Ponant Opens Sales For 62-Day Antarctica Circumnavigation In 2028
A 62-day polar expedition aboard Le Commandant Charcot will sail around Antarctica in January 2028, with bookings now open for the full circumnavigation or individual segments.
Photo: Henrique Setim / Unsplash
Ponant Explorations has opened bookings for a 62-day circumnavigation of Antarctica scheduled to depart Jan. 11, 2028, aboard the icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot. The sailing will trace nearly 14,300 miles around the White Continent during the austral summer, beginning and ending in Ushuaia, Argentina, with a mid-voyage stop in Hobart, Tasmania.
The expedition is structured in two segments that can be booked separately or combined into a full circumnavigation. The first leg runs 30 days from Ushuaia westward along Antarctica’s coastline to Hobart, followed by a three-day stopover. The second segment departs from Hobart on Feb. 11, 2028, and returns to Ushuaia over 31 days along the eastern coast. Pricing for the complete voyage starts at $147,360 per person, with individual legs also available.
The itinerary focuses on regions rarely visited by passenger vessels, including the Ross Sea, often called the “last ocean,” as well as remote areas such as Marie Byrd Land, Wilkes Land, Adélie Land, and the Balleny Islands. Planned experiences include Zodiac outings, kayaking, snowshoe hikes, and opportunities to observe wildlife ranging from penguins and humpback whales to elephant seals and orcas, with landings subject to conditions and IAATO regulations. Guests will also sail near Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano, and visit historic expedition sites connected to figures such as Shackleton, Scott, Mawson, and Amundsen.
The voyage departs from Ushuaia, a key Antarctic gateway in southern Argentina, with Hobart serving as the midpoint logistics hub. Both ports provide established access to polar itineraries, allowing for provisioning and operational resets during the extended expedition timeline.
“Ponant Explorations was born from a pioneering spirit, and Le Commandant Charcot represents the pinnacle of exploration, providing travelers with experiences that were once deemed impossible,” said Samuel Chamberlain, the CEO of Ponant for the Americas. “As the only passenger ship with a PC2 rating, it’s well-suited to embark on this rare milestone voyage representing the essence of polar discovery—all in a way that’s safe and respectful of the ecosystems across this pristine region, while embracing guests in comfortable elegance and French refinement.”
Le Commandant Charcot remains the only luxury icebreaker with a PC2 polar-class hull, designed for deep polar navigation. The vessel uses hybrid-electric propulsion powered by liquefied natural gas and includes an onboard research laboratory that supports scientific study of Antarctic ecosystems. Programming throughout the voyage will feature talks led by naturalist guides and polar researchers.
Accommodations include balcony-equipped staterooms and suites with Nordic-inspired interiors, along with public spaces such as the Observatory Lounge, the Blue Lagoon deck, and a spa with an indoor pool and snow room. Dining centers on Nuna, the Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea.
The full circumnavigation and both half-circumnavigation sailings are now open for reservations ahead of the January 2028 departure.
