Exterior of expedition ship Le Boreal with 6 passenger decks & gray hull
Deluxe Suite aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, table, TV, chair & white-&-copper appointments.
owners suite aboard Le Boreal luxury expedition ship, white leather headboard a closet and a seating area
Gastronomic restaurant aboard Le Boreal white linens cover the tables with plate settings and a man in a suit pouring water
lounge seating aboard Le Boreal, grey couches with red pillows, red arm chairs and coffee tables in front of tall glass wrap around windows
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Le Boreal

capacity
200-264
year built
2010
crew members
145
length
446 feet
beam
59 feet
draft
15.3 feet
cruising speed
14 knots
flag
France
ice class
1C

Le Boreal is a graceful expedition ship that accommodates up to 264 guests (200 on Antarctica cruises) on her global itineraries. The small capacity expedition ship is perfect for fostering camaraderie, a unique atmosphere and subtle combination of luxury, privacy and well-being. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size make her a rare and innovative vessel.

Designed in France and built in Italy in 2010, Le Boreal has a unique style and a true signature design that blends tradition and innovation. Le Boreal is one of four sister ships with Le Lyrial, Le Soleal and L’Austral. Each ship has its own color palette and motif but all share an elegantly understated aesthetic and European sensibility and craftsmanship.

Le Boreal Review

AdventureSmith Explorations’ Le Boreal review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery, along with a dedicated Le Boreal Ship Review written by one of our specialists. Our expedition ship experts have been aboard Le Boreal firsthand. Please read our Le Boreal review below then contact our experts to compare Le Boreal with other Antarctica ships, small cruise ships and polar expedition ships offering Antarctica cruises, Arctic cruises, Greenland cruises, Hawaiian Island cruises and small ship cruises in Northern Europe.

Choose Le Boreal for her blend of luxury, gastronomy, wellness, entertainment and active programming. Experience expedition cruising paired with French-inspired elegance and impeccably trained staff aboard this 7-deck, ultra-modern ship. A plethora of public spaces, combined with 95% of staterooms and suites offering a private balcony, create opportunities for intimate connections and extraordinary moments. For these, and many other reasons, Le Boreal is among our top choices for passengers seeking Antarctica luxury cruises, Iceland cruises and Spitsbergen & Svalbard cruises.

Safety, Sustainability & Accessibility Aboard Le Boreal

Le Boreal has been carefully designed to offer the highest standards of luxury and safety, both for her guests and for the natural environment. Le Boreal and her sister ships are the only ones in their class to be certified “Clean Ships” by Bureau Veritas, one of the world’s foremost stewards of ecologically sound travel. The onboard silent electric propulsion system helps cut carbon emissions by 40%. Dynamic Positioning, a sophisticated GPS and propulsion system, keeps the ship in a fixed location without need of an anchor. Advanced filtration systems treat and recycle all wastewater. Onboard storage holds compacted items for later recycling ashore. The CFR and LED lighting throughout uses just 10% of the electrical power of older, more traditional systems. And advanced sonar provides the captain and officers with rolling 3D views of the ocean floor, icebergs and ice floes, enabling Le Boreal to keep her distance from marine animals. Le Boreal is fully ADA compliant, with 3 accessible staterooms, 4 elevators and lifts up and down stairways for easy access to all decks and public areas of the ship.

Common Areas Aboard Le Boreal

Le Boréal provides quiet oases of calm serenity out at sea. Her interior decoration features iridescent grey tones highlighted with subtle touches of red. Panoramic windows throughout the ship’s many common areas reveal the beautiful areas that only a small expedition ship can access. The Panoramic Lounge’s library engages passengers in reference materials reflecting the global destinations Le Boreal visits; an Internet desk ensures guests stay connected while at sea. The Theater acts as the main venue for conferences and live entertainment on named evenings, featuring state-of-the-art audio and video technology. The Lobby offers a constantly-staffed concierge lounge, including reception, guest relations, concierge service and an excursions desk. Finally, the ship’s infirmary is available 24 hours a day and is equipped to treat non-emergency matters. A doctor is available for a nominal fee.

Dining Aboard Le Boreal

Le Boreal offers two different dining concepts according to your desires. Every day, coffee, tea, fruit juices and a selection of pastries are available to early-birds and late-risers from 6:30am to 10:00am, in the Main Lounge. The Gastronomic Restaurant invites guests into an elegant main dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner highlighting both French and international gourmet cuisine, including local specialties of the various ports you visit. The Ducasse Conseil-trained chefs create a special menu offered aboard Le Boreal, including accommodation for special diets (noted in advance) and groups through customized menus. The Gastronomic Restaurant is also host to two Gala Evening Dinner Nights with a fine wine cellar to round out the experience.

The Grill Restaurant provides a casual eating venue for breakfast, buffet lunch and occasional themed dinners. Alfresco dining aboard Le Boreal may also be available at certain times. The Main Lounge and Panoramic Lounge, each with access to an outside terrace, creates a space for afternoon tea and specialty drinks from their cocktail bars. The open-air bar on Deck 7 is an ideal setting for a sunset drink overlooking the pool. Whether you wish to enjoy breakfast in bed, quietly savor a snack in the middle of the day, or even enjoy your dinner in an intimate setting, Le Boreal’s Room Service is available 24 hours a day.

Activities Aboard Le Boreal

Every day aboard Le Boreal is a new opportunity for adventure, connection and refined leisure. On board, the Main and Panoramic lounges entice guests to celebrate the day with live music and dancing on select evenings. The Leisure Area’s Wii™ and board games offer amusement as the ship repositions; a children’s area on Deck 5 additionally provides games and books. The Fitness room’s Kinesis wall, weight training gym equipment, treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes enable passengers to maintain strength routines. And with its hairdressing salon, two massage rooms, Balneotherapy room, Moroccan steam spa, relaxation room and herbal tea bar, the SOTHYS™ Spa/Beauty Corner provides opportunities for respite and rejuvenation during each cruise departure. Provided stationery in each stateroom and suite can be mailed via the Reception desk. The open Bridge policy invites passengers to talk with the captain and crew (weather permitting), and learn about Le Boreal’s state-of-the-art navigation technology.

Le Boreal is equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs which comfortably transport guests to shore and allow for exceptional discoveries of wildlife and the surrounding coastal landscapes. This is an absolute must for exploratory excursions along coastlines or for accessing shallow water ports. Zodiac launches are conducted from the stern via the ship’s stable marine platform.

Crew & Guides Aboard Le Boreal

Cruising aboard Le Boreal is enhanced by her sophisticated crew who help create the feeling of being aboard a private yacht. Impeccably trained staff focus on guest comfort with discreet yet attentive service that has become legendary among travelers. Even in the most extreme regions you will find the exceptional comfort and service that are Le Boreal’s signature.

Le Boreal’s expedition team has been selected for their knowledge and expertise, to enhance the experience both on board and in the field. The multi-lingual guides provide fascinating lectures and valuable insight into the culture, history and wildlife of the region.

Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Le Boreal

All accommodations are spacious, with touches of luxury throughout. Each stateroom or suite features panoramic sea views, the option of one king-size bed or two twin beds, individually-controlled air-conditioning, minibar, flat-screen satellite TV, desk with stationery, Ipod™ players, on-demand video, a safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, a 110/220-volt outlet, French bath products, 24-hour room service, complimentary WiFi Internet access and added-cost satellite direct-line telephone. Laundry and ironing service is available for a fee.

Superior stateroom aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, desk, lamp & white-&-copper appointments.
Superior Stateroom

226-sq-ft cabin with two twin beds or one king bed and ensuite bathroom with shower.

Deluxe stateroom aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, table, chair & white-&-copper appointments.
Deluxe Stateroom

200-sq-ft cabin with two twin beds or one king bed, ensuite bathroom with shower and 43-sq-ft private balcony.

Prestige stateroom aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, desk & white-&-copper appointments.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4

200-sq-ft cabin with two twin beds or one king bed, ensuite bathroom with shower and 43-sq-ft private balcony.

Prestige stateroom aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, desk & white-&-copper appointments.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5

200-sq-ft cabin with two twin beds or one king bed, ensuite bathroom with shower and 43-sq-ft private balcony.

Prestige stateroom aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, desk & white-&-copper appointments.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6

200-sq-ft cabin with two twin beds or one king bed, ensuite bathroom with shower and 43-sq-ft private balcony.

Deluxe Suite aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, table, TV, chair & white-&-copper appointments.
Deluxe Suite

290-sq-ft cabin with two twin beds or one king bed, ensuite bathroom with shower, daybed, 54-sq-ft private balcony and butler service.

Prestige Suite for Decks 4, 5 & 6 aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, table, TV, chairs & white-&-copper appointments.
Prestige Suite - Deck 5

398-sq-ft cabin (a combination of two prestige staterooms) with two twin beds or one king bed, two ensuite bathrooms (each with shower) and 86-sq-ft private balcony.

Prestige Suite for Decks 4, 5 & 6 aboard Le Boreal expedition ship, showing king bed, table, TV, chairs & white-&-copper appointments.
Prestige Suite - Deck 6

398-sq-ft cabin (a combination of two prestige staterooms) with two twin beds or one king bed, two ensuite bathrooms (each with shower) and 86-sq-ft private balcony.

owners suite aboard Le Boreal luxury expedition ship, white leather headboard a closet and a seating area
Owner's Suite

484-sq-ft cabin with two twin beds or one king bed, two ensuite bathrooms (one with shower and Balneo bathtub), 97-sq-ft private balcony, butler service, complimentary hour of spa treatments and private round-trip transfer between the airport, hotel and ship.

Deck plan of Le Boreal expedition ship, showing 132 staterooms across 6 guest decks.
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