Le Soléal is a stylish small ship operated by French luxury cruise line PONANT, offering a more intimate alternative to the large resort-style cruise ships found across the industry. Designed for travellers who value elegant surroundings, personalised service and destination-focused itineraries, the ship combines the atmosphere of a private yacht with the facilities expected from a luxury cruise vessel.
Launched in 2013, Le Soléal forms part of PONANT's distinctive series of sister ships alongside Le Boréal, L'Austral and Le Lyrial. The four ships share a similar design philosophy, with a compact size that allows them to visit smaller ports and more remote destinations. Le Soléal is approximately 142 metres long and accommodates up to 264 passengers in 132 staterooms and suites, with a crew of around 145.
The ship underwent a refurbishment in 2019, helping to maintain its contemporary feel. On board, guests can find two restaurants, several lounges and bars, a theatre, a swimming pool, spa and wellness facilities, a fitness area, a library and boutique. Its relatively small capacity also creates a quieter atmosphere, with less emphasis on large-scale attractions and more attention given to the journey and destinations.
Food is an important part of the experience on Le Soléal, with dining designed to complement the ship's French character. Guests have two principal restaurants to choose from, providing a mixture of relaxed and more sophisticated dining experiences.
Le Céleste is the main restaurant and provides an elegant setting for meals throughout the day. Its menus combine French culinary influences with international dishes, creating a varied choice for guests during longer voyages.
For something more informal, The Grill Restaurant offers a relaxed dining environment. Its setting makes it particularly appealing when guests want to enjoy a less formal meal while taking a break from sightseeing or expedition activities.
There are also several places to enjoy a drink. The Main Lounge and Bar is a social hub for cocktails, wine and conversation, while the Panoramic Lounge offers a quieter environment where guests can sit back and enjoy views of the passing scenery. An outdoor bar provides another option when the weather is suitable.
Entertainment aboard Le Soléal takes a more understated approach than the shows and attractions found on much larger cruise ships. The focus is on creating enjoyable spaces for relaxation while complementing the destinations featured on each itinerary.
The ship's theatre hosts performances, presentations and talks, while enrichment activities can give passengers greater insight into the places they visit. Depending on the sailing, guests may encounter specialist speakers, naturalists and other experts who provide additional context about the destination.
For downtime, the ship has a library and panoramic lounge, providing comfortable spaces to read or watch the scenery. The outdoor swimming pool is another option during quieter periods.
Wellness facilities include a fitness room, sauna, hammam and spa treatments, allowing guests to combine sightseeing with time dedicated to relaxation. The overall entertainment programme is therefore geared towards travellers who prefer a sophisticated, peaceful atmosphere rather than a packed schedule of activities.
With 132 staterooms and suites, Le Soléal offers a relatively small number of accommodation options compared with today's larger cruise ships. This supports the vessel's boutique character and allows passengers to choose from several cabin categories according to their space and balcony preferences.
Accommodation includes Window and Porthole Staterooms, as well as balcony cabins on different decks. Selected suites provide additional living space for guests wanting a more spacious environment during their cruise.
The accommodation categories include:
Balcony accommodation is particularly attractive for scenic itineraries, giving passengers a private place to take in coastal landscapes and remote destinations without leaving their cabin.
Le Soléal cruise deals can vary by itinerary, departure date, accommodation category and promotional offers available at the time of booking. PONANT specialises in luxury small-ship and expedition cruising, combining destination-led voyages with French-inspired hospitality and cuisine.
Because the ship carries fewer passengers than a conventional large cruise liner, its itineraries can include smaller ports and less conventional destinations. This can make a Le Soléal sailing particularly appealing to travellers who want to explore beyond the usual cruise circuit.
When comparing fares, it is worth looking beyond the headline price and checking what is included in the particular sailing. Promotional offers may be available on selected departures, while some itineraries can also provide savings for consecutive cruises or specific booking periods.
For travellers considering Le Soléal, comparing dates, cabin categories and current cruise offers can help identify the most suitable sailing for both itinerary and budget. The ship's combination of boutique accommodation, French dining, specialist service and destination-focused cruising creates an experience aimed at those who prefer a more personal style of luxury travel.
Like Le Boréal and L’Austral, the two sister ships that preceded it, Le Soléal further reaffirms PONANT's signature approach: to take passengers to the farthest reaches of the planet onboard five-star ships offering top-of-the-range services.
An elegant appearance and refined interior design combine with cutting-edge technology to offer a new type of cruising: adventure in a luxury setting.
