WORLD’S ONLY LUXURY ICEBREAKER MAKES AUSSIE DEBUT AS PONANT UNVEILS FULL ANTARCTIC CIRCUMNAVIGATION
Le Commandant Charcot has made her first call to Hobart, as PONANT EXPLORATIONS announces an unprecedented 62-day circumnavigation of Antarctica for 2028.
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Hobart has welcomed a world-first in polar exploration, with the arrival of Le Commandant Charcot, the only luxury icebreaker operating anywhere on the planet.
The next-generation expedition vessel docked in Tasmania on February 14, marking her inaugural call to Australia and concluding a landmark half-circumnavigation of Antarctica.
Sailing from Ushuaia, the vessel traversed rarely visited regions of East Antarctica, including Adélie Land, Wilkes Land, the Shackleton Ice Shelf and Queen Mary Land, before arriving in Hobart.
The milestone underscores Tasmania’s position as a key global gateway to Antarctica and coincides with the unveiling of one of the most ambitious commercial polar voyages ever announced.
PONANT EXPLORATIONS has opened bookings for a full Antarctic Circumnavigation in early 2028, a 62-day, 23,000-kilometre journey that will see Le Commandant Charcot sail around the entire White Continent at the height of the austral summer.
Departing Ushuaia in January 2028, the voyage will unfold in two phases, with a pivotal stopover in Hobart before the vessel continues eastward back to South America.
Guests will navigate some of the most inaccessible coastlines on Earth, including the Ross Sea, the world’s largest marine sanctuary, as well as Charcot Island, Marie Byrd Land, Wilkes Land, Adélie Land and the remote Balleny Islands.
Captain Stanislas Devorsine, one of four captains of Le Commandant Charcot and a veteran of the Southern Ocean, described the Australian debut as a significant personal and professional milestone.
“This is a deeply personal moment for me. I spent many years in Hobart and had the privilege of commanding L’Astrolabe for a decade, at the heart of the long-standing French-Australian collaboration in Antarctica.
“When PONANT EXPLORATIONS launched this project in 2018, I was proud to share my icebreaker experience as Le Commandant Charcot was being designed. To stand here today, on board this extraordinary ship, is truly a fantastic moment,” Captain Devorsine said.
He added that the forthcoming circumnavigation marks a defining chapter in modern polar exploration.
“For more than twenty years, I dreamed of circumnavigating Antarctica. From my earliest days with PONANT EXPLORATIONS, I’ve been deeply connected to that vision.
“Today, seeing Le Commandant Charcot poised to complete a full circumnavigation of the White Continent isn’t just a milestone for us, it’s a turning point in the story of modern polar exploration,” he said.
Delivered in 2021, Le Commandant Charcot is the only passenger vessel in the world with a PC2-class hull, enabling navigation through multi-year ice up to 2.5 metres thick.
Powered by hybrid-electric propulsion using liquefied natural gas, the 245-guest vessel pairs technical capability with a refined onboard experience, including a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio, gastronomy by Alain Ducasse, and dedicated onboard scientific laboratories supporting research in marine biology and polar ecosystems.
Following her Australian debut, the vessel departed Hobart on February 17, continuing her programme via the French Southern and Antarctic Lands en route to Cape Town.
For luxury travellers seeking the rarest form of expedition cruising, the 2028 circumnavigation represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to retrace the routes of Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen and Jean-Baptiste Charcot, aboard a vessel designed to redefine what is possible in Antarctica.
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Ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruising is about seamless experiences, exceptional service, and the freedom to explore the world, knowing that every detail has already been taken care of.
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From unlimited shore excursions and Michelin-inspired dining to premium drinks, butler service and spacious suites, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® is redefining what all-inclusive, ultra-luxury really means.
For today’s affluent travellers, true luxury is no longer measured by extravagant extras or lavish upgrades.
Instead, it is about effortless experiences, exceptional service and the freedom to simply enjoy the journey without constantly reaching for your wallet and having to unpack more than once.
That philosophy sits at the heart of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, whose invitation to “Cruise in All-Inclusive, Unrivalled Luxury™” has redefined what all-inclusive travel can be.
Unlike many cruise holidays where additional charges can quickly add up, Regent includes almost every aspect of the journey in the upfront fare.
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The result is a holiday where guests can focus entirely on exploring the world rather than managing a travel budget.
Luxury without compromise
Regent’s approach extends well beyond what is included.
Its fleet of intimate ships, ranging from 244 to 411 suites, offers one of the industry’s highest crew-to-guest ratios and some of the most spacious accommodation at sea.
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From personalised butler service in Penthouse Suites and above to elegant public lounges, fine art collections and world-class wellness facilities, every detail has been designed to create a relaxed yet refined onboard atmosphere.
Every destination becomes part of the journey
For many travellers, the highlight of any cruise is discovering new destinations, and Regent has built its reputation around making those experiences as immersive as possible.
Guests can choose from thousands of included shore excursions across more than 550 destinations worldwide, ranging from cultural tours and culinary experiences to visits to iconic landmarks and hidden local gems.
Many itineraries also feature extended stays in port, allowing travellers more time to experience each destination at their own pace.
Select voyages can also be paired with exclusively curated pre-cruise land programmes, including experiences aboard the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer™ in Canada or luxury hotel stays throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Dining takes centre stage
Cuisine has become one of the defining features of luxury travel, and Regent places dining at the centre of the guest experience.
Guests can choose from multiple speciality restaurants, enjoy carefully selected wines from their dedicated sommeliers, order in-suite dining around the clock or participate in onboard culinary classes inspired by the destinations they visit.
Several ships also feature dedicated Culinary Arts Kitchens, where guests can immerse themselves in hands-on cooking classes inspired by the destinations they visit.
Led by expert chefs, the highly personalised experiences range from mastering French classics to learning the art of Argentine grilling, while exploring the stories, traditions and local ingredients behind each cuisine.
Guests leave not only with new culinary skills, but with recipes they can recreate long after returning home
A seamless way to see the world
As more Australians seek meaningful travel experiences over material possessions, the appeal of an ultra-luxury cruise lies in its simplicity.
Instead of unpacking at every destination or worrying about hidden costs, guests enjoy the convenience of settling into one elegant suite while waking up somewhere new each day.
It is this combination of generous inclusions, personalised service and carefully curated experiences that has helped Regent Seven Seas Cruises build a loyal following among discerning travellers looking for an effortless way to explore the world.
For more information, call 1300 455 200, visit RSSC.com or request a complimentary brochure at RSSC.com/order-brochure.
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