Ballerina Braves Freezing Temperatures on Cruise Ship’s Bulbous Bow | Travel News
Have you ever imagined performing ballet on pointe at the bow of a ship in freezing temperatures? Well, French ballerina and choreographer Victoria Dauberville has already done it—so you don’t have to!
Recently, Dauberville gave a fascinating ballet performance on the bow of the cruise ship Le Boréal in Antarctica.
Photographer Mathieu Forget captured the breathtaking moment as Dauberville danced gracefully on Le Boréal’s bow, quickly garnering 3.6 million views on TikTok and 9.5 million views on Instagram.
The video was so astonishing that many social media users speculated whether AI had been involved. The original footage was posted on January 8th, and since then, the couple has shared multiple videos, including one that reveals how Dauberville safely reached the bow from a rigid inflatable boat (RIB).
To put the conditions into perspective, the average temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula, where this expedition vessel operates, is around 28°F (-2°C).
As mentioned above, Dauberville's performance took place aboard Le Boréal, a luxurious French expedition vessel. This vessel is relatively small, weighing 10,944 gross tons and accommodating 264 guests.
Le Boréal is renowned not only for its sophisticated design but also for its ice-strengthened hull, engineered to navigate the challenging waters of Antarctica.
The stark contrast between the unforgiving, ice-filled Southern Ocean and Dauberville’s elegant ballet created a visually stunning spectacle that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Forget, who is also Dauberville’s boyfriend, revealed that they had prepared for this performance during a prior trip to South Georgia.
“We knew the conditions would be tough, but we also knew that if we could pull it off, it would be spectacular,” Forget shared, emphasizing their dedication to bringing their artistic vision to life.
The couple collaborated closely with the ship’s crew, who even adjusted the vessel’s position to ensure the best possible backdrop for Dauberville’s performance.
Considering the extreme weather conditions—plummeting temperatures and strong winds—it’s remarkable that this moment was even possible.
Despite these challenges, Dauberville flawlessly executed her routine while Forget captured every second of it.
This stunning spectacle not only showcases the elegance of the ballet, but also highlights the extraordinary experiences available through Antarctic cruising. Three other expedition ships are offered in the region - Le Lyrial, L'Austral and Le Soléal - so adventurers have plenty of options.
Dauberville’s dance is a powerful testament to Antarctica’s breathtaking beauty and a reminder that passion can take you anywhere—even to the literal ends of the earth.
A Familiar Sight: Another Bold Bow Moment
This isn’t the first time someone has stepped onto the bulbous bow of a ship. Captain Kevin Oprey was photographed standing on the bow of the Queen Mary 2 during its 10th-anniversary world cruise.
Although the setting wasn’t as extreme—about a mile off the coast of Bali, where the average temperature is a balmy 81°F (27°C)—the Queen Mary 2 holds the title of the largest ocean liner ever built.
A YouTube video posted by user “nautilusint” in 2014 documented the meticulous process of photographing the captain, showcasing the ship’s towering 72-meter (236.2-ft) height—equivalent to a 24-story building.
Unlike Dauberville’s journey to the bow via an RIB, Captain Oprey and his crew used one of the ship’s lifeboats to access the bulbous bow for this one-of-a-kind photoshoot.
“I’m very proud of the picture. In years to come, I’ll look back on it with great pride,” said Captain Kevin Oprey.
The session required five hours of patience, waiting for the right conditions for the captain to step onto the bow. Two safety boats accompanied him throughout the shoot, while photographer James Morgan captured the iconic images from a smaller boat positioned directly in front of the ship.
