Ponant reveals 2028-29 Antarctic season with 12 itineraries
Ponant Explorations has announced its 2028-29 Antarctic season, featuring nearly 30 departures across 12 expedition itineraries ranging from 10 to 59 nights. Fares for the season start at $15,450 per person.
Ponant Explorations has unveiled its full 2028-29 Antarctic season featuring nearly 30 departures across 12 itineraries. Sailings range from 10 to 59 nights in duration, with fares starting at $15,450 per person.
Flagship icebreaker leads extended voyages
Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker, will operate key expeditions. The vessel departs Ushuaia, Argentina on January 11, 2029, for a 59-night Antarctica Circumnavigation. This round-trip itinerary traces nearly 14,300 miles of ice-bound coastline, covering the Bellingshausen, Amundsen, Ross, and Weddell seas.
The circumnavigation includes a one-night stay in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on February 9, 2029. It explores Charcot Island, Marie Byrd Land, the Balleny Islands, and UNESCO-listed Macquarie Island. Geographic highlights include the Ross Ice Shelf, South Magnetic Pole, Drygalski Glacier, and Mount Erebus. The voyage also sails off the Endurance wreck search area and explores Queen Mary Land and Queen Maud Land. Wildlife observation opportunities include leopard seals, Weddell seals, Adélie penguins, minke whales, orcas, snow petrels, and other seabirds.
A 12-night voyage in alliance with The Explorers Club, titled 'Setting Sail for the Ice of the Mythical Weddell Sea', departs on November 6, 2028. It explores the remote Weddell Sea and offers chances to encounter emperor penguins, Adélie penguins, seals, whales, and orcas. An esteemed member of The Explorers Club will give onboard lectures, and a science grantee will conduct research. Activities may include kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, and a polar plunge, subject to conditions.
Another specialized voyage, 'The Weddell Sea & Larsen Ice Shelf', operates on Le Commandant Charcot for 12 nights starting December 16, 2028. 'Beyond the Antarctic Circle, In the Wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot' is a 14-night journey starting December 28, 2028.
Classic and specialized itineraries across the fleet
The season includes classic and specialized voyages across the fleet, which comprises Le Boréal, Le Lyrial, Le Soléal, and Le Commandant Charcot. 'Emblematic Antarctica' is Ponant’s classic introduction to the White Continent aboard Le Boréal or Le Lyrial. This 10-night itinerary traces the ice-choked channels and wildlife-rich shores of the Antarctic Peninsula. It has 13 departures from November 2028 to February 2029, including a Christmas cruise on December 19, 2028. These departures include one night’s hotel stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the night before departure and return flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
Other itineraries offer varied destinations and durations below.
| Itinerary | Ship(s) | Duration (nights) | Departures Season 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emblematic Antarctica | Le Boréal, Le Lyrial | 10 | 13 |
| The Great Austral Loop | Le Boréal, Le Lyrial | 17 | 4 |
| Expedition to New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands | Le Soléal | 14 | 2 |
| Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic, Ross Sea Expedition | Le Soléal | 21 | 2 |
| Falklands, South Georgia & Valdés Peninsula: in the Heart of the Wilderness | Le Lyrial | 18 | 1 (Feb 27, 2029) |
A 10-night voyage in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys, titled 'Antarctica: The White Continent', departs on January 28, 2029, aboard Le Lyrial. It explores the Antarctic Peninsula via Zodiac outings and shore landings, with opportunities to observe penguins, seals, seabirds, and wildlife. Two Smithsonian Journeys experts will share knowledge via onboard lectures and discussions. Naturalist guides will lead information sessions on wildlife, history, geopolitics, great explorers, climate, and environmental protection.
Pricing and expedition support details
Fares for the 2028-29 Antarctic season start at $15,450 per person. Expedition teams and naturalist guides lead all activities, including Zodiac excursions, shore landings, polar plunges, kayaking, hiking, and snowshoeing. Departures span the full reach of Antarctica, including the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Falkland Islands, and Weddell Sea.
Samuel Chamberlain, CEO at Ponant, confirmed the season's details. The company noted that Le Commandant Charcot returns in 2029 for these voyages. Travelers can extend their journey with a three-night stay at Iguazú Falls departing from Ushuaia.
