WELCOME TO LE BOREAL, L’AUSTRAL, LE SOLEAL & LE LYRIAL
Elegant expedition yachts built to explore the White Continent in style.
Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal, and Le Lyrial have all been engineered to master Antarctica’s harsh and unpredictable environment. Small enough to navigate ice-strewn seas with agility, yet robust enough to provide luxury and safety, they offer a rare combination of adventure and comfort in one of the world’s most remote destinations.
Each ship carries a maximum of 200 guests, for a more intimate and personalised experience than larger liners. Interiors take inspiration from modern French design with panoramic lounges, refined dining spaces, and wellness areas, with over 90% of suites featuring private balconies. Ice-class certified and equipped with clean-ship technology, the fleet is purpose-built for responsible polar exploration without compromising on luxury.
What are the differences between these four Antarctic cruise ships?
Differences between Le Boreal, L’Austral, Le Soleal & Le Lyrial are mainly decorative.
- Le Boreal has 132 staterooms and suites, and boasts grey interiors with subtle touches of red throughout.
- Le Boreal has the most yacht-like feel of the four cruise ships.
- Created by French designers and also with 132 staterooms and suites, L’Austral is chic and slightly unique in style.
- Le Soleal has soft interiors; think greys, whites, and natural wood.
- Le Lyrial is both the newest of the four cruise ships and the smallest, with 122 staterooms and suites.
What to do on board LE BOREAL, L’AUSTRAL, LE SOLEAL & LE LYRIAL
An Antarctic cruise is a true polar adventure.
Spending days at sea, you’ll sail through the jaw-dropping beauty of the South Shetland Islands, where volcanic cliffs and ice-filled fjords rise dramatically from the water. Glide past towering icebergs in shifting shades of blue and white, all while keeping watch for albatross, orcas, humpback whales, and waddling colonies of penguins.
Step ashore where few ever do, visiting remote scientific outposts like Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, tiny hubs of human life on the edge of the world. Wander windswept paths and meet the researchers who call these icy frontiers home.
You can also spend free time kayaking between ice floes or standing on deck with binoculars in hand. Every moment aboard these vessels feels like a scene from another planet.
When to travel
November to March
Le Boreal, L’Austral, Le Soleal, and Le Lyrial have all been designed specifically for the harsh Antarctic conditions, but extreme weather means that the season is short, running from November to March.
Cruise schedules and itineraries are flexible depending on weather conditions.
ENQUIRE NOWLooking for more inspiration? Learn more about our bespoke holidays and expeditions in Antarctica.
