Setting sail for the ice of the mythical Weddell Sea

Embark on an ultimate quest in the mythical Weddell Sea, kingdom of ice and polar legends. Search for emperor penguins among vast ice floes, majestic tabular icebergs, and immaculate silence.


Weddell Sea
© PON

Duration: 14 days / 12 nights on board
Starts: Ushuaia, Argentina
Ends: Ushuaia, Argentina
Language: French speaking voyage with English-speaking assistance

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.


Included
Optional


In collaboration with The Explorers Club, this unique voyage will feature a marine biologist who studies and illuminates the extraordinary world of penguins through science and storytelling. Embark on an ultimate quest in the mythical Weddell Sea, kingdom of ice and polar legends. Vast ice floes, majestic tabular icebergs, and immaculate silence make up the landscapes of this pristine world. Emperor penguins live here, these guardians of Antarctica that we see only at the boundaries of these highest latitudes. Alongside them, Adelie penguins liven up the ice floe. During your journey aboard a strikingly elegant ship capable of navigating the planet’s most extreme environments, the echoes of the great expeditions still resonate, from Shackleton to the modern explorers, while the ice unveils all its many nuances. A unique experience that will plunge you into the heart of a universe unlike any other.

Highlights:
In alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature onboard lectures by marine biologist and penguin specialist Annette Scheffer. An Explorers Club Science Grantee will also be aboard utilizing dedicated laboratories and offering firsthand insights of ongoing research.
Explore the nearly inaccessible Weddell Sea and search for emperor penguins in surreal polar landscapes.
Possibility of encounters with wildlife (whales, orcas, seals, penguins and other seabirds) in spectacular landscapes (ice floes, glaciers, icebergs).
Activities: outings and shore visits in a rubber dinghy with a team including naturalist guides; kayaking; polar hiking on foot, snowshoes or skis; polar plunge without a wetsuit.

Itinerary

© PON
© PON
© PON

Day 1: Ushuaia
Embarkation
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Lectures and wildlife watching
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will present the IAATO rules of conduct for landings and explain zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity to learn more about this magical region. Join the naturalist-guides on the exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds.

Day 4-5: Antarctic Peninsula
Subtle shades of blue and white
Succumb to the magic of the mythical Antarctic Peninsula. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor surrounded by exceptional wildlife: penguins, humpback whales, seals, giant petrels, elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover glaciers, ice floes, and enchanting bays in the wake of great explorers.

Day 6-7: The Weddell Sea exploration
Kingdom of the emperor penguin
Impassable, extreme and captivating, much of the Weddell Sea is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice. It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. This is the kingdom of the emperor penguin, the largest penguin in the world, which nests on the ice floe. You will sail into the heart of the immaculate ice floe and among immense tabular icebergs that illuminate the ocean with their cerulean blue haloes, getting as close as possible to colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, minke whales, and orcas.

Day 8: North Antarctic Peninsula
Gateway to the Weddell Sea
Throughout your time in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you will find yourself surrounded by exceptional wildlife. You will sail through the Antarctic Sound, filled with gigantic tabular icebergs and plates of sea ice drifting northward from the coastal areas of this vast sea. It is home to Adelie penguins and a great many leopard seals.

Day 9-10: The Weddell Sea exploration
A pristine and changing world
Continue navigating this extreme sea where the ice changes and transforms constantly. New reliefs and colors ensure never-ending wonderment. Aboard, on shore, or on the ice, you will be close to the wildlife. With a little luck, you will get a glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage or of emperor penguins waddling along the edge of the ice floes, a sight as fascinating as it is emotional.

Day 11-12: Crossing the Drake Passage
Sailing the furious fifties
Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, the Drake Passage is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents meet warmer equatorial water masses, it harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels playfully floating about in the wind.

Day 13: Ushuaia
Return from the inaccessible
Return to the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province. Nestled in the shelter of mountains where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia welcomes you back after exploring the boundaries of the White Continent, evoking the memory of a journey to the unlikely and the inaccessible.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia
Embarkation
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Lectures and wildlife watching
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will present the IAATO rules of conduct for landings and explain zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity to learn more about this magical region. Join the naturalist-guides on the exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds.

Day 4-5: Antarctic Peninsula
Subtle shades of blue and white
Succumb to the magic of the mythical Antarctic Peninsula. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor surrounded by exceptional wildlife: penguins, humpback whales, seals, giant petrels, elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover glaciers, ice floes, and enchanting bays in the wake of great explorers.

Day 6-7: The Weddell Sea exploration
Kingdom of the emperor penguin
Impassable, extreme and captivating, much of the Weddell Sea is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice. It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. This is the kingdom of the emperor penguin, the largest penguin in the world, which nests on the ice floe. You will sail into the heart of the immaculate ice floe and among immense tabular icebergs that illuminate the ocean with their cerulean blue haloes, getting as close as possible to colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, minke whales, and orcas.

Day 8: North Antarctic Peninsula
Gateway to the Weddell Sea
Throughout your time in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you will find yourself surrounded by exceptional wildlife. You will sail through the Antarctic Sound, filled with gigantic tabular icebergs and plates of sea ice drifting northward from the coastal areas of this vast sea. It is home to Adelie penguins and a great many leopard seals.

Day 9-10: The Weddell Sea exploration
A pristine and changing world
Continue navigating this extreme sea where the ice changes and transforms constantly. New reliefs and colors ensure never-ending wonderment. Aboard, on shore, or on the ice, you will be close to the wildlife. With a little luck, you will get a glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage or of emperor penguins waddling along the edge of the ice floes, a sight as fascinating as it is emotional.

Day 11-12: Crossing the Drake Passage
Sailing the furious fifties
Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, the Drake Passage is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents meet warmer equatorial water masses, it harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels playfully floating about in the wind.

Day 13: Ushuaia
Return from the inaccessible
Return to the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province. Nestled in the shelter of mountains where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia welcomes you back after exploring the boundaries of the White Continent, evoking the memory of a journey to the unlikely and the inaccessible.


© PON
© PON
© PON


INCLUSIONS

Included land services linked to Charter Flight
For your serenity, PONANT has organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day prior to embarkation.

The day before embarkation – Santiago

Transfer from airport to PONANT selected hotel.
In order to organise your transfer, please inform your travel agent 60 days before departure, your flight number as well as your arrival time and day.

Meet and greet at the hotel by our local representative.
Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Embarkation Day – Santiago/Ushuaia

A light morning breakfast will be served before leaving for the airport for your Santiago/Ushuaia flight.
Transfer to the airport.
Flight Santiago/Ushuaia selected by PONANT in economy class.
Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
Approximate flight duration: 3 hours
Meet and greet at Ushuaia airport (English-speaking assistance).
Transfer to Le Commandant-Charcot.

Embarkation

– Cruise on board your ship –

Disembarkation Day – Ushuaia/Santiago

Disembarkation

Meet and greet at the port (English-speaking assistance).
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of the flight Ushuaia/Santiago selected by PONANT in economy class.
Approximate flight duration: 3 hours
Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
It is highly recommended to have an international inbound flight the day after PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

Transfer from airport upon flight arrival.
1-night accommodation in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation.
Your hotel will be confirmed few weeks before your cruise.
Early check-in available from late morning.
Hospitality desk at the hotel in Santiago.
Return flight Santiago/Ushuaia/Santiago selected by PONANT, in economy class.
Seats in business class may be available, please contact your travel agent.
Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

EXCLUSIONS

Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Le Commandant Charcot | Date: 26 Oct 2027 - 08 Nov 2027 (5390)
Prestige Stateroom - D6
$30,600
Prestige Stateroom - D7
$31,160
Prestige Stateroom - D8
$31,710
Deluxe Suite - D6
$32,530
Deluxe Suite - D7
$33,920
Deluxe Suite - D8
$35,020
Prestige Suite - D7
$44,410
Prestige Suite - D8
$45,790
Grand Prestige Suite - D6
$47,160
Privilege Suite - D8
$49,920
Owner´s Suite
$93,800
Ship: Le Commandant Charcot | Date: 07 Nov 2027 - 20 Nov 2027 (5391)
Prestige Stateroom - D6
$30,600
Prestige Stateroom - D7
$31,160
Prestige Stateroom - D8
$31,710
Deluxe Suite - D6
$32,530
Deluxe Suite - D7
$33,920
Deluxe Suite - D8
$35,020
Prestige Suite - D7
$44,410
Grand Prestige Suite - D6
$47,160
Duplex Suite - D6
$67,850
Owner´s Suite
$93,800
Ship: Le Commandant Charcot | Date: 19 Nov 2027 - 02 Dec 2027 (5393)
Prestige Stateroom - D6
$30,600
Prestige Stateroom - D7
$31,160
Prestige Stateroom - D8
$31,710
Deluxe Suite - D6
$32,530
Deluxe Suite - D7
$33,920
Deluxe Suite - D8
$35,020
Prestige Suite - D7
$44,410
Prestige Suite - D8
$45,790
Grand Prestige Suite - D6
$47,160
Privilege Suite - D8
$49,920
Duplex Suite - D6
$67,850
Owner´s Suite
$93,800
Ship: Le Commandant Charcot | Date: 15 Dec 2027 - 28 Dec 2027 (5392)
Prestige Stateroom - D6
$27,430
Prestige Stateroom - D7
$27,920
Prestige Stateroom - D8
$28,410
Deluxe Suite - D6
$29,130
Deluxe Suite - D7
$30,360
Deluxe Suite - D8
$31,330
Prestige Suite - D7
$39,610
Prestige Suite - D8
$40,830
Grand Prestige Suite - D6
$42,040
Privilege Suite - D8
$44,480
Duplex Suite - D6
$60,300
Owner´s Suite
$93,800

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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