Luxury French cruise line Compagnie du Ponant will welcome Le Soléal, the sleek new ship into its fleet in July 2013. With the same elegant contours as her two sister ships, Le Boréal and L’Austral, Le Soléal is set to become further embodiment of Compagnie du Ponant’s ‘Yacht Cruises’ concept. Le Soléal boasts five-star accommodation with her sophisticate design and 132 staterooms, Le Soléal offers the same level of comfort as a private yacht. The magnificent human-sized vessel is permitted access to the most outstanding sites around the globe.

LE SOLÉAL: PIONEERING ITINERARIES FOR ‘THE ONE WHO LEADS THE WAY’

The name ‘Le Soléal’ emphasises the ‘Soft Expedition’ aspect of Compagnie du Ponant’s itineraries. The origin of the name ‘Le Soléal’ is a combination of two of the company’s most powerful symbols – ‘le soleil’ (French for sun) and the ‘the one who leads the way.’

A PIONEERING AND EXCLUSIVE DESTINATION: SECRETARTIC – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE GREAT EXPLORERS

For her inaugural season, commencing in July 2013, Le Soléal will be taking passengers to a new, rarely visited and exclusive destination: the Arctic. From the legendary North West Passage (connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans) to the Bering Strait, from ice floe to tundra, these unusual itineraries will offer passengers the chance to discover hidden gems way beyond the Arctic Circle. Le Soléal’s 264 passengers will be able to follow in the footsteps of the great explorers, discover Inuit villages and watch extraordinary wildlife, including polar bears, brown bears, wolves, puffins, walrus and belugas.

Adventurous passengers can enjoy excursions in zodiacs, hiking excursions and helicopter tours. Stable and quiet, Le Soléal is designed to navigate safely in the most extreme regions. The ship was awarded a “Clean” ship certificate.

FIVE-STAR COMFORT – INTIMACY AND REFINEMENT

For cruise information for Compagnie du Ponant, please contact Travel the World on 1300 950 622.