swyftal

Nov. 27, 2022 Breakfast was available at both restaurants. We had to clear out our cabin by 8AM. Guests had been assigned a bus number, and they called out each number at their designated times. We spent our time waiting for our turn in the deck 5 lounge. Since there was plenty of time before the chartered flight back to Santiago, the bus took us into Ushuaia. We had an hour to walk around in the city. We arrived at the airport more than three hours before the scheduled departure. Checking in took some time, but the security and passport checkpoints were fast. At the gate, there was a small bar/cafe and some restrooms. Just like the way here, the chartered flight back to Santiago was also serviced by LATAM on a 787-8. Meal service consisted of a choice of prosciutto salad with quinoa or salmon with potatoes. Dessert was either blueberries with yogurt or brownie chunks with dulce de leche. Today's daily program: Overall impressions of our trip will follow soon!

Nov. 25, 2022 We finished crossing the Drake overnight and were slowly cruising towards the Beagle Channel in the morning with Argentina in sight. At noon, the captain announced that the port at Ushuaia was busy and that he's been trying to get authorization to enter the channel. In the afternoon, we made it to the entrance of the Beagle Channel, where it rained for a bit. We would have to wait a few hours for a pilot to come take us through the channel. The final recap was held this afternoon with the entire expedition team. The EL went over all the locations we visited on our trip. Later, the cruise director and expedition coordinator talked about disembarkation logistics for 12/27. The evening started with the Captain's Farewell Cocktail where many of the crew were (re)introduced and thanked. This was followed by the Farewell Gala dinner. Most passengers were dressed up in suits and dresses. A pilot arrived during dinner time to take us through the Beagle Channel. Shortly after midnight, we reached Ushuaia and dropped anchor near the port since there was no space at the port for us. Tonight, we also received a comment card in our stateroom. Today's daily program: Nov. 26, 2022 In the morning, several tendering times were offered since the ship wouldn't be alongside the port until the afternoon. The crew used the lifeboats to tender. The Ushuaia excursions tendered out to the port in the early afternoon. The tour buses used looked a little tired and worn. At night, the cruise video made by the ship's videographer and photographer premiered in the theater. Today's daily program:

We spoke with the Hotel Director about the decision to leave Antarctica early. He agreed many ships sail through much harsher Drake conditions without changing their itineraries but told us to direct our feedback to either our travel agent or to Ponant customer service to see if they could compensate us somehow. Later, we stopped by again to ask for a contact at Ponant that we could talk to, and he claimed he didn't know any and that it wasn't his problem. 🙄 Nov. 23, 2022 We started off the day at Devil Island, known for its large Adelie penguin colony. There was a delay during the zodiac transfers, which seemed like it was due to sea ice blocking the landing. The rookery is set on a steep slope, and it began to snow while we were there, which made for a nice atmosphere. In the early afternoon, we headed north for the journey back to Ushuaia. There was a lecture in the afternoon about pinnipeds. We also got to visit the science lab on Deck 3. Later in the evening, we sailed past the South Shetland Islands and into the Drake Passage. At night, we received a letter detailing two Ushuaia excursion options for 12/26: a bus tour of Tierra Del Fuego National Park, or a hike in Valle De Los Lobos. Today's daily program: Nov. 24, 2022 Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US, and the daily program mentioned that the deck 9 buffet would have a special menu. However, there was some confusion about it. When we went to deck 9 for lunch and asked the waitstaff about it, they had no idea what we were referring to. Eventually, they figured out that the special menu was for dinner instead. We opted to eat dinner in the deck 5 restaurant, so we're not sure what the special menu ended up having. In the morning, there was a lecture about sea ice, and in the afternoon, there was a lecture about albatrosses. There wasn't much else on the daily program other than these two lectures - a bit surprising since we expected there'd be more things scheduled on a sea day. During the afternoon recap, the expedition team talked about several historical Antarctic expeditions and about the history of dogs in Antarctica. It ended with a song performance by one of the guides. Today's daily program:

Nov. 22, 2022 The EL originally planned for a morning excursion at Rum Cove (James Ross Island) and an afternoon excursion at Pitt Point (Antarctic Peninsula). However due to sea conditions, we ended up spending the day in Sjögren Inlet (Antarctic Peninsula). The morning excursion was a zodiac landing on a moraine next to a glacier. We were able to walk up along the moraine for a view of the glacier. In the afternoon, they offered zodiac cruises to a nearby ice floe where there were some seals and birds. Also this morning, we received our parka patches for completing the polar hike. After the afternoon excursion, our parkas and patches were collected, and the parkas were returned to us with the patches applied on. There was a briefing held by the captain and the EL before dinner. The captain broke the news that we would be cutting our trip short by a couple days due to an incoming low pressure system in the Drake Passage. He wanted to cross the Drake before sea conditions worsened. The EL announced that we would have one final excursion tomorrow morning to a colony of Adelie penguins on Devil Island before heading back to Ushuaia. We spoke with many people who felt the same way as us, disappointed and unhappy that we had to leave early and that Ponant's flagship could not handle a rough Drake Passage. Today's daily program:

Nov. 21, 2022 This morning the EL held a quick briefing to announce that the expedition team successfully reached the emperor penguin rookery! The plan was to let guests hike to a meeting point near the rookery and guides would take small groups at staggered times to the rookery to limit the number of people there at once. Guests who wanted to stay longer could return to the meeting point and join the next group. The trek was 4.8 miles roundtrip through ice and snow. On the way there, we passed by a smaller rookery of several hundred emperor penguins. When we finally made it, we were surrounded by thousands of adult and baby emperor penguins! Several adult penguins approached us, seemingly to stop us from getting any closer. After our time at the colony was up, we headed back to the meeting point for another round. But when we got there, there was no guide waiting to take us to the rookery and we were led back to the ship. We were disappointed to find out after coming back that later groups got to stay for much longer. After lunch, the EL announced that there would be an afternoon outing to the colony for anyone interested, along with the crew. Tonight was the Officers' Gala dinner. A white outfit was suggested, but most passengers wore black and white. Today's daily program: Lunch menu: Dinner menu:

Nov. 18, 2022 We woke up this morning headed towards the Antarctic Circle in a heavy fog approaching Larsen Ice Shelf. The captain and EL decided it wasn't worth continuing south in the fog, and we backtracked north into Larsen Inlet for the day. The goal was to have a landing and sea kayaking in the inlet, but the wind was quite strong. Instead, we parked in an ice floe and an afternoon free roam on the ice was offered. There were many crabeater seals and Weddell seals lounging on the ice around the ship. On the way out of the ice floe, we spotted several emperor penguins near the edge of the ice! Tonight for dinner, we cruised around in the inlet near Cape Sobral to see a nice sunset and parked in an ice floe for the night. Today's daily program: Lunch menu: Dinner menu: Nov. 19, 2022 More fog this morning in Larsen Inlet when we woke up. They made an announcement that we would be making a landing on Cape Sobral after breakfast. As we got dressed for the landing, it started lightly snowing. The zodiacs took us to the foot of a glacier. At the landing, there were several seals nearby and Antarctic terns flying around by the cliffs. We were able to hike up the glacier for a view of the inlet and the ship. With the weather worsening, the afternoon zodiac cruises were canceled. Instead we headed north through Prince Gustav Channel for a scenic dinner cruise. Today's daily program: Lunch menu: Dinner menu: Nov. 20, 2022 We woke up to the ship parked at Inoceramus Point, James Ross Island. This area was named after the bivalve fossils discovered here. This morning's excursion was a landing with a walk up a small peak. The soil was soft and rocky. Two polar hike groups got to go on a longer trek beyond the hill and onto the glacier. Lunch was "Fabulous Sunday Brunch" in the main restaurant. In the afternoon, more polar hikes and also sea kayaking were offered at Inoceramus Point. The rest of the passengers had zodiac cruises. We were on the afternoon polar hike, and they took us to check out an ice cave! At the recap, the captain and EL gave a briefing on what to expect for the second half of the cruise. The EL said that he's been hearing from guests that people would like to go back to Snow Hill Island for another attempt to reach the rookery. So tonight, the captain will sail towards the island and park at the edge of the fast ice for the night. The ship was surrounded by emperor penguins going to and from the sea as we slowly approached Snow Hill Island! Today's daily program: Dinner menu:

Lectures are scheduled everyday. Sometimes, they'll hold them twice: once in French and then again in English. Other times, they'll translate as they talk. During landings, expedition guides are stationed around, and guests are free to talk to them in either language.

Nov. 16, 2022 This morning we entered the Weddell Sea! Tabular icebergs and sea ice everywhere. We saw penguins and seals on ice floes all day. We headed into Duse Bay and parked briefly in the fast ice. The EL decided against letting us out on the ice due to there being surface water on the ice. Instead, we headed towards View Point for an afternoon landing there. After lunch, the EL held a pre-excursion briefing. Each color group was allotted 1.5 hours of ashore time. At View Point, we saw gentoo penguins and one lonely Adelie penguin. This landing was our first opportunity to step onto continental Antarctica! Today's daily program: Lunch menu: Dinner menu: Nov. 17, 2022 We woke up this morning to a wake up call by the captain over the PA to announce that we were entering pack ice shortly. When we went outside to watch, Snow Hill Island was visible starboard side! As we approached the southwestern edge of Snow Hill, the EL took off in the helicopter on a scouting mission. He came back with news of emperor penguin sightings! In the afternoon, we reached the area and disembarked onto the ice. They set up an area for us to free roam and also offered guided hikes to find emperor penguins. We were amazed by the number of emperor penguins we saw! Groups of them would emerge onto the ice from the water and wander around. Back onboard, the captain announced that we would be making an attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle and will be there in two days. Today's daily program: Lunch menu: Dinner menu:

Nov. 14, 2022 The Drake Passage has been pretty calm. There's a storm chasing us from the west, but it's not expected to affect us before we reach the Antarctic Peninsula. This morning the captain and the expedition leader gave an overview of what to expect of our itinerary and excursions. Attendance was mandatory, and they marked our names off as we entered the theater. Captain Devorsine was previously the captain of the icebreaker L'Astrolabe for many years. He joined Ponant several years ago and helped with the design of Le Commandant Charcot. Expedition Leader Ryo also has many years of experience in the polar regions. In the afternoon, we went down to Deck 3 for boot sizing and outer gear decontamination. They placed a sticker on each of our cabin keys that denoted where our boots are stored and also a color sticker for which expedition group we're part of. We visited the bridge in the afternoon and happened to spot hourglass dolphins from there. The officers were also excited! Tonight's dinner was the Gala dinner. Before dinner, there was live music with champagne and light snacks in the theater followed by an introduction by the captain. Then, he invited the department heads onstage and introduced each one. Most passengers were dressed up in suits and nice dresses. After dinner, the Gala dance was held at the deck 5 lounge. Today's daily program: Lunch menu: Dinner menu: Nov. 15, 2022 The polar hike and kayak introduction talks were held this morning. Registration for these activities opened after the talks. Also in the morning, the cruise director made a surprise announcement. The expedition team wanted to make an afternoon landing at Robert Point in the South Shetland Islands! They held a quick info session at the theater about the landing, including the departure times of each excursion group (7 groups total). Each group had one hour onshore. The zodiac ride was windy and a little bumpy. On land, we were surrounded by chinstrap and gentoo penguins. There were also a bunch of southern elephant seals lying along the beach. By the time we arrived back on the ship, it was dinner time. Tonight, there was a music and dance show in the theater. Today's daily program: Lunch menu: Dinner menu:

Nov. 12, 2022 Checking in with Ponant was on the ground floor of the hotel. They gave us a welcome letter, which included info on tomorrow morning's transfer to the airport. Later in the morning, we went to the hospitality suite on the second floor for the rapid antigen test and got our results (negative!) several minutes later. Lunch was on our own, but dinner was provided by Ponant and was a 3-course meal at the hotel restaurant. Any luggage that we wanted checked in for the flight to Ushuaia needed to be set outside our room by 10 PM. Nov. 13, 2022 The test result certificates were delivered to our door overnight. Breakfast opened at 5 AM and was buffet style. To-go bags were also available. There were six transfer buses with staggered departures between 6 AM and 6:30 AM. We were assigned bus #3, departing at 6:20 AM. They posted lists of names for each bus in the hotel lobby, and we counted 187 names. As we boarded, we were handed our flight boarding passes. The flight was serviced by LATAM. We didn't get to pick our seats - they were pre-assigned somehow. We were dropped off at the terminal and led to the passport and security checkpoints. After passing security, we headed to the gate and had some time to relax before boarding. We boarded through a jetway. A light meal (crackers, cheese, and fruit) was served on the flight, and three hours later, we arrived at USH. For the transfer to the ship, Ponant offered French speaking buses and English speaking buses. We were given a brief overview about Ushuaia during the ride to the port. The onboarding process started with a medical checkpoint where they checked our vaccination cards, verified our test results, and took our Ponant health forms. Next, we were asked if we had any dietary restrictions and then we picked up our cabin keys. Light refreshments were provided in the 5th and 9th deck lounges. At 5:15 PM was the English welcome and orientation, and then the muster drill was afterwards. After dinner, we went down to deck 3 for parka fitting. They recorded our stateroom number and parka sizes. The ship was scheduled to depart at 7 PM, but due to an unspecified mechanical issue, we didn't sail away until around 11 PM. Today's daily program: Tonight's dinner menu:

Quick update for anyone curious about the bar and detox menus in case the internet connection becomes poor. (Sorry for the blurriness!) Bar menu: Detox menu:

The app agrees with the travel docs. 🙂 It seems like the text listed the previous captain.

Being a longtime lurker, I wanted to make a contribution back to the community by doing this trip report. This will be our first time cruising with Ponant! Pre-Nov. 10, 2022 We had some struggles with Ponant's pre-cruise communications (seems like others have mentioned this in other threads too). We never received replies to any emails sent to Ponant customer service emails (including the dedicated Commandant Charcot concierge email they advertise and a US customer service email we were told to contact by Ponant's phone line). However, their phone customer service has been great! We received our travel book 2 weeks before sail date, and it contained most of the items that a Ponant Director of Business Development shared socially. However, a couple things were different: - Our travel bag doesn't have the CC monogram and is (I assume) the normal Ponant one. - It didn't come with Le Commandant Charcot pens. It also had a paper insert stating that the docs were accidentally printed with the wrong cruise dates, but our docs actually had the right dates. 😂 Nov. 10, 2022 We received the pre-departure texts from Ponant with our port information, but the captain named in the texts is different from the name stated in the travel docs. 🤷 Nov. 11, 2022 The pre-cruise hotel is the Ritz-Carlton Santiago. We decided to fly in a day early because of all the horror stories we read of flight delays and cancelations. Ponant only offered us complimentary airport to hotel transfer if we arrived tomorrow, so we opted to find our own transfer to the hotel. Hopefully we won't have trouble finding Ponant staff in the lobby tomorrow morning!

Sent you an email! 🙂

Hi, I'd like to get a referral (name and yacht club number) for my first cruise with Ponant. You can reach me at swift_masterx (at) hotmail (dot) com. Thanks!