Once again, Le Commandant Charcot will convey you towards unexpected horizons, towards still little-known perspectives. You will be enveloped in the comfort of a ship unlike any other while the polar world reveals itself throughout your exploration. From the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, your journey will take you to the south-western coast of Greenland for timeless moments. The snow-covered northern forests make way for the icy scenery of Greenland where the local communities await to share their unique culture with you. At the end of winter, take the time to appreciate the emotions you will feel, to contemplate the dreamlike landscapes of the Far North and to let yourself be surprised by the unknown.
Inclusions
- Domestic air from Montreal to Saint Pierre & Miquelon
- 15 nights cruise from Saint Pierre & Miquelon to Reykjavik aboard the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot (PONANT)
- All onboard meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and complimentary 24-hour room service
- Open Bar: a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wines, beer, champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served at your discretion and at any time of the day. Some premium alcoholic drinks presented on the menu are not included in the Open Bar
- Free Wi-Fi internet access 24 hours a day
- Included shore excursions as stated in the itinerary
- Transfer from pier to airport
- Special guest: Michel Labrecque and Julie Ouimet (Image-Makers and Conservationists)
- Book by Feb 15: Receive up to $3000 USD air credit per cabin*!
March 6, 2025 | Cruise Only |
Prestige Balcony | $25,639 |
Deluxe Suite | $27,239 |
Taxes & Fees Included | |
Rates in USD. Per person based on double occupancy. |
|
No Single Supplement! |
*Only when booking through Ponant Air.
New bookings only. Space and price are limited and subject to availability when booking. Cruise Only prices do not include airfare, transfers or hotel. The cost of airfare varies from other city gateways; please call to inquire. The prices listed are for lead-in categories (oceanview or balcony cabins may be obstructed), but upgrades are available. Promotional offers may be withdrawn at any time. Depending on the promotion, the deposit for the cruise may be non-refundable; however, we also provide a refundable option at a slightly higher price, ensuring flexibility in your booking.
Ready to set sail? Call us now to inquire for more information or other sailing dates. We're here to help you plan your dream cruise.
Highlights
- Through PONANT’s alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature image-makers and conservationists Michel Labrecque and Julie Ouimet.
- A journey into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in winter and on the south-western coast of Greenland, a PONANT exclusive at this time of year, featuring unforgettable encounters with local communities and an immersion in sumptuous snow-covered settings.
- The eye and the advice of our photo ambassador, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalized advice to improve your photographic skills.
- Outings and shore visits with a reinforced team of naturalist-guides.
- You will visit traditional villages and get to meet the indigenous Micmac and Inuit communities to share their culture and their way of life during unforgettable moments.
- Varied activities in a winter setting*: polar hiking on foot or with snowshoes, fat biking, Nordic skiing, shore visit on the ice floe.
- The possibility of spotting, perhaps, regional wildlife, which includes moose, reindeer, caribou, wolves, polar bears, Arctic foxes, Ivory gulls and Greenland seals.
- Landscapes: great open spaces, fjords, immaculate boreal forests, ice floe, snow-covered valleys.
*Activities subject to weather conditions, must be pre-booked before the cruise.
The activities mentioned are given as examples, the program of activities will be fine-tuned as the departure of your cruise approaches and will be available on the website.
Our Guest of Honor: Julie Ouimet and Michel Labrecque
Michel Labrecque and Julie Ouimet, partners in life and exploration, are renowned for their intrepid journeys to some of the world’s most remote and uncharted destinations, including the Comoros and Oman. As internationally acclaimed underwater imagemakers, they have produced captivating visuals for major networks like Discovery and CBC, specializing in this unique field.
Their expertise in expedition logistics has taken them to some of the harshest environments on the planet. Both are Fellows of The Explorers Club (FI’16) and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. Michel and Julie co-organized two scientific missions with the honor of carrying The Explorers Club flag during the Clipperton Big Migrations 1 & 2 expeditions, that contributed to the establishment of a marine protected area. For their outstanding achievements in Field Science and Conservation, they were awarded The Explorers Club Citation of Merit in 2018. Additionally, they have co-authored numerous magazine articles and a coffee table book and are seasoned speakers and field guides.
Michel, an accomplished underwater photojournalist and commercial photographer, is also a skilled dive educator and Small Vessel Operator. He served as a lieutenant in the Royal 22nd Regiment (infantry), bringing a wealth of discipline and leadership to his expeditions.
Julie, a talented underwater expedition videographer and short film producer, has had her films showcased and awarded at festivals across Europe and North America. She is a member of the Ocean Artists Society and an inductee into the Women Divers Hall of Fame.
With nearly 20 years of experience diving in the St. Lawrence, Michel and Julie have an unparalleled understanding of its underwater realm. In 2021, they co-founded Anticosti Ecotours, a land and underwater tour company based on Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Language spoken: English and French
March 6, 2025 – Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Embarkation 3/6/2025 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Departure 3/6/2025 at 6:00 PM
Off the Canadian coast, discover Saint Pierre Island, one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, the only French territory in North America. Endowed with a natural harbour, the island, whose name is a reference to the patron saint of fishermen, developed around the fishing industry and still has many traces of its past today. Whale hunting, cod fishing, alcohol smuggling during the Prohibition: all of these memories are still very much alive in the capital, Saint-Pierre. The island is also renowned for the observation of exceptional fauna including, among others, whales, fin whales, dolphins, seals, puffins and petrels.
March 7, 2025 – At sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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.
March 8, 2025 – Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands
Scattered through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands offer a variety of extraordinary landscapes, between captivating drifting ice floe, tall red sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches covered with an immaculate coat and snow-covered valleys. Here, winter really is a special season, a time of contrasts and mysteries. The icy winds intertwine with the softness of the salty air, and the colourful houses, dressed in their finest attire, stand bravely in this enchanting scenery. In these distant lands, you will be plunged into Acadian culture, you will discover ancestral traditions here and will have the chance to explore the unique landscapes on hikes or snowshoe walks along the icy shores.
March 9, 2025 – Gaspé
In the glacial darkness of the Canadian winter, Gaspé stands proud like a preserved and authentic jewel at the edge of the dark waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Nature seems to be holding its breath. The captivating Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest point of the Chic-Choc Mountains range and the South, is dressed with an immaculate coat of snow, while the frozen rivers slowly wind their way, fixing time in their icy embrace. During a snowshoe walk, fall in love with the captivating landscapes of the L’Anse-au-Griffon Valley, right in the heart of the Forillon National Park. Then, in Percé, opposite the famous eponymous Rock, dive into the natural beauty of the “magic forest”, where thousands of conifers decked out in an immaculate white cloak are like silent guardians watching over this isolated piece of land. You may also fall in love with this charming town, where the exciting history and the conviviality of the locals come together in a delightful blend.
March 10, 2025 – Sailing Saint Lawrence Gulf
In the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the waters are still partially frozen but the ice break-up has begun. The broken-up ice makes for a fascinating spectacle, forming shapes that seem to be dancing across the waves. You will sail in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, following in the footsteps of Jacques Cartier, who reached it during his first voyage in 1534. From the bridge, if luck is on your side, you will contemplate the seals and belugas that populate the region during this season. In the distance, the boreal forests, their peaks whitened by the last snow, offer you the idealised image of this piece of Canada. A moment of indescribable magic.
March 11, 2025 – Corner Brook
At the mouth of the Humber River, on the Bay of Islands, you will discover the port of Corner Brook, surrounded by mountains. A thick layer of snow covers the hillsides that will welcome you, in their ski resort, for winter activities in a splendid setting. On the legendary island of Newfoundland, visit the territory by going snowshoeing or on a ski or snowboard trip at the renowned Marble Mountain Ski Resort. Or you could just decide to wander the streets of this authentic Newfoundlander town and discover its history.
March 12, 2025 – Crossing Belle Isle Strait
Sailing the Strait of Belle Isle will guarantee a moment of intense emotion. Your ship will enter this waterway, which separates Newfoundland from the North American continent, while the ice break-up is only just beginning its cycle. From the bridge, if the ice is still present, you will perhaps observe the Greenland seals which populate these waters dotted with fragments of ice floe, aiming to breed there. Time stands still, a magical spell is cast.
March 13, 2025 – At sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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.
March 14, 2025 – Qaqortoq
Follow the Davis Strait currents and Qaqortoq, the largest town in southern Greenland, reveals itself in a rocky setting covered in immaculate white. The winter is slowly slipping away but the ice is still very present, providing a marvellous decor for the rare travellers exploring this place at this time of year. This charming fishing port, nestling within the fjord, can be seen from afar, with its delightful, brightly-coloured houses built upon the hillsides. During a hike, you will wander around the streets of the town centre, where you will recognise the Danish influences; it is home to numerous historical monuments, such as the country’s famous and oldest fountain, topped with whales. One of the uncontested highlights of this port of call will involve meeting the local community and discovering their spring traditions during a day of sharing.
March 15, 2025 – Narsaq Fjord
At winter’s end, venture to the ice-covered shores of the Inuit village of Narsaq. The pioneering spirit and a taste for exploration will posses you as you progress towards this small, typically Greenlander commune. Nestling in the heart of majestic scenery, it will welcome you in a setting dominated by snowy mountains. The multicoloured façades of the houses offer a magical decor and will fill you with wonderment. You will visit the village, partake in polar treks and enjoy local performances, all of which will enable you to discover how these inhabitants live at the end of winter and help you absorb the Greenlandic philosophy.
March 16, 2025 – Uunartoq
In the heart of Greenland’s icy waters lies the island of Uunartoq, a harsh and wild land forged by the constant Arctic winds. Discovered in 2005 by explorer Dennis Schmitt, Uunartoq is an impressive island of sheer cliffs sculpted by the relentless waves and home to unexpected natural wonders. An icy mantle covers every part of this austere land, with the exception of a hidden cove where hot springs defy the harshness of the Arctic cold. Surrounded by icebergs and drifting glacial ice, Uunartoq offers an unusual activity: the chance to swim in a natural pool carved out of the rock. Here, after a polar hike, you will have the opportunity to shed your winter clothes, immerse yourself in these relaxing springs and let the warmth soothe each of your muscles as it envelops your body.
March 17, 2025 – Nanortalik
In the Greenlandic municipality of Kujalleq, you will explore the Inuit village of Nanortalik. A few hundred kilometres from the southern tip of Greenland, it is one of the island’s southernmost locations. Fishing is the main economic resource for its inhabitants, with whom you will be able to share an unforgettable moment. While a coat of snow still covers the landscapes, enjoy winter activities and discover Inuit traditions.
March 18, 2025 – Cape Farvel Passage
At the southern tip of Greenland, where the North Atlantic Ocean and the Labrador Sea meet, sail in the heart of the Cape Farewell passage. The waves crash against the stem of the ship as you advance in the waters of the Far North. Observing cetaceans and admiring the southern lands on the horizon will be a highlight of your trip.
March 19, 2025 March 20, 2025 – At sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot
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.
March 21, 2025 – Reykjavík
Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
NOTE:
For your serenity, PONANT selects a flight and organises the transfer between the airport and the port. This package is included in your cruise fare.
Embarkation day – Montreal/Saint-Pierre and Miquelon
Flight Montreal/Saint-Pierre and Miquelon selected by PONANT.
Approximate flight duration: 4 h 30.
We highly recommend you arrive in Montreal the day before this flight.
We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.
Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the pier for embarkation.
Why choose PONANT?
An attentive crew, expertise, fine dining and more. Within a fully 5 star setting, we take you to discover exceptional destinations while offering you a travel experience that is both authentic and high end.
- Travelling the French way
PONANT is an exponent for the French way of life across every sea on the globe. On board, this is translated through exceptional services, a multilingual crew and bringing French know-how to the fore. - Exceptional destinations
From secluded ports to secret seas, from forgotten beaches to remote lands, our experts choose itineraries that take you away from major tourist routes so you can enjoy unique cruises and shorelines that few have seen before. - Ships on a human scale
Thanks to our small capacity ships, we can dock in private ports and offer stopovers in preserved locations. On board, the limited number of passengers means that everybody can enjoy special moments and feel as though they are on a private yacht. - Our commitments
PONANT aims at becoming a world reference in the field of sustainable development in the cruising industry. The environment and ethics are among our main concerns, both in the regions we visit and in our relationships within the company and with our partners.