More Arctic Adventures Ahead! ❄️✨
From snow angels in Saguenay to high tea and gala dinners aboard Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, this journey has been a breathtaking mix of luxury, adventure, and deep cultural connection. But the adventure doesn’t stop here!
🚢 Next up: Stories from Sept-Îles, Gaspé, the Magdalen Islands, and St. Pierre & Miquelon!
Living the Dream on Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot
Waking up aboard Le Commandant Charcot, surrounded by the icy wilderness of the North, is the definition of expedition luxury. The days have been filled with incredible experiences—from dining on Michelin-level cuisine to steaming in Ponant’s famous Blue Lagoon, a heated seawater pool nestled in the frozen landscape.
But getting in? That’s part of the adventure! A mad dash from the robe into the steaming water, then straight to the sauna before daring a refreshing plunge in the indoor pool. ❄️🔥🏊♀️
Evenings have been just as spectacular. A fabulous Virtuoso Cruise Icon cocktail party, glasses of champagne clinking, sharing stories with great friends from around the world, and just when we thought the night couldn’t get better?
🌌 The Northern Lights stole the show. Right in the middle of dinner, everyone abandoned their plates and rushed outside—because when nature puts on a show like this, you don’t miss it.
Music, Culture & Connection 🎶
One of the most memorable evenings featured a private performance by Canadian duo Lisette and Tyler, bringing the heart and soul of Canadian music to the Arctic. But some of the richest moments have come from deep cultural experiences:
🔹 Sept-Îles & the Innu People – From a horse-drawn wagon ride into town to visiting the Innu Shaputuan cultural center, we learned about thousands of years of Indigenous history. A highlight? Meeting Ann, a residential school survivor, whose powerful story of resilience, loss, and triumph left us all in awe.
🔹 Exploring My Mi’kmaq Roots in Gaspé – Stepping into history at the birthplace of Canada, where Jacques Cartier first landed in 1534. But here, history is more than just the settler’s story—I had the opportunity to experience the Mi’kmaq perspective and honor my own heritage, even if the federal government refuses to recognize it. (Nice try, but you can’t un-Mi’kmaq me! 😉)
🔹 Winter Hiking in Cap-aux-Meules – Climbing snow-covered trails to a lighthouse perched atop the cliffs of the Magdalen Islands, then stumbling upon a local celebration where people dressed up, danced, and embraced the warmth of tradition.
Adventure, Face Plants & Fine Dining
❄️ Snowshoeing in Forillon National Park was a love story—complete with stunning trails, crisp air, and me face-planting straight into the snow (whoops). The perfect recovery? A steaming coffee spiked with local “pudding stone” alcohol, a sauna session back on board, and another Michelin-star-worthy feast.
Because whether it’s face-planting in the snow, dancing to traditional music, or soaking in the Blue Lagoon, this journey is all about embracing the unexpected.
Stay tuned—next week, I’ll share even more stories from this incredible Arctic adventure. Who’s ready for an expedition of their own? ⬇️
#LuxuryCruising #VirtuosoCruiseIcon #Ponant #ExpeditionCruising #ArcticAdventure #NorthernLights #LushLifeTravel
Thanks for the awesome photos, Cindy Miller Hopkins
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Sheila Gallant-Halloran | Lush Life Travel 🌍 www.lushlife.ca | ✉️ [email protected]