Day 1 - Thursday - Mar 6, 2025
| St Pierre, France |
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Depart: 18:00:00 |
Off the Canadian coast, discover Saint Pierre Island, one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, the only French territory in North America. Endowed with a natural harbour, the island, whose name is a reference to the patron saint of fishermen, developed around the fishing industry and still has many traces of its past today. Whale hunting, cod fishing, alcohol smuggling during the Prohibition: all of these memories are still very much alive in the capital of Saint-Pierre. The island is also renowned for the observation of exceptional fauna including, among others, whales, fin whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and petrels.
Day 2 - Friday - Mar 7, 2025
Spend exceptional moments sailing onboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world's first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans that the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 3 - Saturday - Mar 8, 2025
Scattered through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands offer a variety of extraordinary landscapes, between captivating drifting ice floe, tall red sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches covered with an immaculate coat, and snow-covered valleys. Here, winter really is a special season, a time of contrasts and mysteries. The icy winds intertwine with the softness of the salty air, and the colorful houses, dressed in their finest attire, stand bravely in this enchanting scenery. In these distant lands, you will be plunged into Acadian culture, discover ancestral traditions here, and have the chance to explore the unique landscapes on hikes or snowshoe walks along the icy shores.
Day 4 - Sunday - Mar 9, 2025
In the glacial darkness of the Canadian winter, Gaspe stands proud like a preserved and authentic jewel at the edge of the dark waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Nature seems to be holding its breath. The captivating Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest point of the Chic-Choc Mountains range and the South, is dressed with an immaculate coat of snow, while the frozen rivers slowly wind their way, fixing time in their icy embrace. During a snowshoe walk, fall in love with the captivating landscapes of the L'Anse-au-Griffon Valley, right in the heart of the Forillon National Park. Then, in Perce, opposite the famous eponymous Rock, dive into the natural beauty of the "magic forest", where thousands of conifers decked out in an immaculate white cloak are like silent guardians watching over this isolated piece of land. You may also fall in love with this charming town, where the exciting history and the conviviality of the locals come together in a delightful blend.
Day 5 - Monday - Mar 10, 2025
| Cruising the Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada |
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In the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the waters are still partially frozen but the ice break-up has begun. The broken-up ice makes for a fascinating spectacle, forming shapes that seem to be dancing across the waves. You will sail in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, following in the footsteps of Jacques Cartier, who reached it during his first voyage in 1534. From the bridge, if luck is on your side, you will contemplate the seals and belugas that populate the region during this season. In the distance, the boreal forests, their peaks whitened by the last snow, offer you the idealized image of this piece of Canada. A moment of indescribable magic.
Day 6 - Tuesday - Mar 11, 2025
At the mouth of the Humber River, on the Bay of Islands, you will discover the port of Corner Brook, surrounded by mountains. A thick layer of snow covers the hillsides that will welcome you, in their ski resort, for winter activities in a splendid setting. On the legendary island of Newfoundland, visit the territory by going snowshoeing or on a ski or snowboard trip at the renowned Marble Mountain Ski Resort. Or, you could just decide to wander the streets of this authentic Newfoundland town and discover its history.
Day 7 - Wednesday - Mar 12, 2025
| Cruising the Strait of Belle Isle, Canada |
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Sailing the Strait of Belle Isle will guarantee a moment of intense emotion. Your ship will enter this waterway, which separates Newfoundland from the North American continent, while the ice break-up is only just beginning its cycle. From the bridge, if the ice is still present, you will perhaps observe the Greenland seals which populate these waters dotted with fragments of ice floe, aiming to breed there. Time stands still, a magical spell is cast.
Day 8 - Thursday - Mar 13, 2025
Spend exceptional moments sailing onboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world's first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans that the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 9 - Friday - Mar 14, 2025
Follow the Davis Strait currents and Qaqortoq, the largest town in southern Greenland, reveals itself in a rocky setting covered in immaculate white. The winter is slowly slipping away but the ice is still very present, providing a marvelous decor for the rare travelers exploring this place at this time of year. This charming fishing port, nestling within the fjord, can be seen from afar, with its delightful, brightly-colored houses built upon the hillsides. During a hike, you will wander around the streets of the town center, where you will recognize the Danish influences; it is home to numerous historical monuments, such as the country's famous and oldest fountain, topped with whales. One of the uncontested highlights of this port of call will involve meeting the local community and discovering their spring traditions during a day of sharing.
Day 10 - Saturday - Mar 15, 2025
At winter's end, venture to the ice-covered shores of the Inuit village of Narsaq. The pioneering spirit and a taste for exploration will posses you as you progress towards this small, typically Greenlander commune. Nestling in the heart of majestic scenery, it will welcome you in a setting dominated by snowy mountains. The multicolored facades of the houses offer a magical decor and will fill you with wonderment. You will visit the village, partake in polar treks, and enjoy local performances, all of which will enable you to discover how these inhabitants live at the end of winter and help you absorb the Greenlandic philosophy.
Day 11 - Sunday - Mar 16, 2025
Day 12 - Monday - Mar 17, 2025
In the Greenlandic municipality of Kujalleq, you will explore the Inuit village of Nanortalik. A few hundred kilometers from the southern tip of Greenland, it is one of the island's southernmost locations. Fishing is the main economic resource for its inhabitants, with whom you will be able to share an unforgettable moment. While a coat of snow still covers the landscapes, enjoy winter activities and discover Inuit traditions.
Day 13 - Tuesday - Mar 18, 2025
| Cruising Cape Farewell, Greenland |
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At the southern tip of Greenland, where the North Atlantic Ocean and the Labrador Sea meet, sail in the heart of the Cape Farewell passage. The waves crash against the stem of the ship as you advance in the waters of the Far North. Observing cetaceans and admiring the southern lands on the horizon will be a highlight of your trip.
Day 14 - Wednesday - Mar 19, 2025
Spend exceptional moments sailing onboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world's first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans that the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 15 - Thursday - Mar 20, 2025
Day 16 - Friday - Mar 21, 2025
Iceland's capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the "Pearl of Reykjavik", a museum located on Oskjuhlid hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrimskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skolavordustigur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
