Ponant Cruises
L'Austral
- Cruises
- 0
- From
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The verdict
Which should you choose?
L'Austral is a small Ponant Cruises ship carrying 264 passengers, in service since 2011. Le Lyrial is a small Ponant Cruises ship carrying 264 passengers, in service since 2015.
Choose L'Austral if you want a better-rated spa and gym or more adventure and nature: it outscores Le Lyrial for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 5.0) and adventure & nature (10.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Le Lyrial if you want a more family-friendly ship, a more romantic trip or more culture: it outscores L'Austral for family friendly (5.0 vs 4.0), romantic (9.0 vs 8.0) and cultural (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| L'Austral | Le Lyrial | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Ponant Cruises | Ponant Cruises |
| Ship size | Small | Small |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2011 | 2015 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 10,944 | 10,944 |
| Passengers | 264 | 264 |
| Crew | 139 | 139 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 41.5 | 41.5 |
| Cabins | 132 | — |
| Decks | 6 | 7 |
| Length | 465 ft | 465 ft |
| Beam | 59 ft | 59 ft |
| Speed | — | 18 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. L'Austral leads on 2 of the ten, Le Lyrial on 3, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Ponant Cruises
L'Austral
Launched in 2011, L’Austral from France-based Ponant provides an intimate, luxurious cruise experience. Her small size makes her ideally suited for visiting ports that bigger ships can’t reach.
Highlights
- Three lounges offering evening entertainment, bars and access to the open decks
- Suites featuring ocean views and private balconies
- Multiple observation areas
- French sophistication at every turn
Ponant Cruises
Le Lyrial
Le Lyrial, which debuted in April 2015 from the French cruise line Ponant, is one of a handful of vessels that can rightly be called a luxury expedition ship. The intimate yacht, with no more than 264 passengers, visits exquisite ports of call around the world while guests revel in her lean, modern design and welcoming atmosphere.
Highlights
- Exquisite, exotic destinations on this luxury expedition ship
- Top-rate French-inspired cuisine
Questions
L'Austral or Le Lyrial?
Which is bigger, L'Austral or Le Lyrial?
They are the same size, 10,944 gross tons each. L'Austral carries 264 passengers and Le Lyrial carries 264.
Which ship is newer, L'Austral or Le Lyrial?
Le Lyrial is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2015 against 2011 for L'Austral.
Which has more space per passenger?
They are level at 41.5 gross tons per passenger.
Which has more crew per passenger?
They are level, with one crew member for every 1.9 passengers.
Which is better for families?
Le Lyrial scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for L'Austral.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about L'Austral, Le Lyrial or a ship that suits you better.