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L’Austral

L’Austral

The French-flagged expedition yacht L’Austral offers a rare blend of five-star luxury and genuine polar capability. Hosting up to 245 guests globally—limited to around 200 in Antarctica—she balances boutique comfort with ample time ashore. Panoramic lounges, teak decks, and nearly all-balcony suites ensure constant connection with the scenery, while an expert expedition team enriches every experience. With ice-class 1C certification, dynamic positioning, and “Clean Ship” notation from Bureau Veritas, L’Austral exemplifies how refined travel and responsible exploration can go hand in hand.

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Ship Statistics

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2010

Launch Year

10944

Gross Tonnes

142

Length

18

Width

EUR

Currency

14

Max Speed (Knots)

264

Capacity

145

Crew

132

Cabins

Facilities

Accommodation

All 132 suites and staterooms evoke contemporary French chic—light woods, taupe fabrics, and large windows that draw the horizon indoors. Every category includes a marble bath with shower, king-or-twin bedding, flat-screen entertainment, espresso machine, and 24-hour room service; 95 % feature a private balcony for personal wildlife watching.

Stateroom & Suite Categories

  • Owner’s Suite (≈ 45 m² / 484 ft²) — Located forward on Deck 6; features a panoramic living-dining area, private butler service, and a 12 m² (129 ft²) furnished terrace.
  • Prestige Suite (≈ 37 m² / 398 ft²) — Combines two adjoining Prestige Staterooms into a spacious layout with bedroom, salon, and two bathrooms.
  • Deluxe Suite (≈ 27 m² / 290 ft²) — Features a generous balcony, separate lounge area, and complimentary laundry service.
  • Prestige Stateroom (≈ 18 m² / 194 ft²) — Located on Decks 4–6; includes floor-to-ceiling windows and a teak-furnished balcony.
  • Deluxe Stateroom (≈ 18 m² / 194 ft²) — Balcony staterooms situated on Deck 3 near the expedition marina.
  • Superior Stateroom (≈ 21 m² / 226 ft²) — Picture window staterooms on Deck 3 offering enclosed views and mid-ship stability.
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Dining

Culinary Philosophy

Ponant partners with acclaimed French chefs and Ducasse Conseil to deliver a “haute-cuisine meets terroir” experience: Brittany lobster one night, Patagonian lamb the next, all paired with a cellar of 50 + French appellations. Open seating fosters relaxed conviviality between guests and expedition guides.

Restaurants & Bars

  • Le Coromandel — the gastronomic restaurant offering refined French classics at dinner and expansive buffets for breakfast and lunch.
  • Le Rodrigues — an indoor–outdoor grill serving casual breakfasts, themed lunches, and alfresco barbecue nights beneath the austral twilight.
  • Main Lounge — coffee and viennoiseries at dawn, piano-backed cocktails at dusk.
  • Observatory Lounge — 180° glass walls, a resident mixologist, and a curated art-book library.
  • Outdoor Bar — poolside smoothies by day, Champagne toasts under the midnight sun.
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Onboard Facilities

A palette of slate gray, cream, and blond teak lends yacht-club sophistication, while expansive glazing ensures the polar landscape is never out of sight. Indoor areas flow seamlessly onto broad teak terraces, reinforcing an “inside-outside” voyage ethos.

Indoor & Outdoor Spaces

  • Theater (250 seats) — Lectures by naturalists, evening concerts, and documentary screenings.
  • Sothys Spa & Hammam — French-branded treatments, sea-view massage rooms, and Turkish bath. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  • Fitness Studio — Cardio and Technogym equipment with wrap-around windows.
  • Infinity-style Pool & Sun Deck — Heated seawater pool plus lounger-lined solarium.
  • Marina & Zodiac Boarding Platform — Swift embarkation for up to 11 inflatable craft.
  • Observation Promenade — Fully encircles Deck 6 for 360° photography and wildlife spotting.
  • Library & Boutique — Polar literature, maps, and French-designed expedition apparel.
  • Medical Center — Full-time doctor and tele-medicine link to shore-side specialists.
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Deck Plans

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More Information About L’Austral

Brand Heritage

Compagnie du Ponant, founded in Marseille in 1988, pioneered the concept of French-style luxury expeditions. Launched in 2011 as the second ship in the Boreal class, L’Austral embodies Ponant’s commitment to small-ship elegance, cultural immersion, and rigorous environmental standards.

Design Description

At 466 ft (142 m) with an Ice Class 1C hull and dynamic positioning, L’Austral can hold station without anchoring—protecting fragile seabeds. Low-silhouette architecture, retractable stabilizers, and diesel-electric propulsion reduce vibration and fuel use, while interiors echo a contemporary Parisian hotel.

Unique Features

  • “Clean Ship” Certification — Advanced wastewater and exhaust-treatment systems exceed IMO standards.
  • Dynamic Positioning — Maintains precise location without anchors, safeguarding marine habitats.
  • Multi-Lingual Expedition Team — Ratio of 1 guide to ~12 guests for Zodiac operations and science workshops.
  • All-Balcony Concept — 95 % of accommodations offer a private teak terrace.
  • Sothys-Partner Spa — Exclusive French treatments at sea.

L’Austral´s itineraries

Emblematic Antarctica

Discover the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula on this 10-night luxury expedition aboard L’Boreal.

  • 8 days
  • Le Boréal
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