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The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea

An exploration into the almost inaccessible Weddell Sea, in search of majestic emperor penguins, amidst immaculate and dreamlike landscapes.

Cruise Only
13 nights from £20190pp

Luxury Expedition Holiday
Weddell Sea Colony
Ushuaia
Iceberg and Zodiacs
Le Commandant Charcot
Onboard Lecture

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The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea Special Offer

Join this unique expedition cruise on board Le Commandant Charcot and follow in the footsteps of the great polar explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Discover Antarctica's extreme and captivating Weddell Sea - home to emperor penguins, majestic birds endemic to the Antarctic, rarely observed and only in the most southern latitudes. Ice floes as far as the eye can see and gigantic icebergs form the horizon of the colonies of Adelie penguins that populate this expanse. Yet the ultimate challenge is the search for and the encounter with their majesties, the emperor penguins. As winter gradually makes way for the southern spring, you will perhaps witness a magical show - that of the largest penguins in the world waddling along the ice floe or the younger penguins learning to swim. Your Captain and the expert naturalists on board will seize these opportunities to give you an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.

CP1129 Operated by Ponant Luxury and Expedition

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The Emperor Penguins of Weddell Sea Itinerary

Day 1 - Santiago (Chile)

Overnight stay in Santiago

Day 2 - Ushuaia (Argentina)

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 3-4 - 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 6-11 - The Weddell Sea

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 12-13 - 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 - Ushuaia (Argentina)

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…

The sailing schedule and any landings, activities and wildlife encounters are subject to weather and ice conditions. These experiences are unique and vary with each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the IAATO.

Price Includes

  • 12-night all-inclusive cruise on board superb new hybrid-electric polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot
  • 1-night pre-cruise stay in Santiago
  • Flights between Santiago and Ushuaia
  • Overseas transfers
  • Choice of open-seating restaurants
  • 24 hour room service (selected menu)
  • Open bar serving unlimited complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks
  • Zodiac landings accompanied by an expedition team
  • Evening entertainments and events
  • Access to mini gym
  • Wi-Fi access
  • All advice by our multilingual Cruise Concierge
  • The use of a parka for shore visits
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2025 Departures £ price per person based on 2 people sharing

  • October
    • Oct 30th - Ushuaia and back - Sailing on: Le Commandant Charcot From: £21710
      Deluxe Suite - Deck 6 Grand Prestige Suite - Deck 6 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 7 Deluxe Suite - Deck 7 Prestige Suite - Deck 7 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 8 Deluxe Suite - Deck 8 Prestige Suite - Deck 8 Privilege Suite - Deck 8 Duplex Suite Owner's Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £22650 Blue Water Price from: £32540 Blue Water Price from: £21710 Blue Water Price from: £23580 Blue Water Price from: £30680 Blue Water Price from: £22090 Blue Water Price from: £24330 Blue Water Price from: £31610 Blue Water Price from: £34410 Blue Water Price from: £46540 Blue Water Price from: £67920
  • November
    • Nov 11th - Ushuaia and back - Sailing on: Le Commandant Charcot From: £22470
      Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6 Deluxe Suite - Deck 6 Grand Prestige Suite - Deck 6 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 7 Deluxe Suite - Deck 7 Prestige Suite - Deck 7 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 8 Deluxe Suite - Deck 8 Prestige Suite - Deck 8 Privilege Suite - Deck 8 Duplex Suite Owner's Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £22470 Blue Water Price from: £23870 Blue Water Price from: £34380 Blue Water Price from: £22870 Blue Water Price from: £24860 Blue Water Price from: £32400 Blue Water Price from: £23270 Blue Water Price from: £25650 Blue Water Price from: £33390 Blue Water Price from: £36360 Blue Water Price from: £49260 Blue Water Price from: £67920
    • Nov 23rd - Ushuaia and back - Sailing on: Le Commandant Charcot From: £20190
      Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6 Deluxe Suite - Deck 6 Grand Prestige Suite - Deck 6 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 7 Deluxe Suite - Deck 7 Prestige Suite - Deck 7 Prestige Stateroom - Deck 8 Deluxe Suite - Deck 8 Prestige Suite - Deck 8 Privilege Suite - Deck 8 Duplex Suite Owner's Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £20190 Blue Water Price from: £21420 Blue Water Price from: £30700 Blue Water Price from: £20550 Blue Water Price from: £22300 Blue Water Price from: £28950 Blue Water Price from: £20900 Blue Water Price from: £23000 Blue Water Price from: £29820 Blue Water Price from: £32450 Blue Water Price from: £43830 Blue Water Price from: £67920

Price Information

  • Please note prices are updated regularly from a third party price feed and may fluctuate from those shown. Please contact us for latest prices
  • Prices shown usually include all available discounts
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