Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris to Longyearbyen
You'll fly from Paris to Longyearbyen, Earth's northernmost territorial capital in Norway's Svalbard archipelago. After arriving, you'll board the Commandant Charcot around 4 p.m., then the ship departs early evening at 6 p.m.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Embark aboard Commandant Charcot
Landmarks/POIs Longyearbyen - Day 2
Spitsbergen
The ship sails along Spitsbergen's coastline, navigating between ancient glaciers and rugged mountains. You'll see the jagged fjord-carved shoreline from deck, watching for birds and finding good photo opportunities throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sailing along Spitsbergen coastline
- Viewing glaciers and fjords
Landmarks/POIs Spitsbergen - Day 3
Arctic Ice Floe
You're heading out to the ice floe itself, moving deeper into the vast Arctic ice expanse. The ship pushes further north where the frozen landscape stretches in every direction.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sailing to the heart of the ice floe
- Day 4
Pack Ice Navigation
The landscape keeps changing around you as the ship navigates through flat ice, then chaotic formations, channels of open water. You'll sail naturally open channels and thinner frozen areas, moving through drifting sea ice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sailing through pack ice channels
- Day 5
Arctic Wildlife Viewing
Watch for Arctic wildlife from the deck, though sightings depend on ice and sea conditions. Animals here rely on the ice, so you'll keep your eyes sharp for anything moving across the frozen terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Arctic wildlife spotting
- Day 6
Photography Workshops
Photo ambassador Ian Dawson leads on-board workshops to help you improve your photography skills. You'll work on capturing the Arctic landscape and wildlife you've been seeing from the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- On-board photography workshops with Ian Dawson
- Day 7
Educational Lectures
The expedition crew gives lectures about local wildlife, geological features, and Arctic exploration history. These sessions happen during your time at sea, helping you understand what you're seeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- On-board lectures on local wildlife, geological features, and exploration history
- Day 8
Geographic North Pole
You reach the Geographic North Pole at 90° North, Earth's rotational axis point. This remote, ice-covered location has drawn explorers for generations, and now you're there aboard the Commandant Charcot.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Arrival at the Geographic North Pole
Landmarks/POIs Geographic North Pole - Day 9
Return to Spitsbergen
After the North Pole, the ship moves back through the pack ice, heading south toward Spitsbergen's shores. You'll retrace your route through the changing ice conditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Navigation through pack ice
- Return voyage to Spitsbergen
Landmarks/POIs Spitsbergen - Day 10
On-Board Lectures
More lectures from the naturalist guides and crew continue during your return journey. There's plenty of time to absorb more information about the region and your expedition.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- On-board lectures from naturalist guides and expedition crew
- Day 11
Photo Organization
Spend time at sea organizing and reviewing your photographs from the trip. You'll go through images from the North Pole and all the wildlife and landscapes you've photographed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12
Ship Facilities
Take advantage of the ship's facilities during your downtime. The indoor pool, massage services, and sauna offer ways to relax while traveling through the Arctic.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Access to indoor pool
- Massage services
- Sauna session
- Day 13
Deck Time
Position yourself on deck with hot chocolate in hand, watching the scenery and wildlife pass by. It's a quiet way to enjoy the moment during the voyage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Deck viewing with hot chocolate
- Day 14
Arctic Wildlife
As you approach Spitsbergen's rugged shores, keep watch for Arctic wildlife from the deck. Walrus, seals, and possibly polar bears appear in this region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Arctic wildlife viewing from deck
Landmarks/POIs Spitsbergen - Day 15
Birdlife Viewing
You'll sail past steep rock faces packed with birdlife. Kittiwakes nest high on the cliffs, while fulmars and ivory gulls circle overhead. The crew identifies different Arctic bird species during lectures.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Birdlife viewing from deck
- On-board lectures on bird identification
Landmarks/POIs Spitsbergen - Day 16
Longyearbyen to Paris
The ship returns to Longyearbyen early morning and you disembark at 8 a.m. after breakfast on board. From there, you transfer to the airport for your flight back to Paris, ending the expedition.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembarkation from Commandant Charcot
Landmarks/POIs Longyearbyen
