Friscorays Posted October 8, 2009 #1 Share Posted October 8, 2009 This new ship launched today: http://www.ponant.com/boreal-austral/en-boreal-austral-2010.html Anyone considering a trip to Antarctica on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parischris Posted October 25, 2009 #2 Share Posted October 25, 2009 Abercrombie & Kent have chartered Le Boreal for the 2010 Antarctic season, replacing the Minerva. Pricing is a lot more expensive due to the 'all balcony' concept on this ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friscorays Posted November 4, 2009 Author #3 Share Posted November 4, 2009 It is a beautiful ship, I love the contemporary design. I know the pool won't be getting much use in Antarctica but I guess a balcony would be nice to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastoo Posted March 7, 2010 #4 Share Posted March 7, 2010 Just returned from a fabulous Antarctica trip on Le Diamant. Le Boreal is owned by same company and will replace Le Diamand for Antarctica. Captain Garcia the former captain of Le Diamand will be captain of Le Boreal. He has extensive Antarctic experience. The ships of Ponant give first class service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minya Posted March 26, 2010 #5 Share Posted March 26, 2010 I agree with thomastoo . i was on the fab Le Diamant antarctica trip Dec 23rd to jan 5th 2010. Same super amazing captain Garcia. Cruise was absolute magic including first time ever special New years Eve zodiac landing and champagne celebration on an iceberg in the Weddell sea and a sail around/three hour landing on Cape Horn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurelhollow Posted April 7, 2010 #6 Share Posted April 7, 2010 We are booked on the December 18 sailing. Yes, pricey. Should be an amazing trip. Soooo looking forward to it. The brochure pix of the ship are awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pke-atlanta Posted April 13, 2010 #7 Share Posted April 13, 2010 It does indeed look beautiful. More shaped like a private yacht than a cruise ship or expedition ship, and the interiors look very stylish. The only drawback I might have concerns about is the passenger capacity. I hear Le Boreal carries somewhere around 250 passengers. Since the Antarctic Treaty limits landings to 100 at a time, it seems like each passenger will not get to spend as much time at each stop, as they will have to rotate. On the PA II, our particular sailing was lucky in that we only had 99 passengers on the trip. So we all got to maximize our time on land at every stop. Still, as pretty as Le Boreal is, I just might be tempted by her for the next Antarctic visit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dileep Posted April 14, 2010 #8 Share Posted April 14, 2010 We are booked on the December 18 sailing. Yes, pricey. Should be an amazing trip. Soooo looking forward to it. The brochure pix of the ship are awesome. A&K had a great staff on the Minerva this year. You will have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ear_doc Posted May 7, 2010 #9 Share Posted May 7, 2010 @pke-atlanta: A&K has limited the number of passengers on Le Boreal to 199 on its Antarctic sailings - so we'll have plenty of landing time and even more space on board this ultra-luxurious expedition vessel. @Friscorays: The pool is heated, so I expect it will be a delight to have on an Antarctic sailing. @laurelhollow: See you onboard, we're on the same sailing! P.S. Le Boreal set sail on her maiden cruise yesterday, from Marseilles to Nice, France. http://www.travelweekly.com/article3_ektid214164.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dileep Posted May 8, 2010 #10 Share Posted May 8, 2010 @pke-atlanta: A&K has limited the number of passengers on Le Boreal to 199 on its Antarctic sailings - so we'll have plenty of landing time They had only 200 passengers on the Minerva too this year. You will be divided into 2 groups for the landings and you will alternate who goes first morning and afternoon, and each day. Only 100 are allowed on land at any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurelhollow Posted May 8, 2010 #11 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Neat! We will be in Buenos Aires for two days prior to the schlep down to Ushuaia. Looking forward to the trip. Just hope we don't have some of the extreme weather that had been reported in some of the reviews. :eek: @laurelhollow: See you onboard, we're on the same sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friscorays Posted June 29, 2010 Author #12 Share Posted June 29, 2010 We are booked on the December 18 sailing. Yes, pricey. Should be an amazing trip. Soooo looking forward to it. The brochure pix of the ship are awesome. @pke-atlanta: A&K has limited the number of passengers on Le Boreal to 199 on its Antarctic sailings - so we'll have plenty of landing time and even more space on board this ultra-luxurious expedition vessel. @Friscorays: The pool is heated, so I expect it will be a delight to have on an Antarctic sailing. @laurelhollow: See you onboard, we're on the same sailing! P.S. Le Boreal set sail on her maiden cruise yesterday, from Marseilles to Nice, France. http://www.travelweekly.com/article3_ektid214164.aspx I would love to hear about both of your experiences when you get back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friscorays Posted July 28, 2010 Author #13 Share Posted July 28, 2010 A few pics courtesy of Carsten: http://carsten.smugmug.com/Ships/Le-Boreal/12875408_iPwq2#929516028_FL5sG Thread where he posted the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1232846 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friscorays Posted August 22, 2010 Author #14 Share Posted August 22, 2010 And some more pics courtesy of "keltic": http://www.worldisround.com/articles/360277/index.html Thread "keltic" discussed Le Boreal in: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1239220 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurelhollow Posted November 17, 2010 #15 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Hi - hope you are still on for this sailing. Sadly, my husband died two weeks ago so I will be doing the expedition alone. Figured that I won't know my health status next year and this was on the bucket list. looking forward to a truly amazing expedition. sad, but what he would have wanted. @laurelhollow: See you onboard, we're on the same sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ear_doc Posted November 18, 2010 #16 Share Posted November 18, 2010 So sorry for your loss, laurelhollow. Yes, we are still on this sailing - counting the days. I'm sure your decision to go on the expedition alone was difficult. See you onboard! ---Randy & Pam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurelhollow Posted November 21, 2010 #17 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Thank you. It was a difficult decision but decided it would be a good one. Are you guys going to be in Buenos Aires early? I will be arriving the day before the group meeting. Want to find a guide and do a exploration. I am in contact with the Argentinian community in the New York area and am looking for a good guide. If you will be there on Friday and are interested in touring give me a shout-out. So sorry for your loss, laurelhollow. Yes, we are still on this sailing - counting the days. I'm sure your decision to go on the expedition alone was difficult. See you onboard! ---Randy & Pam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ear_doc Posted November 22, 2010 #18 Share Posted November 22, 2010 We have been to Buenos Aires before, so we probably won't go with the group. What did you have in mind? I sent you a "friend" request so that we may discuss this privately. Are you guys going to be in Buenos Aires early? I will be arriving the day before the group meeting. Want to find a guide and do a exploration. I am in contact with the Argentinian community in the New York area and am looking for a good guide. If you will be there on Friday and are interested in touring give me a shout-out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurelhollow Posted November 25, 2010 #19 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Um - never got a 'friend' request. can you send again? Will be getting a private guide for the day. She will formulate a day for what I want in terms of interest. She suggested a private visit with a tango dancer, lesson, and evening with the group. Something like that. :) Contact me if interested. We have been to Buenos Aires before, so we probably won't go with the group. What did you have in mind? I sent you a "friend" request so that we may discuss this privately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuri0611 Posted November 29, 2010 #20 Share Posted November 29, 2010 Sounds like a number of people are doing the Le Boreal trip on Dec 18. Count two more in. I'm traveling with my bf and arriving in Buenos Aires a day early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellebaby Posted December 7, 2010 #21 Share Posted December 7, 2010 We're considering this trip in December of 2011. Would love to hear your feedback upon your return. Thanks. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike2131 Posted December 9, 2010 #22 Share Posted December 9, 2010 The direct booking rates for the 2011-2012 Antarctica season on the Le Boreal and her new sister ship, the L'Austral, are now up on the Ponant site. They are much less expensive than the Tauck and A & K 2010-2011 season rates; so if you are interested in Antarctica, they certainly rate a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurelhollow Posted December 14, 2010 #23 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Part of the difference might be in the tour part of the A&K and Tauck prices. They do shepherd their people about. That being said - bummer we signed up for this year. The direct booking rates for the 2011-2012 Antarctica season on the Le Boreal and her new sister ship, the L'Austral, are now up on the Ponant site. They are much less expensive than the Tauck and A & K 2010-2011 season rates; so if you are interested in Antarctica, they certainly rate a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dileep Posted December 14, 2010 #24 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Part of the difference might be in the tour part of the A&K and Tauck prices.They do shepherd their people about. That being said - bummer we signed up for this year. There should be no difference in the tours (i.e. landings) in Antarctica. Last year the prices from A&K were higher than Swan Hellenic's on the Minerva but no difference in the experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellebaby Posted January 4, 2011 #25 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Just saw this: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4299 B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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