Ballerina’s Insane Routine on Moving Cruise Ship in Antarctica Leaves Viewers Stunned

Dancing en pointe is hard enough on a warm, well-lit stage. Now imagine doing it on the bow of a moving cruise ship… in Antarctica. French ballerina Victoria Dauberville took things to a whole new level, performing a breathtaking routine atop Ponant’s Le Boréal, surrounded by the icy, unforgiving waters of the Southern Ocean.

Captured by her boyfriend and photographer, Mathieu Forget, the stunning performance quickly went viral, racking up 3.6 million views on TikTok and a jaw-dropping 9.5 million on Instagram (scroll down to watch the video). The footage was so incredible that people started questioning if it was even real – with some convinced it had to be AI-generated.

But no, this wasn’t some fancy CGI trickery. Additional videos posted by the couple proved just how real (and absolutely freezing) the performance was, showing Dauberville being transported to the ship’s bow via a rigid inflatable boat (RIB).

Dancing Through the Chill

For context, the Antarctic Peninsula—where Le Boréal operates—has an average temperature of 28°F (-2°C). That’s cold enough to make most people want to huddle up in about 15 layers of clothing, not pirouette on the exposed front of a ship in satin pointe shoes.

But Dauberville and Forget didn’t just wing it. They meticulously planned and trained for the moment, even preparing during a previous visit to South Georgia. The result? A mesmerising display of grace and endurance, proving that passion really does know no boundaries.

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A post shared by Victoria Dauberville (@victoriadauberville)

Not Just a Spur-of-the-Moment Stunt

This wasn’t some spontaneous “let’s just see what happens” kind of thing—it was a carefully coordinated effort with Le Boréal’s crew. The luxury expedition ship was positioned perfectly to provide the most stunning backdrop of Antarctic ice and ocean. And, given that Le Boréal is built for extreme conditions—with its ice-strengthened hull and upscale design—it made for quite the dramatic stage.

Ponant, the French luxury expedition cruise line behind Le Boréal, offers voyages to Antarctica on three other sister ships—Le Lyrial, L’Austral, and Le Soléal. So, if you fancy exploring this remote and pristine region (minus the ballet routine), there are plenty of options.

A Performance for the Ages

Beyond the viral fame and stunning visuals, Dauberville’s dance was a powerful reminder that artistry and adventure can go hand in hand—even at the literal ends of the earth. And let’s be honest, this has to be one of the most unique cruise ship performances ever.

Who needs a theatre when you have the Southern Ocean as your stage?

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