The Proper Ship for the White Continent
Since its debut solely two years in the past, Atlas Ocean Voyages, the luxurious/expedition arm of Portugal-based Mystic Cruises, greatest identified for its fleet of riverboats, has intrigued this small-ship fan. The road launched in 2021 with World Navigator and World Traveller adopted in 2022. My crusing in the present day is the maiden voyage of the road’s third yacht, the 9,935 grt, 198-guest World Voyager which, on Antarctica sailings, has a visitor capability of 176 because of the lodging of an expanded crew of expedition leaders.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is an all-inclusive expertise with limitless drinks (high quality wines, spirits, craft beers and 24-hour bar service), all eating, pre-paid gratuities, specialty coffees and teas, recent pressed juices, L’Occitane tub facilities, stocked in-room mini-bar and extra. Antarctica expeditions embrace a free pre-night lodge keep in Buenos Aires, a free constitution flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, transfers, a high-quality parka, use of waterproof Muck Boot Firm knee boots, strolling sticks, binoculars, and zodiac excursions. The place circumstances are appropriate, non-obligatory kayak and tenting excursions can be found.
THE SHIP: 10/10
Regardless of its standing as a polar class C Ice Class 1B licensed vessel, board World Voyager and also you simply would possibly suppose you’re on the way in which to not the icy Antarctic however to a glamorous world capital. The environment exudes understated class, a clear Nordic really feel with blonde woods predominating. From the spacious reception space, manned around the clock, I peek into The Atlas Lounge and discover the lounge I’d love (if I had a extremely, actually large house): plush beige couches and armchairs with throw pillows including pops of colour and golden cocktail and facet tables topped with quirky lamps that solid a heat glow.
It doesn’t take me very lengthy to comprehend that World Voyager could be my favourite measurement ship of all. With simply six passenger decks, and solely decks 3, 4 and seven that includes public areas, her structure is intuitive from the get-go. Proceed ahead by means of the Atlas Lounge, and also you’ll discover the Amerigo Vespucci Auditorium, “auditorium” being means too chilly a phrase to explain this intimate little theater, should you ask me. Backtrack aft and also you’ll discover Paula’s Pantry, the grab-and-go (or eat in) espresso/tea/snack/sandwich spot, with Voyager Selection Boutique, L’Occitane Sea Spa (which affords facials and therapeutic massage solely) and the Health Studio additional alongside.
Even on our cold-weather itinerary, some friends head to deck 7 and its pool space for a dip into the ship’s scorching tubs, however they’re within the minority (and definitely braver than I). For many, deck 7’s biggest draw is The Dome Commentary Lounge the place friends flock like cape petrels at any time of day. With its 270- diploma views, it’s the right place to look at a spectacular dawn, scan the waters for whales or catch an albatross hovering by means of the sky. Tea time at The Dome means a wide array of teas and coffees, together with tiered trays of sweets, canapes and finger sandwiches (I swiped each lemon macaron on supply). However The Dome actually involves life after dinner with its lights turned low, unobtrusive music forming a calming backdrop and the cocktail menu (accessible all day) remodeling this magical house into the social coronary heart of the ship.
Sure, World Voyager is clearly a trendy and complex luxurious yacht however make no mistake: She has not in her design deserted her dedication to expedition! Nowhere is that extra evident than her ample commentary areas, whether or not floor-to-ceiling home windows, open decks or designated commentary platforms like Water’s Edge on deck 5 ahead which options bench seating that’s heated from inside! And, deep down on deck 3 is the best instance of her dedication to expedition: The Mud Room, with a separate parka and boot storage compartment for every suite and stateroom and the place friends swimsuit up earlier than heading out to zodiac cruises and shore landings.
ACCOMMODATIONS: 10/10
Suites aboard World Voyager embrace the 465 square-foot Navigator Suite, the 445 square-foot Discovery Suite and the 382 square-foot Journey Suite, all with personal balconies, butler service and expanded room service menu. Stateroom choices vary from the 183 square-foot Journey Oceanview to the 300 square-foot Horizon Deluxe.
I’m ensconced in a spacious 270 square-foot Horizon stateroom, with sitting space, sectional, chairs and vainness, espresso/tea maker, stocked mini-bar, agency queen mattress with luxurious linens and, thanks God, a full-length mirror (why are these turning into so uncommon on ships??). The highest panel of my floor-to-ceiling window opens with the press of a button and the marble tub encompasses a bathe with rain head, hand-held and physique jet choices. A big wall-mounted interactive TV lets me view reside lectures and briefings from the consolation of my stateroom, watch motion pictures or TV, and think about the day’s menus. And right here’s a shock: One doesn’t require a PhD in electronics to determine the intuitively positioned gentle switches within the stateroom!
DINING: 10/10
It’s 6:00 a.m. and I shuffle all the way down to Paula’s Pantry for espresso. Half asleep, I’m confronted with twelve decisions and, it appears, almost as many decisions of milk—severely? When did espresso change into so difficult? I am going with the Americano and a splash of standard milk and, for the reason that breakfast buffet doesn’t kick off till 8:00 a.m., choose up a plant-based oat energy bar which I instantly change into hooked on, regardless of that “plant-based” factor.
As an early riser, I rapidly fall in love with Paula’s Pantry, a easy counter with informal desk seating, stocked filled with breakfast pastries, yogurts, chia pots, muesli, muffins, donuts, complete fruit and fresh-squeezed juices. And I imply fresh-squeezed. Certain, orange is the go-to, however should you’ve by no means skilled fresh-squeezed apple juice, it’s life altering. The Pantry stays open till night with its choices altering all through the day: sandwiches and pizza, wraps, salads, and cookies seem near midday and, in a nod to the road’s heritage, they even serve these scrumptious little Portuguese custard tarts, pastel de nata.
However Paula’s Pantry is simply the appetizer, so to talk. Madeira (one other nod to Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Portuguese heritage) is the place the actual culinary adventures unfold. The only real formal restaurant aboard World Voyager, this spacious and cozy ocean-view eating room serves up breakfast and lunch buffet type, with a supplemental menu of made-to-order scorching dishes like omelets, waffles and frittatas at breakfast and, on my crusing, a recent and smoky leg of Spanish cinco jotas ham, the world’s most unique gourmand ham, reduce paper skinny by an attendant.
At lunch, you could be tempted to move straight for the ice cream bar, with its wealthy, creamy and progressive picks (blueberry muffin ice cream, anybody?) served in a crispy waffle-cone bowl, however train some management. Whereas no separate menu dietary supplements World Voyager’s lunch buffet, who actually wants one when the choices are plentiful (with a particular Vegan part) and embrace a carving station that provides delectable steaks, rack of lamb or carved pork roast and, on the reside cooking station, dishes like an earthy and wealthy truffle risotto or Asian specialties?
Within the night, Madeira actually shines with a menu of worldwide impressed delicacies, superbly ready and artistically offered and, with World Voyager an all-inclusive expertise, specifically chosen wines are provided to enrich every course.
All of the special day favorites are right here: Dover sole almondine, beef Wellington, poached lobster, rack of lamb and slow-cooked venison, amongst them, together with a few Italian-accented pasta dishes and always-available decisions that embrace 7 oz. black angus steak, lemon-crusted salmon steak and, for vegans, plant-based mountain steak. In actual fact, plant-based diners have choices at each meal aboard World Voyager and I, a loyal carnivore, discovered myself intrigued by a couple of of those choices myself: the wealthy pumpkin soup generously garnished with pumpkin seeds and the plant-based crepes Suzette amongst them.
Aboard World Voyager, nonetheless, beef lovers are the largest winners of all, because of the tender and flavorful cuts the road sources from Argentina. Whereas that alone could make a steak-lover’s mouth water, this luscious beef is often ready on a Josper grill, a charcoal oven that mixes innovation and custom to impart a barbecued smokiness to the superbly grilled steak with out the flames which are, in fact, banned at sea! Ole’!
(Be aware: For many who desire expeditions of a extra culinary nature, Atlas Ocean Voyages will supply a lot of warm-weather “Epicurean Expeditions” within the Mediterranean this summer season that includes visitor cooks and winemakers, cooking demonstrations, culinary experiences ashore and extra. When taking a look at Atlas cruise choices, ask about Epicurean Expeditions on Atlas Ocean Voyages.
ENTERTAINMENT: 6/10 (aboard an expedition in Antarctica, you’d want a Rolling Stones live performance or Madonna to come back anyplace close to the leisure that’s supplied by the vacation spot itself)
The Crew Present is World Voyager’s Glastonbury, a tremendously entertaining program starring exceptionally gifted crew members who, after they’re not on stage, serve your drinks, ship your meals, greet you on the entrance to the restaurant and even work behind the scenes within the laundry. With highlights that embrace a humorous rendition of “Tequila,” a stirring model of Inexperienced Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” a hypnotic Balinese conventional dance and the—I’m not kidding—tear-jerking efficiency of Josh Groban’s “You Elevate Me Up” by the ship’s way-too-talented-to-be-a-cruise-ship-maitre d’ Maitre d’, I’d pay to see this present!
Like most small ships and expeditions, manufacturing exhibits and glittering musical extravaganzas gained’t be discovered aboard World Voyager. Rely on a handful of night cabarets that includes vocalists performing present tunes or pop requirements, a efficiency by the ship’s resident pianist, a dance evening and maybe a movie proven within the Americo Vespucci Auditorium.
But it surely’s not stunning…aboard an expedition in Antarctica, you’d want a Rolling Stones live performance or Madonna to come back anyplace close to the leisure that’s supplied by the vacation spot itself. In actual fact, the best leisure is sharing the day’s experiences and wildlife sightings along with your fellow friends.
For years, I’d at all times related the phrase “expedition” with photographs of problem and problem however now, after experiencing World Voyager and her maiden voyage to Antarctica, the phrase conjures completely different photographs: Consolation, magnificence, luxurious, high quality eating…and a complete lot of champagne.
COMING SOON!: Half 4: Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Voyager: Getting My Ft Moist: An Introduction to Antarctica Expedition
Additionally see: PART 1: WORLD VOYAGER: Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Latest Ship and PART 2: WORLD VOYAGER: En Path to Ushuaia
Images credit score Judi Cuervo
Cowl picture World Voyager, credit score Atlas Ocean Voyages
See cruises: World Voyager and all Atlas Ocean Voyages Cruises
