Ocean cruises

Behold the majestic infinity of the northern expanses during a journey taking you from Greenland to Nunavut to the coastlines of Labrador and the sumptuous island of Newfoundland, featuring passionate history, majestic nature and unforgettable hikes. During the cruise, a succession of landscapes will create a sentiment of tranquillity, inherent to the contemplation of these spaces, which exceed any known proportions: gigantic fjords, high mountains, and so on. You will plunge into the past of the Arctic territories, marked by the great expeditions, and discover rich and unique fauna before being welcomed at the end of the journey by a small piece of France: Saint Pierre Island. 

Itinerary is?subject to change according to port authorizations and government regulations. We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the AECO.?

Set sail for Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian Coast, beginning with Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Another UNESCO site, Split’s crown jewel is Diocletian’s Palace, a massive complex of fortifications dating as far back as the third century. Zadar’s Old Town lies just steps from the modern Sea Organ, an art installation that uses ocean waves to create a mesmerizing soundtrack. 

 

View Sample Shore Experiences in the Mediterranean.

Discover the beauty of the Adriatic with PONANT on an exceptional 8-day cruise in Croatia and Montenegro. Aboard Le Boréal, fall under the spell of the hidden treasures of the Dalmatian coast and its turquoise waters.  

Your voyage will begin in Italy with an embarkation in Venice. An opportunity to discover or rediscover the sublime city of the Doges, with its many canals, its vaporetti and its mythical gondolas.  

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, enjoy a truffle hunt followed by a tasting, from Rovinj, discover Hvar in a Volkswagen Beetle or attend a Moreška performance at the Korcula open-air theatre. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

You will first stop in Hvar, the most famous and attractive of the Adriatic islands. Ringed by ramparts, the town has many remarkable monuments including its elegant cathedral, old arsenal and aristocratic palaces.

After a stop in Sibenik, the gateway to the emblematic Krka waterfalls, Split will open its doors to you to discover its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with treasures such as the Diocletian's Palace or the Cathedral of Saint Domnius.

Your ship will then set sail towards Montenegro, for an unforgettable cruise in the Bay of Kotor. This impressive gap between two mountain ranges is home to a veritable inland lake with a magical atmosphere; the medieval city of Kotor and its many historical monuments are its jewels.

You will then head to the aptly named ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by medieval ramparts, its terracotta-tiled roofs, its palaces, cloisters and fountains are bound to impress you and will plunge you into the heart of Croatian history.

Le Boréal will then call at Korcula, full of olive groves, vineyards and ancient buildings. An island marked by history, this is the birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo.

The last stage of your trip will take you to Rovinj, giving you an opportunity to discover this city with Venetian influences. Moreover, it proudly bears Venice’s symbolic winged lion on the Balbi's Arch, which you’ll be able to admire during a stroll through its picturesque town centre.

As a grand finale, your voyage will draw to a close in Venice the Serenissima and its lagoon.

In collaboration with The Explorers Club, this unique voyage will feature Kate Wawatai, a pioneering explorer who is the only female submersible pilot operating at depths beyond 10,000 meters. In addition to her experience as a deep-sea submersible pilot, Kate is a storyteller, bringing unique insights into science, culture, and exploration at the planet's extremes. An Explorers Club Science Grantee will also be aboard Le Commandant Charcot, utilizing its dedicated laboratories and offering firsthand insights of ongoing research.

With featured guest Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.

Push the boundaries of navigation and set sail for 90 degrees North! During this exceptional polar exploration, you will go in search of the mythical Geographic North Pole. Head slowly up through the desert landscapes of the constantly changing ice floe. Your odyssey will continue as you travel down along Greenland, amidst the ice of the Transpolar Drift. Between majestic fjords and encounters with the Inuit culture, the region of Ittoqqortoormiit is rich in rare treasures holding inestimable value. This region near the auroral circle could offer you a choice position in a period that is ideal for observing the Northern Lights. Another Arctic marvel.

As you progress through this polar landscape, Nordaustlandet (North East Land) will display Europe’s largest ice cap and some of its most majestic fjords. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the only cruise ship able to rise to this challenge, you will make your way towards the North Pole, which is inaccessible to traditional ships. A slow and humble journey awaits you in the heart of a silent world frozen by the extreme cold. You will sail among different states and forms of ice and will be able to admire, from the reassuring cocoon of the ship, the endless show of the light as it reflects on the opalescent landscapes. Following in the wake of Frederick Cook, Robert Edwin Peary or Roald Amundsen, who were among the many to fight to achieve this elusive goal, you will be part of the few chosen ones to dare the adventure, 700 km (435 miles) from any land. And in their footsteps, you will attempt to reach the Holy Grail of all polar explorers: the North Pole!

Sailing back down from the Pole, your odyssey will follow the ice floes along Greenland. You will reach the region of Ittoqqortoormiit, on the East coast. You will discover the village customs during privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile. There, if solar activity and the weather conditions are favourable, Le Commandant Charcot will offer you the optimal conditions for observing the Northern Lights, these luminous curtains of colours dancing in the black night.

During the last part of your cruise, Le Commandant Charcot will take you along the Blosseville Coast, named after the French captain who saw it for the first time in 1833. Here, the ice sheet meets the sea. 

Amidst these extreme and isolated panoramas, the polar adventure reserves unsuspected emotions for the humble and patient explorer, one who is conscious of their privilege.

Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions.?Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice?must?be?preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries.?The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure.?The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.