Boarding Ponant L'Austral in Iceland | Our Adventure Begins

After months of planning, packing, and counting down the days, our Iceland adventure has finally begun.

We flew into Reykjavík ready to board Ponant's luxury expedition yacht, L'Austral, for a seven-night voyage around one of the most breathtaking destinations in the world.

For this trip, we'll be attempting a full circumnavigation of Iceland, visiting remote ports, dramatic coastlines, and some of the country's most spectacular natural wonders along the way.

Before any of that could happen, though, we had one important thing to do: get onboard.

First Impressions of L'Austral

Seeing L'Austral for the first time was a special moment.

Unlike the giant cruise ships that dominate many ports around the world, L'Austral feels elegant and intimate. With her sleek profile and expedition heritage, she looks perfectly suited to exploring destinations that larger vessels simply can't reach.

As we made our way through check-in and stepped onboard, the excitement really started to build. This wasn't just another cruise. It felt like the beginning of a genuine adventure.

A Warm Welcome Onboard

One of the first things that stood out was the welcome from the crew.

From the reception team to the staff helping guests settle in, everyone we met was friendly, professional, and genuinely enthusiastic about the voyage ahead.

Those first few hours onboard are always important. They set the tone for the rest of the cruise, and L'Austral immediately felt relaxed, welcoming, and effortlessly polished.

Settling In

After finding our cabin and getting our bearings, it was time to start soaking up the atmosphere onboard.

There is something special about embarkation day. The anticipation is still there, nobody quite knows what lies ahead, and every passenger is sharing the same sense of excitement about the journey to come.

With Iceland waiting beyond the horizon, it felt like anything was possible.

Sail Away from Reykjavík

As departure time approached, we headed out on deck to watch L'Austral leave Reykjavík behind.

Watching the coastline slowly disappear into the distance was a reminder that the adventure had officially begun.

For the next seven nights, this beautiful expedition yacht would be our home as we explored some of Iceland's most remote and spectacular locations.

What Happens Next?

Embarkation day is only the beginning.

Over the coming days we'll be exploring remote Icelandic communities, experiencing breathtaking landscapes, and discovering what life is really like aboard a luxury expedition cruise.

If this first day is anything to go by, we're in for an unforgettable week.

Let's see what the next seven nights have in store aboard Ponant L'Austral.