Ponant and West Travel Club partnered for a polar cruising showcase at Perth’s WA Museum Boola Bardip last Thursday evening, which included exclusive offers for attendees on epic journeys to Antarctica and the Geographic North Pole.

Guests gathered and mingled from about 6pm at Hackett Hall under the 24m skeleton of Otto the blue whale as canapes were served to the sound of popping champagne corks.

The venue set the scene for an evening of travel inspiration and packing tips from Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield, assisted by his trusty travelling companion Casey the suitcase.

Stephen delved into his decades of experience to give guests personalised insights into travel and cruising to Antarctica. He offered handy tips and tricks for making a big voyage to the White Continent as comfortable and as enriching as possible. They included itineraries that would suit first-time travellers to Antarctica — his recommendation being the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia — and itineraries that may better suit experienced Antarctic cruisers.

Stephen also spoke of the nuances of voyaging at various times of year, like the variations in ice conditions and types of wildlife to expect; what it’s like sailing the Drake Passage on modern cruise ships; what ship ice-ratings mean; some very useful packing hacks for an Antarctic adventure; and much more. (By the way he prefers the clean ice and clean penguins you’ll find early in the season in November-December).

Annabelle Brown, Ponant’s State manager Victoria/Tasmania, then shared amazing footage of her experiences in the Arctic with the French-flagged luxury cruise line, including the mountainous icy landscapes of Svalbard and its polar bears, the Geographic North Pole, and cultural connections with the Inuit community in East Greenland.

She detailed the sense of achievement and celebrations when reaching 90 degrees north at the Geographic North Pole aboard the world’s only luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, and the area’s rich wildlife, including seals and whales.

Annabelle also talked about the ship’s icebreaking capability, with its advanced technology enabling safe passage through thick multi-year ice; its sustainability features; the ship’s decadent design and amenities; and the many enrichment activities on and off-ship.

Ponant has various dates in 2027 and 2028 for its 12-night Geographic North Pole itinerary aboard Le Commandant Charcot.

Multiple dates across seasons 2027-28 and 2028-29 are available for its 11-night Emblematic Antarctica itinerary on Sistership Le Lyrial.

Both voyages include charter flights to their respective departure ports in Longyearbyen and Ushuaia.

Check availability of free solo supplement voyages. Details at au.ponant.com.