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Ponant Cruises

Le Boreal

Small ship Bliss scored

A mega-yacht with 132 cabins, Le Boreal from France-based cruise line Ponant offers voyages that blend luxury and intimacy with well-being and discovery. Superior materials and an elegant, tasteful décor combine to give off a subtle nautical mood. On board…

  • 264guests
  • 10,600gross tons
  • 50cruises now
  • $2,150fares from

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Snorkel and scuba dive to see tropical fish up close as part of your Ponant cruise experience.

At a glance

Le Boreal is a small-size cruise ship operated by Ponant Cruises, in service since 2010. It carries 264 guests and 140 crew (1.9 guests per crew member) at 10,600 gross tons. It ties with 3 other ships as the 2nd largest of 12 Ponant Cruises ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for adventure & nature (10/10) and lowest for entertainment, family friendly, party and spa & fitness (5/10). It is rated 4 out of 5 by Cruiseable and 4 out of 5 by Berlitz. It has 50 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $2,150 to $26,650.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4 / 5
Berlitz
4 / 5
Guests
264
Crew
140
Gross tons
10,600
Decks
6
Length
466 ft
Beam
59 ft
Maiden voyage
2010
Space ratio
1.9
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
1.9
Speed (mph)
17
IMO
9502506

Bliss scores

What Le Boreal is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

  1. Active 8.0
  2. Adventure and nature 10.0
  3. Cultural 8.0
  4. Dining 9.0
  5. Entertainment 5.0
  6. Family friendly 5.0
  7. Party 5.0
  8. Romantic 9.0
  9. Spa and fitness 5.0
  10. Staterooms 7.0

Our review

Le Boreal: Exotic expeditions on a luxury yacht

A mega-yacht with 132 cabins, Le Boreal from France-based cruise line Ponant offers voyages that blend luxury and intimacy with well-being and discovery. 

Superior materials and an elegant, tasteful décor combine to give off a subtle nautical mood. On board, crew members offer solicitous attention, giving guests the sense that they're sailing on their own private yacht.

Language spoken on board, you ask? English and French. The crew is bilingual, with many  service staff from Asia.

Book passage on Le Boreal, a Ponant Yacht Cruise.
Book passage on Le Boreal for a sailing with an international flavor. Philip Plisson / Courtesy of Ponant

Who will like sailing on Le Boreal

Le Boreal is best suited to those who want a relaxed yet chic, upscale environment that is more akin to a yacht than a traditional cruise ship. Foodies and those who enjoy smart, attentive service will like Le Boreal. The ship's wide-ranging itineraries make this a good choice for adventure-minded seafarers.

Cruise Critic adds: "Clientele varies dramatically according to the season, with younger families traveling during European school holidays and older couples attracted to the longer cruises to more remote locations."

Where Le Boreal sails

Le Boreal calls on ports in smaller towns and cities. Choose a cruise from Nome, Alaska, to Vancouver, BC, with stops in the beautiful Katmai National Park and Preserve and some of the Aleutian Islands. Or, view the Northern Lights on a cruise from Bergen to Longyearbyen, Norway. Argentina, the Panama Canal, Lisbon, Portugal, Greenland, Scandinavia, Alaska and Tahiti are among the highlights. Le Boreal offers some epic itineraries. 

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Enjoy al fresco dining with stellar service on board Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht.
Enjoy al fresco dining with stellar service on board Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht. Francois Lefebvre / Courtesy of Ponant

An all-inclusive experience

Here is what is included in your fare: all drinks, table wine for lunch and dinner, bottled mineral water, port charges, and Zodiac excursions when the ship operates special expedition-style cruises.

Here is what is not included: gratuities, Wi-Fi and spa treatments.

Accommodations

Of the 132 staterooms, there are three Prestige Suites, while 40 of the 94 deluxe cabins can be combined into 20 larger suites, each with two bathrooms and a separate living area and bedroom. All cabinetry is of elegant dark wood.

Each deluxe and standard cabin has a large ocean-view window, two beds that convert to a queen-size bed and a vanity desk. Rooms include a TV set, DVD player, refrigerator, and personal safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, and French bathroom products. Bathrooms sport marble appointments.

Your take

Have you cruised on Le Boreal? What was the highlight? We'd love to hear about your experience.

Help improve this article. See anything wrong? What did we overlook? Be a co-creator!

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

If you're interested in a cruise on Le Boreal, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. You'll get a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.

SEE ALL LE BOREAL SAILINGS

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 12

  • See nature in a whole new way on a Ponant luxury expedition cruise when you set sail on Le Boreal from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica.
    See nature in a whole new way on a Ponant luxury expedition cruise when you set sail on Le Boreal from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica.
  • Snorkel and scuba dive to see tropical fish up close as part of your Ponant cruise experience.
    Snorkel and scuba dive to see tropical fish up close as part of your Ponant cruise experience.
  • Cruise the Bellot Strait of Canada for closeup views of polar bears.
    Cruise the Bellot Strait of Canada for closeup views of polar bears.
  • The lush mountains of Mo'orea.
    The lush mountains of Mo'orea.
  • Bora Bora is surrounded by a barrier reef, protecting miles and miles of beautiful beaches.
    Bora Bora is surrounded by a barrier reef, protecting miles and miles of beautiful beaches.
  • Fjords seen from the south beach of Tromso, Norway.
    Fjords seen from the south beach of Tromso, Norway.
  • Relax as you stroll along the many canals of Copenhagen.
    Relax as you stroll along the many canals of Copenhagen.
  • L'Austral and Le Boreal are among the luxury expedition ships from Ponant that visit Greenland.
    L'Austral and Le Boreal are among the luxury expedition ships from Ponant that visit Greenland.
  • Watch the locals take a dip on a Ponant cruise through Northern Canada.
    Watch the locals take a dip on a Ponant cruise through Northern Canada.
  • Visit Katmai National Park in Alaska on Ponant's Le Boreal.
    Visit Katmai National Park in Alaska on Ponant's Le Boreal.
  • See the wonders of Antarctica on Ponant's Le Lyrial. Here's Bongrain Point on Pourquoi Pas Island.
    See the wonders of Antarctica on Ponant's Le Lyrial. Here's Bongrain Point on Pourquoi Pas Island.
  • Cruise Ponant to Antarctica and get up close and personal with some king penguins.
    Cruise Ponant to Antarctica and get up close and personal with some king penguins.

Dining 4

  • Enjoy refreshing sea and land views during al fresco dining on your Ponant cruise.
    Enjoy refreshing sea and land views during al fresco dining on your Ponant cruise.
  • Dine on French fusion cuisine, such as carpaccio of yellow fin tuna or pan-fried filet steak and finish your meal with panna cotta with red berry fruits on your Ponant sailing.
    Dine on French fusion cuisine, such as carpaccio of yellow fin tuna or pan-fried filet steak and finish your meal with panna cotta with red berry fruits on your Ponant sailing.
  • Enjoy exquisite foods and well paired wines when dining al fresco on a Ponant cruise.
    Enjoy exquisite foods and well paired wines when dining al fresco on a Ponant cruise.
  • Dining is a gastronomical experience on Ponant voyages.
    Dining is a gastronomical experience on Ponant voyages.

On board 12

  • Sunset and a perfectly chilled glass of champagne make for a perfect vacation escape on a Ponant cruise.
    Sunset and a perfectly chilled glass of champagne make for a perfect vacation escape on a Ponant cruise.
  • Stay fit while exploring new vistas on a Ponant cruise.
    Stay fit while exploring new vistas on a Ponant cruise.
  • Take in the exotic passing landscapes on Le Boreal, a Ponant luxury ship.
    Take in the exotic passing landscapes on Le Boreal, a Ponant luxury ship.
  • Relax poolside as your Ponant ship slips into small bays and secluded coves.
    Relax poolside as your Ponant ship slips into small bays and secluded coves.
  • The lounge of Ponant's Le Boreal offers a comfortable relaxation zone after an afternoon of exploring on shore.
    The lounge of Ponant's Le Boreal offers a comfortable relaxation zone after an afternoon of exploring on shore.
  • The pool aboard the luxury expedition ship Le Boreal.
    The pool aboard the luxury expedition ship Le Boreal.
  • The classy reception area on Ponant's luxury ship Le Boreal.
    The classy reception area on Ponant's luxury ship Le Boreal.
  • The chic library aboard Ponant's Le Boreal.
    The chic library aboard Ponant's Le Boreal.
  • The Ponant luxury expedition ship Le Boreal in Antarctica.
    The Ponant luxury expedition ship Le Boreal in Antarctica.
  • The centerpiece of the lobby on Ponant's Le Boreal. Book passage to Denmark, Norway, Greenland or Canada on a luxury expedition cruise.
    The centerpiece of the lobby on Ponant's Le Boreal. Book passage to Denmark, Norway, Greenland or Canada on a luxury expedition cruise.
  • Head to the lounge on Le Boreal to relax after your visits to exotic ports of call.
    Head to the lounge on Le Boreal to relax after your visits to exotic ports of call.
  • Join a card game on sea days and meet fellow passengers in the library of the Ponant ship Le Boreal.
    Join a card game on sea days and meet fellow passengers in the library of the Ponant ship Le Boreal.

Ship exteriors 6

  • Board Le Boreal, a Ponant luxury ship, for yacht-style cruises to Scandinavia, Russia or Antarctica.
    Board Le Boreal, a Ponant luxury ship, for yacht-style cruises to Scandinavia, Russia or Antarctica.
  • Ponant's Le Boreal journeys to the far corners of the world.
    Ponant's Le Boreal journeys to the far corners of the world.
  • An aerial view of the aft of Ponant's expedition ship Le Boreal.
    An aerial view of the aft of Ponant's expedition ship Le Boreal.
  • Le Boreal sails with a maximum of 264 passengers and 139 crew members to ports in Scandinavia, Greenland and Canada.
    Le Boreal sails with a maximum of 264 passengers and 139 crew members to ports in Scandinavia, Greenland and Canada.
  • Sail off into the sunset on Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht.
    Sail off into the sunset on Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht.
  • Cruise to Norway and explore fjords by Zodiac on Ponant's Le Boreal.
    Cruise to Norway and explore fjords by Zodiac on Ponant's Le Boreal.

Staterooms 6

  • Relax in style in your stateroom aboard Ponant's Le Boreal.
    Relax in style in your stateroom aboard Ponant's Le Boreal.
  • After a day exploring the Caribbean, Scandinavia or Antartica, relax in style in your stateroom on Ponant's luxury expedition ship Le Boreal.
    After a day exploring the Caribbean, Scandinavia or Antartica, relax in style in your stateroom on Ponant's luxury expedition ship Le Boreal.
  • Relax in your plush, modern stateroom on Ponant's Le Boreal.
    Relax in your plush, modern stateroom on Ponant's Le Boreal.
  • Enjoy the comfort of your stateroom after a day of show excursions on Ponant's Le Boreal.
    Enjoy the comfort of your stateroom after a day of show excursions on Ponant's Le Boreal.
  • Your Prestige Suite on Le Boreal offers a spacious retreat at sea.
    Your Prestige Suite on Le Boreal offers a spacious retreat at sea.
  • Relax in style in a suite on Le Boreal, a luxury expedition yacht from Ponant.
    Relax in style in a suite on Le Boreal, a luxury expedition yacht from Ponant.

More photos 8

  • Le Boreal sails past the Aitcho Islands in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.
    Le Boreal sails past the Aitcho Islands in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.
  • A humpback whale breaches the surface, seen on a Ponant cruise.
    A humpback whale breaches the surface, seen on a Ponant cruise.
  • A penguin stands guardian as a Ponant expedition Zodiac passes by in Antarctica.
    A penguin stands guardian as a Ponant expedition Zodiac passes by in Antarctica.
  • Enjoy deck time on Le Boreal, a Ponant Yacht Cruise.
    Enjoy deck time on Le Boreal, a Ponant Yacht Cruise.
  • Take in panoramic views of charming European port cities from the deck of Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht.
    Take in panoramic views of charming European port cities from the deck of Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht.
  • Ponant can take you to the inlets and bays of Canada to see polar bears in their native habitat.
    Ponant can take you to the inlets and bays of Canada to see polar bears in their native habitat.
  • The 264-passenger Le Boreal from Ponant offers comfortable sailings to Antarctica and the Arctic regions.
    The 264-passenger Le Boreal from Ponant offers comfortable sailings to Antarctica and the Arctic regions.
  • Enjoy al fresco dining with stellar service on board Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht.
    Enjoy al fresco dining with stellar service on board Le Boreal, a Ponant yacht.

Sailing now

Cruises on Le Boreal

Plan my cruise
  1. 9 Night Authentic Mediterranean Shores 9 nights · from Valletta Next Oct 1, 2026 from $9,220
  2. 7 Night Cruising the Mediterranean Sicily Sardinia and Mallorca with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Valletta Next Oct 10, 2026 from $8,630
  3. 7 Night Cruising Southern Spain and Portugal with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Barcelona Next Oct 17, 2026 from $7,690
  4. 19 Night Ocean Voyage Lisbon to Buenos Aires 19 nights · from Lisbon Next Oct 24, 2026 from $7,680
  5. 18 Night Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula 18 nights · from Buenos Aires Next Nov 12, 2026 from $23,020
  6. 10 Night Emblematic Antarctica 10 nights · from Ushuaia Next Nov 30, 2026 19 dates from $14,650
  7. 17 Night The Great Austral Loop 17 nights · from Ushuaia Next Dec 20, 2026 2 dates from $25,730
  8. 18 Night Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula 18 nights · from Ushuaia Next Mar 4, 2027 from $22,720
  9. 17 Night Ocean Voyage Buenos Aires to Las Palmas 17 nights · from Buenos Aires Next Mar 22, 2027 from $6,090
  10. 10 Night Atlantic Odyssey from the Canary Islands to the Shores of Morocco 10 nights · from Las Palmas Next Apr 8, 2027 from $6,310
  11. 7 Night Cruising from Morocco to Spains Andalusian Coast with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Casablanca Next Apr 18, 2027 from $6,150
  12. 7 Night Gastronomic Journey through Iberian Coasts 7 nights · from Lisbon Next Apr 25, 2027 from $7,070
Show 38 more
  1. 5 Night From Riviera Glamour to Corsican Charm 5 nights · from Tarragona Next May 2, 2027 from $4,110
  2. 5 Night Springtime Along the Mediterranean 5 nights · from Nice Next May 7, 2027 Fare on request
  3. 8 Night Legendary Shores of Italy and Croatia 8 nights · from Civitavecchia Next May 12, 2027 from $6,930
  4. 8 Night Legendary Shores of Italy and Croatia 8 nights · from Venice Next May 20, 2027 from $6,930
  5. 5 Night Sicilian Interlude 5 nights · from Palermo Next Jun 1, 2027 from $4,330
  6. 8 Night Authentic Mediterranean Shores 8 nights · from Valletta Next Jun 6, 2027 from $6,930
  7. 9 Night Italian Shores and Isle of Beauty 9 nights · from Valletta Next Jun 14, 2027 from $7,810
  8. 7 Night Isle of Beauty and Iberian Shores 7 nights · from Nice Next Jun 23, 2027 from $6,070
  9. 7 Night Iberian Peninsula and Morocco 7 nights · from Malaga, Costa Del Sol Next Jun 30, 2027 from $5,760
  10. 8 Night Madeira and the Azores 8 nights · from Lisbon Next Jul 7, 2027 from $6,340
  11. 7 Night The Essential Azores 7 nights · from Ponta Delgada Next Jul 15, 2027 from $7,770
  12. 8 Night Madeira and the Azores 8 nights · from Ponta Delgada Next Jul 22, 2027 from $5,970
  13. 7 Night Solar Eclipse at Sea A Voyage Along the Iberian Peninsula with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Lisbon Next Jul 30, 2027 Fare on request
  14. 9 Night Atlantic Coast with the Paris Opera Ballet 9 nights · from Lisbon Next Aug 6, 2027 from $7,470
  15. 9 Night Green Shores Exploring the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast 9 nights · from Bordeaux Next Aug 15, 2027 from $6,820
  16. 8 Night Secrets of the Iberian Peninsula 8 nights · from Lisbon Next Aug 24, 2027 from $5,870
  17. 7 Night Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea with Smithsonian Journeys 7 nights · from Barcelona Next Sep 1, 2027 from $6,800
  18. 10 Night Made in Italy the Luxury Edition 10 nights · from Livorno Next Sep 8, 2027 from $16,470
  19. 10 Night Jewels of the Italian Coastlines 10 nights · from Venice Next Sep 18, 2027 from $8,670
  20. 5 Night An Autumn Escape Cote dAzur Italian Riviera and Corsica 5 nights · from Nice Next Sep 28, 2027 from $4,110
  21. 10 Night Treasures of the Western Mediterranean 10 nights · from Livorno Next Oct 3, 2027 from $7,340
  22. 10 Night Atlantic Odyssey from the Iberian Peninsula to the Canary Islands 10 nights · from Malaga, Costa Del Sol Next Oct 13, 2027 from $7,070
  23. 21 Night Ocean Voyage Las Palmas to Ushuaia 21 nights · from Las Palmas Next Oct 23, 2027 from $7,640
  24. 17 Night The Great Austral Loop 17 nights · from Ushuaia Next Jan 28, 2028 2 dates from $26,650
  25. 10 Night Antarctica the White Continent with Smithsonian Journeys 10 nights · from Ushuaia Next Feb 14, 2028 from $16,450
  26. 6 Night Ocean Voyage Ushuaia to Buenos Aires 6 nights · from Ushuaia Next Mar 12, 2028 from $2,150
  27. 10 Night Emblematic South American Shores and Cities 10 nights · from Buenos Aires Next Mar 18, 2028 2 dates from $7,810
  28. 10 Night Volcanic Islands and Historic Cities of the North Atlantic 10 nights · from Las Palmas Next May 3, 2028 Fare on request
  29. 10 Night Gastronomy Vineyards and Grands Crus 10 nights · from Lisbon Next May 13, 2028 Fare on request
  30. 11 Night Islands and Cities of the North Atlantic 11 nights · from Bordeaux Next May 23, 2028 from $7,370
  31. 12 Night Wild Lands of Scotland the Faroe Islands and Iceland 12 nights · from Rosyth Next Jun 25, 2028 from $12,470
  32. 7 Night Icelandic Mosaic 7 nights · from Reykjavik Next Jul 7, 2028 3 dates from $8,240
  33. 13 Night Expedition to the Edge of the Ice Sheet 13 nights · from Reykjavik Next Jul 28, 2028 from $13,920
  34. 16 Night Expedition to the Thule Region 16 nights · from Nuuk Next Aug 10, 2028 from $22,840
  35. 17 Night Wilderness from Greenland to the East Coast of Canada 17 nights · from Nuuk Next Sep 14, 2028 from $17,880
  36. 14 Night The Best of Chilean Fjords 14 nights · from Santiago, Cape Verde Next Oct 19, 2028 from $11,870
  37. 17 Night The Great Austral Loop 17 nights · from Ushuaia Next Nov 2, 2028 from $22,470
  38. 18 Night Falklands South Georgia and Valdes Peninsula In the Heart of the Wilderness 18 nights · from Ushuaia Next Feb 27, 2029 from $19,120

Side by side

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Overheard

“Le Boreal is best suited to young-minded couples and singles who want sophisticated facilities in a relaxed but chic yacht-like environment quite different than most cruise ships, with very good food and decent service.”

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