Luxury Cruise Holidays Your Way

Sometimes the best way to see a country’s true colours is along its rivers or coastline by boat. Watch the destination reveal itself through the windows, stopping off to get up close to the culture, history and wildlife.

We can seamlessly pair the world’s finest cruises with our luxury tailormade trips on land, creating our bespoke Journeys by Land & Sea. Let our cruise experts reveal a world of travel, where terra and tide meet.

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Ponant Le Commandant Charcot

Transarctic, the Quest for the Two North Poles with Ponant Le Commandant Charcot

20 nights
Departing 5th September 2025 from Longyearbyen

Through PONANT’s alliance with The Explorers Club, this voyage will feature Glaciologist Dr. Ulyana Horodyskyj Peña. Ulyana is the head of science communication at the University of Colorado Boulder's Climate Adaptation Science Center and a National Fellow of The Explorers Club. With a PhD in geological sciences specializing in glaciology, her research focuses on supraglacial lakes, Himalayan glacier floods, and the effects of pollution on snow and ice at high altitudes. A recipient of National Science Foundation and National Geographic grants, Ulyana also founded "Science in the Wild," a citizen science initiative with expeditions to Nepal, Baffin Island, Kilimanjaro, and the Andes. In 2016, she served as mission commander for NASA's HERA 30-day isolation experiment, simulating an asteroid mission. Equipped with specialized laboratories onboard Le Commandant Charcot, Explorers Club Science Grantees will provide invaluable firsthand knowledge, delving into their ongoing research.

With featured guests Laurence de La Ferrière, renowned French adventurer and Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.

In 1926, when Umberto Nobile crossed the Arctic via the North Pole, aboard the Norge airship that he designed himself, he became the first man in the world to undertake this crossing. It was an exploit that many would subsequently attempt to repeat. For, behind the idea of exploring our planet’s last latitudes, there lies the prospect of raising our spirit, of matching our thirst for the unknown with our deep desire to gain a greater understanding of the world in which we live.

Le Commandant Charcot, a ship of scientific opportunity, follows in the tradition of Nobile, a pioneer and a tireless architect of polar discovery, in order to discover some of the Arctic’s secrets during a dedicated research mission at the highest point of the north.

The ship, the latest addition to the company’s fleet, shaped for polar exploration, is preparing to sail, transpolar maritime route, that is inaccessible to traditional ships. From the legendary Bering Strait, a link between the East and the West, to the ice-covered land of Svalbard, Le Commandant Charcot will carve out a path through the ice floes, exploring the ice of the Beaufort Sea, and use open water leads to attempt to reach the elusive Magnetic and Geographic North Poles.

Like a pioneer, you will cross these ice-covered landscapes of the Arctic by sea. During your exploration, you will discover the research projects that are part of the scientific mission taking place on board. This is a unique opportunity to clarify your knowledge alongside a multi-disciplinary team of around twenty researchers on board, to understand their investigations and closely follow their work. Also accompanied by our expert naturalists, you will discover unique ecosystems while sharpening your perception of the polar world and comprehending the stakes of their transformation. Use this journey to grant yourself an initiatory immersion: the rare occasion to take part in an adventure that is making a contribution to scientific research.

Taking an all-new route means pledging to enter an unexplored world with respect, taking the time to observe and understand, as a conscious witness, the unfolding show. With your senses awakened, with the ice floe as your travel companion, you will move through an ever-changing environment, its hypnotic panoramas of raw beauty sculpted by sea winds and plays on light. In the heart of the drifting ice, you will savour the constantly renewed poetry of the elements.

Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this factor into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.

£47,200 pp

Luxury Cruise FAQs

  • Which cruise line offers the finest luxury experience?

    Silversea stands as the epitome of traditional luxury cruising, renowned for its impeccable service and refined onboard atmosphere. While some guests appreciate the formal elegance, others may find it quite traditional in approach.

    Explora Journeys delivers the same exceptional luxury standards as Silversea but with a refreshingly contemporary and relaxed ambiance, perfect for those seeking sophistication without formality.

    The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers an ultra-intimate experience aboard smaller vessels that feel more like private superyachts. While the experience is undeniably exclusive, the premium pricing reflects this heightened level of intimacy and personalised service.

  • What are the best luxury cruises for adult travellers?

    While none of our luxury cruise partners operate adult-only vessels, Silversea and Seabourn naturally attract a more mature, sophisticated clientele. These cruise lines focus on creating refined atmospheres with world-class spa facilities, cultural enrichment programmes, and elegant social spaces designed for discerning adult travellers seeking tranquil, sophisticated voyages.

  • Which luxury cruises work best for families?

    Explora Journeys excels as the premier choice for luxury family travel. Their ships feature thoughtfully designed spaces for all ages, including a comprehensive kids' club with age-appropriate programming, multiple swimming areas, and active recreation facilities, including pickleball, paddle tennis and basketball courts. The line successfully balances family-friendly amenities with the sophisticated luxury experience parents expect.

  • What makes a cruise ideal for couples seeking romance?

    Every luxury cruise line creates a naturally intimate atmosphere - perfect for couples. While Explora serves families beautifully, Silversea, Seabourn and Four Seasons cater to a more mature clientele, creating inherently romantic environments.

    Four Seasons particularly shines for couples, offering an intimate ship atmosphere with exceptional attention to romantic details, making it ideal for honeymoons, anniversaries or simply reconnecting in an elegant setting.

  • What defines a true luxury cruise experience?

    Luxury cruising is characterised by several key elements that distinguish it from mainstream travel:

    • Intimate Ship Size: Fewer than 1,000 guests ensure personalised attention and uncrowded spaces.
    • Spacious Accommodations: Every suite features significantly more space than traditional cruise cabins, with no interior staterooms - every accommodation includes a private terrace or balcony.
    • Exceptional Dining: World-class restaurants helmed by renowned chefs offer diverse culinary experiences throughout your voyage.
    • Personalised Service: High staff-to-guest ratios ensure attentive, individualised care throughout your journey.
    • All-Inclusive Luxury: Most onboard amenities, dining, and beverages are included, eliminating unexpected expenses.
    • Award-Winning Spas: Full-service wellness facilities offering rejuvenating treatments and relaxation spaces.
    • Curated Shore Excursions: Small-group, culturally immersive experiences designed to provide deeper destination connections, with options for completely private tours.

  • Which luxury cruise lines offer the most enriching cultural experiences?

    Explora Journeys stands out for its extensive portfolio of culturally immersive shore excursions. Their destination experts design experiences that go beyond typical tourist attractions, offering authentic encounters with local traditions, cuisine, art and history that provide meaningful connections to each port of call.

  • What are the best options for educational and expedition cruising?

    For travellers seeking intellectual enrichment and natural discovery, AE Expeditions leads in expedition-style luxury cruising. Their vessels feature dedicated naturalists, historians and regional experts who provide fascinating insights into wildlife, geology and cultural history -particularly in polar regions.

    Silversea and Seabourn also offer expedition programs with onboard experts and specialised expedition teams, combining luxury amenities with educational exploration for those who want to learn while they travel in comfort.

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Why Book a Cruise with Scott Dunn?

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  • We listen to you, and tailor your cruise to your travel style, pairing you with the right ship and the right destinations.
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  • Whether before, after or during your luxury cruise, we curate the best experiences on land to compliment your journey by sea, accompanied by our expert local guides.
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  • Our cruises are carefully chosen for their five-star offering: fine dining, luxe facilities, attentive staff, and personal in-cabin butler service.
  • We have personally experienced these ships and will only suggest those that meet the level of service and luxury that our guests expect.

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