Not a ship, a yacht – Le Soleal

We missed this sleek, cruising yacht belonging to the Ponant cruise ship line when she departed Fremantle at 6 pm Thursday night, 21 August 2025.

But here she is an old Pinterest upload of the ship, oops, yacht.

And here she is as depicted in the Ponant online webpage, slipping through the ice somewhere very south or very north of Australia!

Here’s a map of the journey.

And don’t forget the vessel while it may look like a ship, is really a yacht!

Btw, do you know where the Wallis and Futuna 🇼🇫 Islands are? Well, they are a French island collectivity in the South Pacific situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji to the southwest, Tonga to the southeast, Samoa to the east, and Tokelau to the northeast.

Of Le Soleal, Cruise Critic says –

Launched in 2013, Le Soleal is the third in a series of four 264-passenger, 10,600-ton cruising yachts commissioned by Compagnie du Ponant.

Originally French-owned and, at one point, aimed almost exclusively at the French market, the company was acquired by cargo giant CMA CGM in 2006 and then sold on to pan-European private equity investor Bridgepoint Capital in 2012. Over the last few years, and particularly with the launch of these three new ships, the line has been targeting a much more international market with considerable success. The essence of the product, however, remains unchanged under the new owners, with a family-run feel and a strong French influence throughout the ships.

Le Soleal, is, without a doubt, a stunning vessel, with sleek lines and an unusual dark-grey hull that makes it stand out in port. The interiors are like those of a minimalist boutique hotel. Everything is taupe, cream and white, with emphasis on luxurious textures, from leather-fronted white drawers in our cabin to taupe silk cushions on the bed. Black-and-white Philip Plisson photo art lines the corridors. A cascade of glittering Swarovski crystals lights up the small atrium. The whole package is unashamedly French: it’s chic, the service is a little arrogant at times, and the passengers are a well-heeled, savvy crowd of experienced travelers.

What distinguishes this ship from other luxury vessels is their adventurous itineraries. Le Soleal is all ice-strengthened, so they can sail to Antarctica and the Arctic, destinations that are mixed up with off-the-beaten-track European itineraries, as well as Asia and South America. Each carries a fleet of Zodiac landing crafts for getting ashore and for sightseeing in remote locations. There’s a strong emphasis on coastal cruising, with long days in port, overnights and late departures, so you really feel you’re part of a destination, rather than just calling for a day.

If you have a nice pic of Le Soleal leaving Freo on Thursday night we’d love you to share it with us!

By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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