PONANT Debuts Shorter, 12-Night North Pole Explorations for 2027

Travellers who are looking to explore the North Pole but might not have the time for longer journeys can now sail with PONANT EXPLORATIONS on their new 12-night itineraries for 2027.

The 12-night explorations aboard Le Commandant Charcot are designed to give the full magnitude of the exploration in a shorter time frame and complement the line’s longer North Pole voyages.

Sailing roundtrip from Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, these once-in-a-lifetime journeys, departing July 27, August 8, August 20, and September 1, 2027, will traverse the drifting sea ice of the Arctic Ocean en route to 90° North—the northernmost point on Earth.   

“Unique among polar expeditions, this journey to the Geographic North Pole offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the Arctic as few ever have. Over the past 15 months, we’ve worked closely with our deployment team to thoughtfully design a 12-night itinerary that will appeal to this market,” said Samuel Chamberlain, CEO of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, Americas.  

“With Le Commandant Charcot, we’ve created a ship that not only pushes the boundaries of polar navigation but also serves as a platform for scientific research, environmental stewardship, and cultural exchange. Coupled with our French flair for hospitality, this is purposeful exploration at its finest—providing today’s time-strapped travelers with the rare opportunity for transformative discovery.” 

Geographic North Pole Explorations Overview 

Departing from Longyearbyen, the ship will sail the icy coasts of Spitsbergen before navigating the ever-shifting ice floe en route to the Geographic North Pole. Along the way, guests may witness rare Arctic wildlife—polar bears, seals, whales, and Arctic foxes—before stepping foot on the northernmost point of the planet, a place where few have ever stood. 

Exploration Highlights: 

• Quest to reach the Geographic North Pole at 90° North: permanently ice-covered, sunlit for six months of the year, and one of the most inaccessible places on Earth. 

• Witness spectacular Arctic landscapes: towering glaciers, dramatic ice compression ridges, and Svalbard’s sculpted fjords and rugged peaks. 

• Encounter rare wildlife: polar bears, whales, seals, seabirds, and Arctic foxes. 

• Enjoy Zodiac outings, kayaking, ice landings, snowshoeing, and the ultimate Arctic ritual—polar plunging. 

• Visit Ny-Ålesund, a remote research outpost linked to the early explorers, and sail through Spitsbergen’s wild northwest coast. 

• Experience the haunting beauty of the Arctic under the ethereal glow of the midnight sun—and, conditions permitting, the mesmerizing flicker of the Northern Lights. 

Le Commandant Charcot, which made history in 2022 with the first passenger sailing to reach the Geographic North Pole, is the only ship in the world with Polar Class 2 (PC-2) classification, giving it the ability to navigate uncharted ice floes and shifting glaciers.

All expeditions include roundtrip airfare from Paris to Longyearbyen, transfers, and the signature all-inclusive luxury of PONANT EXPLORATIONS.