Ponant has unveiled 16 departures for the 2026-27 winter season aboard Le Commandant Charcot. From October 2026 to March 2027, Le Commandant Charcot offers an exploration of the "Great North," where the long polar night reveals a landscape of Norwegian fjords, Baltic cities and snow-covered shores, accompanied by belugas and rorquals near Svalbard, and fishing villages along the St. Lawrence River’s ice floes.
Guests can also immerse themselves in the winter customs of the Mi’kmaq, Innu, Sámi and Inuit peoples while engaging in activities such as snowshoeing through the boreal forest, dog sledding, reindeer sleigh rides and ice fishing. Even better: This time of year provides the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights.
Highlights of the winter 2026-27 season include:
- “Polar Nights: From the North Cape to Spitsbergen” – The 11-day journey above the Arctic Circle departs October 14, 2026, when the sun fades at the beginning of the long polar night. Between fjords and glaciers, travelers will enjoy a visit to the North Cape, encounters with local communities, whale, seal and seabird watching, and search for the Northern Lights.
- “Polar Lights: From North Cape to the Lofoten Islands” – Along Norway’s northern coast, from North Cape to the Lofoten Islands, the fading autumn light heralds the arrival of winter and the beginning of the northern lights season. Highlights of The nine-day itinerary, departing October 24, 2026, include immersion in wild landscapes and encounters with the Sámi people. Photo ambassador Ian Dawson will offer workshops and personalized guidance onboard.
- “The Gulf of Bothnia, at the Gateway to the Arctic” – From the streets of Helsinki and Stockholm to the wilderness of Swedish and Finnish Lapland, this nine-day journey combines cultural discoveries with winter activities as it explores the Gulf of Bothnia. The itinerary includes stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Rauma’s wooden old town and the opportunity to glide through snow-covered forests on a dogsled or showshoe, before calling at Kemi, where travelers can visit a snow castle and cross the Arctic Circle to the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.
- “Baltic Bliss & Winter Wonders” – Sailing roundtrip from Helsinki, guests on this 10-day journey can experience local winter traditions as the Baltic cities prepare for the holiday season. Destinations include Visby, Gdansk, Riga and Tallinn, all illuminated by festive lights and traditions, concerts, markets and culinary discoveries. Two departures are available on November 24 and December 12, 2026.
- “The St. Lawrence River in the Heart of the Boreal Winter” – Sailing from Québec to the La Baie Fjord (Saguenay), this 15-day journey will venture west through the Gaspé Peninsula, where guests can snowshoe in Forillon National Park and explore the Magic Forest with its snow-covered conifers. Further ports of call include Saint Pierre Island and Québec’s Magdalen Islands.
- “From the St Lawrence to Greenland, the Last Moments of Winter” – From the snowy boreal forest of Canada to the ice-covered fjords of Greenland, this 15-day voyage departing March 13–27, 2027, will explore breathtaking landscapes as Le Commandant Charcot sails from Québec to Nuuk, Greenland. Guests can encounter Mi’kmaq and Inuit communities, and learn about their culture and way of life in traditional villages.
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