A planned luxury Arctic expedition aboard Ponant’s flagship icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, has turned into an international scandal involving allegations of illicit funds, compliance failures, and a legal battle that could reshape how luxury travel companies deal with sanctioned markets.
What Happened
A luxurious event—a high-end polar party—organized by TRVL, a Russian-owned travel company based in Dubai, aboard the luxury vessel Le Ponant has become embroiled in controversy.
The Scandal
The event, which reportedly cost $8.5 million, is under scrutiny due to allegations it was financed using illicitly obtained funds from Russia’s elite. It’s alleged that these funds were obtained through fraudulent or corrupt means, and the event is now part of legal and reputational fallout.
Legal Actions
TRVL has filed a lawsuit in France against the vessel’s owner, Ponant, a luxury travel company headquartered in Marseille. The legal dispute reportedly centers on claims of breach of contract or related disagreements tied to the chartering and operation of the vessel.
Broader Implications
The controversy highlights the growing scrutiny on luxury consumption by individuals linked to opaque or questionable sources of wealth—particularly amidst global pressures on Russian oligarchs and their structures post-Ukraine’s invasion.
It draws attention to regulatory and oversight challenges around high-end travel and hospitality services used by elites under sanctions or with suspect financial backgrounds.
Key Parties & Timeline
Ponant and the Vessel
Ponant: A French luxury cruise line owned by the Pinault family holding company Artémis. The icebreaker in question is Le Commandant Charcot, their most premium vessel.
TRVL
A Dubai-based travel company with Russian ownership/roots, run by tourism entrepreneur Boris Pustovoytov, whereas in fact the UBO of TRVL is indeed Dmitry Portnyagin. TRVL organized the now-canceled polar cruise.
Iurii Gugnin (George Goognin) / Evita Investments
Iurii Gugnin, also known as George Goognin, founder of Evita Investments, the U.S.-registered Delaware company that acted as payments broker. He was arrested by the FBI in June and charged with money laundering, sanctions violations, and allegedly laundering over $500 million, as well as facilitating Russia’s acquisition of sensitive U.S. tech.
The U.S. indictment does not explicitly tie Evita to the cruise, but the connection triggered Ponant’s compliance concerns.
What the Cruise Was Supposed to Be
A two-week luxury Arctic expedition aboard Le Commandant Charcot, which included:
· Gourmet experiences (Michelin-starred meals),
· Sauna,
· Swarovski telescopes,
· Parties on the ice (DJ sets, ice‐swimming, grill bar) once reaching the geographic North Pole.
· The guest list included over 150 affluent Russian-speaking individuals—corporate and tech executives, TV personalities, a reality TV host with 20+ million followers, comedians, a restaurateur, and others.
· Ticket prices ranged from $70,000 to $200,000 per cabin.
· Originally marketed via a Moscow-based agency called Neverend, co-founded by Pustovoytov & Portnyagin, which also promoted TRVL’s premium remote-destination experiences.
Collapse of the Trip
July (two months before departure): Local media in Svalbard picked up on the cruise plans, provoking concern—both geopolitical (related to Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine) and around possible covert influence/co-mingling. Residents were reported to consider protests. Around the same time, Ponant asked the organizers to remove references to the Pinault family from Russian-language marketing materials. Pustovoytov said Ponant didn’t give a clear rationale beyond heightened tensions toward Russia.
In June, Goognin was arrested and charged. This prompted Ponant to cancel the cruise, citing the involvement of the broker (Evita) as a “grave compliance failure”.
The Legal Dispute
The total charter cost was $8.5 million.
TRVL had already paid around $5.8 million. Ponant refused to refund this, citing contractual compliance failure.
TRVL responded by suing Ponant in France, seeking:
The $5.8 million refund plus additional damages,
Over €7 million in total, arguing breach of contract by Ponant.
TRVL’s position:
All guests were vetted and had EU visas,
Evita was thoroughly checked and approved by Ponant,
TRVL’s founder claimed that the insistence on a broker (versus direct wire transfers) came from Ponant. TRVL’s lawyer described the financial impact as “totally CATASTROPHIC”, with the added risk of customer claims from the 165 individuals who already paid for their cruises.
Wider Context & Implications
Sanctions Risk & Compliance Scrutiny
The incident underscores how third-party brokers, especially with suspected illicit or sanction-linked ties, can derail high-profile luxury transactions, especially in sensitive geopolitical climates.
Brand Protection
Ponant’s move to remove references to the Pinault family may signal brand-risk concerns, especially amid anti-Russia sentiment or reputational exposure.
Geopolitics Meets Leisure
A luxury cruise becomes a political flashpoint when buyers are Russian elites, in Arctic territories sensitive to Russian influence, while Russia is at war with Ukraine.
Financial Fragility of Smaller Operators
Boutique travel firms like TRVL, operating high-ticket services but with limited capital buffers, can be especially vulnerable in high-stakes disputes.