Discover our 2026 Star Award winners here
Le Boréal
A boldly luxurious PONANT ship for intrepid explorers
And after a day of exploration, the Sothys Spa, complete with a therapeutic balneotherapy room and Moroccan steam room, offers a welcome retreat for even the most intrepid explorer.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Le Boréal's compact size and special hull made to withstand ice open up destinations that larger vessels simply cannot reach, like Antarctica, enabling intimate encounters with wildlife and dramatic coastal scenery. Ashore, highly knowledgeable guides lead Zodiac expeditions, while onboard enrichment is provided by a roster of expert speakers, including artists, historians, researchers and naturalists.
- The 132 staterooms and suites feature minimalist interiors, a neutral color palette, fine linens and soft carpets that flow seamlessly from the rest of the ship. Amenities like Diptyque toiletries, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a Bose Bluetooth speaker, a Nespresso coffee maker and complimentary Wi-Fi, ensure comfort and ease throughout the voyage.
- The cruise’s French culinary identity is most clearly expressed at La Licorne’s dining table. The more formal of the ship's two dining venues offers white-tablecloth service, attentive staff and refined French fare with dishes such as veal, wild boar, duck confit and escargot.
- The Sothys Spa is a standout feature of Le Boréal's wellness offerings. Along with amenities like a therapeutic balneotherapy room and a Turkish hammam, the spa offers treatments spanning from hydrating facials to relaxing personalized massages.
- La Boussole is the more laid-back of Le Boréal's two dining venues. Take advantage of its indoor-outdoor layout on deck six for an alfresco meal. Breakfast and lunch are served as generous buffets with live cooking stations, while occasional themed dinners celebrate the kitchen's creativity.
The Look
- Artistic touches are woven throughout the interiors, from Philip Plisson's striking black-and-white maritime photography to a signature Swarovski crystal chandelier in the atrium.
- The vessel’s interior design combines French sophistication with sleek, minimalist superyacht aesthetics. French interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel’s design avoids the typical appearance of an expedition ship, instead feeling like a chic, intimate private pied-à-terre.
- Each cabin enjoys abundant natural light, warm wood accents and plentiful white space, creating a distinctive sense of tranquility.
- Ponant has long excelled at blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, and Le Boréal is no exception: 94% of cabins feature private verandas with high-end outdoor furniture, while expansive panoramic windows bring the outside in throughout the ship.
Cruise Line
PONANT Explorations
Stories
