Arctic Adventures Aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot
My niece Sandy and I kicked off our adventure aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, a stunning luxury expedition vessel designed for polar exploration.
Our journey began in Quebec City, where we enjoyed a slow morning onboard, savoring a leisurely breakfast after our ice-skating plans—quite literally—melted away.
Instead, we wandered through the Plains of Abraham, soaking up the history and scenic views before making the most important stop of the day: poutine tasting. 
With Ashton crowned “Best Poutine in Quebec,” I had to investigate. Mini on a large plate, extra cheese, and sous piquant, s’il vous plaît. Verdict? 10/10. Who’s up for a Quebec poutine tour? 🚀
In the afternoon, we meandered through Old Quebec’s charming cobblestone streets, stopping at a hand-painted silk scarf shop and testing our nerves on the iconic toboggan run beside Château Frontenac.
Think exhilarating speeds, winter magic, and scream-laughing all the way down.
Back aboard Le Commandant Charcot, we started the evening with cocktails in the Observation Lounge, then headed to the theater for our official introduction to the crew. The night culminated with a five-star Captain’s Gala dinner, a truly luxurious way to wrap up our first full day.
Dogsledding in Saguenay: A Comedy in Four Acts
The next day, after a leisurely breakfast and ship tour (plus a must-do photo shoot), we set off for a dogsledding adventure in Saguenay. Sounds dreamy, right? Huskies, fresh snow, mushing through the wild? Well, let’s just say our four-legged teammates had other plans. 
The moment we gave the go command—silence. Other sleds took off effortlessly, while Sandy and I were running behind ours, pushing, cajoling, and questioning our life choices. These huskies were either deep in existential thought or on an unofficial break.
By the time we finally got moving, I had a newfound respect for mushers, winter boots, and bribery (next time, I’m packing treats). At the finish line? Spiked hot chocolate. Would I do it again? Absolutely. But I’d be better prepared.
Ice Fishing on the Saguenay Fjord: A Lesson in Patience (and Snacks)
We snowmobiled across the frozen Saguenay Fjord, arriving at cozy fishing huts, lines in hand, ready to test our angling skills. Our technique? Flawless. The fish? Rudely uninterested.
Luckily, our guide Sophie kept us entertained, ensuring we hadn’t abandoned fishing for fishing for compliments. Despite the lack of bites, the beer-battered fried sea bass (paired with sriracha mayo and a splash of amaretto-laced coffee) made up for our zero-catch day. 
More adventures ahead! Stay tuned next week as I share stories from Sept-Îles, Gaspé, the Magdalen Islands, and St. Pierre & Miquelon.
Who’s ready for an Arctic expedition of their own? ⬇️
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Sheila Gallant-Halloran | Lush Life Travel
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