You’ll be able to inform so much about an expedition ship from the way in which it handles tough seas and storms.
World Voyager, the third ship for fast-growing newcomer Atlas Ocean Voyages, was put by way of its paces throughout a tempest of wind and waves on its latest nine-day maiden voyage to Antarctica.
It dealt with it with ease.
That is because of the ship’s new, state-of-the-art stabilizing twin Rolls-Royce retractable fins and superior hydrodynamic design.
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Crossing the fearsome Drake Passage — the violent confluence of three seas between the tip of South America and Antarctica — the ocean pitched, rolled and yawed. It was the dreaded Drake Shake. Waves lept to 39 toes, however we have been buffered in opposition to the worst of it as we zig-zagged to briefings, polar gear fittings, welcome drinks and dinners.
I obtained to see these stabilizers in motion once more within the white continent, flying on the coattails of 100-knot winds. Snow fell sideways. Spectral winds chased jitterbug seas. Onboard, there was nothing however clean crusing, even on the treadmill within the health club.
Introducing World Voyager
World Voyager is an intimate ship designed for what Atlas Ocean Voyages likes to name “expedition yachting” in among the most distant pockets of the globe. Proper now, that is Antarctica. Like sister ice-class ships World Traveller and World Navigator, this ship has state-of-the-art sonar that enables it to journey deep into polar areas and Zodiac inflatable boats on board for exploring off the ship.
However the ship would not supply immersive journey solely in far-flung locales. Within the coming months, World Voyager will head north for warm-weather sailings within the Mediterranean, northern Europe and the British Isles; there, it is going to swap the Zodiacs for Jet Skis, kayaks and paddleboards.
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The ship can maneuver into small harbors and slim rivers that greater ships cannot. That is one thing Atlas is eager to capitalize on through the coming 12 months with warm-water sailings that invite a deeper connection to meals tradition and historical past. New Epicurean Expeditions will probably be centered on meals excursions, cooking demonstrations, native cooks and vintners, and wine tastings. I obtained to pattern a few of these wines — together with a Miraval rose from Provence, France — and may vouch for his or her excellence.
One of many greatest variations between an expedition ship and among the greater luxurious cruise ships is the professional group of marine biologists, ornithologists, glaciologists and historians onboard; they enrich each day outings with talks and each day recaps. World Voyager travels with as much as 14 expedition leaders. Nonetheless, its program is lighter than what you will discover on the expedition vessels of extra established gamers within the house, comparable to Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea Cruises and Quark Expeditions.
Nonetheless, the enrichment choices from World Voyager’s expedition group are simply a part of a wider leisure program. This system contains afternoon tea, trivia, night motion pictures, late-night cabaret reveals and an always-open and vigorous Dome observatory bar — an array of diversions you do not all the time discover on expedition ships.
On this approach, the ship straddles big-ship leisure and small-ship journey. It is early days, and the group continues to be discovering its sea legs — common for a brand new ship. Nevertheless, there may be discuss of getting the expedition group to dine with friends.
Associated: The final word information to Atlas Ocean Voyages
It is good worth
Touring to far-flung locations with an intimate coterie of like-minded vacationers is likely one of the luxuries of expedition cruising. Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Voyager is likely one of the smallest ships of its variety. The 9,935-ton ship has the capability for 198 passengers, however that quantity drops to a mere 178 individuals in Antarctica, with cabins given to visitor lecturers and entertainers. Our maiden voyage had solely 138.
For such a big-ticket cruise, the group was comparatively younger. I put this right down to Atlas’ present supply that enables the second visitor to sail free; the deal contains in a single day lodging and return non-public constitution flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina. It is a placing worth for a nine-night Antarctica journey, beginning at simply $10,599 per individual.
Like most ships on the excessive finish, Atlas features a lot in its base worth. Onboard lodging, all meals, most drinks, gratuities and shore excursions are a part of the ticket worth, plus round-trip airfares from choose U.S. and Canadian gateways. Emergency medical evacuation insurance coverage can also be included — one thing few different expedition firms supply.
What’s not included in Atlas fares are shelf liquors (a shot of Belvedere vodka will set you again $7), premium wines or Champagne. Shipboard Wi-Fi additionally comes at a steep worth (500MB for $45, 1GB for $80 or 5GB for $350) and may solely be used on one machine. It is an irritation when you think about most ships allow you to swap between units — and that many luxurious expedition ships in the identical house supply shipboard Wi-Fi free of charge.
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World Voyager is made for design lovers
Cruise ship decor switches from cookie-cutter magnificence to such dizzying colours and patterns you would be forgiven for considering a toddler was let free within the craft cabinet.
Not World Voyager. The ship exudes sophistication.
Inbuilt 2020, the ship initially sailed for Germany-based Nicko Cruises, owned by the identical Portuguese firm that owns Atlas Ocean Voyages. When the ship switched allegiances, it additionally acquired a design refresh.
The result’s a meet-cute of Scandinavian minimalism and artwork deco gorgeousness that would not look misplaced in a boutique resort.
It marks a departure for Atlas, which partnered on its first two ships with Portuguese design agency Oitoemponto. The shiny mahogany wooden paneling and ornamental European materials are gone, traded for a lighter, extra pared-back look; it favors Scandi-inspired blonde wooden, black and white marble flooring, geometric carpets, wealthy rust velvet function lounges, gilt highlights and superb pops of gemstone colour.
The ship is simple to navigate, with a flooring plan that flows seamlessly between venues. Deck 4 is dwelling to the principle public areas, together with the lecture auditorium, lounge bar, foyer, cafe (a fast cease for juice pictures, smoothies, espresso espresso, pastries and hearty snacks), a small store and the principle eating room.
A small, well-equipped health club is tucked away on the port facet. In the meantime, the aft is dwelling to a tiny L’Occitane spa with two remedy rooms, the gifted fingers of masseur Akom, a chill lounge and a sauna with a glass wall.
The ship gives views for days
Nature is the star attraction on any expedition cruise, one thing Atlas is aware of effectively. Your entire ship is dripping with indoor and out of doors areas that ship dress-circle views of icebergs, whales, birdlife and dazzling sunsets.
The Dome observatory lounge gives views in spades. Located on the entrance of the ship, on the best deck, the lounge boasts curved floor-to-ceiling glass and a wonderful wraparound viewing platform, each of which serve up spectacular 270-degree views.
Two decks beneath is Water’s Edge: one other beautiful spot on the ship’s bow, with magical views on three sides and a heated wraparound bench (a welcome seat on chilly polar days). Three different viewing platforms — on the rear of Madeira restaurant on Deck 4 and on passenger decks 5 and 6 — make for a straightforward exit at any time when nature beckons.
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Cabins supply entrance row seats to the motion outdoors
In polar climates the place the temperature usually dips beneath 32 levels, a personal balcony would appear pointless. No shock then that the ship’s Horizon Staterooms — the kind of cabin that I skilled whereas on board — earn factors for his or her beneficiant 270 sq. meters of temperature-controlled bliss. A step up from the Veranda Staterooms with their commonplace cruise ship balconies, these rooms claw again 55 sq. meters of icy out of doors house for just a bit more cash.
The Horizon Staterooms function what Atlas calls a Juliette balcony — a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass with an electrical top-drop window, simply managed by the contact of a button. (Some river cruise ships have these, and so they’re akin to the “infinite verandas” on Movie star Cruises’ Edge Class ships.)
The expertise was like being in an IMAX Theatre. From my room, I had a front-row seat to Antarctica’s larger-than-life pure drama. Window down, I watched petrels coast the Drake Passage, the roar and tang of the ocean outdoors delivered to me in 3D to counteract the pitching swell. I noticed whales, cartwheeling penguins and an iceberg greater than an house block.
Cabins include a queen-size mattress and Portuguese linens, a stocked minibar (beer and comfortable drinks solely), Ksumi teas, nonetheless and glowing water in reusable glass bottles, and a Nespresso machine. In-room binoculars are a pleasant contact.
Loos function L’Occitane toiletries and a walk-in mosaic glass bathe with a rain head, handheld wand and physique jets. Storage total appeared on the small facet for 2 individuals, however the principle downside was noise. My room was portside within the again, and it was so noisy that the clanking of the engine usually woke me up.
World Voyager gives two- and three-person Horizon and Veranda staterooms, together with three classes of one-bedroom suites. These upgraded rooms function additional flooring house, a big balcony, a luxuriously deep bathtub, extra wardrobe house and the best luxurious of all: a private butler.
Associated: The whole lot you wish to find out about cabins and suites on Atlas Ocean Voyages ships
The meals onboard is sustainable — and scrumptious
I discovered so much to like in regards to the meals on board World Voyager, together with the plant-based and zero-waste menus rolled out throughout the fleet.
It is the sort of sustainable eating that’s on development with luxurious vacationers eager to tread extra frivolously.
Austrian-born government chef Rene Aflenzes is behind the holistic menus discovered all through the ship that champion sluggish meals, molecular gastronomy and zero-waste ideas. It is really a root-to-stem and peel-to-core mindset about meals prep. Vegetable skins are dehydrated and became soup seasonings and garnishes. Entire fruit is magicked into delectably candy concoctions.
It is a part of an bold long-term plan to convey a real nose-to-tail meals philosophy to the excessive seas.
Juice pictures, smoothies, house-made Bircher muesli, vegan oat slices, nutritious muffins and hearty snacks are the mainstay on the grab-and-go cafe, Paula’s Pantry; it additionally gives espresso espresso, donuts and pizza slices.
The buffet lunch within the Madeira eating room includes a devoted vegan salad station. Madeira turns into an a la carte restaurant within the night. Together with a contemporary menu, it gives a collection of plant-based starters, mains and desserts, an “all the time out there” plant-based steak and a very good sprinkling of zero-waste dishes. Most have been good. The salads have been a bit hit-or-miss.
In a nod to Atlas’ Portugal-based mother or father firm, Mystic Cruises, the menu additionally includes a handful of typical Portuguese dishes.
Meat lovers will take pleasure in meals in the principle eating room and at Deck 7’s poolside 7Aft Grill, the place meat is seared over Josper coals till smoky. In a coup for Atlas, the meat is from the identical butcher as Argentina’s famed Don Julio restaurant, ranked quantity 19 on the 2023 listing of the World’s 50 Greatest Eating places.
Backside line
Atlas Ocean Voyages’ new World Voyager is constructed for journey, with out the stuffiness that may come from extra severe expedition ships. It strikes the precise steadiness between an expedition cruise vessel and a extra conventional luxurious ship, with late-night leisure and each day Zodiac outings. Give it a go whereas fares stay one of many higher values in expedition cruising.
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