Ponant Explorations has announced that the Le Commandant Charcot is ready for her first winter sailing on theSaint Lawrence.

The company said in a press release that on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, the ship will embark on the first of five winter sailings, with the first-ever stopover on Québec soil scheduled for Cap-aux-Meules in Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

The Le Commandant Charcot will continue her winter voyage to Gaspé, Sept-Îles, La Baie (Saguenay) and Québec, where passengers will disembark.

“This world premiere event aligns to perfection with our strategy to position the Saint Lawrence as an upmarket winter tourism destination,” said René Trépanier, executive director of cruise the Saint Lawrence.

The vessel will operate five 12- to 15-night voyages from mid-January to early March.

According to the press release, embarkation and disembarkation operations will be shared between Québec and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, while Saint Lawrence member ports of call will welcome visitors with curated shore excursions and activities.

“We feel a deep connection to the Saint Lawrence region, which our ships have been visiting every summer for many years,” said Hervé Gastinel, president of Ponant Explorations Group.

According to Trépanier, the presence of the Le Commandant Charcot in winter speaks to the company’s plan to transform Saint Lawrence into a four-season international cruise destination.

In seeking to extend the cruise season, they aim to provide member ports of call with a year-round revenue stream.