LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT Pioneer of the Poles

Transcription

1 LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT Pioneer of the Poles

2 On the roof of the world under the French flag Travel to the North Pole. Cross the Arctic Ocean. Explore the far northeast of Greenland... PONANT has created a futuristic voyage with Le Commandant Charcot, the first electric hybrid icebreaker cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Beginning in 2021, this newest member of the PONANT fleet will offer guests the chance to follow in the wake of the great polar explorers in sophisticated surroundings enhanced with luxury amenities never before seen at the very top or bottom of the globe. Beyond cruises, these voyages are true polar odysseys. From where does this strange, powerful and enduring attraction to the polar regions come, such that after returning one forgets the mental and physical fatigue resulting from the expedition and dreams only of returning? From where do these deserted, terrifying lands attain their extraordinary charm? Is it the pleasure of the unknown? The thrill of the struggle and the effort required to reach them and to survive in them? The arrogance of attempting to do something that others do not? The joy of being far away from small-mindedness and meanness? All of these play their role, as does something more. I long believed that I would feel more delighted to be alive when faced with this scene of desolation and death. Yet, I now consider that these regions leave a kind of reverent mark on a person. At temperate or equatorial latitudes, nature makes a considerable effort to provide abundant and indefatigable animal and plant life. Beings are born, grow and multiply; act and die to help each other reproduce and ensure life continues on. However, here we have the sanctuary of sanctuaries, where nature reveals its tremendous power, sheltering like an Egyptian goddess in the shade and silence of the temple away from everything; set apart from the lives she creates and governs. Any man who reaches this place feels his spirit soar. Jean-Baptiste Charcot Doctor, polar explorer and author of The Frenchman at the South Pole 1

3 PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT 2

4 PONANT, the polar specialist PONANT is the only French cruise line to navigate through the ice, offering guests a fascinating experience on the Arctic and Antarctic polar seas. As the world s leading polar cruise company with over 20 years of experience in extreme conditions, PONANT can bring the traveller s dream of adventure to life. Our flexible itineraries allow us to linger at iconic sites, take an unscheduled detour to admire a whale, or disembark to meet a colony of penguins. During cruises we offer safe impromptu shore visits and smallgroup Zodiac trips so guests may come as close as possible to the enigmatic lands of the Far North and the mysterious White Continent. Accompanied by our naturalist guides specialising in extreme regions, each trip offers guests a unique cultural and historical perspective. 3

5 PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT 4

6 Le Commandant Charcot, the first electric hybrid icebreaker powered by LNG A doctor by convention, an explorer by vocation and a man with a love for sailing, Jean-Baptiste Charcot was also a key player in early French polar expeditions. By naming the first luxury icebreaker after him, PONANT pays homage to this inspiring pioneer of the poles. Like the explorer himself, the ship Le Commandant Charcot will be testing the limits of Arctic and Antarctic navigation to write a new chapter in our collective knowledge. This polar exploration ship will also be focusing on scientific research. As well as offering passengers the adventure of a lifetime, PONANT aims to teach them just how vulnerable the poles are and convert them into ambassadors for these fragile regions. Research, materials and cutting-edge technologies have been combined in the ship s design to minimise our environmental impact. 5

7 A design with sustainable development at its core This PONANT polar exploration ship will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and equipped with the latest in environmental protection technology. Thanks to preliminary exploration, environmental impact studies and protocols developed by PONANT, Le Commandant Charcot itineraries are carefully chosen to be entirely safe for, and respectful of, the environment. Powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) Energy Optimisation System Latest generation electric batteries to reduce energy consumption Advanced Waste Water Treatment system Waste Heat Recovery System PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT 6 The Icebreaker features optimised Clean Ship fittings that go beyond the current industrystandard environmental regulations: Reduction of SO x, NO X, CO 2 and particle emissions thanks to the use of LNG Zero emissions when in electric hybrid mode Energy management Energy management optimisation system that precisely measures consumptions and efficiency of ship sailing methods Waste Heat Recovery System electric output optimised and consumption reduced through the use of latest generation electric batteries Water treatment Advanced Waste Water Treatment system

8 -85 % reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions -95 % reduction in fine particle emissions The perpetually moving ice field Rather than an homogeneous mass, sea ice is a perpetually moving entity which grows, shrinks, fractures, contracts, folds, breaks and deforms in certain places to re-establish itself in others. Despite appearances, icebreaker ships do not affect this constant movement. When sailing an icebreaker, it is important to aim for those areas of ice which are easiest to break up. Therefore, most icebreaker navigation involves travelling through ice leads (fractures) which are naturally open. The broken ice then knits itself back together when the ship has passed through, in a process that can take between 15 minutes and a day depending on the weather conditions. We have learnt to navigate alongside nature, rather than to fight it. PONANT has developed a high-technology ship which even has its own ice routing software so we can visit places where others do not go. The latest and most reliable ice and weather information is used to forecast ice behaviour over a five-day period. Le Commandant Charcot and its itineraries have been designed to minimise impact as much as possible and maximise learning by making the ship a mobile research observatory. 7

9 Grill restaurant Open air bar Outdoor pool Winter garden Duplex suite Panoramic restaurant Revolutionary technology PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT PONANT has joined forces with global ice navigation technology specialist Aker Arctic to develop new and cutting-edge innovations. One result of this collaboration is the PONANT hybrid polar exploration ship s PC2 Polar Class hull. Thanks to the Double Action Principle (Aker Arctic DAS ), Le Commandant Charcot will be able to navigate forwards through compact ice and reverse through extreme ice conditions. With its innovative design, Le Commandant Charcot will achieve unrivalled icebreaking performance. 8

10 Inside pool Spa Sports hall Observatory bar Theater Stabilizers Main lounge 16 Onboard expedition Zodiac TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS Cabins and suites with balcony (Including 68 suites with patio doors and a private balcony) Length m Width m Draught m Ice Class... PC 2 Propulsion...LNG & Hybrid Electric Classification...Bureau Veritas Flag... French Crew members Panoramic restaurant...1 Grill restaurant...1 Spa & Wellness...1 Onboard expedition Zodiac dinghies...16 Shipyard... VARD Delivery

11 Outside view, Pool, Owner s & Duplex suites Stateroom Owner s suite PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT Lounge 10

12 Outdoor pool Luxury and comfort at the poles: a unique concept As the only French cruise company, PONANT radiates a French savoir-faire as we navigate around the world. This French touch will now be taken all the way to the poles. Like other PONANT ships, Le Commandant Charcot has been designed to offer passengers a welcoming, sophisticated ambience. Even at the extreme temperatures of the poles, a cruise on our polar exploration ship promises intimate comfort, discrete service, outstanding gastronomy and luxury amenities including a spa and a wellness area. With just 135 cabins, including 68 suites with private terraces, this ship remains true to the PONANT philosophy of providing every guest with a relaxed ambience where they feel like they are travelling on a private yacht. 11

13 PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT 12

14 Exclusive itineraries only available on an icebreaker With Le Commandant Charcot in its fleet, PONANT will be the world s only luxury cruise company to offer trips on seas and oceans which only icebreaker ships can navigate. Thanks to preliminary exploration, environmental impact studies and protocols developed by the company, Le Commandant Charcot itineraries are carefully chosen to be totally safe for and respectful of the environment. We are working on a new voyage concept for this extraordinary exploration tool. The hybrid polar exploration ship will enable us to explore unchartered territory which has been inaccessible until now. I have already planned winter cruises through the ice field to Nunavut and Greenland, where guests can see Inuit camps for themselves. Our passengers will be able to go onto the ice and immerse themselves in the lives of these hunters. They will also be able to rub shoulders with Emperor penguins living on the Antarctic sea ice. Finally, the North Pole will no longer be merely an unreachable dream. PONANT will soon be operating the first passenger ship able to reach this iconic location. Nicolas Dubreuil Director of Expedition Cruises and Director of Sustainable Development at PONANT 13

15 Your next expeditions The North Pole - April/September 2021 Arctic Circle PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT In the Wake of Commander Jean-Baptiste Charcot April to May - 10 to 14 nights The Ice Field: the Frozen Continent April - 12 nights The Origins of the Early French Polar Expeditions April to May - 10 to 12 nights The Last Predators of the Poles May - 15 nights On Top of the World July to August - 13 to 17 nights Around the Pole July to August - 16 to 20 nights The Northern Sea Route August to September - 25 to 30 nights Alaska and the Coast Mountains September - 10 nights 14

16 The South Pole - October/March 2021/2022 Antarctic Circle The Pristine Antarctic Peninsula October to November - 10 to 12 nights The Distant Peninsula November to March - 12 to 15 nights Discovering Charcot and Peter I Islands December to February - 12 nights In the Thick of the Weddell Sea February to March - 15 nights The Snow Hill Emperor Penguin Colony October to November - 14 nights The Emperor Penguins of the Amundsen Sea February to March - 20 nights 15

17 PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT 16

18 The Arctic 17

19 In the Wake of Commander Jean-Baptiste Charcot April to May 10 to 14 nights This cruise pays homage to the incredible odyssey undertaken by Commander Jean-Baptiste Charcot and visits iconic sites from Charcot s polar scientific adventure. Sites include the Ireland (a place he particularly loved), the Blosseville Coast of Greenland (which he mapped out), Jan Mayen Island (which fascinated him) and Scoresby Sund fjord (which he explored in detail). Enjoy these magnificent landscapes and key Arctic locations in the spring a beautiful time of year in which Jean-Baptiste Charcot only dreamed of navigating. From The Origins of the Early French Polar Expeditions April to May 10 to 12 nights PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT The fate of brig-gunboat La Lilloise commanded by Jules Alphonse René Poret, Baron of Blosseville, is still shrouded in mystery. Although the scientific results Blosseville obtained were insignificant, the general staff and crew of La Lilloise did not die in vain. Their mysterious deaths lead to the La Recherche corvette expedition of 1835, one of the proudest undertakings in the history of French naval and scientific exploration. We will travel in the wake of La Lilloise, visiting key locations from early French polar expeditions at the foot of the highest peaks of Greenland. From

20 The Last Predators of the Poles May 15 nights Covering over 44% of Greenland (its entire northeastern region), Kalaallit Nunaanni nuna eqqissisimatitaq is the world s biggest national park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. On this cruise, we will explore this national park and enjoy the magical time when life blooms again in the Arctic. With sunshine once more beating down, the sea ice fractures to allow animals to reach the coast. We will meet the last predators of the poles: the only inhabitants of these unusual lands which are twice the size of France. From On Top of the World July to August 13 to 17 nights A cruise to the North Pole, allowing travellers to visit the northernmost point on the planet. This adventure will leave guests feeling on top of the world. Departing from Longyearbyen, we will quickly move through the sea ice and continue directly to the pole. The main objective will be to reach the pole and explore this dense, compact ice field. However, as we return we will be sure to take time to observe the wildlife we meet at under 85 N and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Spitsbergen Island. From

21 PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT 20

22 Around the Pole July to August 16 to 20 nights Departing from Longyearbyen, we will quickly move through the sea ice and and continue directly to the pole. The main objective will be to reach the pole and explore this dense, compact ice field. However, as we return we will be sure to take time to observe the wildlife we meet at under 85 N and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Franz Josef Land archipelago. This, the northernmost archipelago in Eurasia, is made up of 191 islands and teems with incredible wildlife (polar bears, walruses, guillemots, etc.) as well as impressive High Arctic landscapes. From The Ice Field: the Frozen Arctic April 12 nights To see the true beauty of the sea ice, you must look upon it with your heart - Greenlandic proverb. As we sail around this little-known ice field, we will learn all about the incredibly diverse landscapes and wildlife it contains. Discover the annual sea ice at Baffin Bay, the coastal ice field nestled at the bottom of the steep South Greenland fjords and the thick, dense sea ice which descends from the North Pole along the east coast of Greenland and lasts for several years.. From

23 The Northern Sea Route August to September 25 to 30 nights The Northeast Passage or Northern Sea Route is one of the longest maritime routes in the world and was discovered in 1880 by Swedish explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. PONANT will take you on an extraordinary voyage to the north of Russia. This tricky-to-navigate route brims with amazing wildlife (polar bears, walruses, caribou, etc.) and little-known islands, including some as yet unexplored. From Alaska and the Coast Mountains September 10 nights PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT At the end of the season for Le Commandant Charcot, the icebreaker will have no need to break through any sea ice. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy all this formidable vessel has to offer, including exclusive exploration tools (helicopters, kayaks, etc.) which can be used to scout out secluded locations along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia. Fly over the Aleutian Islands, the volcanic peaks of the Katmai peninsula, the glaciers and the virgin forest along the Coast Mountains, then later on explore them in more detail by Zodiac or kayak. From

24 23

25 PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT 24

26 The Antarctic 25

27 The Pristine Antarctic Peninsula October to November 10 to 12 nights At the start of the Antarctic season, you will find many places have not been explored by conventional vessels. But this does not apply to us! By sailing on an icebreaker, we can explore all the treasures of the Antarctic at the end of the long polar winter and discover the most pristine of sites. From The Distant Peninsula November to March 12 to 15 nights PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT This is an opportunity to travel to the far south of the peninsula, well beyond the Antarctic Circle, and to follow in the footsteps of Jean-Baptiste Charcot by exploring the beautiful Marguerite Bay. We will disembark at Pourquoi Pas Island, where we pay homage to this great French explorer. There will be time to explore the vast bay that was mapped out in by this Le Commandant Charcot from aboard his ship, the Pourquoi Pas. From

28 The Snow Hill Emperor Penguin Colony October to November 14 nights We will take you to meet the Emperor penguin: the most extraordinary species of penguin in Antarctica. These penguins breed on the sea ice in mid-winter, keep their eggs safe atop their webbed feet and waddle dozens of miles across the ice to reach the sea to feed. Of the approximately 30 Emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica, the Snow Hill colony is the easiest to reach. Our icebreaker will cruise through the frozen Weddell Sea to come as close as possible to this colony of 4,000 Emperor penguins. From Discovering Charcot and Peter I Islands December to February 12 nights Travelling to Charcot and Peter I Islands is a little like trying to reach the moon. Indeed, fewer people have landed on these small islands than have ever been to the moon. They are, without doubt, one of the last of the truly isolated places on the planet. Peter I Island was discovered in February 1821, but the first landing did not occur until February What s more, no one has ever reached its summit. From

29 In the Thick of the Weddell Sea February to March 15 nights The Weddell Sea cannot be navigated by most expedition ships only icebreakers can create a pathway through its thick, compressed sea ice. This voyage offers an opportunity to discover mysterious sites around this vast sea, potentially the largest marine sanctuary in the world. The Weddell Sea is a true haven for wildlife, harbouring dozens of iconic Antarctic species including whales, seals and of course, the famous Emperor penguin. From The Emperor Penguins of the Amundsen Sea February to March 20 nights PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT The Amundsen Sea is named after famous Norwegian captain and explorer Roald Amundsen, who crossed it successfully in February With a nearconstant covering of ice, it remains almost entirely unexplored. The sea runs alongside Marie Byrd Land on the west coast of the Antarctic and is home to gigantic Emperor penguin colonies which thus far, scientists have only been able to observe via satellite. Accompanied by a team of scientists, we will explore this pristine Antarctic coast and try to locate these colonies. From

30 29

31 Deck plan Communal areas and activities DECK 9 DECK 5 THEATRE PANORAMIC BAR MAIN LOUNGE SPA FITNESS SHOP WINTER GARDEN RECEPTION DECK POOL LOUNGE PRE-BOOKING LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT BAR POOL RESTAURANT 30

32 Deck plan Guest cabins THÉÂTRE THÉÂTRE THÉÂTRE GRAND SALON GRAND SALONGRAND SALON Owner s Suite (125 m2 excluding balcony) Duplex Suite BOUTIQUE (80 m2 excluding balcony) Prestige RÉCEPTION Suite RÉCEPTION (50 m2 excluding balcony) Deluxe Suite (40 m 2 excluding balcony) Prestige (27 m2 excluding balcony) Deluxe (20 m2 excluding balcony) BOUTIQUE RÉCEPTION BOUTIQUE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RESTAURANT DECK 8 DECK 7 DECK 6 Amenities Balcony Individual air conditioning A double bed or two single beds; interconnecting cabins can be arranged; children welcome Minibar (refreshed daily) Flat-screen TV, satellite channels On-demand video ipod TM station Electronic safe Selection of Hermès toiletries Dressing table and hairdryer Direct satellite telephone line Electricity: 110/220 volts Room service 24 hours a day Wi-Fi Terrace Jacuzzi (Duplex Suite, Owner s Suite) Indoor Jacuzzi (Duplex Suite, Owner s Suite, Prestige Suite) Terrace (Duplex Suite, Owner s Suite) 31