As World Penguin Day was just celebrated on 25 April, PONANT, the French cruise ship operator, announces an exclusive voyage to the majestic Emperor Penguin colonies of Snow Hill Island during their 2025 Antarctic season.
These voyages set the stage for an unforgettable Antarctic adventure aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker. With only three voyages available, guests are encouraged to book now to secure the best pricing and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of the Emperor Penguins’ habitat.
On three exclusive departures in 2025, guests are invited to embark on an extraordinary journey aboard Le Commandant Charcot. They will explore Snow Hill Island on foot, walking the same ice fields as the magnificent Emperor Penguin colonies. Le Commandant Charcot is the only commercial vessel that can navigate through heavy drift ice into the southern reaches of the Weddell Sea, ensuring a truly authentic polar expedition unlike any other.
Guests will enjoy the exceptional privilege of visiting these colonies on foot, approaching as close as five meters—an exclusive experience offered only by PONANT. They will have the opportunity to linger for hours amidst this awe-inspiring landscape, free from any time constraints, immersing themselves fully in the wonders of Antarctica before returning to the warm and comforting amenities of the world’s only luxury icebreaker.
On these 12-night itineraries, guests can expect to observe not only Emperor Penguins but also Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins, among other diverse wildlife. They will also have the opportunity to kayak, hike, snowshoe, and even take part in a polar plunge.
Ryo Ijichi, Commercial Manager Japan, Korea and Antarctica Expedition Leader at PONANT, said, “Our exclusive 2025 departures offer more than just observation; they provide an immersive, authentic polar expedition. Guests can encounter these colonies in person, venturing into the Weddell Sea from the Drake Passage to an inaccessible area to other vessels.”
The Emperor Penguin of the Weddell Sea voyage departs from Ushuaia on 30th 11 October and 22nd 22 November 2025. The 12-night expedition includes an overnight in Santiago, return flights, and transfers. Highlights of the voyage include exploring the almost inaccessible Weddell Sea in search of majestic emperor penguins amidst immaculate and dreamlike landscapes. Guests will have the opportunity to kayak, hike, snowshoe, and take a polar plunge.
The voyage also includes expert-led daily shore visits and outings in a zodiac, workshops, conferences, and personalised advice to improve photographic skills. It also includes observing Emperor, Adelie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins; Weddell, leopard, and crabeater seals; humpback, Minke whales, and orcas.
PONANT continues to offer unique opportunities to witness various penguin species in their natural habitats in the 2025/26 Antarctic season.
Departing from Dunedin, New Zealand, on the Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic – Ross Sea Expedition, guests can explore Macquarie Island, a haven for Royals, Kings, Gentoos, and Rock Hoppers, where over 3.5 million seabirds thrive. Stepping foot on Ross Island unveils the historic legacy of polar explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton, where guests can visit the historical hut that fewer than 1,000 people have been able to reach amidst a remarkable diversity of penguins, including the elusive Adélie and the iconic Emperor. This expedition departs on 26 January 2025 for a 21-night journey aboard Le Soléal.
Alternatively, journeying on The Great Austral Loop Expedition to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands reveals colonies of Gentoo, King, Macaroni, Adélie and Rockhopper penguins amidst breathtaking landscapes, providing unforgettable encounters for penguin enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. This expedition includes a 17-night journey, an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, return flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, and transfers. Departures are scheduled for 10 November, 12th & 20th December 2025 aboard Le Lyrial.
Each departure is unique, and the itinerary, landings, wildlife encounters, and activities are subject to weather and ice conditions. PONANT follows IAATO biodiversity regulations in Antarctica, ensuring that these incredible journeys are conducted in a manner that respects the pristine Antarctic environment.
These exclusive voyages offer more than just observation; they provide an immersive, authentic polar expedition. Guests can encounter these colonies in person, venturing into inaccessible areas to other vessels, making for a genuinely unforgettable Antarctic adventure.
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