L’Austral
On board
Impressions of the L’Austral
On board
Cabin categories
Owner's Suite
Die exklusivste Suite an Bord auf Deck 6. Separater Schlafraum, Balneo-Badewanne, Panoramablick, Butler-Service und individuelle Betreuung durch die Crew.
Prestige Suite mit Balkon
Elegante Suiten auf Decks 5 und 6. Separater Wohn- und Schlafbereich, zwei Dressing-Rooms, geräumiger Balkon. Butler-Service rund um die Uhr.
Deluxe Suite mit Balkon
Großzügige Suiten auf Deck 6 mit separater Badewanne und Dusche, Sitzecke und privatem Balkon. Butler-Service inklusive.
Deluxe-Kabine mit Balkon
Komfortable Außenkabinen auf Deck 3 und 4 mit eigenem privatem Balkon. Umwandelbare Twin- oder Doppelbetten, Duschbad.
Prestige-Kabine mit Balkon
Die beliebteste Kategorie: hochwertige Kabinen auf Decks 4–6 mit privatem Balkon, Sitzbereich und umwandelbaren Betten. Freie Sicht auf die Destination.
Deluxe-Kabine
Außenkabine mit großem Panoramafenster auf Deck 3. Ideal für Alleinreisende oder Paare. Alle Annehmlichkeiten an Bord inklusive.
On board
Deck plan
The First of a Generation
L’Austral entered service in April 2011 as the first in what would become Ponant’s Boreal class – four near-identical ships that established the French line’s signature approach to expedition cruising. She accommodates 264 guests across 132 cabins and suites, in a vessel of 10,700 gross tons and 142 metres overall length. The proportions are deliberate: large enough for comfort, small enough to enter harbours and anchorages that mass-market vessels cannot reach.
Built at Fincantieri’s Ancona yard in Italy, L’Austral set the template for what Ponant means by an expedition ship – not a converted research vessel, not a stripped-down adventure boat, but a purpose-designed ship balancing polar capability with genuine luxury finish.
On Board
The atmosphere is French in character. The main restaurant serves open seating, the wine list is curated from French and international appellations, and the crew communicates in both French and English. A spa, fitness room, and outdoor pool complete the social spaces. The ship carries a fleet of Zodiac inflatable landing craft for shore excursions in remote destinations where no dock exists.
All 132 cabins and suites face outward; there are no interior categories. Most include a private balcony or panoramic window, and the upper suites offer generous private terraces. The ratio of approximately 140 crew to 264 guests produces a level of service that remains attentive without becoming intrusive.
Cuisine
Ponant’s culinary programme draws on French fine-dining traditions adapted for the rhythm of expedition travel. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, while dinner in the main restaurant is a set menu with choices. On certain itineraries, the Grill restaurant offers lighter, more informal dining. The cellar is managed by the ship’s sommelier and stocked principally with French producers.
Destinations
L’Austral operates across the full spectrum of Ponant’s expedition portfolio: Antarctic Peninsula voyages in the southern summer, Arctic and Svalbard expeditions in the north, and Mediterranean, South America, and Pacific island cruises across the shoulder seasons. Her 4.7-metre draft and Zodiac-equipped shore programme open destinations that would be inaccessible to larger vessels.
Highlights
- First ship of the Boreal class - the blueprint for Ponant expedition cruising
- 264 guests, 132 outside cabins - no interior categories
- French culinary direction with open-seating restaurant
- Zodiac landing programme for remote shore access
- Antarctica, Arctic, Pacific and Mediterranean itineraries
- Spa, pool and fitness room on board
Current voyages
0 voyages aboard the L’Austral
Choose your departure – all prices per person in a twin cabin. Single cabins and further options on request.
No scheduled voyages at the moment. Please contact us.
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