Atlas Ocean Voyages
Expedition Cruising
Atlas Ocean Voyages is a line I keep coming back to for clients who want genuine expedition experiences without giving up luxury inclusions. Their three ships — World Navigator, World Traveller, and World Voyager — each carry under 200 guests, which means you actually get meaningful time on the ice in Antarctica or exploring small Mediterranean harbours that bigger ships simply cannot reach. What sets Atlas apart is the all-inclusive pricing: roundtrip flights from major gateways, unlimited premium drinks, Starlink Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities, L'Occitane amenities, and even a complimentary shore excursion in select ports are all bundled in. The ships are polar-class rated, so they handle Drake Passage and Arctic waters with confidence, and the expedition team runs Zodiac landings and kayaking excursions daily. The onboard atmosphere is yacht-like and relaxed — no formal nights, no jacket required — with six dining venues serving locally inspired cuisine. For Australians, the included airfare is to North American gateways, so factor in your own flight to the departure city, but once you are there the value proposition is outstanding.
Atlas Ocean Voyages launched in 2019 as the U.S. subsidiary of Mystic Cruises, a division of Portugal’s Mystic Invest Holding owned by the Ferreira family. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Atlas debuted its first ship, World Navigator, in August 2021 and quickly established itself in the luxury expedition segment. The line sails under the Portuguese flag and has been recognised in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for three consecutive years in the expedition category.
The current fleet comprises three purpose-built polar-class sister ships: World Navigator (2021), World Traveller (2022), and World Voyager (2023). Each carries approximately 196 guests in 100 all-suite and stateroom accommodations, with Polar Category C and Ice Class 1B designations for safe passage through Antarctic and Arctic waters. A fourth vessel, Atlas Adventurer — billed as the world’s first luxury expedition sailing yacht with capacity for 200 guests — is scheduled to join the fleet in 2028. Each ship has its own design identity: World Navigator draws on 1940s Art Deco, World Traveller channels Italian La Dolce Vita style, and World Voyager takes a Scandinavian aesthetic with light ash wood and marble accents.
The onboard experience is yacht-like and deliberately unfussy. Six dining venues serve internationally inspired cuisine with open seating, including the 7-AFT Grill and Alma Alfresco. Fares are genuinely all-inclusive: roundtrip airfare from select North American gateways, unlimited premium spirits and fine wines, Starlink Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities, L’Occitane bath amenities, butler service in suites, complimentary shore excursions in select ports, and emergency medical evacuation insurance are all covered. The dress code is resort casual throughout, with no formal nights.
Itineraries span both poles and everything between. Antarctic voyages include options ranging from nine-night peninsula expeditions to 18-night Grand Antarctica voyages taking in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Summer seasons cover the Canadian Arctic, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Central America including Panama and Costa Rica. The line’s focus on deeper destination immersion — with extended evening port stays and overnights — sets it apart from the port-hopping approach of larger expedition operators.
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