Atlas Ocean Voyages World Voyager Review

Atlas Ocean Voyages' latest addition to its fleet, the World Voyager, stands as a testament to luxury, adventure, and unparalleled exploration on the high seas. Launched with a commitment to redefine the traditional cruise experience, this state-of-the-art vessel seamlessly blends luxury with sustainability, providing a unique and unforgettable journey for discerning travelers. With a focus on small-ship cruising, the World Voyager boasts an intimate atmosphere that allows passengers to immerse themselves in exotic destinations while enjoying the highest standards of comfort and service. Whether navigating polar waters or tropical paradises, this expedition vessel invites passengers to embark on a voyage of discovery, promising an extraordinary blend of sophistication and untamed adventure on the world's oceans.

The World Voyager has cutting-edge features designed to elevate the cruising experience. Boasting a sleek and modern design, the ship accommodates a limited number of guests, ensuring an intimate and personalized journey. Luxurious amenities abound, including spacious suites with private balconies, gourmet dining options that cater to diverse palates, and a spa for relaxation after days of exploration. The vessel is equipped with advanced technology for navigation and safety, offering a smooth and secure passage as it ventures into remote and breathtaking locales. With onboard experts and expedition leaders, passengers can engage in immersive experiences, from wildlife encounters to cultural excursions, enhancing their understanding of the destinations visited. The World Voyager is not merely a mode of transportation but a floating sanctuary of indulgence and discovery, providing an unmatched fusion of comfort and adventure for those seeking a voyage beyond the ordinary.

Ship Details

The World Voyager feels more like a personal super yacht than a cruise ship with comfortable oversized seating areas, large picture windows, and welcoming warm colors. 

• Launched: November 2023
• Passengers: 198
• Crew: 100
• Tonnage: 10,000
• Length: 423’ (129 meters)

Originally built in 2020 for German-based Nicko Cruises. Their parent company, Mystic Investment Holdings, is the same company that owns Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Christened in November 2023 as World Voyager and welcomed into the Atlas Ocean Voyages family, the ship is the third to enter service for the line. Godmother Pret Chandi led the honors at a beautiful (albeit cold) ceremony in Ushuaia, Argentina. 

While the ship's capacity is 198 guests, expect fewer guests as some cabins are reserved for guest entertainers, lecturers, and other special guests. 

Dining

Where do I begin? The food onboard Atlas Ocean Voyage was superb. A wide variety of menu selections for each course often made picking just one difficult! The line also has an extensive selection of plant-based options, which was a bit of a surprise. I ordered several times off the plant-based options and was impressed with the taste and quality. In full disclosure, I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but several passengers onboard our sailing were, and all raved about the selection, presentation, and quality of options.

There are no outdoor dining options during the polar sailings. All meals are served in the main dining room and are open seating. There was never a wait to get a table, and the friendly staff that greeted us at each meal set the tone for an enjoyable experience. For the non-polar itineraries, there is a second option for food at 7AFT Grill, conveniently located next to the pool area, offering panoramic views.

A buffet with self-serve options is set up in the center of the dining room for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast had additional options that could be ordered off the menu. A fresh pasta, carving station, or some sort of entree was being prepared a la minute during lunch. One suggestion for Atlas would be to offer a small selection of items to order off a menu at lunchtime. We often just wanted a burger or sandwich rather than an extensive gourmet buffet. A make-your-own sandwich station would be a great addition as there is a fantastic display of fresh bread available.

The room service menu was more than ample and available 24 hours a day complimentary. One evening, I availed myself of this option when I was too tired and wanted to snuggle in bed and watch movies. The room service burger is one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, land or sea. The bun was even branded with the Atlas Ocean Voyage logo, which I thought was a nice touch. I wish I had gotten a picture of it, but trust me, it was cool. 

High tea was offered every afternoon and included a delicious selection of finger sandwiches and miniature pastries. My favorite was the mini-churro. I could have eaten 20 of them! There is something special about sipping hot tea and eating delectable treats while surrounded by magnificent views of ice and snow and watching for any signs of whales passing by.

Paula's Pantry was the place to go for those looking for a quick bite on the go or a snack between meals. Coffee, teas, nibbles, Paula’s served up all the yummies and kept everyone well caffeinated. 

Service

Embarkation was the best I’ve ever experienced in more than 150 cruises. Our coach arrived at the pier, and hand luggage was stored in the bottom compartment. Not only did the pier-side staff unload the bags, but they were whisked away, and we were reunited once onboard. It all happened so fast that we thought our bags were still on the coach. 

When we arrived at the ship in Ushuaia, the motor coaches were on staggered arrivals. We were escorted onboard and into the Atlas Lounge, where cruise staff greeted everyone with drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. A warm, smiling face greeted us with an iPad to complete check-in. A few minutes later, we were all set and ready to head to our staterooms. The entire process only took a few minutes. It was so expeditious I didn’t even have time to finish my drink!

For each meal, the dining room staff would be at the entry to greet us and escort us to a table. The bar staff learned our favorite drinks and loved to ask if we needed another. One face I won’t soon forget is Xavier! I looked forward to his glowing smile and greeting of “Miss Kimbeeeeerly” daily. 

The stateroom attendants were always interested in our experience that day and inquired if there was anything we needed. Paula’s Pantry, a hot spot for morning caffeine and afternoon snacks, was always manned by friendly faces eager to serve a warm beverage, cold-pressed juice, or delicious snack. 

The staff onboard World Voyager were all smiles, warm greetings, and supremely attentive. They seemed to know our names from the moment we stepped onboard the ship. From excited welcomes to continual genuine, attentive service, the World Voyager is an intimate ship with an outstanding crew delivering excellent service.

Cabins

The World Voyager offers a variety of stateroom categories ranging from the Mac Daddy Navigator Suite (Cat NS) at 456 square feet featuring an oversized balcony, walk-in closet, and separate living and bedroom areas to the cozy Adventure Oceanview Stateroom at 183 square feet. There are a total of 102 staterooms in a variety of categories.

The Suites:

• Navigator Suite Cat NS - 4 cabins total - 2 on Deck 5 and 2 on Deck 6
• Journey Suite Cat JS - 4 cabins total - 2 on Deck 5 and 2 on Deck 6
• Discovery Suite Cat DS - 2 cabins located on Deck 5

Deluxe and Standard Staterooms:

• Horizon Deluxe Cat E1 - 2 cabins located on Deck 6
• Verandah Deluxe Cat E2 - 2 cabins located on Deck 6
• Horizon Cat A1 - 12 cabins located on Deck 6
• Horizon Cat A2 - 14 cabins located on Deck 5
• Verandah Cat B1 -  20 cabins located on Deck 6
• Verandah Cat B2 - 28 cabins located on Deck 5
• Adventure Oceanview Cat AO - 14 cabins located in Deck 3

Two cabins are designated as handicapped. For the Antarctica itineraries, passengers need to be able to get in/out of zodiacs, walk in the snow, and do other physically demanding activities. The European and other non-polar itineraries are better suited for anyone with physical limitations.

Our verandah stateroom, Category B1/B2, was 270 square feet, including a balcony, and was located on Dec 6, which was easy access to the lounges and public areas. The cabin offered ample closet space for the voyage and one of the largest bathrooms I’ve experienced in similar size and category staterooms. The highlight was the shower, with plenty of elbow room, a seat across the back, a waterfall shower head, and jets to help ease sore muscles, aches, or pains from the day's adventure. 

My only complaint about the cabin was the lack of a vanity area for hair and make-up. While there is a desk with a mirror and some electrical plugs, the lighting is not conducive to hair/makeup. Also, the desk area itself has an in-room Nespresso coffee/tea maker, which is a lovely touch but also takes up valuable vanity space. 

All rooms are nicely decorated and equipped with the previously mentioned coffee/tea maker along with a fully stocked mini-bar, L’Occitane bath products, including wall-mounted shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower and full-size body lotion next to the sink. The only thing missing was hand soap for the sink - it was a bar soap, which is fine but can be messy. A wall-mounted hand soap would do the trick and likely be easy to accomplish. 

Each bedside has a large bottle of water replenished regularly and the use of binoculars, a plush bathrobe, and slippers. Room service, daily restaurant menus, onboard activities, and ship cams can be viewed on the in-cabin TV, along with many movies and select TV stations. 

Itineraries

The World Voyager sails Antarctica round trip from Ushuaia from November to March. For 2024, after Antarctica, the ship will reposition through the Caribbean for a couple of sailings. The ship heads across the Atlantic for a few Northern European sailings before heading to Norway for summer Polar Expeditions. 

Atlas Ocean Voyage is unique in that when the ship is not sailing Polar Expeditions, it offers Epicurean and Cultural Expeditions for a more in-depth exploration of the regions and countries visited. The inclusions for each type of expedition truly add to the unique experience that can only be found on smaller yacht-style vessels.

Final Thoughts

Simply put, the cruise was spectacular! I can’t wait to experience another Atlas Ocean Voyage. Perhaps one of their Epicurean or Cultural Immersion cruises is next!

If you are considering a trip to Antarctica or have yet to consider it, DO IT! The best advice I can give someone about this journey is that you won’t be disappointed. It’s truly a spectacular destination onboard a cruise line that delivers an exceptional experience. 

From the moment we stepped onboard, we knew the crew was remarkable, and we were in for a fantastic voyage. By the end of the cruise, we were undoubtedly part of something special that Atlas Ocean Voyages has uniquely curated: a warmth, a welcome, and a feeling of family. 

Related Articles:

Antarctica Packing Tips

My Atlas Ocean Voyage Antarctica Expedition: Part 1 Pre-Cruise

My Atlas Ocean Voyage Antarctica Expedition: Part 2 The Cruise Experience - Coming Soon!

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