Cruise ship
L'Austral — cabins, decks, dining & sailings
6 cabin types · 5 decks
L'Austral is PONANT EXPLORATIONS's cruise ship — 6 cabin types across 5 decks, sailing Europe, Americas and Polar. NestCruise is advisor-led — no fares, no booking fees: share your dates and an advisor prices your exact sailing at no cost.
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- 10,000+ sailings
Overview
How NestCruise works:we're advisor-led, not a booking engine. No fares are listed and there are no booking fees — tell an advisor your dates and party and they price your exact L'Austral sailing, typically within 24 hours.
Sailings aboard L'Austral
24
Cabins & decks
Owner's Suite
Suite
Services provided 24h room service Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude) Individually-controlled air conditioning Dressing room with shelves and closet Dressing table and hairdryer Hermès top-of-the-line bath products Minibar included Nespresso coffee maker and boiler Electronic safe Direct line telephone Bose Bluetooth speaker Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Three ADA staterooms In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Private return transfer Priority boarding Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and a basket of fruit every day A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV A living/dining room with a sofa, an armchair, a TV, a 4-seater table and sliding courtesy door A bathroom with shower and balneo bathtub A one-hour spa care for one person in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer A private 9 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows
Deluxe Suite
Suite
Services provided 24h room service Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude) Individually-controlled air conditioning Dressing room with shelves and closet Dressing table and hairdryer Hermès top-of-the-line bath products Minibar included Nespresso coffee maker and boiler Electronic safe Direct line telephone Bose Bluetooth speaker Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Three ADA staterooms In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service A fruit basket every day One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV An armchair and a sofa (167 x 70 cm) A bathroom with shower A private 5 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window
Prestige Suite
Suite
Services provided 24h room service Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude) Individually-controlled air conditioning Dressing room with shelves and closet Dressing table and hairdryer Hermès top-of-the-line bath products Minibar included Nespresso coffee maker and boiler Electronic safe Direct line telephone Bose Bluetooth speaker Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Three ADA staterooms In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and a basket of fruit every day A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV A lounge with a sofa convertible to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchairs, a TV and a sliding courtesy door Two bathrooms with shower A private 8 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows
Superior Stateroom
Stateroom
Services provided 24h room service Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude) Individually-controlled air conditioning Dressing room with shelves and closet Dressing table and hairdryer Hermès top-of-the-line bath products Minibar included Nespresso coffee maker and boiler Electronic safe Direct line telephone Bose Bluetooth speaker Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Three ADA staterooms In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed or two single beds (180 x 200 cm) and TV A bathroom with shower A window (except for stateroom 300: a round porthole only)
Prestige Stateroom
Stateroom
Services provided 24h room service Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude) Individually-controlled air conditioning Dressing room with shelves and closet Dressing table and hairdryer Hermès top-of-the-line bath products Minibar included Nespresso coffee maker and boiler Electronic safe Direct line telephone Bose Bluetooth speaker Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Three ADA staterooms In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV A bathroom with shower A private 4 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window
Deluxe Stateroom
Stateroom
Services provided 24h room service Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude) Individually-controlled air conditioning Dressing room with shelves and closet Dressing table and hairdryer Hermès top-of-the-line bath products Minibar included Nespresso coffee maker and boiler Electronic safe Direct line telephone Bose Bluetooth speaker Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins) Three ADA staterooms In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV A bathroom with shower A private 4 m² balcony A window and a panoramic glazed swing door
Deck plans
Deck 6
Pool · Grill Restaurant · Internet Café and Library · Observation Lounge · Panoramic Terrace · Owner's Suite · Deluxe Suites · Prestige Staterooms
Deck 5
Fitness Room · Spa · Hair Salon · Image and Photo Desk · Bridge · Hammam · Prestige Suites · Prestige Staterooms
Deck 4
Theatre · Prestige Staterooms
Deck 3
Main Lounge · Shop · Excursion Desk · Reception Desk · Medical Centre · Deluxe Staterooms · Superior Staterooms
Deck 2
Gastronomic Restaurant · Marina
Gallery
Ship facts
Entertainment
- Panoramic Lounge
- Exterior Bar
- Theatre
- The Sun Deck
- Leisure Area
- The Main Lounge
- Shop
- Excursion Reception and Office
- PONANT Studio
Wellness
- The Spa
- The Gym
- The Hairdressing Salon
Enrichment
- Excursions
Good to know
Laundry
Your stateroom Officer will be able to take care of your laundry**. The washing and ironing of your clothes will take between 24 and 48 hours. Only ironing** can be delivered on the same day. As dry-cleaning is not possible on the ship, please only give us clothes that can be washed in water. ** These services are not free of charge and are billed directly to your stateroom account.
Smoking Policy
PONANT EXPLORATIONS ships are non-smoking, even on the stateroom balconies. Smoking is only allowed in the exterior parts of the ship designated for the purpose.
Power Adapters
Adapters are provided on board, they are available at the reception office of our ships. European Standard Sockets The 220 volt 50 hertz alternating current is distributed by sockets meeting European standards. Onboard power is 200 volt AC (European standard) and 110 volt AC (North American standard). For safety reasons, hair irons and clothes irons cannot be used in staterooms. Please note that on Le Ponant, 110 volt AC is only available in stateroom bathrooms.
Age Restrictions
Children under one year of age shall not be authorised to embark on the ships. For children aged between 1 and 8 years old, an authorisation to board the ship must be made in writing to PONANT EXPLORATIONS. Subject to agreement, a liability waiver must be completed and returned to the company to validate the registration. On classic cruises ("yachting"), children are accepted from the age of one, with a maximum of 5 children between 1 and 6 years old on board. On "expedition" cruises children are accepted from 6 years old (except cruises aboard Le Commandant Charcot) and must be fully independent during all the outside activities organised and during disembarkation in rubber boats, be sufficiently tall to sit on the inflatable sides of the boats, and old enough to understand, and immediately respond to the orders given by the persons in charge. As a result, children's participation in any activity in an inflatable boat shall be subject to the agreement of the Captain and of the Expedition Head, depending on the sea conditions, and the difficulty of disembarking at each location visited. The ships do not carry Parka’s in children’s sizes. Parents must arrange to bring a suitable Parka for children. In all cases, children and young people under the age of 18 are at all times on board or on land under the full and total responsibility of their parents or carers. Children aged 4 years or more can be welcomed in the Kid's Club when the service is offered on board
Languages
The crew are bilingual in French and English. All signage and announcements made are in French and English. On certain cruises, crew members also speak other languages.
Telephone
A satellite telephone system is at your disposal for contacting anyone, anywhere in the world. The cost of the call is added to the stateroom account (/minute). Calls that you receive can be transferred directly to your stateroom or to any other communal area on the ship. To receive or send faxes, please see Reception.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available on all of our ships, in both the staterooms and the communal areas. One or several computers are at your disposal in the recreation centres. Please note that the Wi-Fi connection may be discontinued depending on the navigation area and landscapes that may block the vessel from satellite coverage, especially at high latitudes (no connection possible beyond 80° North or South), or for technical reasons beyond our control.
Medical Facilities
There is a doctor on board available to the passengers on all our ships: The schedules of consultation are listed each day in the log book (emergency consultation 24/7). The Sisterships, PONANT EXPLORATIONS Explorers and Le Commandant Charcot also have a hospital for any small surgery. During the excursions, the passengers are accompanied by a doctor or a nurse. There is a fee for consultations on board. The price may vary according to the time and place of the consultation (hospital or staterooms). You must also pay for medications. The doctor on board is not authorised to distribute sick leaves and prescriptions. Only accounts and invoices are provided which may be used by the passenger to obtain a refund from his/her health insurance if his/her contract allows. Medical Consultations There is a charge for medical consultations undertaken by the doctor or nurse on board. The price can vary according to the time and place of the consultation (hospital or stateroom). Any medication must also be paid for by the passenger. If using medications on a regular basis make sure to bring adequate supplies for the duration of your cruise. Special Medical Treatment If you have any special treatment, we ask you to inform the reservation service when you register for the cruise, to note it on the information sheet before departure, then inform the on-board crew at the moment of departure and always keep your medication with you for the duration of the cruise. Seasickness Our ships (except Le Ponant) have stabilisers equipped with dynamic fins which adapt to the movements of the ship. This system allows the ship to anticipate and compensate for the pitching and tossing of the sea to achieve greater stability. Passengers suffering from seasickness will see their symptoms alleviated and are pleasantly surprised to not feel uncomfortable during their journey. However it is wise to bring travel motion medication with you for peace of mind.
Packing Tips
Technical Accessories We advise you to equip yourself with a ski mask, sunglasses, walking poles (available to purchase in the shop), a waterproof rucksack, binoculars, a technical watch, a mosquito head net (for the Arctic) and a waterproof pouch.
Dress Code
Dress Code We recommend wearing elegant, casual clothes at your discretion, and for the gala evenings, a cocktail dress for ladies and a shirt and tie for gentlemen, and a white or black-and-white outfit for the Officers' evening. Shorts/Bermudas are not permitted in the evening in the gastronomic restaurants. Expedition Cruise On an expedition cruise, be sure to bring practical clothes as well as comfortable shoes suitable for travelling in Zodiacs and disembarking on beaches or mud flats. On tropical expeditions be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and long sleeved/legged clothing. For polar cruises, you will be given a polar parka in your size and suitable boots will be available for use when ashore.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is enshrined in the company's articles of association and has been at the heart of the PONANT EXPLORATIONS project since its inception. Founded over thirty years ago by committed sailors, the company was born out of a desire to share a passion for the oceans and the treasures of the Earth. This responsibility commits us to a respectful dialogue with the environment and the populations we meet and to investing in many fields related to the preservation and development of the natural and cultural heritage of the polar and oceanic regions. Clean Ships We were among the first cruise operators in the world to abandon the use of heavy fuels, and our ships are equipped with electric diesel engines and SCR catalytic converters, which enable a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Our polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, is a hybrid-electric vessel, propelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG enables a 25% reduction in carbon emissions, an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and a 95% reduction in fine particle emissions. Each time we design a new ship, we equip it with the latest available eco-technologies, enabling us to maintain our position as the cruise industry's environmental leader, ahead of international regulations in some areas. A commitment recognised by many independent organisations: Our entire fleet is Clean Ship certified by the Bureau Veritas. This certification guarantees that our ships fulfil very precise criteria: emissions levels, waste processing, waste water etc. In 2020, PONANT EXPLORATIONS was recognised as “the cruise operator with the greenest fleet in the world in terms of airborne emissions” by the German NGO, NABU. PONANT EXPLORATIONS was awarded the Prix des Palmes du Tourisme Durable 2020 (Prize for Sustainable Tourism) in the “Voyage” category for the elimination of heavy fuel oil in favour of LS MGO. In 2019, PONANT EXPLORATIONS became the first European cruise company to obtain the North American Green Alliance certificate. This certifies that its members have adopted practices and technologies that are respectful towards the environment. PONANT EXPLORATIONS is also a signatory of the Charte Bleue from Armateurs de France, which commits the maritime sector to act to protect the marine environment. Wastewater All of the wastewater is treated by means of processes that exclude the use of chemical products. The recycled water is used to clean the exterior of the ship. The water that is discharged into the sea is treated, drinkable water. Waste We have optimised our organisation in order to reduce waste at the source. Waste is nonetheless still produced on board. As of 2020, 60% of this is sorted and recycled, with an objective of 85% set for 2023. We ensure the complete traceability of this waste. Single-use plastics We have eliminated the use of single-use plastics (straws, cups, food serving trays, laundry bags etc.). A metallic flask is issued to each passenger on expedition cruises and water fountains are available in the common areas of the ships. We are also developing the bottling of our water in glass bottles.
Special Diets
And so that everyone's tastes are catered to, special menus are available on request for guests with specific dietary requirements (low-fat, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc).
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Ship facts from NestCruise data, verified Jun 2026.