Le Boréal
Ponant ship guide
Page updated
Le Boréal at Ushuaia, Argentina, December 2019 · Photo: Wolfgang Fricke, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Le Boréal
Le Boréal is a Ponant cruise ship of the Boréal class, in service since 2010. She measures 10,944 gross tons and carries 264 guests with a crew of 145. She sails Mediterranean, Antarctica, South America, Transatlantic itineraries. We rate her 3.7 out of 5.
Le Boréal is the first of Ponant's four near-identical Sisterships, completed by Fincantieri at Ancona in 2010. She measures 142 metres and about 10,900 gross tons and carries up to 264 guests in 132 staterooms and suites, with a pool, a theatre, a spa and a fleet of Zodiacs for landings; her hull is ice-strengthened for polar work. Her current program mixes Antarctic and South American voyages in the southern summer with Mediterranean, Iberian and Atlantic island cruises, and a 2028 season in Iceland, Greenland and the Northwest Passage. Long ocean crossings between Europe and South America link the two halves of her year.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 264
- Crew 145 · 1:1.8
- Entered service
- 2010
- Length
- 142 m
- Longer than 52% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 6
Le Boréal is smaller than 73% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 51%. At 41.5 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 61% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 4/5, fleet average 4.3
- Dining
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Entertainment
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Service
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Pools & decks
- 3/5−0.6, fleet average 3.6
- Value
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Ponant fleet average across 12 rated ships in service.
Sister ships: Boréal class
Le Boréal is one of 4 Boréal class ships. Le Lyrial (2015), Le Soléal (2013) and L'Austral (2011) are in service.
Official deck plans
Photos
Le Boréal at Ushuaia, Argentina, December 2019Photo: Wolfgang Fricke, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates Le Boréal?
Le Boréal is operated by Ponant and belongs to its Boréal class.
What are Le Boréal's sister ships?
Le Boréal is one of 4 Boréal class ships. Le Lyrial (2015), Le Soléal (2013) and L'Austral (2011) are in service.
How big is Le Boréal?
Le Boréal measures 10,944 gross tons and 142 metres in length, with 6 decks.
How does Le Boréal compare in size with other cruise ships?
Le Boréal is smaller than 73% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 51%. At 41.5 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 61% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does Le Boréal feel?
Le Boréal has a passenger space ratio of 41.5: 10,944 gross tons for 264 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so Le Boréal feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Le Boréal carry?
Le Boréal carries 264 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 145 (about 1.8 guests per crew member).
When did Le Boréal enter service?
Le Boréal entered service in 2010.
Where does Le Boréal sail?
Le Boréal sails Mediterranean, Antarctica, South America and Transatlantic itineraries.
Where can I find the deck plans for Le Boréal?
Ponant publishes the deck plans for Le Boréal; this page links to Deck plans.
How is Le Boréal rated?
Cruises Frog rates Le Boréal 3.7 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on dining (5/5) and lowest on entertainment (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Le Boréal
- Ponant Antarctica: choose the route before comparing the cabin price
Antarctica is not one interchangeable cruise itinerary. Ponant's new 2028–29 program makes that clear: a ten-night peninsula trip, a Weddell Sea voyage and a longer Ross Sea expedition ask different things of your time and travel budget.
Itineraries
- Ponant opens its 2028-29 Antarctic season: 12 routes, nearly 30 departures, from $15,450
Trips run 10 to 59 nights, including Weddell Sea and Ross Sea expeditions and a 59-night Le Commandant Charcot voyage that stops in Hobart.
Itineraries