Cultural Expeditions
by Atlas

Engage with communities, explore cultural icons and marvel at natural beauty with local experts who join you on board and ashore to lend insight to your discoveries in the Caribbean, South America, Northern Europe and beyond.

Cultural Expeditions

Experiences Ashore

An array of optional shore excursions lets you immerse yourself in each destination with a small group of fellow explorers. Experiences include a collection handpicked by our partners at Afar as exceptionally enriching and inspiring and also feature unique opportunities to engage with locals for an authentic perspective on cultural traditions. Examples include:

Optional
Belfast, Northern Ireland: Titanic Belfast & City Landmarks

Explore historic landmarks like the Belfast City Hall before arriving at Titanic Belfast for an immersive, interactive experience that recreates the construction of the Titanic at the shipyards here and tells stories of its ill-fated journey.

Optional
Afar Recommends
Edinburgh, Scotland: Bagpipe Workshop & Whisky Tasting

After sampling drams of fine Scotch whisky, learn the art of playing bagpipes with Louise Marshall, a renowned musician who has entertained popes, queens and celebrities.

Optional
Grundarfjörður, Iceland: Journey to the Center of the Earth

Descend into an enormous 8,000-year-old lava cave at the glacier of Snæfellsjökull, a mystical site that inspired Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Optional
Afar Recommends
Montevideo, Uruguay: Create Your Own Wine Blend

At a centuries-old local vineyard, the winemaker teaches you the secrets of wine blending, letting you create your own before sampling those crafted by four generations of the Spinoglio family.

Belfast, Northern Ireland
01
Edinburgh, Scotland
02
Grundarfjörður, Iceland
03
Montevideo, Uruguay
04

Included

Atlas Immersive Experiences

Every Cultural Expedition includes an Atlas Immersive Experience with our compliments to enhance your experience of the history, nature, art or cuisine of a destination through an exclusive excursion ashore or a unique event on board.

Examples include:

Cultural Expedition

Experiences On Board

The expedition experience is defined not only by exploration ashore but also by the opportunities offered with our compliments aboard our yachts that further enhance your cultural journey of discovery.

Cultural Expedition

Experts Enriching Exploration

Every Cultural Expedition is guided by Cultural Experts & Storytellers who present fascinating seminars on board and accompany you ashore to lend insight to your exploration. Additional experts such as photographers or culinarians may lead interactive sessions as well. We’ve also partnered with the travel specialists at Afar to offer Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops led by resident astronomers.

Cultural Expedition Leaders

World Voyager
October 1, 2025
World Navigator
May 1, 2026
World Navigator
May 11, 2026
World Voyager
June 1, 2026
World Voyager
June 15, 2026
World Traveller
July 27, 2027

Jonathan H. Ward is the author of space history books “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars” and “Bringing Columbia Home: The Untold Story of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew.” He will lead engaging enrichment lectures that span the history of human space travel and more, interactive workshops and stargazing sessions throughout the voyage.

Jonathan Ward image

World Voyager
October 1, 2025

Roger Paperno is an award-winning photographer with over 20 years of experience creating powerful, authentic imagery for luxury travel brands, cruise lines, and global lifestyle campaigns. His career began at age seven with a Kodak Instamatic—an early gift that sparked a lifelong passion. Known for capturing real moments with a refined aesthetic, Roger works on location across the world, revealing the beauty and simplicity in everything from Parisian cafés to ships navigating the Panama Canal. He draws inspiration from legends like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, and Pete Turner, blending classic soul with a modern eye. Roger is the author of four books in the Café Life travel series (Interlink Press), including Café Life San Francisco. His international clients include The Gap, Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Banana Republic, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, and many others including, you guessed it! Altas Ocean Voyages. Now based in Europe, Roger continues to bring honesty, elegance, and storytelling to every frame.

Roger Paperno image

World Voyager
October 1, 2025

As a seasoned drone photographer, Benjamin Lepoff, boasts over a decade of global experience, capturing stunning imagery from above. Soaring the skies, he seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology with an artistic vision. His expertise spans operations, aerial cinematography, and post-production, demonstrated through collaborations with renowned clients such as Sony, Ford, Sema, Syfy Network, The Florida Keys Tourism Board, Exclusive Resorts, Mohegan Sun Casino, Res, and more. His work reflects a steadfast commitment to storytelling through the distinctive lens of a drone. Beyond photography, a fervent interest in technology and the freedom of flight led him to establish and manage a prosperous drone repair retail store. Additionally, he owns a production and distribution house for television and film, showcasing his diverse contributions to the industry. Driven to push creative boundaries, he eagerly embraces new challenges, aiming to inspire through the dynamic art of drone photography.

Benjamin Lepoff image

Cultural Expedition Partnerships

Afar Recommends

Afar Recommends is a collection of experiences handpicked by Afar for our Cultural Expeditions to empower travelers to discover destinations through immersive outings and pursuit of their passions. New this year in the collection is Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops, guided by a resident astronomer on board who shares fascinating insights on the cosmos and hosts stargazing events on deck. The collection also includes excursions ashore, indicated by the Afar Recommends icon, that immerse you in local culture with uniquely enriching opportunities such as interacting with notable locals, engaging in national pastimes, participating in hands-on workshops and tasting regional cuisines. Based on our shared belief with Afar in the transformative power of travel, Afar Recommends experiences help visitors enjoy more meaningful moments and travel deeper.

Afar Recommends image

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