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Embarking on Canada's historic first international winter cruiseEmbarking on Canada's historic first international winter cruise

Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot will undertake this world premiere itinerary, which has been years in the making.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

January 17, 2025

2 Min Read
Le Commandant Charcot is operating the historic winter cruise. At top right, Cruise the Saint Lawrence visionary René Trépanier pointing the way forward. Lower right, Ponant's José Sarica scouted the itinerary and lower left, a local news crew interviews cruise executivesPHOTOS: PONANT/JULIEN FABRO AND ANNE KALOSH

Ponant Explorations and Québec are making history today as Le Commandant Charcot embarks on Canada's first international winter cruise.

Years in the making, the voyage sets sail from the French outpost of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon off the south coast of Newfoundland and will travel along the St. Lawrence River through Québec.

Calls are scheduled at Cap-aux-Meules in Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspé, Sept-Îles, La Baie (Saguenay) and Québec City, where passengers will disembark.

Winter wonders

Winter in Québec comes replete with wonders, and passengers will get to immerse themselves fully in the culture and 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,' said René Trépanier, executive director of Cruise the Saint Lawrence, and one of the visionaries behind this new itinerary.

Five voyages

In total, Le Commandant Charcot will operate five 12- to 15-night voyages from mid-January through to early March.

Embarkation and disembarkation operations will be shared between Québec and Saint-Pierre-et Miquelon, while Saint Lawrence member ports of call will welcome visitors with multiple, specially curated shore excursions and activities designed to ensure long-to-be-remembered experiences.

Related:Winter cruises to Québec—a 'crazy' idea that's about to come true

These may include an electric assist bike adventure, a hike along the cliffs at Fatima in Îles-de-la-Madeleine, a snowshoe trek in Forillon National Park, an initiation into Mi’kmaq culture at Gaspé, an introduction to Innu traditions at Sept-Îles, an ice fishing or electric snowmobile adventure at La Baie (Saguenay) and ice skating Old Québec.

Polar Class 2 vessel

The sturdy, Polar Class 2 Le Commandant Charcot is capable of safely navigating this icy journey. It will be another in a string of firsts for this one-of-a-kind vessel.

'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,' said Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Ponant Explorations Group.

Seatrade Cruise News, which was part of the first cruise industry scouting mission for this itinerary in February 2018, sponsored by Cruise the Saint Lawrence, is aboard Le Commandant Charcot to report on the execution of this extraordinary undertaking.

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About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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