Ponant L’Austral Ship Review: Cabins, Dining & What to Know Before Booking
Many of my travel clients aren’t big cruisers. They love exploring new places, finding great food, and staying somewhere special, but the stereotypical cruise experience—with thousands of passengers and a packed schedule of onboard attractions— may not appeal to them. I understand the hesitation: I was a cruise skeptic myself before my first river cruise.
That’s why I love introducing clients to cruise lines like Ponant. Its small ships, French influence on dining and hospitality, and focus on exploring destinations offer a different way to experience cruising. Picture a day discovering a coastal town or a remote landscape, followed by dinner and a glass of wine onboard, with a comfortable room waiting for you and no need to pack up for the next stop.
For travelers considering their first cruise, Ponant can be a wonderful introduction to luxury small ship cruising. You don’t need to be an experienced cruiser to appreciate the appeal of unpacking once, exploring along the way, and returning to an intimate ship between adventures. The key is choosing the ship and itinerary that match the way you like to travel.
I recently toured L’Austral in New York City, checking out all its spaces like the theater and lounge, restaurants, staterooms, suites, and more. As a travel advisor, I wanted to see the details that matter when helping someone choose a cruise: how the cabins differ, what you can do onboard, and which travelers might enjoy this style of travel.
Here’s what I learned, and what I would consider before booking a Ponant itinerary.
What Is Ponant, and Who Is It Best For?
Ponant is a French cruise company with a fleet of small ships and sailing yachts. Its itineraries range from cultural journeys to remote expeditions, so the experience depends on both the ship and the voyage you choose.
For me, the appeal is the combination of exploration and a comfortable onboard home base. You can spend your days discovering a destination and return to a restaurant, lounge, or private balcony without changing hotels along the way.
As a travel advisor with extensive knowledge in cruising, I would put Ponant on the shortlist for travelers who:
- Prefer a smaller ship and an intimate setting.
- Enjoy food, wine, and a French influence on their travel experience.
- Want destinations and learning to play a meaningful role in their vacation.
- Like the idea of time in a lounge, a lecture, or a relaxed evening after exploring.
I’d look more closely at other options for travelers whose priorities are extensive nightlife, a long list of specialty restaurants, or elaborate entertainment for children. Ponant does welcome families on eligible sailings, but the right itinerary matters.
L’Austral at a Glance
Ponant lists L’Austral with a maximum capacity of 264 guests, 132 staterooms and suites, and 145 crew members. Passenger capacity can vary with the configuration used for a voyage.
- Ship family: One of Ponant’s Sisterships, alongside Le Boréal, Le Soléal, and Le Lyrial
- Accommodation: Window or porthole rooms, balcony staterooms, and suites
- Dining: 2 restaurants: a casual buffet venue and a more formal dining room
- Public spaces: Lounges and bars, theater, pool, spa, fitness room, and boutique
L’Austral Cabins and Suites: What to Consider
Cabin choice is one of the areas where I’d spend the most time with a client. A higher category doesn’t always mean the particular improvement you’re looking for.
Compare the layout, not just the category name
The team explained that several standard stateroom categories share a similar footprint, with location and deck helping distinguish them. Ponant’s current ship page lists both lower- and upper-deck balcony staterooms at 193 square feet, while larger suites offer different layouts.
My advice is to ask what you gain with an upgrade: more interior space, a different balcony, a preferred location, or additional services. Then decide whether that benefit is worth the difference for your trip.
Pay attention to balcony design
One detail I noticed during the tour was the solid metal barrier on the lower-deck balconies we viewed. The room still has an outdoor balcony, but the barrier is worth considering if you imagine spending a lot of time sitting outside looking at the water.
If that’s a priority, I would determine the exact cabin position before booking, part of why working with me helps you get the best room for your preferences. “Balcony room” tells you that you have outdoor space; it doesn’t tell you everything about the view from your chair.
A Prestige Suite can be useful for shared accommodation
The Prestige Suite configuration combins two standard rooms, with a connecting doorway and two bathrooms. The team explained how certain layouts can accommodate four guests.
That’s worth exploring for families or friends traveling together. Two bathrooms can make getting ready much easier. As a travel advisor, I can help you find the the exact sleeping arrangement and how the connecting space works for your preferred sailing.
Practical details inside the rooms
During the tour, I noted that there is suitcase storage beneath the beds, American and European outlets, hair dryers, minibars, and reusable metal water bottles.
These are small details, but they help with packing and settling in. For a particular booking, I would also confirm bed setup, storage needs, and any charging adapters you might want to bring.
Dining on L’Austral: Two Restaurants and a French Influence
L’Austral has two main restaurants: a casual buffet venue on Deck 6 and a more formal dining room. During our visit, the team explained that guests generally don’t need restaurant reservations and that sommeliers are available in both venues.
They also described afternoon tea, gala dining, and a cheese-focused evening presentation. As someone who loves finding good food when I travel, I was particularly interested in how those dining traditions become part of the voyage.
What appealed to me was the choice between a more casual setting and a seated dinner without needing a different specialty restaurant every night.
If you have dietary requirements or allergies, share them before booking and I will confirm how they can be accommodated on your chosen ship.
What Is Included on a Ponant Cruise?
Ponant includes many of the things travelers would otherwise budget for separately. Its published inclusions cover meals, snacks, drinks outside the premium menu, onboard Wi-Fi, and access to fitness facilities.
| Item | Inclusion |
|---|---|
| Meals and snacks | Included onboard |
| Drinks | A standard selection is included; premium menu beverages cost extra. |
| Wi-Fi | Included – via Starlink |
| Excursions and activities | An included excursion or activity is offered according to the voyage program; additional optional experiences may cost extra |
| Spa | Treatments and salon services are additional |
| Flights, hotels, and transfers | Depends, this is something I can assist with! |
Do you need a premium drinks package?
There is an additional premium drinks upgrade, along with the ability to purchase premium drinks individually. Depending on how often you expect to want a premium cocktail, the package may be a good option.
My advice is to look at the included drinks first. If your usual wine or cocktail is already covered, an upgrade may add little value. If you prefer particular premium spirits, compare the current package terms with ordering those drinks individually.
I am always happy to help confirm the current menu and pricing for your sailing.
What Can You Do Onboard L’Austral?
Lounges, music, and time to unwind
The lounge described during our tour has several roles throughout the day, from an early continental breakfast to games and live music. That flexibility appeals to me: a comfortable place to return to for coffee, a drink, or a quiet break between activities.
Lectures and evening events in the theater
The theater is a central gathering space for welcomes, briefings, lectures, excursion meetings, and evening events.
When comparing itineraries, I’d also look at who will be onboard to speak and what subjects they cover. A strong enrichment program can add context to the places you visit, especially if history, wildlife, or culture is a big reason for choosing the trip.
Spa and fitness facilities
I visited the fitness room, which had weights, exercise mats, balls, and a kinesis machine. The team told us it was open around the clock during that sailing.
The spa offers treatments and salon services. One practical tip from our visit: the team advised making spa reservations soon after embarkation, since advance reservations aren’t available.
Do You Need to Speak French to Cruise With Ponant?
No. Ponant’s published onboard languages are French and English, with signage in both. The guest mix varies by departure, so I wouldn’t use the nationality breakdown of one sailing to predict another.
If you particularly want an English-focused experience, consider Ponant’s Smithsonian Journeys sailings. These voyages are tailored to English-speaking travelers and feature expert discussions, an included excursion or activity in each port, and transfers specified in the package.
For example, Ponant offers a Smithsonian Journeys Aegean itinerary connecting Athens and Istanbul. The appeal is the opportunity to explore with additional historical and cultural context.
I’d consider this option for travelers who enjoy learning while they travel and want that enrichment to be a central part of their cruise.
How to Choose a Ponant Ship and Itinerary
My L’Austral tour gave me a closer look at one ship. It’s important to distinguish that experience from the rest of the fleet: Ponant’s ships have different features and serve different kinds of journeys.
Start with the kind of trip you want
Ask yourself what you most want to come home having experienced. Is it time exploring coastal towns, visits to historical sites, wildlife encounters, or a remote expedition?
Then read the daily itinerary carefully. Look at time ashore, days at sea, landing methods, and excursion choices. A destination name alone won’t tell you how you’ll experience it.
Match the ship to the journey
| Ship or ship family | Why the distinction matters |
|---|---|
| L’Austral and the Sisterships | The ship family I toured; useful to consider for travelers drawn to this scale and layout |
| Ponant Explorers | A separate ship family, with the underwater Blue Eye lounge among its distinguishing features |
| Le Commandant Charcot | A purpose-built polar icebreaker with a distinct expedition role |
| Le Ponant | A three-masted sailing yacht, offering a different setting from L’Austral |
You can explore the differences through Ponant’s fleet overview. L’Austral is not an icebreaker and does not have the Explorers’ Blue Eye lounge. Those distinctions matter when you’ve seen photos of several ships while researching the brand.
Review activity requirements before committing
An expedition itinerary may involve Zodiac outings, landings, and walks over uneven ground. I would review those requirements with you rather than assume every cruise or excursion has the same level of activity.
Ponant’s expedition descriptions also explain that the captain may adjust the itinerary for conditions and safety. That flexibility is part of choosing a remote expedition.
Consider the whole trip budget
Compare the full journey: cruise fare, cabin choice, flights, transfers, hotels before or after the voyage, and optional activities.
For my own planning, I like to ask where an upgrade will make the most difference. Sometimes that’s the cabin; sometimes it’s a better flight connection or an extra night to explore the embarkation city.
Practical Tips Before Booking a Ponant Cruise
Review the exact cabin. Check its position, layout, balcony design, and occupancy rather than choosing on category name alone.
Plan excursions ahead. Ponant currently describes excursion pre-booking opening around two months before departure, with limited capacity. Follow the instructions for your voyage.
Pack for both the destination and onboard evenings. Ponant recommends casual, elegant clothing and cocktail attire for gala evenings. Confirm any themed evening guidance for your sailing.
Check family suitability. Age requirements depend on cruise type, and kids’ programming is available on selected sailings. The club space I saw doesn’t mean the same service operates on every departure.
Give your arrival plans some breathing room. I generally recommend arriving ahead of embarkation when possible, especially when flights involve connections. It also gives you time to enjoy the departure city.
Is a Ponant Cruise Worth Considering?
After touring L’Austral, I would recommend taking a closer look at Ponant if you want a smaller ship, enjoy the French influence on dining and hospitality, and are choosing your cruise primarily for the places you’ll visit.
The cabin details were especially useful to see firsthand. Balcony design, suite configurations, and the relationship between category and interior space are all things I’d want a client to understand before making a decision.
The best choice comes down to the combination of ship, itinerary, departure, and cabin. Getting those right matters more than choosing the cruise line by reputation alone.
If you’re still exploring different cruise styles, you can also read my Viking River Cruise Review: Pros, Cons & What You Should Know, based on my own European river cruise.
Let Me Help You Find the Right Ponant Cruise
I’m Melissa, the travel writer behind Mountains & Mahals and a Fora travel advisor. I’d be happy to work with you one on one to find the right Ponant ship and itinerary for your interests, budget, and travel style.
Whether you’re considering a Mediterranean sailing, an expedition, or a Smithsonian Journeys departure, I can help you compare options, choose a stateroom, understand the inclusions, and arrange the travel around your cruise.