Ponant
Le Boréal
About this vessel
Inaugurated in 2010, Le Boréal is the precursor of a new generation of intimate ships, combining French elegance and cutting-edge technologies.
Polarverse guide to Le BoréalGuide
Specifications
Year Built
2010
ModernGuest Capacity
264
Crew
145
Ice Class
1C
IAATO Classification
Category 2
Operator
Ponant
Steady Operator
Dependable, even profiles without an elite peak.
Polar Luxury Index
How luxuriously Le Boréal lives — suites, crew-to-guest service, dining, wellness, and design, independent of fare.
Field Experience Score
How efficiently Le Boréal converts time at sea into exploration — staging, landing rotations, and guide density.
Drake Comfort Coefficient
How comfortably Le Boréal handles open-ocean swells — displacement mass, transit speed, stabilization, and hull shape.
Onboard
Life on board.
A curated look at the dining, lounges and outdoor spaces that shape daily life aboard Le Boréal.
Dining
1 spaceGastronomy
An essential component of French culture, gastronomy naturally holds a special place on board.
Bars & Lounges
1 spaceLounges and Bars
The cosy and refined atmosphere of the lounges and bars are perfect for relaxing, socialising or simply enjoying the moment.
Spa & Wellness
1 spaceSpa & Wellness
In partnership with SOTHYS™ and Davines®, the spa offers a wide range of treatments, massages and hairdressing services, as well as a sauna and a fitness room.
Outdoor Decks
1 spaceSwimming Pool
With its water blending into the surrounding landscapes, the pool is perfect for relaxing in the sun.
Entertainment
1 spaceTheatre
Attend conferences given by the teams of naturalists, as well as a variety of shows, concerts and performances by professional dancers and musicians.
Other
1 spaceBoutique
La Boutique offers an exclusive tax-free shopping experience with technical and casual ready-to-wear, equipment, souvenirs, jewelry and luxury items.
Curious if this vessel suits you?
Our polar specialists can help you match the right vessel to your expedition goals — from capacity and cabin preference to seasonality and route style.
Cabins
Cabin categories.
Window or Porthole Stateroom
21 m²
Lower Deck Balcony Stateroom
18 m²
Upper Decks Balcony Stateroom
18 m²
Deluxe Suite
27 m²
Prestige Suite
37 m²
Owner's Suite
45 m²
What's included
Inclusions
✓ Included · ◐ Complimentary use · + Additional fee
Ship Facilities
Spa Facilities
Included · Spa and fitness room freely accessible on equipped ships; snow cabin on Le Commandant Charcot.
Suite & Room Amenities
In-Room Dining
Included
Onboard Services
Wi-Fi
Included · Free 24/7 Wi-Fi; connection may be slow or interrupted in remote areas.
Gratuities
Included
Food & Beverage
Dining
Included · Full board from dinner on day one to breakfast on the last day.
Beverages
Included · Open Bar throughout: mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, champagne, spirits, coffee and tea. Some premium spirits listed on the menu are excluded.
Expedition Gear
Parka / Expedition Jacket
Included
Polar Boots
Included
Ship Facilities
Spa Treatments
Additional fee · Body, facial and hair care treatments at additional cost.
Destination experiences
Activities
✓ Included · ◐ Complimentary use · + Additional fee
6 activities
Citizen Science
Contribute to live research — seabird surveys, phytoplankton sampling, cloud observations and whale identification feeding global datasets.
Shore Landings & Hikes
Step ashore onto remote beaches and tundra, walking among penguin rookeries, historic huts and dramatic geological formations with expert guides.
Polar Plunge
The legendary polar plunge — a bracing, supervised leap into polar waters, followed by a hot drink and a certificate to mark the moment.
Sea Kayaking
Paddle silently among icebergs and along sheltered coastlines at water level — the most intimate way to encounter the polar environment.
Zodiac Cruising
Glide through brash ice and sculpted bergs in a stable inflatable Zodiac, exploring coves, glacier faces and wildlife haul-outs unreachable by ship.
Lectures & Presentations
Daily talks from naturalists, historians and scientists on polar ecology, exploration history, glaciology and the wildlife you'll encounter.
Not available on Ponant
Air
Helicopter Excursions
Not available
Water
Submersible Exploration
Not available
Keep exploring