PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), an independent ocean science organization, announced a three-year partnership advancing ocean research and education.
The collaboration gives cruise guests a front-row seat to cutting-edge ocean research while traveling aboard PONANT’s adventurous vessels, including the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot.
Luxury Exploration & Scientific Discovery
Through this alliance, WHOI scientists and graduate students will join select PONANT EXPEDITIONS voyages to conduct fieldwork, test emerging technologies and share their expertise with guests through interactive programming. The partnership also includes grant funding to support WHOI’s polar research and educational campaigns, including a soon-to-be-announced symposium at sea highlighting ocean conservation.
The first expedition under this collaboration sets sail on Oct. 31, 2025, on the Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea journey in Antarctica. Onboard will be WHOI-MIT Joint Program graduate students Caroline Needell and Bailey Fluegel, guided by WHOI glaciologist Dr. Catherine Walker, whose research focuses on ice-ocean interactions, coastal change and iceberg calving.
Guests will witness the deployment of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to model the breakup rate of the Antarctic Ice Sheet—a first for the vessel—providing real-time insights into ice stability and climate impact.
Passengers will gain hands-on access to the research process, visiting the ship’s wet and dry labs, observing scientific operations and engaging in educational presentations about Antarctica’s geological history, ecosystem and global significance.
Future voyages will continue to integrate WHOI expeditions, research projects and technology testing, blending adventure travel with meaningful scientific engagement for guests seeking educational and responsible travel experiences in remote regions of the world.
For more information, visit us.ponant.com.
