Yes, you read that right– Luxury on an Ice Breaker (Yacht). This week I’m sharing with you my thoughts on not just a sailing or a trip. This is the beginning of a journey of a lifetime. Come aboard with me on the world’s ONLY luxury icebreaker, PONANT #LeCommandantCharcot on her repositioning from drydock (a refresh) in Brest, France, to Reykjavik, Iceland. Sailing across the North Atlantic will take 4 nights– just enough time to sample all she has onboard:

🍽️ a la carte menus designed by Alain Ducasse in Nuna (main dining room)

🐚🗿🐋 contrasts of ocean blues against stone greys and sand modern interiors

🥇✨ first-class service from the ship’s Officers and Crew from the moment you see her in port

Welcome to My Home Away From Home

Luxury is in the details, and this ship does not disappoint. Let’s start with a spacious 215 square feet in the (entry-level) Prestige Stateroom with a balcony (the smallest stateroom onboard). Against a palate of light and dark wood accents, you’ll find a three-door wardrobe, two-room bathroom with walk-in shower, makeup table with stool, deep drawers for storage, walnut wood shelving, night tables with drawers on each side of the bed, and a private seating area (for breakfast, lunch or dinner served in your room) — all before heading out through the sliding glass door onto the wide balcony for your own viewing pleasure of the seas and your surroundings.

But wait. . . there’s more: sustainability (Earth is our home) is at the forefront of the Ponant brand with twice daily replenished glass water bottles (sparkling and still) that you could use in your stateroom Nespresso maker or tea kettle. There are no single-use plastics in sight. And if you want more than water, your own stocked mini bar is also replenished daily with your favorites (mixers, sodas, and adult beverages).

If this weren’t enough, I need to be able to work from home as well so all the USB charging outlets and US/UK electric outlets allow me to keep my clients safe and happy. BONUS: Bluetooth Bose wireless speaker in every room too. (But I much prefer the sound of the waves crashing just outside my door.)

Cocooned in Luxury

Don’t you deserve that? That’s how you’ll feel the moment you step onboard Ponant. . . and not just in your stateroom. With only a maximum of 123 staterooms, building a community of like-minded travelers onboard is easy whether you’re playing boardgames in Anori (the Observatory Lounge) on deck 9 or relaxing with your favorite beverage of choice around the bow on Deck 5 in the Main Lounge.

There’s also a comfortable gathering area by the Reception Desk, Excursions Desk, and Onboard Shop (“ILLU”- home in Inuit) on deck 5 mid-ship. And let’s not forget the conversations that happen over a meal in Sila (deck 9) or Nuna (deck 5).

Part of the ethos of Ponant is creating this community of travelers that leave the ship caring more about the planet– her mysteries and reliance on us to be stewards for change. Near reception, there is an art installation that consistently changes utilizing LED screens. Oscillations, 2021 by Miguel Chevalier with music by composer Michel Redolfi generates 3D landscapes in real-time using software written by Cyrille Henry which creates sound waves thanks to underwater recordings that reveal incredible crystalline enchantment crossed with mysterious mammal songs.

But nowhere on Ponant is the focus on how and what we can do to leave Earth better than we found it greater than on the Bridge. There’s not space here to get into the details– just know that Ponant is proactively focused on how to limit the impact their explorations have on the environments in which they sail.

I could go on for days about my experience onboard this amazing ship. . . and I just might in future editions. Until then, feel free to reach out to me to start planning your next expedition or luxury yacht cruise onboard Ponant.