Unexplored East Antarctica & French Southern Lands

Tasmania's capital is a charming little city that blends natural beauty with a rich maritime history. Start at the bustling Salamanca Place, home to galleries, cafés, and the famous Salamanca Market on Saturdays. A short drive takes you to Mount Wellington, offering panoramic views of the city and beyond. The waterfront is perfect for sampling fresh seafood, especially at Constitution Dock, where fishing boats unload their daily catch. Ships dock at Macquarie Wharf.

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts.

Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Adélie Land, a portion of the Antarctic coast claimed by France, offers a unique glimpse into one of the most remote places on Earth. Known for its extreme weather conditions and stunning icy landscapes, this region is home to the French research station, Dumont d'Urville. The station provides insight into scientific studies on climate, wildlife, and glaciology.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the large colonies of Adélie penguins, after which the land is named. The sight of these resilient birds in their natural habitat is truly captivating. Although remote, Adélie Land's stark beauty and scientific significance make it a fascinating destination for those interested in polar exploration.

Adélie Land, a portion of the Antarctic coast claimed by France, offers a unique glimpse into one of the most remote places on Earth. Known for its extreme weather conditions and stunning icy landscapes, this region is home to the French research station, Dumont d'Urville. The station provides insight into scientific studies on climate, wildlife, and glaciology.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the large colonies of Adélie penguins, after which the land is named. The sight of these resilient birds in their natural habitat is truly captivating. Although remote, Adélie Land's stark beauty and scientific significance make it a fascinating destination for those interested in polar exploration.

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, follow in the footsteps of the American explorer Charles Wilkes, during his USS Vincennes expedition undertaken between 1838 and 1842. A veritable mine of information for scientists, this isolated land - where only moss and lichen have managed to adapt and to take hold, forming the tundra - promises a unique moment. Under an immaculate white coat, a secret world comes to life: from the icy mountains defying the sky to the vast glaciers, some of which stretch all the way to the Southern Ocean, and the icebergs drifting silently through frozen waters. These landscapes, unlike any other, are sure to captivate you.

On the eastern shores of Antarctica, between Cape Filchner and Cape Hordern, admire the captivating landscapes of Queen Mary Land, recounting stories of legendary explorations. In the heart of this region, discovered in 1912, during Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic expedition, mountains of ice rise like giant sculptures, sparkling beneath the rays of the southern sun. The glaciers wind their way like rivers of glass, shaping sumptuous scenery. In this frozen kingdom, colonies of emperor penguins gather on the shores and leopard seals bask on the ice floe while whales slip graciously through its waters.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

In the icy immensity of the Antarctic, between the 37th and 50th parallels south, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands encompass the largest emerged lands in the southern Indian Ocean, from the Crozet archipelago to the Kerguelen Islands. In the wake of the greatest European explorers, like Julien Crozet, Marc Marion Dufresne or James Cook, who sought out Terra Australis Incognita, you will explore these volcanic lands, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In these sanctuaries of biodiversity which represent unique terrain for scientific research, majestic icebergs stand like ephemeral sculptures, silent witnesses of the passing of time, while king penguins or elephant seals, the lords of these inhospitable lands, populate the beaches with their gigantic colonies.

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts.

Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

In the icy immensity of the Antarctic, between the 37th and 50th parallels south, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands encompass the largest emerged lands in the southern Indian Ocean, from the Crozet archipelago to the Kerguelen Islands. In the wake of the greatest European explorers, like Julien Crozet, Marc Marion Dufresne or James Cook, who sought out Terra Australis Incognita, you will explore these volcanic lands, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In these sanctuaries of biodiversity which represent unique terrain for scientific research, majestic icebergs stand like ephemeral sculptures, silent witnesses of the passing of time, while king penguins or elephant seals, the lords of these inhospitable lands, populate the beaches with their gigantic colonies.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

With the magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain, the Port of Cape Town is a picturesque cruise destination. Your cruise ship will be piloted through Table Bay to the dockside. From here you can explore the culture and attractions of South Africa’s most scenic city.

Top Things to Do in Cape Town:

• Explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where Cape Town locals shop and eat
• Take a scenic trip up Table Mountain
• Visit Boulders Beach and walk amongst native African penguins
• Take a railway journey to visit renowned wineries