Life
Appetite For Adventure With French Luxury Cruise Line Ponant
Exploring the farthest reaches of the globe has never been more delicious than with French luxury cruise line Ponant.
Imagine sailing the polar reaches in unparalleled elegance, experiencing the last moments of the far northern winter off the coast of Greenland. Jagged peaks peer down over majestic fjords and drifting ice floes.
From your dinner table, these extraordinary vistas are backdrops to gastronomic delights inspired by the creative mind of Alain Ducasse – pasta with caviar in a creamy vodka sauce, or veal tenderloin with black truffle perhaps. Such extravagance, of course, is yours to indulge in every day aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker.
This groundbreaking polar exploration vessel has transformed the world of expeditionary cruising. With itineraries taking guests into some of the world’s most remote and extreme regions in peerless comfort and style, Le Commandant Charcot is in a class of its own – especially so with the pedigree of dining that Ponant has brought to the table, who with Alain Ducasse and Ducasse Conseil has curated exceptional culinary experiences across its entire fleet since 2015.
AT THE ADVENTURER'S TABLE WITH ALAIN DUCASSE
The menu of Le Commandant Charcot’s signature restaurant Nuna (meaning ‘the earth’) is a journey in its own right. Positioned at the rear of Deck 5 and able to seat all passengers in a single service, this a la carte restaurant emphasises sustainably-sourced ingredients of the highest quality. Plant-based dishes are a highlight, crafted with the same elevated vision as the diverse, ever-evolving meat and seafood offerings.
Given the nature of expeditionary cruises through the far-flung polar regions, menus are thoughtfully planned in advance, with every ingredient carefully sourced, stored and prepared with precision. For Ducasse, this is not considered a challenge – rather, it is an opportunity to be extra-mindful about how best to present food at its seasonal peak and ultimate freshness.
Executive chef Benjamin Mathiou ensures the consistency and quality of the meals aboard. No mean feat, with approximately 1,200 dishes prepared each day for guests and crew and some itineraries stretching for months. In much the same manner as gastronomy itself, the menus are where art and science come into mouthwatering alignment for the delight of the senses, in the fashion of true French cuisine.
Such is the fastidious of the food preparation, kitchen operations are adapted around weather conditions, to ensure the integrity of the fine dining experience is not compromised by rough seas and other elemental factors. Indeed, Mathiou, with fellow executive chef Florent Dellartrie, see that every meal is photographed and shared with Ponant’s French headquarters, affirming the highest standards of quality control. It’s fine dining without compromise, executed with proficiency and passion, testament to the spirit of authentic French hospitality.
OUTSTANDING DISHES AND DESTINATIONS
Besides Nuna, guests aboard Le Commandant Charcot can also enjoy the relaxed elegance of Sila (meaning ‘the sky’), the main dining venue, and Inneq (‘the fire’), where an outdoor grill invites guests to savour international comfort food enveloped in the sensory splendour of the polar surrounds. Highlights include beef gravlax marinated in 10-year-old whisky, lobster thermidor stuffed with bread and cheese, and a vanilla mousse with shortbread and drizzled sauce (aptly named ‘100% vanilla’).
These are dining experiences as astounding as the destinations Le Commandant Charcot transports you to: flavours to relish, in unforgettable environments, accompanied by expert wine pairings and the impeccable service one expects from the finest of French establishments. Nuna even allows a window onto crew operations, with the second bridge visible through glass at the rear of the restaurant.
Whether sailing through the boreal regions to the geographic North Pole, visiting the Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea, or meeting Inuit communities as spring warms the icy landscapes of Ammassalik, Ponant proves that exploration and elegance can be fellow travellers in the search for lesser-explored horizons. Retrace the journeys of the vessel’s namesake Jean Baptiste Charcot, or half-circumnavigate Antarctica: the choice is yours.
To be sure, there is no equivalent upon the waters of the world to what Ponant has created with Le Commandant Charcot and its culinary accomplishment. For discerning explorers and gourmands seeking the thrill that genuine maritime adventure holds, a Ponant expedition ticks boxes others simply can’t – all with the quintessential character and esprit that made France one of the great naval nations in world history.
“Rester, c’est exister, mais voyager, c’est vivre,” said composer-poet Gustave Nadaud: “To be, is to exist, but to travel, is to live.” For your next adventure abroad, live extravagantly with Ponant, and break the ice of the path less travelled aboard Le Commandant Charcot.
The far reaches and fine flavours of the world await your delectation – call 1300 737 178 or visit au.ponant.com and plan your journey to the ends of the earth today.