Le Boréal

North Star of the Ponant Fleet

Le Boréal entered service in 2010 as the second Boreal-class ship, and the one that gave the class its name. “Boréal” means “of the north” in French, and the name reflects where this vessel is most at home: in the fjords of Svalbard, the waters around Greenland, Iceland and the Norwegian coast, and the upper reaches of the Arctic Ocean. She carries 264 guests across 132 outside cabins and suites, in 10,700 gross tons and 142 metres of purpose-designed expedition hull.

The class was conceived in partnership with the Paul-Emile Victor Polar Institute, a collaboration that shaped the ship’s polar capability as much as her passenger spaces. Zodiac landing craft, ice-rated plating, and a shallow-enough draft to approach glacial shores are features that reflect this heritage.

On Board

Le Boréal offers the same French-inflected comfort found across the Boreal class: a spa, swimming pool, fitness room, and two dining venues. The main restaurant operates on open seating; the more intimate second dining space is used for themed evenings and group bookings. The wine list is anchored in French appellations, with selections from other classic wine regions throughout the voyage.

An on-board expedition team – typically naturalists, ornithologists, and glacier specialists depending on the itinerary – delivers evening briefings and leads Zodiac excursions. Their presence transforms what might otherwise be a scenic cruise into something more instructive and satisfying.

Destinations

Le Boréal is most frequently deployed to the Arctic – Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, and the Norwegian coast – though she also sails Antarctic Peninsula itineraries in the southern summer and visits the Mediterranean, South America, and the Pacific in the shoulder months. Her operational range across all latitudes is a practical advantage for travellers who wish to experience more than one type of polar environment over successive voyages.