Michelin stars and icebergs: Inside Ponant’s Antarctic dining experience
By BRANDVOICE
The ultra-exclusive luxury adventure of a lifetime has Emperor Penguins, Alain Ducasse, and icebergs aplenty.
BRANDVOICE – SPECIAL FEATURE
In the exclusive world of luxury small-ship exploration, Ponant is a force majeure. The French cruise line consistently sets new benchmarks for high-end expedition travel. With Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker, Ponant delivers immersive polar adventures no other vessel can provide.
Ponant has broken new gastronomic ground with Le Commandant Charcot, which boasts the first and only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea. This unprecedented collaboration with one of the world’s most revered chefs brings French haute cuisine to the world’s far-flung corners.
Le Commandant Charcot is designed for remote polar exploration. With cutting-edge ice navigation capabilities, the ship grants guests privileged access to the Arctic and Antarctic’s most extreme and remote regions, from the geographic North Pole to the farthest reaches of the Ross Sea.
Guests retire in spacious staterooms and suites with private balconies and terraces, complemented by world-class personalised service. The ship boasts three restaurants, several bars, an indoor pool, gym, wellness centre, hair salon, Biologique Recherche spa, Scandinavian-inspired sauna, and snow room.
Low-impact design, research collaborations, and initiatives that minimise the vessel’s environmental footprint reflect Ponant’s dedication to eco-responsibility. Every detail of Le Commandant Charcot speaks to the company’s vision of matching luxury and adventure with innovation and sustainability.
There’s never a dull moment with once-in-a-lifetime excursions from Zodiac cruising to snowshoeing in Antarctica and polar diving to dogsledding in the Arctic. Aboard the only commercial vessel that can navigate through heavy drift ice into the Southern reaches of the Weddell Sea, guests can explore ultra-remote Snow Hill Island, walking the ice fields that are home to the Emperor, Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguin colonies, approaching these magnificent birds within as close as five metres*.
“Our exclusive departures offer more than just observation,” says Ryo Ijichi, Antarctica Expedition Leader at Ponant. “They provide an immersive, authentic polar expedition. Guests have the privileged opportunity to encounter these colonies in person, venturing into an area inaccessible to other vessels”.
The Ducasse effect
With its trailblazing luxury icebreaker, Ponant has created a cruise experience that takes its food as seriously as its seafaring. The vessel’s three restaurants are all named in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit people of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Nuna (“the earth”) offers an à la carte French-inspired menu designed with Alain Ducasse. Sila (“the sky”) is the main dining venue, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lastly, Inneq (“the fire”) is an outdoor bar and grill. There’s also 24-hour room service for peckish passengers.
“The culinary team deploy all menus for the delight of our guests,” says Sylvain, Hotel Operations Director. “Going to local markets, when possible, we incorporate regional flavours and ingredients. The dining experience becomes a narrative extension of the voyage, ensuring that each meal satisfies our guests’ palates and enriches their overall expedition experience.”
Renowned for his innovative approach to French cuisine, Alain Ducasse is one of the most decorated chefs in history. He has earned 21 Michelin stars throughout his storied career and was the first chef to hold three stars simultaneously at three different establishments.
With Nuna, Ponant and Ducasse have created an unmatched culinary jewel. This first-of-its-kind concept offers contemporary French gastronomy in a novel and dynamic environment, blending Ducasse’s culinary mastery with majestic surroundings to surpass the expectations of discerning travellers.
“To go where others do not go – in the geographical sense,” says Jérôme Lacressonnière, Director at Ducasse Conseil, an arm of Alain Ducasse’s empire. “But also, in the gastronomic sense. This experience is unique: never before has the French art of living been so far-reaching, and we are very proud to contribute to it with Ponant.”
It took meticulous planning to ensure that Nuna delivers the same uncompromising commitment to excellence as Alain Ducasse’s suite of restaurants. Chefs and floor staff trained at several of Ducasse’s Michelin-starred establishments receive biannual training to refresh skills, introduce new recipes, and guarantee that every Nuna diner experiences the maestro’s renowned artistry.
“To reproduce the standards set by Alain Ducasse’s land-based establishments,” says Sylvain, “Ponant and Ducasse Conseil have carefully developed Nuna’s culinary identity.”
Fine dining is about storytelling, and the team at Nuna masterfully weaves the voyage experience into each dish, connecting guests to the polar surroundings through the senses. From gourmet breakfasts to multi-course dinners, Nuna’s menus are designed to fuel body and spirit.
“Signature dishes reflect the spirit of polar exploration,” says Sylvain. “I must recommend the ‘Corn-fed chicken and lobster fricassee, wild mushrooms with Château-Chalon,’ a harmonious mix of sea and land, just like our journeys.”
Beyond the cuisine, Nuna’s interiors and ambience help tell the story, epitomising extreme luxury, exclusivity, and adventure. With expansive windows framing spectacular views, the dining experience is as much about the milieu as the menu.
“Nuna’s design has been crafted to reflect the perfect harmony between French art de vivre and the exclusivity of Le Commandant Charcot. The elegant decor complements the surrounding polar landscapes, where diners may glimpse icebergs and wildlife as they eat.”
A vocal advocate for sustainable gastronomy, Alain Ducasse has met his match with Ponant. Through responsible sourcing and a focus on plant-based cuisine, the Nuna team ensure that luxury dining at sea aligns with environmental responsibility.
Le Commandant Charcot pushes the boundaries of luxury maritime travel in delicious and delightful ways. For those seeking the ultimate adventure, Ponant promises an unforgettable gastronomic odyssey to the ends of the earth.
Visit au.ponant.com for more information.
*Le Commandant Charcot will return to Antarctica for the 2025 /26 season, setting the stage for exclusive Antarctic adventures, including encounters with the majestic Emperor Penguin colonies of Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea. The world’s only luxury icebreaker will then embark on her 2026/27 Arctic season, exploring the Far North, including Greenland and the North Pole, as well as Northern Europe and Scandinavia. ^Always strictly adhering to IAATO guidelines.