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L’Austral sets sail as Du Ponant’s second new mega yacht in a year

A stunning new mega yacht has joined the fleet of Compagnie du Ponant and will be exploring the hidden corners of the Mediterranean this year.

The luxurious 264-guest L’Austral is second new vessel in a year to be launched by Compagnie du Ponant - the world’s only French-flagged cruise line.

The yacht, built at Fincantieri shipyard like its sister ship Le Boréal and designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, combines chic French style with cutting-edge technology.

L’Austral: All the comforts of five-star cruising

Aboard the 466-ft L’Austral, guests find all the comforts and service of a five-star cruise experience.

This year in it’s inaugural season through to October October, L’Austral will sail to unusual ports and out-of-the way islands in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Turkey.

The yacht’s itineraries include many ports and islands not accessible to or visited by large cruise ships.

Until August, L’Austral sails a series of 7-night Secrets of the Adriatic itineraries to and from Venice exploring the Dalmatian Coast and stopping at 11 ports and islands in Croatia and Montenegro.

Ten-night Venice-to-Athens cruises visit charming harbours on Greece’s Peloponnesian Peninsula and less frequented islands. Guests on the Athens-to-Istanbul sailing (October 4) will hear classical music as they explore fabled Greek isles and renowned archaeological sites on Turkey’s mainland.

On October 11, the yacht leaves Istanbul for Marseille passing through Greece and Italy. L’Austral departs Marseille on November 1 for Morocco, the Cape Verde Islands, Dakar and the Bijagós Archipelago on its repositioning voyage for its first season in Antarctica, where it will join its sister ship, Le Boréal, until mid-February 2012.
   
Most of the spring, summer and Autumn cruises are seven, or 10-night itineraries. Voyage-only fares, subject to availability and based on double occupancy, lead in at from £1,460 per person plus £195pp port and safety taxes for L’Austral’s 7-night, Dalmatian coast sailings from Venice to Venice, departing 31 May; 7, 14 and 28 June; 5, 12 and 19 July;  23 and 30 August; and 6 September.