Le Soleal

The 2013-built MS Le Soleal cruise ship is the third in a series of four identical Ponant-owned megayachts, together with L'Austral, Le Boreal, and Le Lyrial. All ships in this class feature ice-strengthened hulls, sleek superstructures, Zodiac boats for ship-to-shore landings, and coastal cruising itineraries with exotic routes, long port days, overnight stays, and late evening departures.

The vessel (IMO number 9641675) is currently France-flagged (MMSI 578000200) 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 vessels sail under the French flag. The company specializes in premium adventure cruising, targeting primarily the French-speaking market with all-inclusive packages. Most of CDP's fleet operates in Antarctica between December and March. The megayachts feature modern amenities, 5-star hotel services, highly trained staff, and exotic itineraries to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia.

The 264-passenger Le Soleal was launched on December 6, 2012, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy (where her sisters L'Austral and Le Boreal were also built). She entered service on July 1, 2013, with her maiden voyage and was christened by Kiki Tauck Mahar. Le Soleal became renowned as the first French vessel to navigate the Northwest Passage, departing Kangerlussuaq (Greenland) on August 26, 2013, and arriving in Anadyr (Russia) on September 16, 2013.

Decks and Cabins

Ponant Le Soleal staterooms (132 total, across 9 categories) include 92 Prestige cabins (205 ft² / 19 m², each with a 45 ft² / 4 m² balcony). The largest is the Owner’s Suite (485 ft² / 45 m² plus a 95 ft² / 9 m² terrace). All accommodations were designed by French designers and feature 5-star amenities, including smart HDTVs, DVD/CD players, minibars, King-size beds, and contemporary furnishings.

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

Shipboard Dining - Food and Drinks

Le Soleal offers an intimate atmosphere, ideal for visiting smaller ports inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Dining venues include two restaurants: the casual Le Grill and the Gastronomic Restaurant, serving international and French cuisine.

Dining options include:

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

Shipboard Entertainment - Fun and Sport

Though the company changed ownership (acquired by CMA CGM and later sold), Le Soleal retained her original design and style, combining French elegance, green technologies, luxury, and intimacy. She offers a state-of-the-art theater, panoramic lounge, dance space, library, and more. Despite her size, Le Soleal features spacious staterooms, most with private balconies.

There are two main lounges: the Main Lounge (for afternoon tea, live music, cocktails, and evening entertainment) and the Panoramic Lounge (with a library, internet corner, live entertainment, and a late-night disco atmosphere). Additional venues include a pool deck bar, leisure areas, and a photo shop.

Entertainment and leisure facilities include:

• The Marina (water sports platform for swimming, used when anchored in calm seas)
• Le Soleal Atrium (two-deck-high open-floor space featuring a Swarovski crystal chandelier)
• Main Lounge (“Karikal Lounge”) (LED screen, floor-to-ceiling windows, early breakfast, teas/coffees, afternoon tea with gourmet pastries, evening live music, art auctions; the adjacent aft terrace is the ship’s only smoking area)
• Boutique Shop (designer clothing, luxury jewelry, Ponant logo items, gifts)
• Theatre (main show lounge for music and dance performances)
• Wellness Centre (spa with Balneo Room, Hammam, massage rooms, beauty salon, hair salon, relaxation room, terrace)
• The Fitness (gym with panoramic windows)
• Leisure Area (small kids playroom, photo gallery, Internet stations, image and photo desk in partnership with Philippe Plisson)
• Swimming Pool & Sun Deck (loungers, padded chairs, showers, shuffleboard, golf driving net, mini-golf)
• Panoramic Lounge and Bar (grand piano, library, terrace, late-night disco atmosphere)
• Zodiacs (inflatable boats for shore excursions).

Itineraries

Le Soleal’s itinerary program is based on European cruises. Routes include Mediterranean voyages departing from Italy, Greece, and Turkey, Iceland cruises from Reykjavik, and Arctic expeditions (including the Northwest Passage) from Greenland to Russia.

Le Soleal is the third in a series of four megayachts commissioned by Compagnie du Ponant, with sisterships Le Boreal (2010), L’Austral (2011), and Le Lyrial (2015). She entered service in July 2013 with her maiden voyage.

The vessel is equipped with an ice-strengthened hull, enabling safe cruising in Antarctica and the Arctic. Each of Ponant's megayachts carries a fleet of Zodiacs for shore landings and sightseeing. Ponant emphasizes coastal cruising, offering long port days and late departures.

Le Soleal is a certified "Cleanship," like her sisterships, and features a modern marine propulsion system that ensures smooth, quiet navigation with reduced engine noise and minimal vibration. Her advanced positioning system eliminates the need for anchoring, protecting sensitive seabeds and coral reefs in environmentally fragile areas.

Le Soleal was the first-ever France-flagged vessel (together with fleet mate Le Boreal) to operate a Northwest Passage cruise. This unique itinerary began on August 26, 2013, when she departed Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, arriving in Anadyr, Russia, on September 16. Ports of call included Beechey Island and King William Island (Gjoa Haven). During the voyage, guests observed hundreds of beluga whales and narwhals, along with about 60 polar bears. Charles Hedrich, the French sportsman and adventurer who became the first person to row solo across the Northwest Passage in September 2009, joined the journey as a special guest.