Follow in the footsteps of elite Arctic explorers such as Roald Amundsen when you embark on an 18-day Luxury Expedition Cruise to the North Pole.
You will mark your arrival over the geographic North Pole aboard Le Commandant Charcot with a champagne toast. You will have the unique opportunity for a polar plunge with your award-winning expedition team.
During your time at sea on this icebreaker you will see a myriad of marine life and polar bear. Immerse yourself in a wealth of enrichment programmes and watch the ice floes and luminous glaciers from the private balcony of your cabin.
DEPARTURE DATES
10 July – 27 July 2024 (17 nights)
ACCOMMODATION
This departure is aboard Le Commandant Charcot
JOURNEY DETAILS
Due to the nature of Luxury Expedition Cruises, itineraries are for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildlife, ice, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond A&K’s control at the sole discretion of the Captain onboard.
YOUR HOST
Fernando Barroso de Oliveira, A&K Chairman's Ambassador
As the Chairman’s Ambassador, Fernando hosts your cruise with his own special brand of joie de vivre. A natural raconteur who’s fluent in seven languages, his instinctive rapport and boundless enthusiasm for exploration and discovery are a delight to experience. Fernando has cruised the world over decades in travel, forging lasting connections with every place he’s gone and every person he’s travelled with – and he looks forward to doing the same with you.
INCLUSIONS
- Cruise for 17 nights through the Arctic’s wildest regions on Le Commandant Charcot
- Guest capacity limited to just 199
- An exclusively chartered, all-inclusive voyage led by A&K’s expedition team
- Airport meet and greet with included transfers
- All-balcony accommodation on Le Commandant Charcot and butler service with every suite
- Benefit from expert photography guidance with lectures and workshops led by a dedicated A&K photo-coach
- Two nights at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel
- Return internal Air Olso to Longyearbyen
- Maximum personnel-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.3
- Culinary programme featuring French-inspired cuisine, including house drinks, afternoon tea, and pastries
- 24-hour room service and breakfast in bed
- Complimentary expedition parka, backpack, and water bottle, and use of waterproof trousers, boots, and trekking poles
- Zodiac excursions led by expert naturalist driver-guides
- Traveller’s Valet® laundry service
- All gratuities, port charges, and taxes
- On-board service from English-speaking staff, including an accredited physician
Arrive Oslo, Norway
Arrive in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, the staging point for your epic adventure to the geographic North Pole. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted a few steps to the conveniently located Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. This evening, gather for a welcome briefing and dinner.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Airport Hotel
Longyearbyen
Board a charter flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, the sovereign Arctic archipelago of Norway. It is one of the most remote groups of islands on the planet, with nearly two-thirds of its surface covered in luminous glaciers. Time permitting, visit the tiny town and its Arctic Museum. Then, board Le Commandant Charcot, your cutting-edge, eco-friendly luxury expedition vessel and embark on your voyage into the Arctic frontier.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
Svalbard
Awake as you cruise past the Sjuøyane Islands, the northernmost islands of Svalbard Archipelago. Today, your A&K Expedition Team presents onboard lectures discussing the Arctic frontier of sea and pack ice. Settle into the rhythm of life on board as the last piece of land slowly slips beyond the horizon. Continue north toward the marginal ice zone (MIZ), an Arctic realm of elusive blue, rorqual, and beluga whale. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by the captain.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea
Over the next five days the ship navigates through the MIZ into the geographic North Pole. As this stunning Arctic scene drifts past, keep your eyes peeled for polar bear. Take advantage of your time at sea by enjoying the luxurious amenities from pools to saunas. Onboard enrichment includes hands-on scientific research projects, visits to the ship’s lab and bridge, stargazing sessions, and seamanship, and polar survival workshops, cooking demonstrations, and photography contests.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
Geographic North Pole
Conditions permitting, you will seek out the geographic North Pole. Upon finding the most favourable path through the pack ice, the captain will position the GPS antennae of the ship directly on 90° North latitude. The culmination of your intrepid expedition is marked by a champagne toast. The following day, take advantage of a gangway landing. Your expedition team leads the way across the ice for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity and perhaps, a polar plunge.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
Geographic North Pole
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea
The next days at sea are filled with enrichment programmes and opportunities to venture to the ice. You may even have the chance to hike on the ice or kayak through open leads. During the transition through the MIZ back into open waters, watch out for harbour sea, walrus, and seabirds. As the ship draws closer to Longyearbyen, your captain hosts a festive farewell cocktail reception, and gala dinner and a spectacular conclusion to your once-in-a-lifetime voyage.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
At sea.
Accommodation: Le Commandant Charcot
Longyearbyen
This morning, disembark your vessel in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Oslo. Upon arrival, you are escorted through an indoor corridor leading from the terminal to the Radisson Blu Airport hotel. Enjoy the last dinner of your North Pole adventure with your fellow explorers.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Airport Hotel
Depart Oslo
After breakfast at the hotel, you are escorted on the short walk back to the terminal for your homebound flight.
Note: itinerary may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the captain due to weather, wildlife, sea and ice conditions, medical emergencies, and unforeseen circumstances beyond A&K’s control.
- This is a guide itinerary and can be modified to suit. It is subject to availability and price at the time of booking. Other conditions may apply -
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