L'Austral Review

4.5 / 5.0
112 reviews
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Editor Rating
4.5
Very Good
Overall
Sue Bryant
Contributor

Launched in 2011, L'Austral is the second in a series of three 264-passenger, 10,600-ton cruising yachts commissioned by Compagnie du Ponant. Identical ships in the class include Le Boreal, which debuted in 2010; Le Soleal, which launched in July 2013 and Le Lyrial, from 2015.

Originally French-owned and, at one point, aimed almost exclusively at the French market, the company was acquired by cargo giant CMA CGM in 2006 and then sold on to pan-European private equity investor Bridgepoint Capital in 2012. Over the last few years, and particularly with the launch of these three new ships, the line has been targeting a much more international market with considerable success. The essence of the product, however, remains unchanged under the new owners, with a family-run feel and a strong French influence throughout the ships.

L'Austral is, without a doubt, a stunning vessel, with sleek lines and an unusual dark-grey hull that makes it stand out in port. The interiors are like those of a minimalist boutique hotel. Everything is taupe, cream and white, with emphasis on luxurious textures, from leather-fronted white drawers in our cabin to taupe silk cushions on the bed. Black-and-white Philip Plisson photo art lines the corridors. A cascade of glittering Swarovski crystals lights up the small atrium. The whole package is unashamedly French: it's chic, the service is a little arrogant at times, and the passengers are a well-heeled, savvy crowd of experienced travelers.

What distinguishes these ships from other luxury vessels is their adventurous itineraries. L'Austral and its sisters are all ice-strengthened, so they can sail to Antarctica and the Arctic, destinations that are mixed up with off-the-beaten-track European itineraries, as well as Asia and South America. Each carries a fleet of Zodiac landing crafts for getting ashore and for sightseeing in remote locations. There's a strong emphasis on coastal cruising, with long days in port, overnights and late departures, so you really feel you're part of a destination, rather than just calling for a day.

Compagnie du Ponant operates a complicated pricing policy and is moving toward all-inclusive drinks, but at present that's only for certain markets. For the U.S. market, the fares are already all-inclusive. For the U.K. and European markets, wine and soft drinks with meals are included, and there's an optional all-inclusive upgrade of £210 (for Brits) for a week. There are, however, plans afoot to make all pricing drinks-inclusive.Wi-Fi is also included in the fare.

Note: Tauck charters certain L'Austral sailings, and on these cruises, the onboard atmosphere and pricing structure may change (e.g. excursions are included).

Pros

All cabins have outside views and itineraries maximize time on land

Cons

Bedroom layouts make rooms seem even smaller; limited storage space

Bottom Line

Choose L'Austral for its adventurous itineraries and upscale vibe

About

Passengers: 264
Crew: 140
Passenger to Crew: 1.89:1
Launched: 2011
Shore Excursions: 397

Fellow Passengers

Clientele varies dramatically according to the season, with younger families traveling during European school holidays and older couples attracted to the longer cruises to more remote locations. On our Mediterranean cruise in August, about 60 percent of the passengers were French; the remainder hailed from the U.S., U.K., Germany and countries as far afield as Japan and Brazil. Language wasn't an issue. The maitre d' will seat you on an English-speaking table at dinner if you ask, and all the mainly Indonesian crew speak English (often better than they speak French). There will always be English-speaking excursions when there are international passengers onboard, and announcements are made in English, as well as in French.

Several passengers were traveling in extended family groups, and kids ranged from 7 or 8 years old to teenagers. All the children were well behaved, and the teens certainly livened up the dance floor at night.

A word about smoking: All the inside areas of the ship and cabin balconies are nonsmoking. But on my cruise, there were a lot of smokers, and the outdoor bar and the outdoor lounge area behind the Karikal lounge were often places smokers would congregate, including the officers, many of whom smoked. Naturally, this will vary from cruise to cruise, but for anybody who really objects strongly to smoking in any shape or form, it might be worth bearing in mind.

L'Austral Dress Code

Dress code is smart-casual with a couple of extra-smart nights (although no rules are laid down). Passengers were seriously chic, and ladies are advised to pack a cocktail dress and some heels for the smarter nights, which brought out the Louis Vuitton and Missoni. The small onboard shop sells designer labels -- Faconnable and Lacoste -- and a fashion show laid one night by the onboard dancers modeling the shop's wares set the sartorial tone. (The shop was, however, barely open, should you have wanted to buy the goods.) There's no requirement for men to pack jackets and ties, although a lot of men did wear summer blazers on the smart nights.

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More about L'Austral

Where does L'Austral sail from?

L'Austral departs from Ushuaia, Piraeus, Piraeus, Laviron, Malaga, Buenos Aires, Malta (Valletta), and Lisbon

How much does it cost to go on L'Austral?

Cruises on L'Austral start from $4,020 per person.

Is L'Austral a good ship to cruise on?

L'Austral won 8 awards over the years.
L'Austral Cruiser Reviews

Wonderful nightly world-class classical music Dublin to Glasgow; other aspects not ideal, especially communication

L'Austral has several of these, and unfortunately it has no rooms with bath tubs other than the Owner's Suite and one more, which sold out early.Read More
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Catlover54

many10+ Cruises

Age 70s

Gastronomy, Vineyards & Grands Crus

MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2023—BOARD THE L’AUSTRAL, DEPART LISBON AT 6:00 PM After going through the passport, security, and health checks, we boarded the L'Austral and were greeted by Captain Stanislas DevorsineRead More
User Avatar
cboyle

many10+ Cruises

Age 70s

Antarctic Excellence

L'Austral was captained by an excellent mariner, Capt. Daher, who saw to our safety and comfort daily.Read More
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ncgirl2017

few6-10 Cruises

Age 70s

Interesting itinerary

Not the normal bed for a 5th floor room.Food at the buffets was normally room temperature or cold.Read More
User Avatar
Texas travellers

many10+ Cruises

Age 60s

Ponant Fleet
Le Ponant

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