Ponant has opened sales for winter 2021-2022 itineraries on its new hybrid electric ship, Le Commandant Charcot.

According to the cruise line, the ship is the world’s first limited-capacity cruise ship to be propelled by liquefied natural gas. Winter 2021-2022 is the ship’s inaugural season in Antarctica.

The Emperor Penguins of the Bellingshausen Sea itinerary will take guests beyond Peter I Island and Charcot Island and into the heart of the Bellingshausen Sea.

Named in honour of the Russian admiral and explorer who discovered Antarctica in 1820, this sea in the Southern Ocean is covered in ice for most of the year, making it difficult to reach and practically unexplored. Departing on 1 November 2021, prices start from £18,614pp.

There is also the Ross Sea cruise, sailing to one of the most extreme parts of the Antarctic. This 25-day itinerary includes the chance to see an array of wildlife. Departing on 16 February 2022, prices from £21,737pp.

The Weddell Sea & Larsen Ice Shelf cruise, which has multiple departure dates available across the season, focuses on the ice barrier known as the Larsen Ice Shelf. This cruise also provides an opportunity to get as close as possible to the fauna of the Weddell Sea. Prices start from £11,098pp.

Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot has been designed to minimise overall environmental impact. It has a scientific research laboratory on board, equipped to study the ecosystems and biodiversity of the polar environment. Guests will also have the ability to take excursions in hovercraft or kayaks, as well as tethered hot-air balloon rides.

Guests will also be able to set up a station on the sea ice, deploy an Argos transmitter or collect water samples. This will be an opportunity for them to contribute directly to global scientific efforts.

For more information, visit ponant.com.