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French expedition luxury
Le Boréal
Le Boréal is PONANT's intimate expedition ship, where French elegance meets the most remote waters on earth.
The Far Side of Everywhere
When Le Boréal was inaugurated in 2010, it redefined what expedition travel could be. Not a compromise between adventure and comfort, a ship where both exist fully, at once. With just 264 guests, a crew of 140 and 94% of cabins with a private balcony facing open water, there is French design in every detail. And ingenuity; there's an ice-strengthened hull built for the polar regions, from crossing the Drake Passage to exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Refined and elegant furnishings
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Open to the horizon
Celebrating the treasures of nature
Life on board
Aboard Le Boréal, the pleasures are French and the pace unhurried. A table worth lingering at. A quiet drink as the light goes. An evening at the theatre, or an hour by the pool while the day settles. Nothing feels grand or crowded, only considered and close. And always, beyond the glass, the ice.
An essential component of French culture, gastronomy naturally holds a special place on board.
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Intimate by design
Refined. Remote. Together.
Le Boréal was built around a belief: that the finest journeys are lived together. The scale is deliberately intimate, French in its elegance, generous in its service, and alive with the quiet energy of people who chose to come this far. And when the Zodiacs reach the ice, it is not a tour. It is something shared, unrepeatable, yours.
Staterooms and suites
Elegance and intimacy
Every cabin on Le Boréal faces the sea. French design, panoramic windows, and a private balcony in 94% of staterooms, because in Antarctica, what lies outside deserves to be seen from the comfort of your own space. King-size beds, French bath products, 24-hour room service. From intimate staterooms to expansive suites, each space is a refuge built for the journey.
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Lower deck balcony stateroom
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Upper decks balcony stateroom
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Deluxe Suite
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Prestige Suite
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Owner's Suite
commitments
Responsible exploration
Modern ships, advanced technologies, strict landing protocols, environmental impact studies, crew training, and guest awareness: Ponant is committed every day to better respect marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Less than 60% of fine particles thanks to 100% LS MGO propulsion with 0.05% sulphur content, the continuous use of catalytic converters on all navigation areas by 2025, and shore power connection in equipped ports.
Talk with a specialist
A conversation, not a commitment
We help match you with the expedition style, comfort level and itinerary that suits you.
A Fantastic Experience
This bucket list of mine has well and truly been ticked off…thanks to the great work of Alicia James and her team for making it possible. It didn’t matter what time of the day or night, if I had a problem or question Alicia would handle it with professionalism and good humour. Thanks for all your support…it was a fantastic experience for me to step on my 7th continent…let us all preserve this wonderland.
William H
Going above and beyond
Samantha was very helpful in assisting us to make the right choices in taking a cruise with Ponant to Antarctica and then afterwards on a Peru Tour which included Machu Picchu. Once our tours were confirmed, we were then assisted by Alicia who made sure our new experiences to come were as seamless as possible. The friendly enthusiasm from both Samantha and Alicia gave us the confidence that we had made the right choices. Going above and beyond, it was certainly appreciated by us when Alicia reached out to advise we may be facing a cancelled flight the next day due to an airline strike. We did have a cancelled flight and Alicia's assistance was second to none. For my husband and I, it was a trip of a lifetime and we feel very blessed that we had the opportunity. Thank you Samantha, Alicia and team for helping to make it all possible.
Jane T
I would definitely recommend Antarctica Cruise.
My trip to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula via Argentina on the Ponant ship Le Boreal was an amazing experience. Alicia James and the team at Antarctica Cruise did a great job of organizing the air travel, accommodation and the cruise itself. Alicia was also very good at communicating with me as to the various permits that had to be obtained and getting me started on Travel Key which I used quite a lot to keep up with what was going to happen next. I would definitely recommend Antarctica Cruise.
Tim and Jane M
A Fantastic Experience
This bucket list of mine has well and truly been ticked off…thanks to the great work of Alicia James and her team for making it possible. It didn’t matter what time of the day or night, if I had a problem or question Alicia would handle it with professionalism and good humour. Thanks for all your support…it was a fantastic experience for me to step on my 7th continent…let us all preserve this wonderland.
William H
Going above and beyond
Samantha was very helpful in assisting us to make the right choices in taking a cruise with Ponant to Antarctica and then afterwards on a Peru Tour which included Machu Picchu. Once our tours were confirmed, we were then assisted by Alicia who made sure our new experiences to come were as seamless as possible. The friendly enthusiasm from both Samantha and Alicia gave us the confidence that we had made the right choices. Going above and beyond, it was certainly appreciated by us when Alicia reached out to advise we may be facing a cancelled flight the next day due to an airline strike. We did have a cancelled flight and Alicia's assistance was second to none. For my husband and I, it was a trip of a lifetime and we feel very blessed that we had the opportunity. Thank you Samantha, Alicia and team for helping to make it all possible.
Jane T
I would definitely recommend Antarctica Cruise.
My trip to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula via Argentina on the Ponant ship Le Boreal was an amazing experience. Alicia James and the team at Antarctica Cruise did a great job of organizing the air travel, accommodation and the cruise itself. Alicia was also very good at communicating with me as to the various permits that had to be obtained and getting me started on Travel Key which I used quite a lot to keep up with what was going to happen next. I would definitely recommend Antarctica Cruise.
Tim and Jane M
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