Live from Le Commandant Charcot - The Ross Sea 2022

[Sitti]

I've got to use my parka for the first time today going out on deck taking pictures. I now think I like this new design and color better. It's like a redesigned car. At first you may not like it but it then starts to grow on you

 

Unfortunately today's landing around Charcot Island was cancelled due to weather. We're now heading to Peter 1st Island for tomorrow. Most likely there won't be any landing there either. Good thing that we have many days ahead. 

[Sitti]

So far, I'm really impressed with the level services and attentions to details. Even though this is only 4th cruise, Ponant wins top position of my list by a big margin. It's been only 3 or 4 days, I was really surprised today that some of staffs at the restaurants are already calling me by my surname. 

[Sitti]

 

 

[Sitti]

Pics of Bridge

[Sitti]

On 2/20/2022 at 7:01 AM, schnapperin said:

would you mind sharing a menu at some point to see if there is any difference to the other cruises? 

You're talking about the bar menu right? I remember seeing lengthy discussion about drinks

 

[schnapperin]

Thanks for the bar menu - I did mean a normal dinner menu 

 

 

[Sitti]

8 hours ago, schnapperin said:

Thanks for the bar menu - I did mean a normal dinner menu 

 

 

No problem. Today's dinner menu can be checked from the app.

[Sitti]

Oh sorry, just noticed previous attachment was unreadable. Trying again. 

[Sitti]

Haven't posted updates for a while now. Here are pics of Peter 1st Island from a few days ago.

[Sitti]

Killer Whales. I believe this was couple days ago.

[Sitti]

Siple Island, yesterday

[Sitti]

We were planning on landing on ice, but ice wasn't strong enough and it was cracking. Some passengers were able to land only briefly and they were called back to the ship. Unfortunately, I was one of unlucky passengers who didn't get to step on the ice at all😔 Later they switched to Zodiac cruise. At lease our boat was able to meet couple nice Penguins welcoming us.

[Sitti]

Video of helicopter taking off from the ship. Sorry for not so good video. Didn't turn out to be what I was expecting. Had to stand there for nearly an hour, hand held phone with freezing hands under sub zero wind. Didn't have time to get my real camera and wear something warmer.

 

 

[Sitti]

Gala Night today. 

 

[Sitti]

We are now at the Ross Sea and have just made the world record. 

 

Big Congratulations to Ponant,  and crews of Le Commandant Charcot!!

 

 

And big THANK YOU to our captain.

 

I'll post good photos from real cameras later

[Sitti]

Glad to be here to witness the moment

[Sitti]

Celebrate with special lunch buffet

[parischris]

Congratulations Sitti. You'll have a story to tell - the furthest distance south on a ship named after a great French explorer, with a famous modern day French explorer for your captain. I've been on expeditions with him twice now - the first one was a similar achievement in the Arctic on Le Boreal. He's a great mariner and a very popular captain with his crew(s). 

[Sitti]

Great news!! There has been quite a big change in itinerary. We're going to spend 3 days in Peninsula for whole day activities. Captain is going to make up for things we'd missed due to weather. So far we've had 2 zodiacs, and 1 ice landing attempt which the ice cracked and had to called it off. This voyage was the first attemp to go this far, and it was to be expected that things wouldn't go exactly according to plan. Because of things didn't go according to plan, looks like we will end up getting more out of this voyage. 3 days ago after we'd made it to the furthest point, we actually went further west and we were able to see the historical sites mainly Scott's Hut. Unfortunately, we couldn't legally land and see it closely because it requires special permits. (Will upload picture of it tomorrow). Now, from Ross Sea, we get to go all the way to Peninsula for 3 days😁. On the way, if weather allows, captain is going to attempt another ice landing.

[Sitti]

Couple days ago, had a chance to see this really beautiful sunrise.

 

Oh and there was also 1 zodiac landing attempt on the way to historical sites.

[Sitti]

And we received this

Edited March 3, 2022 by Sitti

[jpalbny]

That's awesome. We've only been to 66-something south, and even there, Antarctica is spectacular. Would be so exciting to get that much further south! And on such a beautiful ship. 

[Sitti]

[AdrienH]

Thank you for the sharing of the beautiful photos.
I am embarking in 1,5 hour on L’Austral and can’t wait to experience a part of your Antarctica journey on board that amazing vessel.
Maybe we might pass each other as you are coming up North now?😜

[Sitti]

Yes we are on our way up to Southern part of Peninsula. 

 

Something amazing happened today. On the way, we found large ice about 2 miles wide in the middle of ocean, and captain decided to land on it. This time, it was successful!! Normally, such landing is done by the land, not out in the ocean far from land like this. We were very lucky today we had a chance to experience very rare landing. THANK YOU CAPTAIN🙏

 

And there was a penguin came toward our group lol

 

Enjoy your trip AdrienH