Ponant Antarctica cruises return for 2028-29 with 12 expedition itineraries and nearly 30 departures across the continent. Trips run from 10 to 59 nights, offering Peninsula voyages, Weddell Sea crossings and a full circumnavigation.
What activities Ponant Antarctica cruises include
Ponant’s expedition team and naturalist guides will lead activities that may include Zodiac trips, shore landings, kayaking, hiking and snowshoeing.
A Zodiac is a small inflatable boat commonly used to carry expedition passengers between a ship and landing sites. The programme may also offer polar plunges, in which travellers briefly enter the cold water under supervision.
Le Commandant Charcot begins a 59-night voyage in Ushuaia
Le Commandant Charcot will depart Ushuaia, Argentina, on January 11, 2029, for the season’s 59-night circumnavigation.
Ponant will operate the voyage in two segments. The schedule includes a one-night stay in Hobart, Tasmania, on February 9, 2029, as the ship continues around Antarctica.
The sailing will be Ponant’s second full circumnavigation of the continent. It sits at the longest end of a programme that also covers more focused Antarctic regions.
Smithsonian Journeys and The Explorers Club join selected departures
Two departures will add specialist programmes through separate collaborations with Smithsonian Journeys and The Explorers Club.
Ponant has not named the Smithsonian itinerary in its announcement. The Explorers Club departure is called Setting Sail for the Ice of the Mythical Weddell Sea and focuses on that part of Antarctica.
Another itinerary, Falklands, South Georgia & Valdés Peninsula: in the Heart of the Wilderness, links several wildlife-focused destinations in the South Atlantic and along Argentina’s coast.
Travellers can add Iguazú Falls before heading home
Passengers departing from Ushuaia can extend their trip with a three-night stay at Iguazú Falls.
The extension allows travellers to combine a polar expedition with one of South America’s best-known natural landmarks. Ponant has not announced fares for the cruises or the additional stay.
Travellers considering the season should first choose their preferred region and trip length, then watch for prices and detailed departure schedules. Those interested in the circumnavigation should note the January 11, 2029 departure and the Hobart stay on February 9.
