Australia’s leading small ship cruising specialist, Cruise Traveller, has launched an inspiring, new 10-part blog series offering a first-hand account of an expedition voyage to Antarctica aboard the world’s first luxury icebreaker, Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot.
The immersive series, found on Cruise Traveller’s website – Blog – Cruise Traveller – is authored by renowned Australian naturalist guide, polar expert, geologist and environmentalist, David Heydon, who is a regularly member of cruise ship expedition teams on voyages to Antarctica each summer.
The richly photographed series recounts David’s experience earlier this year journeying from South America to New Zealand via Antarctica aboard Ponant’s luxurious, polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot.
Launched in July 2021and named after French polar scientist Jean-Baptiste Charcot, the 245-guest Le Commandant Charcot is the world’s only icebreaking cruise ship and the first hybrid electric polar exploration ship. The unique ship is powered by liquified natural gas and ranks as one of the greenest expedition vessels in the world. Purpose-designed for polar exploration, the deluxe, eco-friendly ship can reach remote areas – even the North Pole – other expedition ships can’t, with its unique ability to cut through thick ice. Le Commandant Charcot boasts two restaurants, indoor and outdoor heated pools, spa, gym, sauna, snow room, panoramic lounges and bars, library and a theatre.
The first four parts of David’s adventure blog series have been released on Cruise Traveller’s website, with the remaining six to appear over coming weeks.
David Heydon was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2016 and received the Moore Medal in 2012 for his role in advancing knowledge of the deep-sea environment.
* To follow David’s journey of discovery ‘under the world’, visit: www.cruisetraveller.com.au/blog
Package to Antarctica aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot
A range of expedition voyages to Antarctica this summer aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot are available via Cruise Traveller including a 14-night Christmas voyage to Antarctica round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, on December 13, 2023. The itinerary includes Charcot Island itself, which was discovered by Jean-Baptiste Charcot in 1910.
Including an open bar of onboard beverages and Zodiac excursions, fares for the voyage are available from A$33,189 per person in a Balcony Stateroom. Visit: www.cruisetraveller.com.au/departure/le-commandant-charcot-14-night-in-the-wake-of-jean-baptiste-charcot-ex-ushuaia-argentina-return-13-dec-2023/ (direct link) or www.cruisetraveller.com.au/cruise-line/ponant
Cruise Traveller is Australia’s premier, small ship cruise specialist, representing 57 boutique, luxury and expedition cruising operators around the world. www.cruisetraveller.com.au
