There are so many stunning places to see across the globe and a wealth of experiences to undertake too, but one of the most special trips anyone can take, if not the most special, has to be to the polar regions. Boasting a range of majestic wildlife in their natural habitats, awe-inspiring, untouched natural beauty and a place where peace and quiet is broken only by the sounds of the ships cracking through the ice, these are the trips that are guaranteed to leave their mark.
Luxury polar cruising
The most exciting and luxurious way to travel to these fascinating locations has to be by cruise but choosing the right ship can be challenging with the range of options that are available to you. Le Commandant Charcot which belongs to La Compagnie du Ponant is one such ship, but aside from offering safe passage to and from these exciting destinations, it also offers a wealth of luxury moments to be enjoyed on board too.
It’s safe to say that this is no ordinary polar cruise ship and when taking yourself off on such an incredible journey, you’ll surely be looking for anything other than ordinary to get you there.
Luxury is most certainly guaranteed here, and from the wellness experiences to the food offering to the comfort factor and elegant décor, you’ll most definitely be in good hands. When you’re not learning about the fascinating regions you’re voyaging to, you’ll be spending your free time whiling away the hours at the indoor pool, outdoor lagoon and bar, spa (with exclusive Biologique Recherche products) the snow room and cigar room. Enjoy all of the home comforts in your stylish duplex guest suite and spend mealtimes sipping on wines from the cellar while you dine on delectable foods at Alain Ducasse’s first restaurant at sea – the chef with 21 Michelin stars to his name. Like we said, this is far from ordinary.
Alongside all of the luxury onboard, guests can expect to get the all-round experience with a variety of ways to learn and explore their surroundings. On board experts discuss geology, the region’s history and biology through presentations, sessions and discussions, and you can take this knowledge to the ice when you explore via kayak, hovercraft, sled, on foot and the like, and discover the sheer natural beauty of these serene and stunning places.
And if you’re concerned about the effects that your cruise will have on the environment, then worry not as this stunning ship is equipped with a number of ways to deal with such concerns, from using the cleanest energy available (a hybrid liquefied natural gas), and energy management and speed limitation systems, to promoting positive social, economic and cultural contributions as well utilising technologies that respect the marine ecosystems.
Antarctica
The world’s southernmost continent and home to the South Pole, this expansive, ice-covered land landmass is virtually uninhabited and its peninsula benefits from an isolated terrain thus providing a welcoming environment for a range of rich wildlife to flourish – most notably, penguins. This isn’t all that visitors to the White Continent will get to see though, as Port Lockroy, the former British research station, which is now a museum; Half Moon Island, boasting penguins and seals; and Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s second biggest volcano, are just some of the highlights that explorers can see here.
The Arctic
And it’s not just Antarctica that this luxury cruise ship ventures to as the Arctic will certainly be calling for many travellers hoping to catch sight of the majestic polar bear in its natural habitat in addition to spotting icy fjords and snow-covered mountains on their way to the North Pole.
From the far north of Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard to Scoresby Sound in Greenland and the largest network of fjords in the world, to Banks Island in Canada and the Aulavik National Park which is home to some 65,000 musk oxen, it’s safe to say that the Arctic offers plenty of major travel highlights that any keen traveller would be enthralled by.
Whether you choose to visit the northernmost parts of the world or great white south, you can be sure that incredible experiences will be guaranteed, especially when you choose to voyage with a luxury ship like Le Commandant Charcot.
