The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea
14 Days - Le Commandant Charcot
Step aboard the World’s Only Luxury Ice Breaker. The theatre of the greatest expeditions, a refuge for the rarest wildlife and an endless ice desert, the Weddell Sea promises you intense emotions during a voyage of exploration aboard Le Commandant Charcot, an enveloping cocoon that is wide open onto the exterior polar setting. This place is home to emperor penguins, majestic birds endemic to the Antarctic, rarely observed and only in the most southern latitudes. The ultimate quest and the promise of all-new, unforgettable encounters.
from NZD $42527pp
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Home » 14 Day Le Commandant Charcot: The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea ex Ushuaia
Itinerary Highlights
- An exploration into the almost inaccessible Weddell Sea, in search of majestic emperor penguins, amidst immaculate and dreamlike landscapes.
- Landscapes: immense glaciers, table top icebergs, immersion in the heart of the ice floes.
- Wildlife: the possibility to observe emperor, Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins; Weddell, leopard and crabeater seals; humpback, Minke whales and orcas.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Santiago
- Day 2: Embarkation Day - Santiago/Ushuaia
- Day 3 and 4: Crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 5: North Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 6 to 11: The Weddell Sea Exploration
- Day 12 and 13: Crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 14: Disembarkation Day - Ushuaia/Santiago
![map](https://tripeze-public.s3.amazonaws.com/Eclipse%20Travel/images/image_holder/image_local/104909/web_standard_map__1_.png)
Day 1: Santiago
Upon your arrival, a representative will be waiting for you to ensure a smooth transfer and assist you with checking in at the hotel. After you have settled in, feel free to explore the city and all that it has to offer.
Day 2: Embarkation Day - Santiago/Ushuaia
After an early breakfast you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia. On arrival you will be transferred to the ship for embarkation.
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…
Day 3 and 4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to know about the zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about this magical region, where every cruise is a unique experience. You will experience exceptional sailing moments on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
Day 5: North Antarctic Peninsula
Throughout your time in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. You will sail through the Antarctic Sound, named after Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjöld’s ship, which was trapped by the ice during an important scientific expedition in 1902. The gateway to the Weddell Sea, this sound is filled with gigantic tabular icebergs and plates of sea ice drifting northward from the coastal areas of this vast sea. It is home to Adelie penguins and a great many leopard seals.
Day 6 to 11: The Weddell Sea Exploration
Impassable, extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell Sea, much of which is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice. It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. Polar exploration finds its full meaning here. Heading towards the South is a real quest, with the promise of highly-charged encounters with the continent’s endemic fauna. This is the kingdom of the emperor penguin, the largest penguin in the world, renowned for its elegance. Unlike other penguins that live on the rocks, the emperor nests on the ice floe which it needs for its reproductive cycle. It is therefore on the ice floe that you will be able to observe it walking around with its characteristic gait. In this southern sea, where the ice changes and is transformed constantly, there is never any monotony. The new reliefs and new colours ensure never-ending wonderment. You will sail into the heart of the immaculate ice floe, which is dislocated or densely packed, into an alley of icebergs. Among them are immense blocks of ice, tabular icebergs, that drift and illuminate the ocean with their cerulean blue haloes. Aboard, on shore, on the ice, you will be as close as possible to the colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell seals, Mink whales, orcas, snow petrels.… With a little luck, you will get a glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage or of emperor penguins, waddling along the edge of the ice floe. A sight that is as fascinating as it is emotional.
Day 12 and 13: Crossing the Drake Passage
If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.
Day 14: Disembarkation Day - Ushuaia/Santiago
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…
Before you disembark, enjoy an early morning breakfast before heading to Ushuaia airport for your flight to Santiago. Take in the breathtaking views and savor the final moments of your journey as you bid farewell to the ship and fellow travelers.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
30 Oct 2025 - 12 Nov 2025 | NZD $42527pp | ||
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 | NZD $42527pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7 | NZD $43297pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8 | NZD $44033pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 6 | NZD $45154pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 7 | NZD $47022pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 8 | NZD $48505pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 7 | NZD $61198pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 8 | NZD $63055pp | Contact us | |
Grand Prestige Suite Deck 6 | NZD $64923pp | Contact us | |
Privilege Suite Deck 8 | NZD $68648pp | Contact us | |
Duplex Suite Deck 6 | NZD $92901pp | Contact us | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $135604pp | Contact us | |
11 Nov 2025 - 24 Nov 2025 | NZD $44802pp | ||
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 | NZD $44802pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7 | NZD $45615pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8 | NZD $46407pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 6 | NZD $47593pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 7 | NZD $49582pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 8 | NZD $51154pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 7 | NZD $64637pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 8 | NZD $66615pp | Contact us | |
Grand Prestige Suite Deck 6 | NZD $68593pp | Contact us | |
Privilege Suite Deck 8 | NZD $72560pp | Contact us | |
Duplex Suite Deck 6 | NZD $98330pp | Contact us | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $135604pp | Contact us | |
23 Nov 2025 - 06 Dec 2025 | NZD $44802pp | ||
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6 | NZD $44802pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7 | NZD $45615pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8 | NZD $46407pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 6 | NZD $47593pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 7 | NZD $49582pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe Suite Deck 8 | NZD $51154pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 7 | NZD $64637pp | Contact us | |
Prestige Suite Deck 8 | NZD $66615pp | Contact us | |
Grand Prestige Suite Deck 6 | NZD $68593pp | Contact us | |
Privilege Suite Deck 8 | NZD $72560pp | Contact us | |
Duplex Suite Deck 6 | NZD $98330pp | Contact us | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $135604pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
20 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
20 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
20 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
28 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Deluxe Suite Deck 7
28 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Deluxe Suite Deck 8
28 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Suite Deck 7
40 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with 2 showers and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Prestige Suite Deck 8
40 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with 2 showers and French bath products, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Privilege Suite Deck 8
48 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler service, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European sockets, WiFi internet access
Grand Prestige Suite Deck 6
42 metres-squared, private balcony, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler service, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European sockets, WiFi internet access
Duplex Suite Deck 6
48 metres-squared, private balcony, jacuzzi, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod dock, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European sockets, WiFi internet access
Owner's Suite
114 metres-squared, private balcony with jacuzzi, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, butler service, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibar, television, iPod docks, safety deposit box, French bath products, dressing table with hair dryer, direct line telephone, 110V American / 220V European outlets, WiFi internet access
Le Commandant Charcot Deckplan
![deck plan](https://tripeze-public.s3.amazonaws.com/Eclipse%20Travel/images/image_holder/image_local/61641/web_standard_Deckplan.png)
Specifications
- Length: 150m
- Width: 28m
- Draught: 10
- Ice Class: PC2
- Propulsion: LNG and Hybrid Electric
- Shipyard: VARD
- Classification: Bureau Veritas
- Flag: French
- Crew Members: 215
- Passengers: 245
- Guest capacity Antarctica: 200 pax
- Onboard Expedition Zodiac: 16
- Staterooms and Suites: 123 (including 31 suites)
- Panoramic Restaurant: 1
- Grill Restaurant: 1
- Swimming Pools: 2 (indoor pool and winter garden, outdoor pool)
- Spa, Sauna, Fitness Room: 1
Whats included?
- Arrival transfer in Santiago.
- One pre-embarkation hotel night in Santiago.
- Economy class flight from Santiago to Ushuaia.
- Economy class flight from Ushuaia to Santiago.
- Transfers as mentioned in program.
- Bilingual French/English expedition team
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- Waterproof boots on loan
- All meals during the voyage
- Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages - house wine, champagne and beer
- Park entry fees into protected areas
- Port charges
What’s not included?
- Tips for the local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.