Le Boreal

The 2010-built MS Le Boreal is the first in a series of four identical Ponant-owned superyachts, followed by her sisterships L'Austral, Le Soleal, and Le Lyrial. All of these vessels feature ice-strengthened hulls, sleek superstructures, Zodiacs for ship-to-shore landings, and coastal cruising itineraries with overnight stays, long port days, and late evening departures.

The vessel (IMO number 9502506) is currently France-flagged (MMSI 578000500) and registered in Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna.

History - Construction and Ownership

Compagnie du Ponant (CDP) is a French cruise company founded in April 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers. All Ponant ships are France-flagged. The line specializes in premium adventure cruising, mainly targeting the French-speaking market with all-inclusive offerings. Most of the fleet is deployed in Antarctica from December through March. These mega-yachts offer modern facilities, premium service from highly trained staff, and 5-star amenities. Exotic itineraries include destinations in the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia.

The 264-passenger Le Boreal was launched in May 2010 and is distinguished by her elegance, eco-friendly technologies, and high standards. Designed to appeal to the French market, she resembles a large private yacht more than a traditional cruise ship. Le Boreal was named "Best New Ship of the Year" in 2010 by the European Cruiser Association. Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the yacht features 132 staterooms styled by French designer Jean-Philippe Nuel.

On November 18, 2015, a fire broke out in the engine room of Le Boreal while she was on an Antarctica cruise. Hundreds of passengers had to be evacuated after the vessel issued a distress call near Cape Dolphin, north of the Falkland Islands. Ninety of the 347 passengers and crew were airlifted to safety from life rafts, while the others were transferred to another ship. The Falkland Islands Government Emergency Services, local vessel agents, and British Forces South Atlantic Islands assisted in the evacuation. HMS Clyde also diverted to help. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cruise, which had begun on November 15 from Ushuaia, Argentina, was canceled after the incident.

Following repairs at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Le Boreal returned to service on May 24, 2016. Ponant initially planned for her to resume sailings from Lisbon on May 9, but she instead re-entered service later that month from Glasgow. In addition to fire repairs, further upgrades were also carried out.

Decks and Cabins

Ponant Le Boreal staterooms (132 total, across 9 categories) are primarily Prestige cabins (92), each sized 205 ft² / 19 m² with balconies of 45 ft² / 4 m². The largest accommodation is the Owner’s Suite (485 ft² / 45 m² plus a 95 ft² / 9 m² terrace). All staterooms, decorated by French designers, offer 5-star amenities including smart HDTVs, DVD/CD players, minibars, King-size beds, and contemporary furnishings.

The vessel has 7 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 contain staterooms (33 suites and 99 cabins).

Shipboard Dining - Food and Drinks

Le Boreal offers an intimate yacht-like atmosphere and access to smaller ports unreachable by larger ships. She has two restaurants: the casual Le Grill and the Gastronomic Restaurant, which serves international and French cuisine.

Complete list of dining venues:

• Gastronomic Restaurant (“Le Coromandel”, 268 seats, the main dining room; serves international upscale cuisine; open seating with buffet-style breakfast and lunch, and waiter-served dinner).
• Grill Restaurant (“Le Rodrigues”; open seating with buffet breakfast and lunch, waiter-served dinner; features an outdoor seating area).

Shipboard Entertainment - Fun and Sport

Le Boreal is the first all-balcony vessel sailing in Antarctica. She features alfresco dining, Le Club (entertainment lounge), a casino, a theatre (for films and lectures), a library, and an Internet lounge. Additional facilities include a spa, fitness center, outdoor heated pool, and full-service salon. She carries Zodiacs and has an advanced stabilizing system to reduce motion at sea. The atmosphere onboard is intimate and elegant.

Complete list of lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for guests of all ages:

• The Marina (water sports platform; used mainly for swimming when anchored in calm seas)
• Le Boreal Atrium (two-deck-high open space with Swarovski crystal chandelier)
• Main Lounge (“Karikal Lounge”; large LED screen, floor-to-ceiling windows; offers early breakfast, specialty teas and coffees, Afternoon Tea with gourmet treats; evening entertainment includes live music and an art auction once per cruise; the aft terrace is the only designated smoking area)
• Boutique Shop (designer clothing, jewelry, Ponant-branded items, and gifts)
• Theatre (main show lounge for music and dance performances)
• Wellness Centre (Spa, Balneo Room, Hammam, Massage Room, Beauty Corner, Hair Salon, showers, relaxation room, and terrace)
• The Fitness (gym with panoramic views)
• Leisure Area (kids playroom, Photo Gallery, Image & Photo desk in partnership with Philippe Plisson, Internet stations)
• Swimming Pool Sun Deck (with luxury loungers)
• Panoramic Lounge and Bar (with Internet corner, grand piano, library, and Panoramic Terrace; doubles as the ship’s late-night disco)
• Sun Deck (open-air space served by “Le Comptoir” bar, with loungers, padded chairs, showers, deck games including shuffleboard, golf driving net, and 9-hole mini-golf)
• Zodiacs (inflatable expedition boats).

Itineraries

Le Boreal’s itinerary program includes Northern Europe, Iceland, and the Baltic Sea region. She also sails in Alaska and Greenland.

Le Boreal cruise ship is the first in a series of four megayachts commissioned by Compagnie du Ponant. Her identical sisterships are L’Austral (2011), Le Soleal (2013), and Le Lyrial (2015). Compagnie du Ponant, originally French-owned, was created for the French cruising market, and the entire atmosphere onboard Le Boreal reflects French chic. Black-and-white photo art by Philip Plisson lines the corridors, while glittering Swarovski crystals illuminate the atrium. Passengers are typically sophisticated, well-traveled, and experienced.

Le Boreal differs from other luxury cruise vessels with her adventurous itineraries. The four sisterships feature ice-strengthened hulls, allowing them to sail to the Arctic and Antarctica, each carrying a fleet of Zodiacs for sightseeing expeditions. Ponant emphasizes coastal cruising, with itineraries offering long port days and late departures.

The vessel is a certified "Cleanship," equipped with a modern propulsion system that ensures smooth and quiet navigation with reduced engine noise and minimal vibration. Her advanced positioning system eliminates the need to drop anchor, helping protect environmentally sensitive seabeds, such as coral reefs.

A fun fact: Le Boreal was featured in the 3rd episode of the TV series Mighty Ships (season 5), shown transporting tourists to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia.

Le Boreal was also the first France-flagged vessel (together with Le Soleal) to complete a Northwest Passage Cruise. This unique itinerary began on August 26, 2013, when the ship departed from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and arrived in Anadyr, Russia (Siberia) on September 16. Ports of call included Beechey Island and King William Island (Gjoa Haven). During the voyage, guests encountered hundreds of beluga whales, narwhals, and around 60 polar bears. French adventurer Charles Hedrich, the first man to solo cross the Northwest Passage by rowing boat (September 2009), was onboard as a special guest.

In 2019, the US-based travel company Tauck chartered Le Boreal for the “Arctic Allure - Spitsbergen and the Midnight Sun” cruise. This 10-day itinerary (departure June 24) included a pre-cruise hotel stay in Oslo, followed by a charter flight to Spitsbergen (Longyearbyen) for embarkation on Le Boreal and a 7-day circumnavigation of Spitsbergen. Fares started at USD 11,000, inclusive of international airfare, Oslo hotel stay, roundtrip flights to Longyearbyen, 7-day Le Boreal cruise, all shore excursions, gratuities, unlimited beverages (including liquor, beer, and house wine), onboard meals, port charges, government taxes, and luggage handling.