L’Austral – Emblematic Antarctica

• USHUAIA AND THE DRAKE PASSAGE

  Board your ship in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. To reach the White Continent you will cross the notorious Drake Passage named after the famous explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who sailed in these waters way back in 1578.

• USHUAIA AND THE DRAKE PASSAGE

  You will then traverse the Polar Front which marks the area where waters from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans meet.

• USHUAIA AND THE DRAKE PASSAGE

  You will then traverse the Polar Front which marks the area where waters from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans meet.

• ANTARCTICA PENINSULA

  Deep in Andvord Bay, we find this little corner of paradise at the foot of an immense glacier. Neko Bay is without doubt one of the most beautiful sights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Wildlife is as abundant as it is exceptional: sea birds such as gulls, cape petrels and cormorants, as well as marine mammals like seals, orcas and whales. Excursions aboard the Zodiac dinghies allow you to sail close to blue-tinged icebergs or disembark near colonies of penguins, observe leopard seals basking on the shore or watch the Antarctic Terns flying overhead.

• ANTARCTICA PENINSULA

  Pleneau Island is sometimes referred to as the graveyard of the icebergs, this is due to the shallow waters of the bay grounding icebergs and eventually leading them to melt or break up. Often spotted in these waters are minke whales, weddell seals and leopard seals.

• ANTARCTICA PENINSULA

  On the small island of Goudier, you will have the opportunity to visit Port Lockroy, discovered by the French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot in 1903. Initially it served as a relief and repair base for whalers, but in 1944 Port Lockroy became a British base. It owes its name to Edouard Lockroy, a French politician and the partner of Jean-Baptiste Charcot during his expedition. You will be able to visit the small museum that retraces the life of the base in the 1950s. Since 1996, it has been open to the public during the short Southern Summer and is used for carrying out research on Gentoo Penguins. Nowadays, this base is the most visited site of the White Continent and, thanks to its little store and post office, it is the only place to offer you the opportunity to write to your friends and family and share this unique moment.

• ANTARCTICA PENINSULA

  Nestled at the heart of the South Shetland Islands, in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island is easy to recognise for its horseshoe shape. On the black sand of the volcanic beaches, there are remains of abandoned huts that have been overrun by the extraordinary wildlife, part of the treasure that Nature offers us there. It is on these beaches of ash that the largest colony of Chinstrap Penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula has taken up residence. Excursions aboard the Zodiac dinghies will allow you to set foot on this expanse of land where more than 100,000 pairs of penguins, elephant seals and Fur seals live side by side.

• WEDDELL SEA

  A lengthy sail in the Weddell Sea will allow you to experience true silence, an extraordinary and enchanting atmosphere, unrivalled calm…You will discover a secret reserve of preserved treasure: Fur Seals, penguin colonies, Wandering Albatross and other giant Petrels. Here the huge icebergs and the endless ice cap sculpt a landscape beyond compare. The lord of the manor is known as the Weddell Seal. It is a record breaker, able to remain submerged for more than an hour. Its pelage is dark grey and it has a spotted belly. To maintain its access to the sea and be able to fish, the Weddell Seal has special teeth allowing it to make a hole in the thick ice.

• DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA

  After exploring the Antarctic Peninsula you will head back towards the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. On the way you will witness sea birds following the ship.

• DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA

  You will have time to sort through your photos and recap on your trip with your fellow travellers.

• DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA

  In the morning of day 11 you will disembark in Ushuaia.

The Owners Suite

The Owners Suite sleeps up to 2 guests and is situated on Deck 6. The suite features: king bed or twin beds, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, minibar, flat screen satellite TV, iPod™ players, desk with stationery, electronic safe, French bath products, dressing table and hairdryer, bath robes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts, 24hr room service, WiFi. The rooms are decorated by French interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. The suite is a luxurious 45 square metres

The Prestige Suite Deck 5 & 6

The Prestige Suite sleeps up to 4 guests. The cabin features: king bed or twin beds, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, minibar, flat screen satellite TV, iPod™ players, desk with stationery, electronic safe, French bath products, dressing table and hairdryer, bath robes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts, 24hr room service, WiFi. The rooms are decorated by French interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. The suite is a spacious 37 square metres.

The deluxe suite

The Prestige Stateroom sleeps up to 2 guests. The cabin features: king bed or twin beds, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, minibar, flat screen satellite TV, iPod™ players, desk with stationery, electronic safe, French bath products, dressing table and hairdryer, bath robes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts, 24hr room service, WiFi. The rooms are decorated by French interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel.

The Prestige Stateroom Deck 4,5 & 6

The Prestige Stateroom sleeps up to 2 guests. The cabin features: king bed or twin beds, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, minibar, flat screen satellite TV, iPod™ players, desk with stationery, electronic safe, French bath products, dressing table and hairdryer, bath robes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts, 24hr room service, WiFi. The rooms are decorated by French interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel and is a comfortable 18 square metres.

The Deluxe Stateroom

The Deluxe Stateroom sleeps up to 2 guests. The cabin features: king bed or twin beds, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, minibar, flat screen satellite TV, iPod™ players, desk with stationery, electronic safe, French bath products, dressing table and hairdryer, bath robes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts, 24hr room service, WiFi. The rooms are decorated by French interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel and is a comfortable 18 square metres.

The Superior Stateroom

The Superior Stateroom sleeps up to 3 guests and is located on Le Champollion Deck. The cabin features: individually-controlled air-conditioning, minibar, flat screen satellite TV, iPod™ players, desk with stationery, electronic safe, French bath products, dressing table and hairdryer, bath robes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts, 24hr room service, WiFi. The rooms are decorated by French interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel and is 21 square metres.

DECKPLAN

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Accommodation in suites or staterooms with en-suite
• All meals while on the cruise. Continental breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, a three-course dinner and a late-evening snack are served daily.
• Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
• Open Bar – A wide choice of refreshments such as wine, beer, cocktails, fruit juices and aperitifs are served in each bar and with lunch and dinner. This does not include premium alcoholic drinks. List available upon request.
• Mini Bar – the mini bar in your cabin is restocked every day and in included in the fare.
• Complimentary Parka to keep.
• Waterproof rubber boots to loan for duration of cruise.
• Highly experienced bilingual (French-English) Expedition team
• Excursions with expedition guides – Zodiac, land and sea tours and shore-side activities
• Complimentary wifi on board – Please note the wifi may be slow due to a satellite connection and the remote areas you will be visiting.
• Evening entertainment and events
• Luggage transfer from pier to the ship and vice versa
• Room service 24h (special selection)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International flights
• Domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Tips for the local guide
• Personal expenses
• Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
• Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme

NOTES:

• This trip is also available on board the Le Lyrial and Le Boreal and L’Austral. Contact us for more details
• Voyages are subject to ice and weather conditions. The itineraries described for expedition voyages illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
• Water sports activities (except scuba diving) are included in the tour price, using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by shipmaster according to safety and sea conditions on-site
• Passenger numbers are limited to 200 for Antarctic voyages.