To coincide with the first Expedition Cruise Network Conference in London on 01/10/24 we were invited to visit Atlas World Voyager which was docked alongside HMS Belfast by Tower of London.

We all met at the Dome, the atrium part of the ship, together with some refreshments and a nice spread of Danish pastries.

The Dome on deck 7 is more for mingling with fellow passengers and having the odd drink. Taking up the width of the ship the views will no doubt be breathtaking. The wrap round open deck is always very inviting giving the passenger that extra space for viewing.

Our group was about 24 or 26 travel agents, surprisingly not as many from the cruise industry as I anticipated. Our host and the UK and Ireland General Manager Bernie Carter did an introduction to this "new" brand- Atlas World Voyages.

Measuring just 129 meters with 100 staterooms across her 6 decks she has a capacity for 198 likeminded passengers, just the number for any Antarctica cruise. Also, she is just the right length required to dock in Venice port.

Our group was split in two, one with Bernie and the other with one of the ship's main hotel management team.

One of the initial points outlined at the start of the tour was that all three identical Atlas Ocean Voyages vessels are classified as Yachts and not cruise ships.

As it's a relatively new expedition cruise line the yacht it's designed for both warm and cold water since its launch in 2020. The latter hovers around their Antarctica sailings, with both the Falklands and Georgia being on some of the itineraries plus the infamous Drake passage which captures three oceans-Pacific, Atlantic and the lesser-known Southern Ocean.  With the extra wide stabilizers, it can withstand the worst Drake can send!

So, who are Atlas Ocean Voyages?

Started operating just before the pandemic, in true cruise line ethos, you plan your way forward. The World Voyager was chartered to Nikko cruises until 2023 whilst both the Navigator and Traveller were being built in Portugal.

She is designed for expedition cruises as well as Epicurean and Cultural experiences, it’s a win, win, win for all small ship enthusiasts.

During our winter the three Atlas ships will visit Antarctica for about three months. The rest of the year they cover the Arctic, northern Europe as well as the Mediterranean.

During our visit the World Voyager was nearly full, this is the case with most smaller expedition ships, so we had to conform to one balcony-grade stateroom for our visit. It was adequately designed with a good-sized washroom. One category below is Horizon class, although no balcony it does have a Juliet balcony giving you more room inside. (Better for Antarctica)

The itinerary was part of one of their repositioning voyages. London (Tower Hill Pier) was the main embarkation port. The itinerary would take them to France, Spain, Canary Islands followed by a transatlantic route towards Rio, Brazil. The World Voyager will then set sail south towards Ushuaia, Argentina for her Antarctica season. As we were being shown around, we saw more and more guests embarking.

As we came out of the Dome we went past the customary swimming pool with whirlpools on each corner. From here you entered the back of the ship where the only Al Fresco dining venue was situated. Aptly named- Aft 7 grill, we were informed this was closed on some of the polar voyages.

We went down one deck -6- we were enchanted by a visit to the bridge, with the captain and other staff officers explaining what most of the controls were for including the bridge wings. This cruise line also offers an open bridge policy. On the opposite side of the ship (stern), you have another viewing/sun deck.

As with most expedition ships the mud room or boot room on Deck 3 is of important significance. Designed to help the environment especially the Antarctica where your respective boots are disinfected. I noticed in the "changing area" how each open storage area was independently displayed as per your cabin number-interesting. Round the corner you had one of the side metallic doors where the famous Polar Plunge is carried out.

As we headed upstairs, I noticed the artwork on the walls after each deck,  the "ships" were evolving from Roman Galleons to European 18th-century man of war ships. One rough way of knowing which deck you are on!

We reached Deck 4 which had most of the areas of interest, at the front-

• The Auditorium, -Americo Vespucci where lectures and talks take place.

• The Atlas lounge was next, spacious for passengers to mingle.

• In the middle, you have Paula's pantry, a small pastry stand where you can eat some of the best Portuguese cream pastries.

• Just off you have the reception, future cruise desk as well as the Boutique.

• For those who want to pamper yourselves you have the SeaSpa and Sauna area together with L’Occitane products at hand. (I'm told it's a very nice product).

• A small but well-equipped fitness room with fantastic views out to sea.

Even though most of the common areas are on decks 4 and 7, at the top deck-8-you have the running track for those jogging enthusiasts.

The three yachts have identical restaurants, all named after a Portuguese place or city, on the World Voyager it was Madeira. Waiter service is also available, especially for dinner. We happened to sit on the Captain's table, a box ticked if you ever sail in her. Some lovely Portuguese-inspired cuisine all washed down with a nice glass of wine or was it two?

Bernie signed off by saying three more yachts by 2027 World Seeker, Adventurer and  Discoverer in order to keep up with demand.

I enjoyed this ship. One to watch out for.

Albert