This cruise, will cultivate the art of peaceful travel as well as a family spirit, thanks to its customised activities on board and on shore for youngsters*, with the Kid Explorers Club.
On these summer days, take a journey towards the unexpected, experience the extraordinary and embark on an exceptional 9-day cruise, along Mediterranean shores, with their heady mix of savours, architectural styles and age-old traditions, to seek out a rare phenomenon offered by the sky: the total solar eclipse. Throughout your journey aboard Le Boréal, discover the secrets of this exceptional event thanks to the presence of Joe Rao, meteorologist and eclipse chaser, and Serge Brunier, science journalist, author, photographer and eclipse chaser.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, dive into the teeming waters of the wild Revellata peninsula at the gates of Calvi, explore the pretty villages of Gordes, Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence leaving from Marseille or visit the Miró Foundation in Palma.The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
From Nice, you will set sail for Calvi in the heart of the Balagne region. Between steep peaks and sublime beaches with turquoise waters, you will experience a wild and authentic Corsica. Your ship will set sail towards the southern tip of Corsica, to Bonifacio. A veritable fortress sculpted by the wind and the spray, the “sentinel city” will reveal its historical centre and its long cobbled streets.
You will reach Marseille, the oldest port city in France, which is constantly renewing itself beneath the protective gaze of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard.
Le Boréal will sail to the Roussillon region, close to Spain. The charming fishing port of Port-Vendres will stand before you. Here, you will be bewitched by a unique blend of historic heritage and exceptional natural scenery, its backdrop the lush Albera Massif Mountain range running down towards the coast.
You will sail towards Barcelona. Truly an open-air museum, the “prodigious town” reveals an astonishing range of artistic treasures and museums, combining Roman ruins, medieval districts and a number of avant-garde elements from the 20th Century.
Further east, you will reach the Balearic Islands, which are anchored off the coast of the Spanish coastline and will be a highlight of your Mediterranean journey. After you have discovered the treasures of Palma de Mallorca, the Captain will take you — in the total darkness of night and weather conditions permitting** — off the coast of the main Balearic Island, which is the best place to observe this rare phenomenon. You will be captivated by the unique spectacle provided by this 16th total eclipse of the 21st century, during which the Moon will obscure the Sun and reveal the solar corona.
This cruise, a veritable invitation to dream big, to be within reach of immensity and to reconnect with pure magic, will conclude in Nice, famous for its interminable riviera.
*for children aged 4 to 13 years old
**We are privileged guests in these places, where we are at the mercy of the weather conditions. As we cannot control the weather conditions, we cannot guarantee the observation of this total solar eclipse. Nevertheless, the Captain will have room for manoeuvre and will be able to sail towards the most suitable places on the eclipse’s trajectory.
- Kid Explorers Club for children aged 4 to 13 years old.
- A unique cruise along the Mediterranean coastlines to seek out the 19th total eclipse of the 21st century.
- The exceptional presence of Joe Rao, meteorologist and eclipse chaser, and Serge Brunier, science journalist, author, photographer and eclipse chaser.
- Lectures covering eclipse science and moments of discussion with our experts.
- Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: the works of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona.
- Discover Bonifacio overlooking the high white limestone cliffs and Calvi and its citadel on the Isle of Beauty.
- The port of call at Palma de Mallorca, a highlight of your journey and the best place to observe the solar eclipse.
- Port-Vendres, a charming fishing port in the Roussillon region at the foot of the lush Albera Massif Mountain range.
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Le Boreal
Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship
A superb mega-yacht with 132 cabins, she is the fruit of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. Le Boreal creates a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being.
The best materials, discreet elegance and a tasteful décor combined with exterior and interior lines to reflect a nautical mood. On board, soothing neutral tones are enlivened by splashes of red, our signature theme linking tradition and innovation to create personal touches in the spirit of a “private yacht”.
Cuisine
Loyal to the great French tradition, the haute cuisine on board is worthy of the finest restaurants, where discreet, attentive service is the hallmark.
Choose from two restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Gastronomic Restaurant is situated on Le Liberte Deck and serves you French and international cuisine accompagnied by fine wine. In the Grill Restaurant, you have the opportuniny to eat outside and enjoy buffet lunch and themed dinner.
Life On Board
Whether you want to join other guests in the theatre or games area (Wii™ consoles, etc), or relax on your own in a quiet corner of the library, Le Boreal has been designed to meet the needs of every guest.
Everything has been done to preserve the independence of each guest to suit their personal tastes: lounges for lectures and shows, a spa in partnership with Carita™, but also more intimate spaces such as the library and internet corner. Comfortable cabins, nearly all with private balcony, are available for families either as triples or as communicating cabins. There is also a games area with Wii™ consoles, children’s menus, and a baby-sitting ser vice. Just as if you were on a private yacht, your time is your own to do as you please.
Fitted with the latest equipment (Kinesis Wall, running machine) and in partnership with the famous Carita™ brand, the Beauty Centre on Le Boreal welcomes you for some relaxation and pampering (beauty treatments, hairdresser, hammam, balneotherapy).
Wheelchairs3 specially adapted wheelchair cabins (Deck 3 = Superior cabin no. 307, no balcony, Deck 4 = Prestige Cabin no. 407 - with balcony and Deck 5 = Prestige Cabin no 509, with balcony) and lifts to all decks/areas.
DetailsLength: 142 metres. Passenger Capacity: 264 (in twin cabins, just 200 in Antarctica). Built: 2011
Please click the following links to read more about Ponant and the other Ponant cruise ships.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
