Le Commandant Charcot Unveils a New Chapter in Polar Travel, Combining Saint Lawrence’s Frozen Wonders with Historic Stops Across Québec’s Scenic Destinations

As the sea ice prepares to embrace PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Le Commandant Charcot, the renowned French-registered exploration vessel is ready to embark on an extraordinary winter journey along the Saint Lawrence. Tomorrow, from the port of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the high-polar exploration ship will begin the first of five winter expeditions, marking a historic first-ever stopover on Québec soil at Cap-aux-Meules in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. From there, Le Commandant Charcot will chart a mesmerizing course through Gaspé, Sept-Îles, La Baie (Saguenay), and Québec City, where the adventure will conclude as passengers disembark.

Cruise the Saint Lawrence is extremely proud of this North American premiere. Winter in Québec comes replete with wonders aplenty and passengers will have occasion to immerse themselves fully in our Nordic culture, marvel at our scenic splendour and engage in winter activities unique to the region. “This world premiere event aligns to perfection with our strategy to position the Saint Lawrence as an upmarket winter tourism destination ripe with a superlative blend of snowscapes, culture and Indigenous offerings ‒ all in a single region!” underscored René Trépanier, Executive Director of Cruise the Saint Lawrence.

Le Commandant Charcot is set to operate five remarkable voyages, each lasting 12 to 15 nights, between mid-January and early March. Embarkation and disembarkation will alternate between Québec and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, while the ports along the Saint Lawrence will greet travelers with an array of thoughtfully designed shore excursions and activities, promising unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences.

From electric-assist bike adventures and cliffside hikes in Fatima at Îles-de-la-Madeleine to snowshoeing through Forillon National Park, every stop offers something extraordinary. Passengers can delve into Mi’kmaq heritage in Gaspé, discover Innu traditions in Sept-Îles, enjoy ice fishing or electric snowmobiling in La Baie (Saguenay), or glide across the ice in Old Québec. Each experience ensures that travelers will take home countless cherished memories of Québec’s enchanting winter landscapes.

Testimony to more sustainable cruising

The only hybrid electric polar expedition vessel powered by liquid natural gas, Le Commandant Charcot is the forefront of more responsible navigation. Her sustainable features include the use of recycled, propulsion-based energy to heat various components, the elimination of single-used plastics, disembarkation protocols respectful of local ecosystems and a battery pack which enables Le Commandant Charcot to use electric power to navigate silently in protected areas. In addition, the ship’s ice breaking capability enables her to operate safely in polar conditions, preserve the coastal ice pack and provide for the responsible exploration of places visited. “At PONANT EXPLORATIONS, we feel a deep connection to the Saint Lawrence region, which our ships have been visiting every summer for many years. These winter cruises aboard Le Commandant Charcot, completely unprecedented in nature, open the door to a new and unique experience, offering exceptional moments for our guests,” says Hervé Gastinel, President of PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP.

Consistent with the association’s objective to transform the Saint Lawrence into a sustainable cruise destination, Cruise the Saint Lawrence hopes that the advent of Le Commandant Charcot this winter proves a source of inspiration for the future of international cruises in Québec. The combination of a vessel on the cutting edge of technology, more sustainable navigation protocols with longer stopovers at each port and efforts devoted by Saint Lawrence member ports of call to provide for eco-responsible passenger welcome operations and more sustainable shore excursions indeed augurs well for the years ahead. “The presence of Le Commandant Charcot in winter speaks to a key component of our strategic plan to transform the Saint Lawrence into a four-season international cruise destination. In seeking to extend the cruise season, we aim to provide our member ports of call with a year-round revenue stream,” added Mr. Trépanier.

Sailing Itineraries: A Detailed Overview

First Sailing: 17 to 29 January

Route: Saint-Pierre Island (Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon), Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspé, Sept-Îles, La Baie (Saguenay), Québec
Key Stops:
- 17 January, 18:00: Departure from Saint-Pierre Island
- 18 January, 18:00: Arrival at Cap-aux-Meules (Îles-de-la-Madeleine)
- 21 January, 12:00: Arrival at Gaspé
- 23 January, 12:00: Arrival at Sept-Îles
- 25 January, 17:00: Arrival at La Baie (Saguenay)
- 28 January, 12:00: Arrival at Québec
  (Note: Schedule is subject to change.)

Second Sailing: 29 January to 10 February

Route: Québec, La Baie (Saguenay), Sept-Îles, Gaspé, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Saint-Pierre Island (Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon)

Third Sailing: 10 to 22 February

Route: Saint-Pierre Island (Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon), Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspé, Sept-Îles, La Baie (Saguenay), Québec

Fourth Sailing: 22 February to 6 March

Route: Québec, La Baie (Saguenay), Sept-Îles, Gaspé, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Saint-Pierre Island (Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon)

Fifth Sailing: 6 to 21 March

Route: Saint-Pierre Island (Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon), Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspé, Corner Brook, Greenland (Qaqortoq, Fjord de Narsaq, Uunartoq, Nanortalik), Iceland (Reykjavik)

Each voyage offers a unique blend of destinations, allowing passengers to experience the natural beauty, culture, and charm of the Saint Lawrence region and beyond.

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