Ponant has opened bookings for its Arctic 2028 season, offering more than 35 departures between May and October across four small expedition ships. The program spans the Geographic North Pole, Greenland, Svalbard, Iceland, and North America, making it one of the most comprehensive Arctic collections currently on the market.
North Pole Voyages Aboard Le Commandant Charcot
From June to September 2028, Ponant will operate eight departures to the Geographic North Pole (90°N) aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world's only luxury icebreaker capable of reaching the top of the planet. Highlights include sailing through Arctic pack ice, fjords, and glaciers around Svalbard, plus an extended 18-night voyage combining the North Pole with two exclusive calls in northern Greenland. Activities include Zodiac outings, ice landings, kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, and the polar plunge. Return flights between Paris and Longyearbyen are included on these departures.
Greenland, Baffin Bay, and the Northwest Passage
From May to August 2028, Ponant will deploy Le Commandant Charcot and sister ships into Greenland's High Arctic, including the Thule region and Disko Bay, home to some of the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere. Itineraries also cover Baffin Bay and sections of the Northwest Passage, accessible only to ice-capable expedition ships early in the season. Guests can visit remote Inuit communities and observe polar bears, cetaceans, and rich birdlife along the ice edge.
Svalbard: From Highlights to Full Circumnavigation
From June to July 2028, Ponant offers a classic seven-night Spitsbergen highlights voyage for first-time Arctic travellers, and a more ambitious full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen in July, including access to protected nature reserves in north-east and south-east Svalbard—a route not offered since 2021. Expect high chances of polar bear sightings, Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seabirds, and whales. Activities are led by naturalist guides and include Zodiac outings, shore landings, and hikes.
Iceland: Fire, Ice, and Daily Excursions
From June to July 2028, Ponant will run 100% Icelandic itineraries focusing on dramatic landscapes and coastal communities, including calls to the unspoilt islands of Grímsey and Heimaey. The program includes a full day in Reykjavik, a grand tour of fjords, volcanic plateaus, basalt columns, geysers, and waterfalls, plus wildlife watching for puffins, Arctic foxes, Icelandic horses, humpbacks, and orcas. One included excursion per guest per day is provided.
North America: History, Harbours, and UNESCO Icons
Rounding out the 2028 Arctic-adjacent program, Ponant will sail a series of North America voyages from August to October 2028. These itineraries feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as L'Anse aux Meadows, Québec, Lunenburg, and Gros Morne National Park. Stopovers include Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Montréal, Eastport, and Martha's Vineyard. Included excursions are led by local experts and the onboard naturalist team.
For travel professionals, this season offers a wide range of options for clients seeking genuine polar expedition experiences. The program's breadth—from the North Pole to historic North American coasts—provides flexibility for both first-time Arctic travellers and seasoned polar enthusiasts. For more on ultra-exclusive Arctic sailing, see Norrøna's Varg S/Y earns TIME's World's Greatest Places nod.
