From: Argentina, Ushuaia
To: Argentina, Ushuaia
Dates: 13.12.2025 - 30.12.2025
Duration: 18 Nights
Ship: L'AUSTRAL

The Great Austral Loop

Experience a magical Christmas with PONANT. Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! Embark on a 18-day polar expedition cruise to the highest latitudes, from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia and the immaculate lands of Antarctica. Your expedition to the heart of the South Atlantic begins with the exploration of the Falkland Islands: as you sail in this archipelago of 200 islands, you will be escorted by sei whales. Composing the wild beauty of the shorelines are beaches of white sand, jagged cliffs, windswept moors and tall grass swaying with the wind. Your ship will soon take to the seas once again, to reach the mountainous island of South Georgia. It is there, in the midst of gigantic glaciers, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916. Today, king penguins, elephant and fur seals that have taken over the black-sand beaches dominated by the tall peaks that reveal the Scotia Arc. You will ultimately land on the frozen shores of the nearly inaccessible White Continent, Antarctica. White shades take on a thousand nuances as it covers the icebergs, glaciers, mountains and frozen sea all around you. You will be one of the rare few travellers to have laid eyes on this legendary land, the theatre of the greatest expeditions and the witness of the most extraordinary adventures. Above all, you are in the realm of the penguins – Adelie, Gentoo, chinstrap – seals, whales and seabirds that accompany you on this unforgettable trip. We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the IAATO.

L'AUSTRAL

  • Guests: 264
  • Suites: 132
  • Crew: 145
  • Spa: 1
  • Restaurants: 2
  • Length: 466 ft
  • Beam: 59 ft
  • Draft: 15.3 ft
  • Ice class: 1C
  • Classification: Bureau Veritas
  • Flag: French
  • Decks: 6
  • Guest: 264
  • Zodiacs: 11
  • Tonnage: 10 944 UMS
  • Motors: 2 x 2300 KW
  • Power: 6 400 KW
  • Construction: Fincantieri-Ancône-Italy
Ship in Details

Cruise Itinerary

Day
Date
Location
Arrival
Departure
1
Dec 13, 2025
Argentina, Ushuaia
16:00*
18:00
2
Dec 14, 2025
At sea
-
-
3
Dec 15, 2025
United States, Providence
-
-
3
Dec 15, 2025
United States, Tate Cove
-
-
4-6
Dec 16, 2025 – Dec 18, 2025
At sea
-
-
7-9
Dec 19, 2025 – Dec 21, 2025
Venezuela, Caracas
-
-
10-11
Dec 22, 2025 – Dec 23, 2025
At sea
-
-
12-15
Dec 24, 2025 – Dec 27, 2025
Antarctic Peninsula
-
-
16-17
Dec 28, 2025 – Dec 29, 2025
Crossing the Drake Passage
-
-
18
Dec 30, 2025
Argentina, Ushuaia
-
07:00**
The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice at the discretion of the cruise line or due to operational, weather, port, or safety considerations. The cruise operator reserves the right to substitute ports, alter the order of calls, or modify the program as necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.

Cabins & Accomodations

Window or Porthole Stateroom

  • Cabin: 21 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Lower deck balcony stateroom

  • Cabin: 21 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Upper decks balcony stateroom

  • Cabin: 21 m²
  • Pax: 3
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Deluxe Suite

  • Cabin: 27 m²
  • Pax: 2
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Prestige Suite

  • Cabin: 37 m²
  • Pax: 4
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Owner Suite

  • Cabin: 45 m²
  • Pax: 2
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