Frequently Asked Questions

We want your shore experience to be as delightful as on board. Therefore, we add new shore excursions regularly as we add new expeditions and world regions. Epicurean Expeditions ™ will be available to book approximately 3 months prior to your sail date. Additionally, children 2 years and younger are FREE on all shoreside excursions on Epicurean Expeditions.

• Polar Expedition shore excursions can be cancelled up to 72 hours prior to voyage departure without cancellation fees.
• Epicurean Expedition shore excursions can be cancelled up to 7 days prior to voyage departure without cancellation fees.
• Specialty Excursions, indicated as such in the shore excursions book, can be cancelled up to 30 days prior to voyage departure without cancellation fees.

The following fee schedule also applies if you cancel your pre- and post-expedition shore excursions:

Within 60 days prior to voyage departure, 100% Cancellation Fee applies to:

• Pre- or Post-Expedition Hotel Programs
• Pre- or Post-Expedition Land Programs
• Pre- or Post-Expedition Shore Excursions

Within 72 hours prior to voyage departure 100% Cancellation Fee applies to Polar Expedition shore excursions.

Within 7 days prior to voyage departure, 100% Cancellation Fee applies to Epicurean Expedition shore excursions.

Within 30 days prior to voyage departure, 100% Cancellation Fee applies to Specialty Excursions.

It is Atlas Ocean Voyages’ policy to require passports for ALL travelers for all expeditions, regardless of nationality and ports of call and countries visited.

You must obtain and carry a valid passport to board an Atlas Ocean Voyages yacht. Passport Cards or a copy of a passport are not accepted. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the conclusion of your expedition. Please obtain or renew your passports early. Consult your travel professional or customs authority for documentation requirements for your expedition.

For information on obtaining or renewing a passport, visit the State Department web site Passports page. Passport instructions and application forms can also be downloaded from here.

Some countries in the European Union (EU) will require ETIAS travel authorization from U.S. and Canadian travelers beginning in November 2023. Find more information about who needs to apply for ETIAS here.

Visa requirements must be verified and obtained approximately 90 days prior to sailing. Please see the following links to find more information about visa requirements for your travels.

For U.S. guests

For Canadian guests

We kindly remind you that it is your responsibility to determine passport and visa requirements for your expedition itinerary and your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all required visas and travel documents prior to sailing.

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ yachts do have a Medical Center staffed with a licensed doctor for non-emergency and emergency services. These services are available at an additional cost. The Medical Center is designed for temporary illnesses or accidents.

Due to the varied locations that our expedition yachts sail, we are unable to accommodate Kosher meal requests.

We do not have a casino aboard our yachts. But there are plenty of options available to keep you informed and entertained during evenings and on sea days.

Your cruise fare includes pre-paid gratuities. But if you would like to offer the crew an additional gratuity for their excellent service, please feel free to tip them directly.

Because of the intimate nature of our yachts, we have a limited number of staterooms that can accommodate children. As such we do not offer special kids’ programs or provide childcare on board.

Our guests’ and crew’s health, welfare and comfort are top priority for us. We have designated areas to accommodate for smoking and do not permit smoking in suites, staterooms or on balconies.

Aboard an Atlas Ocean Voyages’ expedition, we want you to be comfortable and recommend yacht-club casual attire. During the day, and depending on your destination and the weather, guests will be dressed in casual touring or resort attire. At night, you will find most guests dressed for casual relaxation in slacks, skirts or dresses, with sweaters or jackets optional.

Laundry services are available for additional charges and not currently included in the cruise fare. There are no self-service laundry facilities on board. Dry cleaning is not available. Limited complimentary wash and fold laundry service is available for suites.

We do not have formal nights, and recommend yacht-club casual for your evening attire. You may wear a blazer, sport coat or dress if you desire.

At this time, all spa appointments need to be scheduled once on board.

Our yachts come equipped with 12 customized Zodiacs, as well as tenders. How and when we use them to go ashore will depend on the destination and weather conditions, as our guests’ safety is of the utmost importance.

The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) does not allow the use of drones, quadcopters, UAVs, and other such hardware for recreational purposes from the yacht, during scheduled landings, or on excursions. Furthermore, the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands government has banned the use of such recreational technologies in their territories.

Yes! Our brand-new yachts are Polar Category C and Ice Class 1B, purpose-built for remote navigation. As our expeditions take place during Antarctica’s summer, there will be mild ice conditions and more open water, which is what our categorizations allow our yachts to navigate. With these polar code categorizations, we offer safety and stability.

Zodiacs are highly buoyant rubber boats built with inflatable hulls with several air-filled compartments for optimum floatation. Our polar-class yachts are equipped with custom-designed Zodiacs, complete with reinforced bow chests. Trained staff and crew members drive and operate the Zodiacs when taking you to your Antarctic adventures in the water and on shore. Please make sure to always follow their careful instructions when embarking and disembarking from the Zodiac.

Atlas is pleased to offer accommodations for children age eight years and older – accompanied at all times throughout the voyage – for our Antarctica expeditions.

Our yachts include elegant main restaurants Madeira aboard World Voyager, Lisboa aboard World Traveller and Porto aboard World Navigator with ever-changing menus inspired by global cuisines, including authentic Portuguese specialty menu Alma on select nights; Josper Grill dining experience at 7AFT Grill; Paula’s Pantry – a cozy café; and afternoon and high tea with light snacks at The Dome.

Alma Alfresco and 7AFT Grill are only available on Epicurean Expeditions. They are not available on Polar Expeditions due to weather.

Our dining venues are designed for open seating; however, reservations are required in Alma Alfresco and 7AFT Grill. Reservations may be made once on board.

We offer FREE 24-hour room service, including spirits, wine and beer from an “always available” menu in all accommodations. An expanded room service menu is available in suites.

Every expedition features a range of entertainment. Gastronomic Guests and Visiting Vintners aboard Epicurean Expeditions, and naturalists, scientists and a world-class expedition team aboard Polar Expeditions enhance the intimate yachting experience. Voyages may also include guest lecturers who offer interactive presentations in the yacht’s auditorium and a talented pianist in Atlas Lounge for an evening of camaraderie.

All suites and staterooms include complimentary L’OCCITANE bath amenities, comfy bathrobe and slippers, TV, safe, hair dryer, individual temperature control, stocked in-room minibar, personal Nespresso coffee and Kusmi teas, still and sparkling water in reusable glass bottles and more. Additionally, suite guests can enjoy extra attention with butler service to make reservations at SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE, book land excursions and programs, assist with room service orders, arrange complimentary wash and fold laundry service and assist with other personalized services upon request.

Our always included fare encompasses unlimited wines, premium craft cocktails and brews with open bars and lounges, including 24-hour bar service. You may also purchase your own wine while exploring ashore and bring it back to enjoy on board in your room or at dinner with no corkage fees.

Suites and staterooms have a voltage of 110 and 220 so you can conveniently charge your devices. All accommodations have a USB port.

We are happy to accommodate groups and can host groups in a several venues depending on the size of the group.

For your safety and well-being and depending on the medical condition, we may require you to bring medical forms with you on your expedition. This will be the best way for us to keep you safe and healthy while on your travels.

Our yachts have two elevators conveniently located to grant guests’ easy access to different decks and their rooms.

Religious services will not be provided on board. But we are happy to accommodate guests to the best of our ability should they have special needs or preferences to practice their religion. We welcome all aboard our expeditions.

You can let us know about your celebration in your MyAtlas account in the “special request” section and when possible, we will do our best to help fulfill your requests.

Use of non-motorized marina water toys is available complimentary on select expeditions, and in select ports, in Europe; motorized water toys may also be available on select expeditions for an additional fee. Non-motorized water toys are available for a fee in Antarctica. Use of marina water toys is subject to sea and weather conditions, availability, and capacity controlled. Water toys are not available for use on Arctic, Iceland or Greenland expeditions.

Aboard select Europe expeditions, you have FREE use of non-motorized water toys, when available, subject to sea and weather conditions. You may also use motorized water toys and equipment for an additional fee, if available. Reservations must be made and paid for on board. Use of water toys cannot be confirmed or booked in advance.

Aboard Antarctica expeditions you have optional use of kayaks and standup paddleboards for a fee, subject to weather and sea conditions. Reservations can be made in advance and payment will be made once on board the yacht. While you do not need previous experience to use kayaks and paddleboards, the onboard crew will provide a brief tutorial for proper use of the equipment that will also help determine your physical ability to operate it safely and properly.

Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the yachts. Access is provided via Starlink. Service and speed will vary depending on destination, port, satellite positioning, how many users are active, data volume in transit, and the nature of content uploads and downloads. Upon boarding, each guest receives a voucher number for 1 GB of data FREE that can be used for a single device to seamlessly communicate, share and stream content via email, YouTube, and social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, WhatsApp and Twitter. Streaming bandwidth-heavy applications such as Netflix, Amazon Prime or any other broadcasting sites is not possible. Additional packages are available for purchase once on board.

When notified in advance through your MyAtlas registration, we will be able to accommodate select special dietary needs. Once on board, please see our maître’d if you have any questions, or would like to see the ingredients of any of our menu items.

Our minimum age requirement is 12 months for Epicurean Expeditions and 8 years of age for Polar Expeditions. Additionally, children 2 years and younger are FREE on all shoreside excursions on Epicurean Expeditions.

Connecting staterooms are not available. Guests can be accommodated by booking staterooms next to each other.

Our yachts are built with the following dimensions: Length 423 ft., Beam 62 Ft., Draft 15.4 ft., 10,000 gross tons and offer 100 suites and staterooms. For more information about specifications and suites and staterooms, please refer to our deck plans and accommodations pages.

We take sustainability practices very seriously. To ensure we leave the world as we found it for future generations, our fleet of eco-friendly yachts are purpose-built with advanced technology and equipment. We are diligently working to create partnerships with brands that share our values.

All accommodations come with a sumptuous queen-size bed that can convert into two singles upon request. On World Traveller and World Navigator, our Journey and Navigator suites and Veranda Deluxe staterooms can accommodate a 3rd guest, while all others accommodate up to 2 guests. On World Voyager, a 3rd guest can be accommodated in our Veranda Deluxe and Horizon Deluxe staterooms while all other staterooms accommodate up to 2 guests.

Our intimate yachts are built with only 100 suites and staterooms. This lets us sail into many remote and intimate destinations that the large cruise ships cannot get to. To find out more about the ports we visit, check out our many exciting expeditions.

At Atlas Ocean Voyages, we welcome all aboard our yachts, so our crew comes from all over the world to share their rich culture and personalities with us.

Our yachts are registered in Portugal.

Our yachts were built in the West SEA Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

Our current itineraries include Antarctica, the Arctic and Norwegian Fjords, Iceland and Greenland for Polar Expeditions and the Mediterranean, British Isles and Northern Europe on Epicurean Expeditions. Every voyage takes you to hidden gems throughout as we access boutique ports.

We are happy to accommodate any guest who has not yet entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of or at any time during their expedition. We prioritize our guests’ health and well-being, so we recommend they seek medical advice from their doctor prior to sailing. We would like to extend a friendly reminder that Atlas Ocean Voyages does not represent that travel is safe during any point of a guest’s pregnancy.

We are excited to give all our guests the journey of a lifetime. To ensure their safety and well-being, we require guests under the age of 18 to have an adult accompany them in their suite or stateroom.

Included in your cruise fare, Atlas Ocean Voyages provides an Emergency Medical and Trip Delay Travel Protection plan on your behalf. The plan includes reimbursement for expenses such as trip cancellation, trip delays, baggage loss, medical situations and more.

While not required, we strongly recommend that all our guests purchase additional travel insurance with increased maximum reimbursement. Please refer to the plan documentation at AffinityTravelCert.com/docs/AOB01 for specific terms, conditions and exclusions. You may also call 877.303.5909 or 1.516.342.4594 (from outside U.S.) for assistance.

• Beginning April 2023, proof of vaccination is no longer required to board any of our yachts. 
• All crew are fully vaccinated and monitored.
• Some ports of call may still require proof of vaccination. See below for more details.

• On all Expeditions:

• • Pre-testing is not required for guests.
  • Guests are not required to wear facemasks while on board except when visiting the Medical Center.
  • All onboard spaces, suites and staterooms are disinfected prior to guests’ embarkation and sanitized frequently during the day throughout the voyage.
  • Hand sanitizing dispensers are placed throughout the ship for guests’ convenience.
  • Our attentive housekeeping staff will frequently sanitize all surfaces daily.

Every port destination has a separate requirement for:

• Testing, health certificates, proof of inoculation and/or vaccinations, and these can change periodically.
• Please make sure to research the requirements of each destination you are visiting to ensure you are compliant.
• Also, please check with your local health department or private health care professional for any inoculations or vaccinations you may require. Visit cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list to find your destinations’ specific vaccination requirements.
• Guests are responsible for obtaining and adhering to entry requirements for the cities of embarkation.

We take guests’, staff and crew health and safety most seriously. We continue to update our policies and procedures according to the latest guidance to ensure that guests enjoy a safe and unforgettable expedition.

Embarkation begins at 3 PM and ends at 5 PM unless otherwise noted in your Expedition Documents.

The currency on board is the U.S. Dollar ($US). To help you make cashless transactions on board, we set up a shipboard account linked to your electronic payment method upon embarkation. The night before your final disembarkation, a detailed statement of your shipboard account is available. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express credit cards.

Every expedition includes one cultural immersion; all meals including gourmet dining each evening with ever-changing menus; unlimited beverages including fine wines, spirits and craft beers; open bars and lounges with 24-hour bar service and specialty canapés; stocked in-room minibar with sodas, juices and beers; specialty coffees, cappuccinos, espressos, teas and fresh-pressed juices; afternoon tea service; champagne and gourmet canapés during meet and greet; 24-hour room service, including spirits, wine and beer; L’OCCITANE bath amenities; pre-paid gratuities; Government Taxes and Fees per guest; use of walking sticks and binoculars; reusable water bottle to take ashore; plus butler service and expanded room service menu in suites. Trip delay and medical coverage are also included at no additional cost.

Expedition exclusives on Epicurean Expeditions also include onboard culinary and wine experiences, Josper Grill dining experience at 7AFT Grill (reservations must be made onboard); culinary presentations and wine tastings; cooking demonstrations and cuisine tastings; events hosted by a Tastes & Traditions Expert on select expeditions; and an Atlas Ocean Voyages backpack.

Expedition exclusives on Polar Expeditions also include FREE private charter jet service with private group transfers on most expeditions, enrichment lectures and destination briefings, shore landings led by expert field guides, escorted sightseeing safaris by Zodiac, the polar plunge, an Atlas Ocean Voyages parka and vest, and FREE use of knee boots.

Expedition exclusives on Cultural Expeditions also include FREE enrichment programs and workshops on select expeditions; authentic, local experiences and onboard events on select expeditions; Josper Grill dining experience at 7AFT Grill (reservations must be made onboard); Atlas Ocean Voyages backpack; and Afar Recommends, a collection of optional shore excursions selected by Afar as exceptional experiences to connect with local culture.

If you make your booking more than 120 days from sailing, an initial deposit is required within three days of booking as follows:

• $1,000 per guest for stateroom categories
• 25% for suite categories

If you make a booking within 120 days of the sailing date, then you must submit full payment at the time of booking. To make a deposit for your expedition, please contact your preferred Travel Advisor or our Voyage Specialists at 1.844.44.ATLAS (28527).

As you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, you must make the final payment 121 days prior to your departure date so that you do not lose your reservation and deposit.

With our Single Explorer Savings, solo travelers will receive a savings on stateroom categories E1, E2, A1, A2, B1, B2, and AO. Suites are excluded and savings amount varies by expedition and stateroom selected.

If you must cancel your expedition, the following fees will be assessed:

Cancellation fees will be assessed on the Cruise Fares, excluding Government Taxes and Fees. Refunds will be provided for Government Taxes and Fees in the event of cancellation.

We do not offer currency exchange services on board.

Cruise Fares will begin to reflect the inclusion of Government Taxes and Fees starting July 1, 2024. No changes will be required to existing bookings made on June 30, 2024 or prior.

Special offers and promotional savings do not apply to Government Taxes and Fees.

Guests on Antarctica expeditions receive FREE private charter jet service between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia or between Punta Arenas and King George Island. On Arctic expeditions, FREE private charter jet service is provided between Oslo and Longyearbyen. For World Voyager expeditions departing August 5, 2024 and August 15, 2024, FREE private charter jet service will be offered between Oslo and Kangerlussuaq. For World Navigator August 21, 2024 and September 1, 2024 expeditions, FREE private charter jet service will be offered between New York (JFK) and Kangerlussuaq. Details for your charter flight can be found in your Expedition Documents that you will receive 30 days prior to voyage departure.

For your charter flight between Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, you are allowed one checked luggage item with a maximum weight of 50 lbs. You are also allowed one carry-on item at a maximum of 13 lbs. For charter flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen, you are allowed one checked luggage item with a maximum weight of 50 lbs and one carry-on item at a maximum of 11 lbs. For your charter flight between Punta Arenas and King George Island on Antarctica Drake Express and Drake Fly & Sail expeditions, you are allowed one checked luggage item with a maximum weight of 42 lbs. You are also allowed one carry-on item at a maximum of 11 lbs.

Drake Express expeditions include roundtrip FREE private charter jet service between Punta Arenas and King George Island, and Drake Fly & Sail expeditions include FREE private charter jet service between Ushuaia and Buenos Aires and Punta Arenas and King George Island. For more information on the interruption policy, click here.

While we aim to make our voyages inclusive for all guests, Polar destinations present challenging elements. Our Polar journeys also use Zodiacs to transport guests between shore and yacht, so if you have a disability that does not easily allow for such transportation, we cannot serve you well for a Polar expedition at this time.

Please note that that the accessibility options on and off the ship require walking up and down stairs in most ports of call. Sometimes, these can be steep inclines. Guests must be able to navigate the stairs with limited assistance. Additionally, please note that not all shore excursions are suitable for guests with impaired mobility. Situations may occur in which guests with limited mobility are unable to go ashore at the time they desire or at all in certain ports of call. While we aim to make our voyages inclusive for all guests, Polar Expeditions in the Arctic, or Antarctica present challenging elements. In select ports, and in limited disembarkation and embarkation ports, we use Zodiacs to transport guests between shore and yacht; therefore, we cannot transport wheelchairs with guests.

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accommodate motorized/electric wheelchairs or motorized/electric scooters onboard. However, we welcome any guest bringing their own collapsible manual wheelchair.

Contact our Voyage Specialists team should you have any questions concerning the above.

Yes, our yachts offer two (2) accessible staterooms with door measurements of 90 centimeter’s to accommodate guests specific accommodations for guests with disabilities and offer them the utmost comfort. Please note these accommodations have limited closet space. Please refer to our deck plans for their locations.

No, we are unable to accommodate electric scooters or wheelchairs. We only accept collapsible wheelchairs onboard the yacht.

Please note that that the accessibility options on and off the ship require walking up and down stairs in most ports of call. Sometimes, these can be steep inclines. Guests must be able to navigate the stairs with limited assistance. Additionally, please note that not all shore excursions are suitable for guests with impaired mobility. Situations may occur in which guests with limited mobility are unable to go ashore at the time they desire or at all in certain ports of call. While we aim to make our voyages inclusive for all guests, our expeditions can present challenging elements.

Depending on the location of our yachts, service animals will not be permitted.