L'Austral
Ponant ship guide
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L'Austral in the port of Pula, Croatia, 2011 · Photo: Orlovic, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About L'Austral
L'Austral is a Ponant cruise ship of the Boréal class, in service since 2011. She measures 10,944 gross tons and carries 264 guests with a crew of 145. She sails Antarctica, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, Canada and New England itineraries. We rate her 3.7 out of 5.
L'Austral is the second of Ponant's four Sisterships, built by Fincantieri at Ancona and put into service in April 2011. Like her sisters she is 142 metres long and takes up to 264 guests in 132 staterooms and suites, with a pool, theatre and spa and Zodiacs for expedition landings. Her upcoming season runs from Panama and Peru down the Chilean fjords to the Antarctic Peninsula, then crosses to Europe for the Mediterranean, Ireland and Scotland, Iceland, Greenland and the east coast of Canada, before more Mediterranean and Iberian cruises in 2028.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 264
- Crew 145 · 1:1.8
- Entered service
- 2011
- Length
- 142 m
- Longer than 52% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 6
L'Austral is smaller than 73% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 51%. At 41.5 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 61% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 4/5, fleet average 4.3
- Dining
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Entertainment
- 2/5, fleet average 2.0
- Service
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Pools & decks
- 3/5−0.6, fleet average 3.6
- Value
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Ponant fleet average across 12 rated ships in service.
Sister ships: Boréal class
L'Austral is one of 4 Boréal class ships. Le Lyrial (2015), Le Soléal (2013) and Le Boréal (2010) are in service.
Official deck plans
Photos
L'Austral in the port of Pula, Croatia, 2011Photo: Orlovic, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where she sails
- Antarcticaexpedition ships from Ushuaia, November to March
- MediterraneanWestern Med, Greek Isles and Adriatic, mostly April to November
- Northern Europethe Baltic, British Isles and Iceland, May to September
- South AmericaCape Horn, Patagonia and the Amazon, in the southern summer
- Canada and New EnglandBoston to Quebec City, at its best in autumn
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates L'Austral?
L'Austral is operated by Ponant and belongs to its Boréal class.
What are L'Austral's sister ships?
L'Austral is one of 4 Boréal class ships. Le Lyrial (2015), Le Soléal (2013) and Le Boréal (2010) are in service.
How big is L'Austral?
L'Austral measures 10,944 gross tons and 142 metres in length, with 6 decks.
How does L'Austral compare in size with other cruise ships?
L'Austral is smaller than 73% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries more guests than 51%. At 41.5 gross tons per guest she is roomier than 61% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does L'Austral feel?
L'Austral has a passenger space ratio of 41.5: 10,944 gross tons for 264 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so L'Austral feels comfortable for her size.
How many passengers does L'Austral carry?
L'Austral carries 264 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 145 (about 1.8 guests per crew member).
When did L'Austral enter service?
L'Austral entered service in 2011.
Where does L'Austral sail?
L'Austral sails Antarctica, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and Canada and New England itineraries.
Where can I find the deck plans for L'Austral?
Ponant publishes the deck plans for L'Austral; this page links to Deck plans.
How is L'Austral rated?
Cruises Frog rates L'Austral 3.7 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on dining (5/5) and lowest on entertainment (2/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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