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Introduction
Despite its design for polar exploration, Ponant’s luxury expedition ship Le Commandant Charcot was forced to cancel its scheduled visit to Lerwick, Shetland Islands, due to adverse weather conditions. The cancellation marks an unexpected end to Lerwick’s record-breaking cruise season.
Details of the Incident
The ship was scheduled to call at Lerwick on November 18th, 2024, during its 14-day “Autumn Splendours” itinerary, sailing from the Lofoten Islands in the Arctic Circle to the Norwegian fjords. However, unfavorable weather conditions prevented the ship from making the stop.
Operational Context
The cancellation is notable given Le Commandant Charcot’s status as a luxury polar exploration vessel, designed to handle challenging conditions. The incident highlights that even the most robust ships are not immune to the power of nature. The cancellation also prevented Lerwick Port Authority from concluding its successful cruise season with a final high-profile visit.