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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Gulf of Bothnia, at the Gateway to the Arctic – Luxury Expedition

The Gulf of Bothnia, at the Gateway to the Arctic – Luxury Expedition

From AUD $16,410

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Description

It’s raining stars in our bed. This sensitive evocation of the Arctic night, which is the title of Scandinavian poetry collection, invites us to the best seats in the house to watch the union between the vault of heaven and the earth’s crust, beneath a multitude of stars. In the delicious comfort of Le Commandant Charcot, experience winter at the gateway to the Arctic, admire the spectacle of the Gulf of Bothnia, between enchanted landscapes and traditions, and from the Stockholm Archipelago discover a magical world in half-light. Experience the period of Kaamos, the polar night, during which luminosity is reduced to a twilight of 4 to 5 hours per day, representing everyday life for the local population.

Trip Name
The Gulf of Bothnia, at the Gateway to the Arctic - Luxury Expedition
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Luxury Expedition Passenger Capacity: 135 cabins Length: 149.9 meters Built: 2018/2019 Le Commandant Charcot is a purpose-built polar exploration vessel engineered for extreme environments, operating with a hybrid electric–LNG system that reduces noise, vibration and emissions while pushing deeper into ice than conventional ships. Interior spaces follow a restrained, insulated design philosophy that supports comfort in high-latitude conditions: multiple lounges, refined dining rooms, theatre, boutique and extensive wellness areas arranged to maintain warmth, calm and controlled movement throughout the ship. Accommodation spans 123 staterooms and suites, all with balconies, with upper-tier suites extending up to 115 m². The vessel integrates dedicated scientific infrastructure into its core layout, including laboratories and working spaces that support ongoing polar research. Field operations and environmental systems are engineered from the ground up for low-impact navigation, aligning with the ship’s mandate to access remote polar areas responsibly. A full virtual deck plan and live bow-mounted webcam reinforce the ship’s emphasis on landscape immersion and transparency of experience. Read About Our Experience on Board Le Commandant Charcot It’s All About the Destination… And This Ship  

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Helsinki
Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical centre where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialities like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the centre, is a good place to sit and unwind.
Day 2 - Days 2 - 3 - Stockholm
The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centres: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.
Day 3 - Day 4 - Rauma
Stretching for 500 km (310 miles), the western coast of Finland is dotted with historic towns founded at the height of the Swedish Empire. Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tells part of this exciting history. The old town is built around a Franciscan monastery, the remains of which are the Church of The Holy Cross dating back to the middle of the 15th century. Stroll the streets and alleyways of this medieval city and discover an exceptionally well-preserved example of traditional Nordic wood construction techniques. At the Marela Museum, a fine ship-owner’s home, you will dive into the town’s maritime and industrial history and be able to immerse yourselves in the day-to-day life of a wealthy 19th-century merchant.
Day 4 - Day 5 - At sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot
Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.
Day 5 - Day 6 - Lulea
Tucked away at the back of the Gulf of Bothnia, Lulea is the perfect departure point for exploring Swedish Lapland. Among the excursion opportunities, you will be able to go deep into the forest on a snowmobile or on snowshoes to attempt to glimpse a moose or a black grouse. Unless, of course, you would prefer to enjoy some ice fishing on a frozen lake. The Lappish night often offers an unforgettable spectacle of stars. In Gammelstad, discover the best-preserved example of a unique type of settlement found in northern Scandinavia, the church-town. Wander through the alleyways of the old town by lantern light and observe its 424 brick-red houses constructed around the stone church, which dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. Used in the past on days of worship and on religious holidays by the faithful arriving from the surrounding countryside, they are still used today as pieds-à-terre by families during ecclesiastical events. 
Day 6 - Day 7 - Oulu
The bells are ringing, the snowflakes are whirling around in the air and the lights are illuminating the charming city of Oulu - the largest town in the north of Scandinavia, located 150 km (93 miles) from the Arctic Circle. On the edge of the Oulujoki River, the market square (Kauppatori) will tempt you with its stalls. The wooden houses that are home to cafés and restaurants make for reassuring refuges. Around you, the white kingdom awaits, with its snow-covered beaches and the promise of fabulous sunsets. Choose to go snowshoeing or on a nature excursion and become aware that you are breathing the purest air in Europe. Enter the tranquillity of the forest and familiarise yourself with Scandinavia’s emblematic animal, the reindeer, of course, during a visit to a farm.
Day 7 - Days 8 - 9 - Kemi
Kemi reveals itself in the Gulf of Bothnia as, from the snow-covered shores of Finnish Lapland, you enjoy the pleasures of winter. The ephemeral snow castle will welcome you in an enchanted icy setting, and the bracing air will take hold of you during a snowmobile outing or a sled trip, pulled by huskies or reindeer – your choice. Around a hundred kilometres (60 miles) towards the North, on the mythical line of the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi offers a magical discovery from a child’s eye view. In the heart of these preserved landscapes, the Scandinavian culture has been forged since the Stone Age, between the History and the traditions of the people of the Far North.
Day 8 - Please note:
The itinerary may be altered based on port approvals and to comply with applicable government regulations  Please also note that the sailing programme, shore visits and activities cannot be guaranteed, as they are subject to weather conditions.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $17,120Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $17,430Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $38,230Duplex Suite
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $59,690Owner's Suite
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $17,740Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $18,220Deluxe Suite Deck 6
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $19,000Deluxe Suite Deck 7
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $19,630Deluxe Suite Deck 8
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $24,940Prestige Suite Deck 7
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $25,720Prestige Suite Deck 8
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $26,500Grand Prestige Suite
22-12-202630-12-2026AUD $28,060Privilege Suite Deck 8
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $16,780Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $17,080Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $17,390Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $17,840Deluxe Suite Deck 6
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $18,610Deluxe Suite Deck 7
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $19,210Deluxe Suite Deck 8
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $24,400Prestige Suite Deck 7
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $25,160Prestige Suite Deck 8
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $25,930Grand Prestige Suite
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $27,460Privilege Suite Deck 8
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $37,370Duplex Suite
30-12-202607-01-2027AUD $62,330Owner's Suite
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $16,410Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $16,710Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $17,010Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $17,460Deluxe Suite Deck 6
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $18,200Deluxe Suite Deck 7
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $18,800Deluxe Suite Deck 8
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $23,880Prestige Suite Deck 7
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $24,620Prestige Suite Deck 8
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $25,360Grand Prestige Suite
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $26,850Privilege Suite Deck 8
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $36,560Duplex Suite
07-01-202715-01-2027AUD $57,040Owner's Suite
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $17,970Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $18,310Prestige Stateroom Deck 7
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $18,630Prestige Stateroom Deck 8
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $19,140Deluxe Suite Deck 6
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $19,950Deluxe Suite Deck 7
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $20,610Deluxe Suite Deck 8
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $26,220Prestige Suite Deck 7
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $27,040Prestige Suite Deck 8
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $27,870Grand Prestige Suite
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $29,520Privilege Suite Deck 8
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $40,230Duplex Suite
15-01-202723-01-2027AUD $62,880Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • A PONANT Explorations journey in the Gulf of Bothnia in the heart of the splendid northern winter, featuring singular history and stunning natural landscapes.
    • Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a luxurious and reassuring cocoon opening out onto the exterior, take the time to observe unique landscapes, in particular during a scenic sail among the skerries off the coast of Stockholm.
    • The snow-covered landscapes of Swedish and Finnish Lapland, to the north of the Gulf of Bothnia.
    • Enjoy winter activities (snowshoeing, dogsledding or reindeer sledding, ice fishing, etc.) thanks to a selection curated by our destination experts.
    • Discover the wonderland of the Scandinavian towns illuminated for the winter.
    • Towns with exceptional heritage: the old town of Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the church-town of Gammeltad (visiting from Lulea); and the neoclassical city of Oulu.

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