Sunday, March 31, 2024

This New Cruise Line Just Launched a Ship in Antarctica Here's What It's Like on Board

atlas antarctica cruise

With fantastic 180-degree views overlooking the ship’s bow, it is great for sightseeing during the day. This is the spot for all the night owls, featuring the same cocktail menu as the Atlas Lounge. Throughout the week, this venue featured light piano music, occasional nighttime entertainment, a couple trivia sessions, and a space for socializing with other guests. The Dome is the other gathering space on the ship, but more on this a bit later in the bars and lounges section.

Our Atlas Ocean Voyages Antarctica Cruise Was Not What We Expected

I've been on river cruises with guests who have sailed with their line of choice more than 50 times. So when it comes to launching a new cruise line, finding an audience is a tough task. Lucky for Atlas Ocean Voyages, which just launched in 2021, Rodriguez is no stranger to that challenge. He was with Oceania from the start, so he knows all about the importance of developing a brand identity. Those educational components, however, were balanced with classic luxury cruise activities, such as afternoon tea in The Dome, piano music at cocktail hour, and evening musical performances by cruise director Michael Shapiro. And as we were on the inaugural Antarctic voyage, we had a special guest on board, singer Asijah Pickett, to provide additional entertainment.

Atlas Ocean Voyages Unveils New 2024-25 Expeditions to Antarctica - Travel Agent Central

Atlas Ocean Voyages Unveils New 2024-25 Expeditions to Antarctica.

Posted: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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It was a good summary of the wonders that await those fortunate enough to explore this remarkable part of the world. Spending two days with little to do was a great way to familiarize yourself with the boat and overcome jet lag. We spent the first morning of the Drake passage going through the safety and zodiac briefings. One of the highlights of an Antarctic cruise is exploring the icy landscapes up close on Zodiac cruises. We would board small inflatable boats and navigate through the icy waters, getting closer to glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife. These excursions offer a unique and thrilling experience, allowing guests to witness the pristine beauty of Antarctica.

atlas antarctica cruise

Atlas World Voyager’s Deck Plans are Easy to Navigate

There were never long lines to get a drink, even at the coffee shop after returning from a cold morning exploring the polar waters. Likewise, dinner service in the restaurant took about 75 to 90 minutes when dining just the two of us, which is typical. The waitstaff always made sure to check in on us and keep our drink glasses filled. Atlas Ocean Voyages and the World Voyager expedition team shined with the execution of ashore outings and onboard edutainment.

The lounge is tastefully decorated and furnished with cozy seating arrangements, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. A pianist often performs there before dinner, and many guests would gather there. Passengers can enjoy a wide selection of beverages from the bar and engage in conversations with fellow travelers, making it a vibrant hub of social activity onboard.

Choose from our expeditions below, including aboard World Voyager™, our newest yacht embarking on her inaugural season in November 2023. When our group was finally called, we boarded the zodiac and headed straight toward a rookery of penguins. Here, we were able to get close enough for photo proof that we reached the peninsula.

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While it can be challenging for some people to step on the boat, the Atlas team was conscientious and assisted us in getting in and out of the boat. It is important to note that an Antarctica cruise is very weather-dependent, and the itinerary that we followed might be very different from what you will experience during your Antarctica cruise. Antarctica is a vast area, and there are plenty of options for landing and zodiac rides.

Atlas Ocean Voyages Antarctica Cruise – Drake Passage

Like most ships its size, there aren’t a lot of places to get food. The good news is that between the main dining room, Madeira, Paula’s Pantry coffee, juice and snack bar and 24-hour room service, it’s easy to satisfy most food cravings. On non-polar sailings, the 7Aft grill and pool bar are generally open. We experienced rough seas and ferocious winds up to 140 km per hour. Overall, the Zodiac cruise around Enterprise Island was a truly unforgettable experience. The sightings of humpback whales, the beauty of the icebergs, the glimpse into history with the whaler boat wreck, and the playful fur seals all combined to make it a perfect finale for our expedition.

atlas antarctica cruise

Paula’s pantry

Despite the challenging conditions, a sense of camaraderie developed among the passengers. The ship’s crew organized activities and lectures, distracting us from the rocking of the boat and providing insights into the region’s history and science. Our last trip expedition was a The Zodiac cruise around Enterprise Island.

Antarctica is one of the most remote places on earth, but you can stay connected thanks to Atlas’ internet service. Each guest gets 1GB of data at the beginning of the trip, free of charge. You can purchase additional data packets at 80 USD per 1 GB if you run out. The main dining room showcased a sophisticated atmosphere with impeccable service. The menu featured a combination of classic favorites available daily and a changing selection.

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I just jumped off a cruise ship in Antarctica and lived to tell the tale.

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Additionally, all voyages include a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Buenos Aires and a cultural immersion tour in Ushuaia before boarding the ship. World Traveller is the second ship in the Atlas Ocean Voyage fleet, following World Navigator, which launched in 2021. The ships are, in a way, fraternal twins — they are both custom-built, Ice Class 1B-certified ships with identical layouts but entirely different design schemes. While World Navigator takes on an art deco-meets-midcentury glam, World Traveller is all about la dolce vita yachting, per the cruise line, and, in my opinion, classic New England nautical sophistication.

It’s also one of the best ways to engage with Ushuaia’s history, as it is the former transport for inmates being taken to a remote island turned penal colony in the early 20th century. Transporting you through the Pico Valley, you’ll make stops along the way at Cascada de la Macarena station – where you learn about the indigenous Yámana people and see wondrous waterfalls – into mountains and subpolar forests. The train ride also runs through awe- inspiring sights like Puente Quemado (the Burned Bridge) and Laguna Negra (the Black Lagoon) near the peat bog.

But in warmer weather there is also a reservation-only outdoor restaurant, 7-Aft Grill. The 198-passenger ships, which are positioned as “intimate yachts,” offer a hybrid between luxury and more traditional expedition cruising. Yes, dishes were crashing, and a number of people fled the lecture hall and lounges clutching sickness bags. Initial weather reports indicated we’d have a fairly normal (if there is such a thing) sailing through the notorious Drake, where the average waves are about 10 feet high. But that soon changed, with swells reaching more than 30 feet on the first afternoon of our two-day crossing. With so much time spent on board between crossing the formidable Drake Passage twice, waiting for the next time to go ashore or on a Zodiac ride, and spending long hours indoors, comfort was paramount – and luxury a bonus.

It either may not be possible to reach that exact spot, or it may not be available if another ship has already planned to land there. All of the landings and excursions are carefully monitored in Antarctica. World Traveller is an elegant and intimate yacht-style polar class ship (9,930 gross tons) with 98 cabins, accommodating 196 guests at double occupancy. For expedition sailings in the polar regions, the passenger number is slightly lower, with approximately 186 guests, allowing more space to accommodate the expedition team. There are typically 117 crew and between 12 to 17 expedition team members.

Ships

atlas antarctica cruise

There is also a casual dining venue, 7Aft, adjacent to the lounge, although like the pool and pool bar it is generally not used during polar sailings. This Antarctica trip is one of the most beautiful trips I have ever done. The landscapes are stunning, with the shapes of the icebergs and various shades of blue. Being able to witness that grandeur and the crazy amount of animals living there is a privilege that I will not forget. I did the nine-day cruise and wish I had chosen a longer one because nine days were not enough.

The Drake By Sea & SkyMore Ways To Explore Antarctica

Atlas Ocean Voyages Launches to Antarctica in 2024/25 - Recommend Magazine

Atlas Ocean Voyages Launches to Antarctica in 2024/25.

Posted: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

When it comes to the ship itself, World Voyager features many cruise staples. There is a main dining room, coffee shop, spa, fitness center, running track, a pool, whirlpools, bars and lounges, and an auditorium for daily enrichment. While the White Continent had been on our bucket list for some time, even we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Well, we survived and are back to share why you should consider leaping out of your comfort zone to explore this 7th continent in our Atlas Ocean Voyages Antarctica Cruise Review.

atlas antarctica cruise

Deck 7- The observation lounge

You never know what you will see in Antarctica, as on one of my balcony moments, I spotted Orcas playing just below the ship and playing with the bow waves. My experience in a deluxe balcony cabin on a cruise ship was perfect. The cabin was spacious and well-designed, and I was very comfortable during my nine-night cruise. The pool on Deck 7 offers a refreshing oasis for passengers to take a dip and enjoy a swim while onboard the Atlas Voyager.

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Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style in Lisboa with a wide selection of freshly prepared foods and cooked dishes. Most days at lunch, there was also a carving station or an individually prepared specialty, such as a truffled risotto, an Asian noodle stir fry, or mussels prepared with white wine and garlic. World Traveller is designed for travel on the high seas and has excellent stabilizers. And he and the captain explained that they do everything they can to avoid the immense waves, whether that means slowing the ship down or encountering delays.

Deck 6 – The Bridge

With Antarctica and penguins checked off our list, the only natural progression is an Arctic expedition and polar bears. The cruise line also features Epicurean Expeditions with a culinary and wine focus and new Cultural Expeditions with a focus on authentic and local experiences. Still, our group was the first of the morning to board the zodiac boats for our expedition.

The Expedition Team on World Traveller was very Experienced

There is no early or late diner shift on Atlas, and no bookings are necessary. An outdoor area wasn’t used for dining during our Antarctic cruise as it was too cold. But it was a great spot where everyone would run if whales passed by during dinner. They also used the outdoor area for a few outdoor cooking stations. The Atlas World Voyager had three decks accessible to passengers and two decks dedicated to cabins.

Seals basking on rocks, up close with Atlas

Penguins gracefully swam alongside our boat, and seabirds soared above us with the sunrise in the background. It was a sunny day with excellent visibility and a clear blue sky. The Lemaire Passage is one of the most popular places in Antarctica.

While Atlas offers fine dining and five-star amenities, including a spa, it’s still a fairly new entrant to expedition cruising. It’s first ship, World Navigator, launched in 2021, and World Traveller joined the fleet last year. After making it across the Drake, we woke up on our third day to sunny weather in the South Shetland Islands. We made two landings that day on Deception Island, where we got our first chances to hike snowy peaks and watch penguins waddle, swim, and even fight amongst each other. That was Captain Terje Ulset’s signature signoff from public announcements on the maiden sailing of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ third expedition yacht, World Voyager, as we sailed to Antarctica.

It's a trip that requires patience and flexibility, even when everything is going according to plan (or intentional lack of one). The rooms, too, were very comfortable; mine had a furnished balcony that is probably delightful when World Navigator repositions to warmer seas. The bathroom, particularly for a cruise ship, was impressive — I've said it before and I'll say it again, anyone who has ever tried to shave the back of their legs knows the luxury of an in-shower bench. Most trips to Antarctica begin at the so-called End of the World in the small port city of Ushuaia, Argentina. Atlas Ocean Voyages sailings are mostly all-inclusive, and this particular trip began with a nonstop flight on a private chartered Airbus 330 from Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida to Ushuaia (USH).

The guests on our Atlas Ocean Voyages Antarctica cruise were younger and more active travelers than we would have guessed. In fact, it seemed the majority of guests were in their 40’s and 50’s; there were even some younger guests with one couple on their honeymoon. We did expect the tour of Tierra del Fuego to include more walking and time outdoors. Still, it filled the time until we were allowed to board the vessel.

If you were expecting a luxury private jet, you might be disappointed. It was old and not so clean, but it was on time, and the staff was friendly. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Ocean Voyages announces Polar Expeditions by Atlas™ to Antarctica beginning October 2025 to March 2026 are now available for bookings.

From a crew talent show to pop music singing or Salsa dancing, there was something to watch if you were not ready to go to bed yet. Atlas is a small boat, and most passengers come to discover Antarctica, so don’t expect a huge range of night entertainment. The restaurant has tables of 2 to 10 people so that you can dine alone or with other people you meet onboard. The restaurant is large enough so that every guest can eat simultaneously.

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