Signature highlights
An intimate 264-guest expedition yacht with a 142.1-metre hull, ice-strengthened design and Zodiac-supported access to remote destinations. PONANT positions the ship for both polar landscapes and warmer coastal regions.
L’Austral
Live Position ● 6 days ago
Heading to: GLJAVCurrently on: Baffin Bay secrets (13 nights) — En route to Nuuk (Greenland) — last stop Kangerlussuaq (Greenland)
15.1 knots
Under Way Using Engine
Position data may be outdated.
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About L’Austral
L’Austral is a small luxury expedition ship designed for intimate voyages in polar and coastal destinations. Its yacht-style profile, 264-guest capacity, mostly balcony accommodations, French-inspired dining and relatively shallow draft allow access to smaller ports and remote landing areas. Onboard facilities include restaurants, lounges, a theater, pool, spa, fitness area and boutique, while Zodiac operations support expedition-style exploration. PONANT currently lists 145 crew members serving 132 staterooms and suites.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Compagnie du Ponant (PONANT)
- Builder / shipyard
- Fincantieri Ancona, Italy
- Registry / flag
- Wallis and Futuna
- Call sign
- FLTU
- IMO number
- 9502518
- MMSI
- 578000700
- Draft
- 4.7 m
Onboard Experience
Dining
French-influenced gastronomy is a central feature, with onboard restaurant service and menus emphasizing refined cuisine and destination-inspired ingredients.
Entertainment
Facilities include lounges and bars, a theater, a panoramic lounge, a pool deck and onboard enrichment associated with PONANT expedition voyages.
Staterooms & suites
The ship has 132 staterooms and suites. Accommodation categories include window or porthole staterooms, balcony staterooms, Deluxe Suites, Prestige Suites and an Owner Suite.
For families
The ship is primarily designed around upscale expedition cruising and does not have a large-ship family-entertainment program. Some stateroom categories can accommodate up to three or four guests.
Pools, spa & wellness
Wellness facilities include a spa, fitness area, pool and outdoor relaxation spaces, with additional whirlpool facilities reported in current deck-plan references.
Accessibility
PONANT’s general terms identify reduced-mobility cabins within the L’Austral/Le Boréal/Le Soléal/Le Lyrial series; guests should confirm specific cabin and excursion suitability directly with PONANT.
Environmental features
PONANT states that L’Austral incorporated available environmental innovations at the time of design and that the company has continued enhancing the ship’s environmental performance.
Explore This Ship
Jump from L’Austral sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
8 Nights
Cruising the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, and Mallorca – with Smithsonian Journeys
Ports of Call
Next: Jul 30, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Jun 1, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Jul 15, 2028
2 upcoming departures
7 Nights
Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys
Ports of Call
Next: Mar 26, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Apr 8, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Jun 18, 2027
1 upcoming departure
Ports of Call
Next: Jun 8, 2027
2 upcoming departures