October 1, 2026
9-Night Mediterranean Cruise
Departing from Valletta
From
$9,220
Price / day
$1,024
Le Boréal|Le Ponant
Le Boréal vs Le Ponant
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
Le Boréal
Ponant
Check prices on CruiseDirectVS
Newer Ship
Le Boréal
Built in 2010
19 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Le Boréal
$1,129 / day
$958 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Le Boréal
47.8 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Le Boréal vs Le Ponant: Quick Comparison
Le Boréal is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2010, it is 19 years newer than Le Ponant, which entered service in 1991. Le Boréal is approximately 619% larger by gross tonnage at 10,700 GT. Le Boréal also carries 160 more passengers. Le Boréal has upcoming sailings in Mediterranean, while Le Ponant has sailings in Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Le Boréal has the lower average starting price per day. The sailings shown cover a similar region and trip length, so the price per day figures are reasonably close to like-for-like. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | Le Boréal | Le Ponant |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2010Newer | 1991 |
| Gross Tonnage | 10,700 GT | 1,489 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 224 | 64 |
| Space per Passenger | 47.8 GT | 23.3 GT |
| Length | 142.04 m | 88.55 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Le Boréal vs Le Ponant
Age
Le Boréal was built in 2010, making it 19 years newer than Le Ponant, which was built in 1991.
Size
At 10,700 GT, Le Boréal is approximately 619% larger by gross tonnage than Le Ponant at 1,489 GT.
Passenger capacity
Le Boréal carries up to 224 passengers compared with 64 aboard Le Ponant, a difference of 160 passengers.
Passenger space
Le Boréal offers more space per passenger: 47.8 GT per guest, compared with 23.3 aboard Le Ponant. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Le Boréal and Le Ponant cover a similar region and trip length.
Price
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Le Boréal has the lower average starting price per day at $1,129 per day.
Compare Ports of Call
Le Boréal
Authentic Mediterranean shores
- Departure Port
- Valletta
- Region
- Mediterranean
- Nights
- 9
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Oct 1, 2026Valletta
- Day 2 · Oct 2, 2026Porto Empedocle
- Day 3 · Oct 3, 2026Trapani
- Day 4 · Oct 4, 2026Palermo
- Day 5 · Oct 5, 2026At Sea
- Day 6 · Oct 6, 2026Lipari
- Day 7 · Oct 7, 2026Salerno
- Day 8 · Oct 8, 2026Reggio di Calabria
- Day 9 · Oct 9, 2026Taormina
- Day 10 · Oct 10, 2026Syracuse
- Day 11 · Oct 11, 2026Valletta
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Le Ponant
Corsican shores, under Sail Aboard Le Ponant
- Departure Port
- Nice
- Region
- Mediterranean
- Nights
- 6
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 26, 2026Nice
- Day 2 · Sep 27, 2026Saint-Florent
- Day 3 · Sep 28, 2026Ajaccio
- Day 4 · Sep 29, 2026Gulf of Sant'Amanza
- Day 5 · Sep 30, 2026Bonifacio
- Day 6 · Oct 1, 2026Calvi
- Day 7 · Oct 2, 2026Nice
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Le Boréal
October 10, 2026
7-Night Mediterranean Cruise
Departing from Valletta
From
$8,630
Price / day
$1,233
Le Ponant
September 26, 2026
6-Night Mediterranean Cruise
Departing from Nice
From
$16,220
Price / day
$2,703
October 31, 2026
7-Night Atlantic Islands Cruise
Departing from Mindelo
From
$10,290
Price / day
$1,470
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Le Boréal
Average
$1,129 / day
VS
Le Ponant
Average
$2,087 / day
Le Boréal is currently 46% cheaper per day for comparable sailings
$1,129/day vs $2,087/day
About $958 less per day
This comparison is based on the upcoming sailings currently shown.
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Le Boréal if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You want to sail in Mediterranean.
- Departing from Valletta works for your plans.
- The lower price per day among the sailings currently shown matters to you.
Choose Le Ponant if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands.
- Departing from Nice and Mindelo works for your plans.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Le Boréal.
Le Boréal vs Le Ponant: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Le Boréal
Built in 2010
19 years newer
Bigger
Le Boréal
10,700 GT
619% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Le Boréal
$1,129 / day
About $958 less per day
- Le Boréal is 19 years newer.
- Le Boréal is 619% larger by gross tonnage.
- Le Boréal carries 160 more passengers.
- Le Boréal offers more space per passenger (47.8 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Le Boréal or Le Ponant?
Le Boréal is newer. It was built in 2010, while Le Ponant was built in 1991, making Le Boréal 19 years newer.
Which is bigger, Le Boréal or Le Ponant?
Le Boréal is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 10,700 GT compared with Le Ponant at 1,489 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Le Boréal has a passenger capacity of approximately 224, compared with 64 for Le Ponant.
Which ship is more spacious, Le Boréal or Le Ponant?
Le Boréal has the higher passenger space ratio at 47.8 GT per passenger, versus 23.3 for Le Ponant. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Which ship is cheaper, Le Boréal or Le Ponant?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Le Boréal has the lower average starting price per day at $1,129 per day versus $2,087 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.
Where does Le Boréal sail?
The upcoming Le Boréal sailings currently listed cover Mediterranean, departing from Valletta.
Related Cruise Ship Comparisons
Explore Upcoming Cruises
Le Boréal
Ponant
Le Ponant
Ponant