ocean Ship
Le Boreal
by Ponant
Built in
2010
Remodeled in
2018
Capacity
264
By
Ponant
Le Boreal from Ponant stands as a contemporary expedition vessel that fuses refined French design with a restless spirit of discovery. Built to explore both sunlit tropical seas and polar ice, the ship carries an understated elegance that feels more like a private yacht than a conventional liner. With a capacity of up to 264 guests, Le Boreal preserves an intimate atmosphere where attentive, personalized service thrives and access to secluded ports and uncharted paths remains possible beyond the reach of larger ships.
Inside, the ambiance is defined by clean lines, warm hues, and premium materials—soft leathers, brushed metals, and rich woods. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe public spaces in natural light and offer uninterrupted views of the sea and surrounding landscapes. Guests can unwind in a panoramic lounge, a quiet library, a spa sanctuary, and an open-air pool deck. The onboard theater hosts lectures, film screenings, and cultural performances that enrich the destinations visited and deepen the voyage experience.
Dining on Le Boreal is a journey in its own right, with two restaurants serving refined French and international fare. The main dining room offers an elegant atmosphere with flexible seating and a curated wine list, while the pool-deck grill provides a casual yet thoughtfully composed menu. All suites and staterooms are ocean-facing, many with private balconies, and come equipped with thoughtful amenities such as premium linens, Nespresso machines, and luxury bath products.
Sailings on this ship
We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on Le Boreal, plus the reasons travelers book with Small Ship Travel. Reply anytime to ask about specific cabins, dates, or itineraries.
Suites
484 sq. feet
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398 sq. feet
-398 sq. feet
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290 sq. feet
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193 sq. feet
-193 sq. feet
-193 sq. feet
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193 sq. feet
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226 sq. feet
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Ponant is a French luxury cruise line known for intimate, small-ship voyages that pair refined French hospitality with real exploration. Founded in 1988, Ponant runs tailor-made voyages to some of the world's most remote and culturally rich destinations. A long-standing focus on sustainability and ship design shapes trips that combine adventure with comfort and a light environmental footprint.
Ponant's fleet of yachts and expedition ships is built for a boutique-style cruise experience. Each ship offers polished accommodations, accomplished dining, and a relaxed but elegant atmosphere, which keeps the voyage intimate even on its larger vessels.
One of Ponant's most significant ships is Le Commandant Charcot. It is the world's first hybrid-electric polar exploration vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG, a cleaner-burning marine fuel than heavy fuel oil). The ship lets travelers reach deeper into polar regions with less environmental impact, and reflects how Ponant approaches sustainable cruising across the fleet.
Ponant sails across the globe, from the ice of Antarctica and the Arctic to the Mediterranean, the islands of the South Pacific, and the cultures of Asia and Africa. Each itinerary is built thoughtfully, mixing wildlife, culture, and landscape, with Ponant's French signature carried through the gourmet cuisine and the onboard service.
Ponant has pushed sustainable cruising for years, adding cleaner technologies and conservation work to its operations. It was the first international cruise line to join Green Marine, the maritime environmental certification program, reaching the program's top leadership level on most indicators in 2020. The line works to cut its carbon footprint, remove single-use plastics, and support scientific research in the places it visits.
At Small Ship Travel, we focus on the best small-ship cruise experiences, holding each one to our standards for luxury, authenticity, and sustainability. After a close look, we include Ponant in our collection for its refined approach to adventure, its environmental record, and its service.
Through our work with Ponant, we offer strong access, personalized itinerary planning, and well-coordinated travel arrangements, so your voyage runs smoothly from the first booking to the final day.
Booking with Small Ship Travel gives you expert recommendations, customized itineraries, and concierge-level service to round out your Ponant voyage. From pre and post-cruise stays to private shore excursions and travel arrangements, we plan every part of the trip with you.
Sail the world in style with Ponant and Small Ship Travel, where luxury meets exploration in some of the most remarkable destinations on the map. Contact us to start planning your next voyage.
consultation
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