Cruise Express’ expedition cruising expert, Jo, recently spent time onboard L’Austral during her visit to Sydney Harbour. Below are her thoughts on this beautiful ship.

Reviewed by: Jo Schuetz – April 2018

Cruise Line: PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

Size of ship and passenger capacity: 10,944 gross tonnes | 264 passengers

Built: 2010 (launched 2011)

Where the ship cruises: Antarctica, Alaska, Asia, South Pacific, Baltic Sea, South America.

Currency onboard: Euro

Most suited to:  Retired or semi-retired clients. This ship is especially suitable for those who love expedition cruising but then want to come back to all the bells and whistles of luxury at the end of the day. Also ideal for those who don’t like mega-ship style cruising or are looking for something more intimate on the expedition front.

Atmosphere: This superb mega-yacht oozes all of the style, luxury and sophistication you’d expect from the French. The atmosphere is unapologetically upscale and European. Everything from the food to the waiters and decor has a French touch, especially the delicious cheese and bread!

The Swarovski crystal chandelier in the main foyer is spectacular.

 

Families: Younger families are seen more in school holidays and far less on the longer voyages. Traditional ship facilities and entertainment for children are limited so depending on their age and interests this may not be the ideal ship for young ones.

Encounters with service staff:  With a ratio of more than two staff to every passenger (136 staff), the staff are terrific. One of the beauties of being on a small ship is the personalised, first name service. Staff even remember what you ordered on previous days.

The expedition team, including historians and naturalists, are always on hand to answer your many questions. PONANT will always have a specialist team for each ship and destination tailoring them to the itinerary.

  

Staterooms: There are 132 chic boutique hotel style cabins to choose from, ranging from staterooms to suites. They are definitely ‘compact’ but meticulously well appointed. With so much to see and do onboard and onshore you really don’t spend much time in your room anyway.

All rooms have great storage areas, tea and coffee facilities, individually controlled air-conditioning, iPod stations, French bath products, bathrobes, complimentary internet wifi plus much more!

Dining options: Gastronomic indulgence is one way to describe the food onboard. The two dining venues offer the choice of casual alfresco at The Grill or fine dining at the Gastronomic Restaurant, with fine wines to accompany meals.

Wherever the ship travels to, the chefs ensure to infuse local produce into their offering and this includes considering the wine. Most drinks are included and nibbles are provided in the bar areas. 24-hour room service is also available.

 

Entertainment: Those visiting The Panoramic Lounge & Bar can enjoy entertainment by the grand piano, or head on to the Panoramic Terrace for music and dancing into the evening.  There is also the main theatre used primarily for lectures and presentations, one pool, a fitness centre and a magnificent spa (partnership with Sothys Paris).

Expedition cruises typically don’t offer a ‘party’ atmosphere as passengers are usually there to relax and learn. Passengers spend time enriching their knowledge of nature, history, geology through onboard lectures and perhaps make a few new friends along the way.

 

Uniqueness: Smaller ships like L’Austral are able to access waterways that larger ships can’t, enabling passengers to get off the beaten cruising track.

Zodiacs (semi-rigid inflatable boats) are great for exploring nooks and crannies of destinations as well as for getting ashore. Easily accessible (via the Marina Deck), Zodiacs help passengers to get up close and personal to flora and fauna – some rare and even endangered.  

L’Austral is renowned for coastal cruising, ensuring passengers are immersed in their destination, often having long or overnight stays in port with later in the day departures.