L’Austral – Christmas & New Year In Southern Lands

• USHUAIA - ARGENTINA

  In the afternoon you will board your ship in Ushuaia and set sail in the direction of the Falkland Islands, an Archipelago made up of moors and craggy coastlines, where the plant and animal life forms a link between Patagonia and the Antarctic.

• AT SEA

  Relax on board this luxurious vessel and take in the fresh air. There is plenty to do on your way to the Falkland Islands. Perhaps you would like to unwind at the spa or simply admire the vastness of the ocean from the panoramic lounge.

• FALKLAND ISLANDS

  Located to the South East of South America, the Falkland Islands, which are renowned for their wildness, were discovered by a Spanish expedition at the beginning of the 16th century. More than two hundred years later, sailors from Saint- Malo, known as Malouins, occupied the island and gave it the name used until the British conquered them in 1833. Scattered with tufts of grass, surrounded by a grey and often wild sea, the Islands are a small country of moors and rugged coastlines carved by the South Atlantic, where the wildlife and plant life form a link between Patagonia and Antarctica. Take the time to observe and photograph the abundant wildlife of these wild and very attractive Islands.

• AT SEA

  During your time at sea you may wish to visit the theatre to view a film or attend an information session or perhaps you would like to relax by the heated pool.

• AT SEA

  You may wish to spend some time on your private balcony spotting sea birds or keeping your eyes peeled for some whales heading south.

• SOUTH GEORGIA

  Aboard your ship, discover South Georgia, a region formed by an underwater mountain chain that extends from the Andes to the Antarctic Peninsula.

• SOUTH GEORGIA

  All the wildlife of the Far South can be found there: king and Gentoo penguins, elephant seals, fur seals… You might get the chance to discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour and the vast plains of Fortuna Bay.

• SOUTH GEORGIA

  You might get the chance to discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour and the vast plains of Fortuna Bay. If you are fortunate enough to land at Salisbury Plain, you can expect a wonderful spectacle: more than 300,000 king penguins, which you will recognise by the bright orange mark on their head and neck, have taken up residence there.

  Gold Harbour is a popular breeding ground for king penguins and elephant seals. During the morning and evening the soft sunlight illuminates the cliffs a beautiful bright yellow which is where the harbour gets its name.

• AT SEA

  Enjoy some of the onboard facilities whilst keeping an eye out for bird life and whales.

• AT SEA

  As you head further south you will begin to see icebergs floating past.

• ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

  Succumb to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife.

• ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

  Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these extreme parts.

• ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

  Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.

• ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

  Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest Zodiac outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula.

• DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA

  If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to Antarctica.

• DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA

  easoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don’t forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.

• DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA

  As you brave the Drake Passage you will have time to sort through your photos, use the onboard facilities, attend lectures, visit the spa for some relaxation or relax in the lounge areas sharing stories with fellow travellers of your adventure. In the morning of day 16 the ship will pull into Ushuaia. After breakfast you will disembark.

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. 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.