An Arctic expedition cruise in 2021 sails from Iceland to Alaska (via the Northwest Passage) on the first hybrid-electric polar ship in the world - Le Commandant Charcot. The vessel is scheduled for launch in April 2021.
The 24-night voyage departs from Reykjavik Iceland (September 7, 2021) and offers scenic cruising along Inuit villages, mountain chains, historic shipwreck sites, glaciers. Abundant wildlife includes beluga whales, walruses, narwhals, and foxes, with a chance of spotting polar bears.
MS Le Commandant Charcot ship (initially named "Ponant Icebreaker") is a newbuild constructed at two VARD shipyards - Tulcea Romania (hull and superstructure) and Alesund Norway (outfitting). Ship's building cost is USD 324 million (EUR 274 million). In December 2017, Ponant contracted the VARD company (Norwegian subsidiary of Fincantieri Italy) to build the world's first ice-breaking cruises ship.
Ponant's new megayachts offer modern amenities, premium service by highly-trained staff and crew, 5-star hotel amenities, offbeat itineraries visiting popular travel destinations worldwide, including Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, Australia.