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Ponant’s long-awaited vessel, Le Commandant
Charcot is a real game changer in the adventure
cruise market, especially when it comes to
the polar regions, since it can go further than
any other passenger ship. Its Polar Class 2 hull
enables it to press on through ice.
But with that quality comes responsibility
— it can run for six weeks purely on LNG, is
partially electric-powered, meaning it can
switch off the engines for zero noise pollution
in remote or wildlife-heavy areas, has sealife
detectors and doesn’t need to drop anchor.
Ponant’s Geographic North Pole trip will be
the star attraction. Embarking at Spitsbergen,
the ship will dodge ice floes as it steers towards
the North Pole, 435 miles away from inhabited
land — the only living things you’re likely to see
are whales, seals, polar bears and Arctic birds.
Ponant offers a 1 6-day Geographical North Pole
journey from £29, 660 per person, including
return flights from Paris to Longyearbyen,
all food and most drinks, minibar, 2 4/7 room
service, and all scheduled activities. Departs
8, 23 July and 7 , 22 August 2 022. ponant.com
G Adventures saw a gap in the busy Galápagos
market for a vessel that was more upmarket
than others, but catered to solo travellers, too.
Enter the Reina Silvia Voyager, which debuted
in April. Two of its nine cabins are singles:
they’re in prime upper deck positions with a
balcony for each. It’s a small, nimble craft but
the onboard kayaks and Zodiacs mean that
you can get even closer to the wildlife once
you hop off.
On the eight-day Central and Eastern Islands
itinerary, you’ll take in some Galápagos classics
— the sea lions on San Cristóbal, iguanas on
Santa Fé and red-footed boobies at Genovesa’s
Darwin Bay. There are guided walks aplenty,
whether that’s through wildlife colonies or
to dramatic volcanic formations, and you’ll
also get lots of free time for swimming or
snorkelling, or simply watching the sunset from
your balcony or the top deck of the boat.
G Adventures offers an eight-day Galápagos
— Central and East Islands cruise on the Reina
Silvia Voyager from £3,289, including all meals,
landings and excursions, a certified Galápagos
National Park Service guide, and use of wetsuits
and snorkelling equipment. Excludes flights.
Departs 12, 26 August 2 022, with further
departures in 2022 and 2023. gadventures.com
EXPLORERS
SOLO TRAVELLERS
BEST FOR
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JUL/AUG 2022 161
