. Currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, she continues her engaged scholarship and seeks to empower the next generations of environmental leaders.
Join award-winning photographer, filmmaker and public speaker Sue Flood aboard L’Austral. Her work takes her all over the world but she has a special passion for the wildlife and icy beauty of the Polar regions and is one of the very few women who chooses to return again and again to Earth’s harshest and most demanding environments.
A zoology graduate, Sue spent 11 years with the BBC Natural History Unit, working on series including The Blue Planet and Planet Earth as well as the Disneynature movie Earth with Sir David Attenborough, before turning her focus to photography. Her images have appeared in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Geo and other distinguished publications. Her most recent book is Emperor, The Perfect Penguin with a foreword by Sir Michael Palin.
Sue’s work has won multiple awards and in recognition of her photographic achievements, Sue was invited to meet Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace. In May 2022 Sue received an Honorary Master of Science degree from The University of Chester.
Sue is a member of the Explorers Club, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Royal Photographic Society and of the North American Nature Photography Association.
When she is not in some far-flung location, Sue lives on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales.
Join Photo Ambassador, award-winning photographer, film maker and guide with a passion for the remote regions of our planet, Ian Dawson aboard Le Commandant Charcot.
A fine art graduate, he has spent his career in the national media, both as a photojournalist and picture editor. He has covered everything from conflict, travel, the Royal Family and celebrities of stage and screen and many other commissions.
He has been active within Scottish Mountain Rescue for over 20 years as a medic with responsibility for training. He was recognized for his work in this field having been awarded both The Queen’s Diamond & Platinum Jubilee Medals.
Ian is a member of the Guild of Picture Editors, the British Association of Ski Patrollers, the Royal Photographic Society and the UK Mountain Leader Board. His photographic work is represented by Getty Images.
When not sharing his love of wild places, Ian lives with his family in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland.