Le Soléal
Ponant ship guide
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Le Soléal moored in Venice, 2014 · Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About Le Soléal
Le Soléal is a Ponant cruise ship of the Boréal class, in service since 2013. She measures 10,944 gross tons and carries 264 guests with a crew of 145. She sails Asia, Australia and New Zealand, South Pacific, Antarctica itineraries. We rate her 3.7 out of 5.
Le Soléal, the third of Ponant's Sisterships, was delivered by Fincantieri in June 2013 and made her first voyage that July. In August and September of the same year she became the first French commercial vessel to sail the Northwest Passage, from Greenland to Anadyr in Russia. She shares her sisters' 142-metre hull and carries up to 264 guests in 132 staterooms and suites, with a pool, theatre and spa. Ponant currently bases her in Asia and Oceania: Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines, Australia's Kimberley coast and Papua New Guinea, with summer expeditions from New Zealand to its subantarctic islands and the Ross Sea.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 264
- Crew 145 · 1:1.8
- Entered service
- 2013
- Maiden voyage July 2013
- Length
- 142 m
- Longer than 52% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 6
Le Soléal 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 Soléal is one of 4 Boréal class ships. Le Lyrial (2015), L'Austral (2011) and Le Boréal (2010) are in service.
Official deck plans
Photos
Le Soléal moored in Venice, 2014Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates Le Soléal?
Le Soléal is operated by Ponant and belongs to its Boréal class.
What are Le Soléal's sister ships?
Le Soléal is one of 4 Boréal class ships. Le Lyrial (2015), L'Austral (2011) and Le Boréal (2010) are in service.
How big is Le Soléal?
Le Soléal measures 10,944 gross tons and 142 metres in length, with 6 decks.
How does Le Soléal compare in size with other cruise ships?
Le Soléal 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 Soléal feel?
Le Soléal 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 Soléal feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does Le Soléal carry?
Le Soléal carries 264 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 145 (about 1.8 guests per crew member).
When did Le Soléal enter service?
Le Soléal entered service in 2013.
Where does Le Soléal sail?
Le Soléal sails Asia, Australia and New Zealand, South Pacific and Antarctica itineraries.
Where can I find the deck plans for Le Soléal?
Ponant publishes the deck plans for Le Soléal; this page links to Deck plans.
How is Le Soléal rated?
Cruises Frog rates Le Soléal 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 Soléal
- 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