Baltic Bliss & Winter Wonders

The cruise fare includes:

• Nine nights’ accommodation aboard Le Commandant Charcot in the selected stateroom or suite
• Full-board dining from dinner on embarkation day until breakfast on disembarkation day
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard
• Morning refreshments, afternoon tea and selected snacks outside normal meal times
• Open Bar throughout the voyage, including selected water, soft drinks, wines, beers, champagne, spirits, coffee and tea
• Selected minibar and room-service beverages
• 24-hour room service
• Unlimited onboard Wi-Fi, subject to satellite coverage
• One included excursion or activity per guest at each eligible port of call, selected from the available programme
• Conferences, cultural presentations, events, shows and entertainment
• Access to the ship’s lounges and public areas
• Access to the fitness centre, spa facilities, sauna or steam-room facilities and snow cabin
• Access to the indoor swimming pool and Blue Lagoon
• Butler service in selected suite categories
• Port taxes

Examples of included excursion themes listed for this sailing include:

• A Chopin concert
• Art and architecture in Riga
• Tallinn’s Gothic heritage

Excursions are subject to availability, capacity and operating conditions. The final programme is normally communicated closer to departure.

Unless specifically confirmed in your booking, the following are not included:

• Flights to and from Helsinki
• Airport-to-port and port-to-airport transfers
• Pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel accommodation
• Optional paid excursions and private tours
• Premium alcoholic beverages identified separately on the onboard menu
• Spa treatments, massages, beauty treatments and hairdressing
• Private fitness sessions
• Laundry and ironing services
• Boutique purchases and professional photographs
• Passport, visa and entry-formality costs
• Travel insurance
• Medical consultations, medication and treatment onboard
• Personal expenses
• Discretionary gratuities
• Any product or service not specifically identified as included

PONANT currently advertises a complimentary additional night in Helsinki for eligible new bookings on selected Le Commandant Charcot voyages. This is a promotional offer rather than a standard cruise inclusion and must be confirmed at the time of booking.

Cruise Departure Point

The cruise begins and ends in Helsinki, Finland.

The current Port of Helsinki schedule lists Le Commandant Charcot at the Hernesaari LHD cruise berth for embarkation on 24 November 2026. Final terminal details and boarding instructions will be provided in the passenger’s official travel documents.

Travelling from Dubai

Emirates is scheduled to operate a daily nonstop Dubai–Helsinki service from 1 October 2026.

The published schedule is:

• Dubai departure: 8:45 AM
• Helsinki arrival: 2:55 PM
• Approximate flying time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Because the ship is scheduled to depart at 6:00 PM, arriving on the afternoon of embarkation would leave very limited time for immigration, baggage collection and the port transfer.

Guests travelling from the UAE should plan to arrive in Helsinki at least one day before the cruise, ideally on 23 November 2026.

For the return journey:

• Helsinki departure: 4:45 PM
• Dubai arrival: 12:20 AM the following day

Flight schedules remain subject to change and should be reconfirmed before ticketing.

Airport to Helsinki and the Port

Helsinki Airport is approximately 20 kilometres from the city centre.

• Airport to city centre by train: approximately 30 minutes
• Airport to central Helsinki by car: approximately 30 minutes
• Airport to Hernesaari cruise harbour by private transfer: allow approximately 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic

Accommodation

Guests spend nine nights aboard Le Commandant Charcot, PONANT’s hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel.

The ship accommodates a maximum of 245 guests in 123 staterooms and suites, supported by approximately 215 crew members.

Accommodation categories available on this sailing include:

• Lower Deck Balcony Stateroom – 20 m²
• Upper Deck Balcony Stateroom – 20 m²
• Deluxe Suite – 28 m²
• Prestige Suite – 40 m²
• Grand Suite – 42 m²
• Privilege Suite – 48 m²
• Duplex Suite – 94 m²
• Owner’s Suite – 115 m²

All staterooms and suites feature refined interiors and private outdoor space. Butler service is available in selected higher-suite categories.

Dining

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included onboard.

Breakfast is generally available buffet-style or through in-stateroom service. Lunch may be served buffet-style, while dinner includes an à-la-carte gourmet option and a more informal alternative.

Le Commandant Charcot features Nuna, the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea, offering contemporary French fine dining.

Additional culinary experiences may include:

• Fresh bread and pastries prepared onboard
• Gourmet afternoon tea
• Destination-inspired dishes
• Selected premium products
• All-day sweet and savoury options at the Inneq outdoor bar
• 24-hour room-service menu

Dietary requirements should be advised when booking.

Late November and early December can be cold, wet and windy around the Baltic. Guests should bring:

• Thermal base layers
• Warm shirts, sweaters or fleece jackets
• A well-insulated winter coat
• Waterproof outerwear
• Comfortable waterproof walking shoes or boots with good grip
• Warm socks
• Gloves
• A warm hat
• Scarf or neck warmer
• Compact umbrella
• Sunglasses
• Moisturiser and lip balm
• Small day bag or waterproof backpack
• Camera and portable charger
• Prescription medication
• Copies of passports, insurance and important travel documents

For evenings onboard:

• Smart-casual clothing
• Elegant or cocktail attire for gala evenings
• White or black-and-white clothing for the Officers’ evening, where requested

Shorts and Bermuda shorts are not permitted during evening service in the gourmet restaurant.

A polar parka and expedition boots should not be advertised as included for this voyage unless specifically confirmed by PONANT, as this is a Timeless cultural cruise rather than a published polar expedition programme.