Ponant Unveils Inuit-Led Arctic Voyages and 2028 Eclipse Cruise

Ponant Launches Inuit‑Led Greenland Voyages for 2027

Ponant Explorations is deepening its ties with Arctic communities, unveiling two new Inuit‑led Greenland expeditions co‑created with polar expertise company SEDNA for spring 2027. Sailing aboard the ice‑breaking luxury vessel Le Commandant‑Charcot, these itineraries are designed around daily life in the High Arctic, with local villagers and hunters leading guests into landscapes that are normally inaccessible to conventional expedition ships at that time of year.

The voyages build on the success of an inaugural Inuit‑partnered departure and aim to share “the true spirit of these wonderful people, masters of adaptation,” as SEDNA co‑founder Nicolas Dubreuil notes.

Two Inuit‑Led Itineraries from Nuuk

The first itinerary, Encounter with the Last Guardians of the North Pole, operates round trip from Nuuk over 13 days, departing 4 April 2027. Fares start from about AUD 27,310 per person, reflecting the highly specialised nature of the voyage and the small‑ship, ice‑capable experience aboard Le Commandant‑Charcot.

A second itinerary, Beyond the Inhabited World, also sails round trip from Nuuk over 13 days, departing 16 April 2027, with pricing from approximately AUD 32,951 per person. Guests can combine the two sailings into a 26‑day back‑to‑back expedition, with Ponant offering a 10% fare reduction on the first voyage for those booking the full program.

Immersive, Inuit‑Designed Experiences

What sets these departures apart is the degree of local leadership. Each day’s activities—dog sledding, kayaking among ice, ski touring, ice fishing, and even overnight stays in traditional Inuit tents—are designed and guided by Greenlandic hosts, who also share stories, legends and oral history during evening gatherings.

Dubreuil emphasises that “these meetings and activities are the initiative of the Greenlanders, who are fully involved in sharing their way of life,” noting how strongly guests have responded to being challenged, moved and inspired by genuine cultural exchange. The timing in April allows Le Commandant‑Charcot to push deeper into sea ice and remote communities than standard expedition ships can reach in early spring.

2028 Kimberley Solar Eclipse Voyage

Alongside its polar expansion, Ponant has also opened early sales for part of its 2028 program, including a standout itinerary in Western Australia’s Kimberley region timed to a rare total solar eclipse. The “Solar Eclipse on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast” voyage is a 10‑night sailing from Darwin to Broome aboard Le Jacques Cartier, departing 19 July 2028 and positioned for a five‑minute viewing of the 22 July total eclipse.

Guests will experience classic Kimberley highlights—towering red cliffs, tidal phenomena and remote coastal inlets—framed by one of the decade’s most anticipated astronomical events.

How to Book Ponant’s New Voyages

Ponant’s 2027 Inuit‑led Greenland itineraries and the 2028 Kimberley solar eclipse cruise are available through expedition cruise specialists and via Ponant’s own channels, with limited capacity reflecting the small‑ship, high‑touch style of these journeys. Early booking is strongly recommended for travellers keen on securing specific cabin categories or combining the back‑to‑back Arctic voyages.

Would you be more tempted by the Inuit‑led Greenland expeditions in early spring, or by watching a total solar eclipse from a yacht off the Kimberley coast?