L’Austral: Tauck Cruises luxury voyages

Horizons of grace and exploration with L’Austral by Tauck Cruises


Born from the meeting of French elegance and the expertise of luxury travel, L’Austral by Tauck Cruises embodies the art of contemporary yachting. Built in 2011 by Fincantieri for the Ponant fleet, this 142-meter, 10,700-ton vessel combines refined design with advanced technology. Welcoming 264 guests served by 140 crew members, L’Austral offers an intimate experience where comfort seamlessly blends with discovery.

The elegance of everyday life at sea

Suites bathed in light

Aboard L’Austral, the cabins and suites embody the very essence of refined comfort at sea. Ranging from 18 m² to 45 m², they feature soft tones, precious woods, and natural fabrics. Ninety-five percent offer a private balcony opening onto endless ocean panoramas. The ship ensures complete and luxurious comfort with a spacious dressing area, minibar, exceptional bedding, and a marble bathroom. The atmosphere feels soothing, intimate, and perfectly in harmony with the gentle surrounding sea.

Living spaces and harmony

The lounges of L’Austral are elegant gathering places, ideal for both relaxation and social moments. The panoramic lounge invites guests to enjoy a cocktail or listen to live music, while the theater hosts conferences and inspiring performances. Its fluid design and noble materials, leather, light wood, polished glass, enhance the overall feeling of balance and sophisticated elegance. The ship becomes a refined cocoon of comfort where every moment unfolds in warmth and serenity.

Decks and moments of sunshine

On the upper decks, L’Austral reveals radiant open-air spaces filled with natural light. The heated pool, bubbling whirlpools, and outdoor bar create a serene atmosphere of pure well-being. Travelers can relax facing the horizon, gently lulled by the rhythmic sound of the waves. Each sunrise and sunset paints the sea in golden hues, adding magic to moments that become lasting memories of serenity and wonder.

The culinary experience aboard L’Austral

Exceptional tables

L’Austral pays tribute to French and international gastronomy through two elegant restaurants, where every meal becomes a moment of pleasure and discovery. The Gastronomic Restaurant enchants guests with its intimate ambiance and menu inspired by the ship’s destinations, while the Grill offers a more relaxed cuisine by the sea. The vessel celebrates fresh ingredients, refined wines, and the chefs’ creativity, delivering a culinary experience truly worthy of the finest dining tables.

Journey of the senses

Each itinerary aboard L’Austral is a genuine celebration of the world’s flavors, fragrances, and cultures encountered along the way. The menus evolve gracefully according to the regions visited, from sunlit Mediterranean coasts to crystal-clear Polynesian lagoons, reflecting an extraordinary diversity of authentic tastes. Guests discover a rich, colorful, and inspiring palette of flavors, where cuisine becomes the natural extension of the voyage and the elegant expression of the French art of refined living.

Evenings under the stars

When night falls gently, L’Austral adorns itself with timeless elegance and poetic charm. Guests enjoy the intimate musical lounges, panoramic bar, or open-air deck to admire the glittering starry sky and listen to the soothing whisper of the calm sea. The evenings, enlivened by talented pianists, singers, or captivating guest lecturers, unfold in a serene and refined atmosphere. The ship becomes a luminous stage of beauty and emotion, where each moment under the stars stays forever in memory.

Soulful stopovers and distant horizons

Ports and discoveries

L’Austral sails across the world’s seas toward exceptional destinations: the Mediterranean, Antarctica, Asia, South America, and the Indian Ocean. Thanks to its intimate size, the ship reaches secluded ports and preserved locations, inaccessible to larger vessels. The carefully designed excursions allow guests to explore cultural treasures, vibrant local markets, or breathtaking wild landscapes. At every stop, it unveils the world’s authentic and mesmerizing beauty with elegance and genuine curiosity.

Well-being at sea

The spa aboard L’Austral is a true sanctuary of deep relaxation and holistic rejuvenation. Guests can indulge in facial treatments, marine oil massages, a hammam, and a panoramic fitness room. The elegant wellness area is inspired by the sea and its soothing benefits, blending natural light and delicate, calming scents. It gently encourages travelers to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover profound inner serenity between two unforgettable voyages.

Evenings of emotion

Entertainment aboard L’Austral revolves gracefully around culture, music, and discovery. Expert-led lectures, captivating film screenings, and intimate live concerts fill the evenings with enchantment. The ship values quality over quantity, offering an atmosphere of refinement, warmth, and shared inspiration. It creates elegant and unforgettable nights, where the sea becomes a serene companion to every heartfelt emotion.

Routes of escape and exceptional panoramas aboard L’Austral

Itineraries of emotion

L’Austral explores the most beautiful maritime routes, from the icy expanses of the white continent to the turquoise lagoons of the Pacific Ocean. Its itineraries, designed by passionate experts, reveal the captivating diversity of the world, between wild nature, mythical cities, and exceptional cultural stopovers. With its panoramic windows and observation decks, the ship offers mesmerizing immersion, inviting travelers to admire the ever-changing beauty of oceans and continents in majestic silence.

Cultures and encounters

Each stopover aboard L’Austral is an invitation to connection and genuine discovery. Passengers set out to explore local customs, take part in unique tastings, or wander through fishing villages where ancient traditions remain beautifully preserved. Human exchanges, vivid colors, and delicious flavors weave a profound and emotional bond between land and sea. The ship turns each voyage into a dialogue of cultures and emotions, guided by authenticity and genuine respect for the world’s peoples.

Suspended moments

The most beautiful moments aboard L’Austral unfold in serenity and quiet contemplation: a sunrise over the ice, a gentle mist on the fjords, or a star-studded sky above the tranquil, endless ocean. These rare and precious instants become everlasting cherished memories, symbols of freedom and deep inner harmony. On board, time slowly fades away, giving space to the pure emotion of travel and the timeless, poetic beauty of the infinite and majestic sea.

An experience crafted with every detail

Personalized and refined service

Voyages Aqua Terra transforms every cruise aboard L’Austral into a smooth and exquisitely refined experience, designed with the utmost attention to detail. Our dedicated experts accompany each traveler with exceptional care, from the choice of suite to the organization of exclusive excursions, including transfers and thoughtful personal touches. The focus is placed on seamlessness, comfort, and personalization, ensuring that every precious moment reflects your desires and your elegant art of travel.

Exclusive and distinguished privileges

Choosing L’Austral with Voyages Aqua Terra means accessing a collection of truly exceptional advantages: upgrades, onboard credits, private dinners, and personalized transfers. These discreet and thoughtful attentions add a new dimension to your journey, emphasizing our team’s constant commitment to a service of prestige and refinement. The ship thus becomes far more than a means of travel: it is a distinctive signature of excellence and timeless elegance.

Eternal and poetic memories

Every moment experienced aboard L’Austral transforms into a precious and everlasting memory: a sunset over the tranquil ocean, a shared laugh, or a silent breathtaking landscape. Voyages Aqua Terra brings these special instants to life, turning them into lasting emotions filled with poetry and luminous beauty. Onboard, travel becomes an intimate art, a deeply personal experience forever engraved within the heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cruise on L’Austral with Tauck is a luxury small-ship journey that explores remarkable destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, Scandinavia, or Asia. Guests enjoy refined French-inspired design, top-tier service, gourmet dining, and guided excursions in an intimate setting.
L’Austral entered service in 2011 and accommodates about 264 passengers with around 140 crew members. The ship blends luxury and elegance, offering ocean-view cabins and suites; most with private balconies, for a comfortable and upscale experience.
The onboard atmosphere is refined, peaceful, and elegant. Guests experience a relaxed yacht-style ambiance, with French-inspired hospitality, personalized service, and cultural activities that make every journey memorable.
The fare generally includes accommodations, gourmet meals, beverages, and selected shore excursions. On Tauck-chartered sailings, guests can enjoy additional inclusions such as Zodiac landings, lectures, and exclusive guided tours.
A typical day includes breakfast on deck or in your cabin, morning excursions or lectures, a relaxing lunch, an afternoon at the spa or observation deck, and a refined dinner followed by evening entertainment or live music.
The recommended dress code is smart casual. For special evenings, guests may choose to dress more formally with cocktail dresses or blazers. The goal is to maintain an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere throughout the voyage.
Guests can choose from several cabin and suite categories, all designed with modern elegance. Most accommodations feature private balconies, premium bedding, and luxurious amenities for maximum comfort during the voyage.
L’Austral sails to a wide range of destinations including Antarctica, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Asia, and remote islands. Tauck’s itineraries emphasize culture, adventure, and authentic local experiences.
With a high crew-to-passenger ratio, service aboard L’Austral is exceptional and personalized. Every guest enjoys dedicated attention, from dining to excursions, ensuring a seamless and relaxing cruise experience.
To book your Tauck cruise aboard L’Austral, contact Voyages Aqua Terra at 1-866-628-6241 or email ventes@voyagesaquaterra.com . Their travel experts can help you choose the perfect itinerary and cabin.
Yes, Tauck often offers themed cruises such as polar expeditions, cultural journeys, and culinary voyages. These itineraries feature expert lectures, private landings, and exclusive events for a unique travel experience.
Guests frequently praise the quality of the service, the intimate atmosphere, and the excellent cuisine onboard. Reviews highlight the ship’s elegant design and the personalized care provided by the crew.
L’Austral features a full-service spa, steam room, fitness studio, and relaxation lounge with panoramic views. These spaces are ideal for rejuvenation between excursions.
Policies depend on the itinerary, but early booking is highly recommended due to limited capacity. For details on booking conditions and flexibility options, contact Voyages Aqua Terra directly.