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We recently sailed on one of Atlas Ocean Voyages ships, World Traveller™, cruising from Barcelona to Nice. It was a great experience, and we were very satisfied with most aspects of the ship and the overall experience.

We had a category “B2” Veranda Stateroom located midship. Although this is one of Atlas’ lower-priced cabins, it was sized at 270 square feet, including the balcony. It was a very comfortable space for the two of us.

The ship itself is stunning – it truly is a yacht and not just a cruise ship. All public areas are kept very clean. The interior of our cabin was very beautiful, with highly polished wood on the walls. The bathroom and shower were a good size, with the shower having five showerheads. The bed was very comfortable. The balcony was large enough to accommodate two cushioned chairs and a table, with room to spare. We never heard outside noise while in the cabin. There was plenty of closet space to handle a week’s worth of hanging garments, but the cabin could have used more storage space for clothes that were folded or rolled.

The room had a stocked mini refrigerator with soda, beer, and juices. The refrigerator was restocked daily. The room was cleaned, and towels exchanged twice a day. Our cabin attendant, Imam, was great and very personable.

The ship holds a maximum capacity of 196, although only 157 were on our sailing. The passengers came from about a dozen different countries, although the majority came from the U.S. There were about 115 crew on board, making the crew-to-passenger ratio about 1:1. The embarkation process was very easy, although it did not begin until 3:00 pm on the departure day. While waiting to board in Barcelona, hors d’oeuvres and drinks were served by the Atlas staff.

Most of the cabins are on decks 5 and 6. The restaurant, auditorium, Paula’s Pantry, fitness center and Atlas Lounge are all on deck 4. The pool, 7AFT restaurant and The Dome observation lounge are on deck 7. A running/walking track is on deck 8.

The food overall was very good — probably the best we have experienced over our many cruises. There is one main dining room serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style (with several items that can be ordered off a menu), while dinner is all ala carte from the menu. There is an outdoor dining terrace at the rear of the dining room that is used when the weather permits. There are two other dining venues on the ship. Paula’s Pantry is open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, with coffee drinks and snacks, while the pool area has 7AFT (at the rear of deck 7), which offers burgers, pizza and such for lunch and steaks for select evening dinners.

One feature of Atlas is that most drinks and the crew gratuities are included in the cruise fare. Some top-shelf spirits and premium wines did have a supplemental upcharge if ordered. All the service on board was outstanding, from the reception area to the bartenders, restaurant staff and cabin attendants. Even though gratuities are included, we gave additional cash tips to our waiter, cabin steward, and an attendant at Paula’s Pantry because we felt their service was exceptional.

Most of the other passengers on board were experienced travelers, however none that we interacted with were boastful about their prior travel experiences. The average age of our fellow passengers seemed to range from the late 50s to early 70s.

The cruise director, Julie Mae Hutchison, was an excellent singer and her two shows were the entertainment highlights of the trip. This was Julie’s last week on her current contract with Atlas. The cruise line did bring on an additional singer, Anne Steele, for the week. There was also periodic entertainment from the ship’s pianist, Luis Nadar. The voyage also included three talks by Brian Liss, an art gallery owner from Toronto. This cruise was labeled as an Epicurean Expedition and Atlas brought in a chocolatier, Julieta Davey, also known as Mama Cacao, who hosted two talks/tastings. While in Corsica, two local wine sommeliers came aboard for a presentation and tasting of the local French wines.

We really liked the look of the itinerary, as it included stops that the larger cruise ships do not include. After leaving Barcelona, the first stop was Palamos, Spain. Three shore excursions were offered. We pre-booked for the “Coastal Villages” tour, which consisted of a walking tour in one town where the guide talked about a 1950s movie that was shot there starring Ava Gardner.

Our second full day was the only sea day of the itinerary while the ship sailed from Palamos to the French island of Corsica. Fortunately, the weather was very nice for a full day of sitting around the pool. Atlas indicated the swimming pool was heated to 90 degrees and the hot tub was over 100 degrees.

Days three and four were spent on the French island of Corsica, visiting the towns of Propriano and Ile-Rousse. Two shore excursions were offered in Propriano and three in Ile-Rousse. We did opt for the “Discover Calvi” excursion in Ile-Rousse, which was a very nice tour along steep and winding roads on the island. Even though most of the time was spent on the bus, the sights were spectacular, and the guide was very good.

Day five was spent in Saint-Tropez. One shore excursion was included here as part of the cruise fare. It was a walking tour that ended in a park where the passengers could learn and play the game of Petanque (similar to Bocce Ball). Two other optional tours were also offered. The main street through town featured luxury yachts on one side and many restaurants on the other side, facing the harbor. The ship did not leave Saint-Tropez until 11:00 pm, leaving passengers and some of the crew time to explore Saint-Tropez at night.

Day six was spent in Cannes. This was the only stop during the week where another cruise ship was also in port. During this time, the Cannes Film Festival was going on and the town was very busy. There were three optional shore excursions offered, but we spent the day walking the streets, having lunch and drinks, taking pictures around the festival hall and looking for celebrities. The final stop on the itinerary was Nice, where we disembarked.

Overall, this was a great cruise. We now only cruise on small ships, with our last three ocean cruises occurring on Viking. However, we now feel that this Atlas cruise offered a better product at a better price. We would definitely sail with Atlas again.

I’ve sailed four times with my clients aboard an Atlas Ocean Voyages expedition, and even though I travel nonstop on all of the other expedition lines, I still prefer Atlas. There is NO service and crew like ATLAS. They set the bar so high no one has ever come close. I judge all ships by Atlas – seriously the best.

The food on board during my Antarctica cruise was an absolute delight from start to finish. Whether it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there was always an extensive selection of dishes catering to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. The staff on World Voyager™ went above and beyond to ensure an exceptional experience for every passenger. Not only were they friendly and efficient, but they also made an effort to create a personalized and welcoming atmosphere. From remembering your name to anticipating your needs, their attention to detail was remarkable.

Antarctica was absolutely stunning. The ice had different shades of blue and beautiful patterns carved into it by nature. The towering glaciers, flowing down into the sea, were mind-blowing. Hiking to the summit through the snow-covered terrain, we were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views that stretched as far as the eye could see. The tranquility and silence of this remote location were humbling, allowing us to connect with nature on a profound level. For the adventurous at heart, Atlas offers the thrilling opportunity to take a polar plunge. This is a proper bucket list activity.

This Antarctica trip is one of the most beautiful trips I have ever done. Atlas is superb for Antarctica. It is luxurious, comfortable, and has excellent food. But even more important, it has been purpose built for those Antarctica adventures and has a dedicated expedition team to help you make sense of it all. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip with Atlas and hope to be able to cruise with them again.

Full review: https://thisisluxurytravel.com/cruise-review-atlas-world-voyager-cruise-in-antarctica/

We were on World Traveller™ to Antarctica in early March 2024. This experience of a lifetime was made even better by Atlas and the crew! Rosalee, Alex, Morgan, Cristina in the dining room, and my favorite Malcolm put in personal touches to make everything unforgettable! Attention to detail was clearly evident for the entire trip! From Cristina remembering our names by the second day and carrying my plate to the table (I have a bad knee) to Malcolm's endless knowledge of everything we were looking at while on his Zodiac tours! Thank you to the entire crew!

Atlas has something special going on. It’s their people, they connect with their guests, and they take great care of you and provide excellent service. We had an absolutely great time and saw pretty much everything on the list in spectacular fashion. Oh, the pre-cruise excursion experience in Buenos Aires and the Falls was great as well.

Just want to thank you for the most amazing trip to Antarctica. Atlas Ocean Voyages was top notch, everything we dreamed of and definitely more! The accommodations, the food, the landings and lectures, most of all we were so impressed with the onboard staff.

Everything was AMAZING! We all agreed that this voyage to Antarctica was so very special, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to friends. I’m still pinching myself to know that we have now set foot on all seven continents and completed that portion of our daughter’s bucket list. Needless to say, it exceeded our expectations.

"Atlas is a great expedition line in EVERY respect. Our staff of expedition subject matter experts was superior. And the hotel aspects were beyond expectations."

"We are home! What a fabulous trip it was. All went well with no hiccups at all. Atlas proved to be a superb company and I am so glad that we went with them on this trip. Their dedication to sustainability is applaudable … of course the food and service were excellent."

“All sectors of the crew were skilled, attentive, and friendly in every encounter. The cuisine was marvelous in both informal and formal settings, treats to the eye as well as the palate. The expedition team, from varied countries and backgrounds, gave excellent lectures and kept everyone safe on the water and land.”

“My expedition to the Arctic was my first with Atlas and they did not disappoint. I am a seasoned traveler with high expectations and Atlas delivered. The onboard experience is exceptional with first-class service.”

“I must tell you that Nuno, the hotel manager, as well as every other crew member (Wayan, Claudia, Warren, Christian and many others) have completely bowled us all over with the level of service, kindness, and commitment to providing an exception brand and product. Bravo!”

“We recently returned from 3 back-to-back Epicurean cruises in the Mediterranean aboard the World Navigator and loved every minute of travel. We are serious travelers, most often choosing a trip for the destination, but as it turned out this time and unbeknownst to us when booking, the ship and its outstanding crew would wind up surpassing even their spectacular itineraries. Hats off to the Human Resource Department for assembling such a kind and professional staff, by far the best that we have ever sailed with. Won’t say that every single thing was perfect, but then again what is! We are now home, and three weeks later, we are still talking about the trip and the fine Atlas people on board.

Can’t wait to sail on a beautiful Atlas ship again and look forward to another great crew experience!”

I had a lovely experience on World Navigator between Málaga and Barcelona. Below are a few of my thoughts about my time spent on the World Navigator, which was beyond my expectations.

The ship is elegant, understated and very comfortable with ample meeting areas to gather and celebrate, or simply sit and reflect. The staterooms are very spacious with more than enough closet, drawer and shelf space for two women with a lot of clothes! The bathrooms are amazing, and, even the linens, towels and robes are exquisite. The Porto dining room is lovely and, although the ship was full, never felt crowded.

What made this cruise outstanding, however..., was the crew! They each went above and beyond to ensure that each passenger felt like a welcome guest and that all their needs were anticipated and met. Each department head and their staff must have been selected from the best of the best cruise lines. Nuno, the hotel manager, Helder, the maître d’ and Bob, the cruise director, all had an omnipresence on board and were always available to answer questions and engage the guests. Specifically, at the “White Night” in Ibiza, after a beautifully prepared and delicious dinner, Helder, Nuno and their teams began dancing with the entertainment AND, sought out and invited guests to join them as they salsaed and sambaed around the pool deck. It was an evening beyond compare due to Helder and Nuno. What was a fun evening became a fantastic evening and memory. Likewise, the cultural immersion event, which was fabulous, became all the more so because we were involved in the preparation of the paella. Jonathan Phang was another unexpected joy who engaged and encouraged guest participation, acting as chef, photographer and entertainer — always with a smile!

The front-line teams were wonderful, as well. Andres and Claudia from Paula’s Pantry greeted me with a sunny “good morning” and chatted as they prepared the coffee. The dining room staff were always cheerful, smiling and happy to assist. Katharine, Wong, Erick, Edison, and Ruban all exceeded the service standards and friendliness of the best cruise lines.

My stateroom was always impeccably cleaned, replenished and cared for by Abdos. It was a joy to step into the corridor and hear his cheerful greeting. On my last evening on board, eight of us gathered at deck five aft to sample wine purchased at a vineyard outside of Valencia and salami bought in Mahón de Menorca. Katharine and Helder cooled the Chardonnay and Cava, set up enough glasses for us all to sample each wine and prepared a charcuterie board with a lovely selection of cheese and breads to accompany the salami, which Helder had sliced for us. It was a beautiful way to conclude my time on board and to toast with friends.

Additionally, I was extremely impressed with the responsiveness of the crew. On the mid-cruise questionnaire, I asked if grapefruit could be served with breakfast. A day later, there was a platter of sliced grapefruit at the breakfast buffet — THANK YOU!

Having started my career as a flight attendant with Pan Am, then American, during the last of the golden years of flying, I am acutely aware of how the service provided to the passengers influences the loyalty of a passenger. The mission statement printed on a large mirror at the entrance/exit to the American crew lounge read, “Make every passenger a repeat passenger.” The crew of the World Navigator certainly accomplished that as I am contemplating which itineraries will make up my next cruise with Atlas! I was thrilled to learn that there will soon be a loyalty program at Atlas.

Thank you for a wonderful cruise and many unforgettable memories.

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“My group just got back over the weekend, and everyone raved about Atlas, the staff and service, the excursions. Everything. They all said 100% they would sail with them again.”

“I’m not a cruiser, but I knew I needed to take a cruise to get to Antarctica. I loved that it was a smaller ship so it could navigate shallower bays (and icebergs). The food was fantastic and was only surpassed by the incredible service by everyone on board.”

“It was a spectacular experience. The staff was phenomenal and fun too. The cabins and ship are beautiful.”

“I was especially impressed with the quality of the program staff on board – superior to all previous cruise experiences. Communication between ship and passengers was excellent, so that we always knew what was happening and what to expect.”

“Thank you for the exceptional experience we enjoyed on board World Navigator! Our stateroom, the ship’s personnel, fine dining, entertainment, Zodiac excursions/landings and expedition staff exceeded every expectation. Every aspect of this adventure was absolutely perfect. Against Antarctica’s backdrop, it was phenomenal!”

“For years, I have been looking for a cruise to Antarctica that combines adequate time off the ship experiencing the spectacular scenery and wildlife with all the comforts of a luxury cruise that my wife would appreciate. The Atlas Ocean Voyages World Traveller expedition cruise that we have just completed fit the bill perfectly. The ship was the ideal size with well under 200 passengers.”

“I recently traveled to Antarctica on World Navigator, and in summary it was a spectacular trip, crew and ship. The food on board and the included wine/alcohol was amazing. I was met by crew members greeting me by name as I walked through the ship. It was such an intimate experience. My room and accommodations were amazing and my butler was always attentive and met every request.”

“WOW. What a fantastic cruise experience. ANTARCTICA! WOW. The ship was beautiful, functional, and extremely comfortable. Love the small expedition trip adventure.”

“It was absolutely delightful, and I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone who would be interested in this part of the world! The ship was most comfortable in all respects, and all of the crew members were exceptional! We look forward to planning another cruise with Atlas!”