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It would have been nice to have additional drawers for storage of accessories and a separate area to dry wet gear. Thankfully, we always pack magnetic hooks; so, we ended up drying our clothing on these hooks after our expeditions. With this cabin type, guests do no have an exterior balcony space. Instead, that extra space is inside the cabin with a top-drop floor-to-ceiling window. While we are not typically fans of this type of balcony, they do have advantages when sailing in destinations like Antarctica. For example, we didn’t have to go outside to experience the conditions, and we could open the window while crossing the Drake Passage and not worry about the 25-foot swells.
ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES ANNOUNCES NEW 2025/2026 POLAR EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTICA
Located on Deck 4, the Atlas Lounge opens at 10 AM and is a daytime gathering place. Also, on select nights, the Atlas Lounge features live entertainment. With a mix of comfy chairs and couches, it tends to be the busiest right before dinner with guests socializing and enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail. It’s also a great spot to read a book, take in the scenery, or just relax any time of day.
Service
That said, World Traveller and World Navigator were designed with polar destinations in mind, so Antarctica will still be on the docket. Traveller will cruise Antarctica until March 2023 when it heads to the Mediterranean.So where does Atlas Ocean Voyages sit within the rapidly expanding field of Antarctic cruising? In my own limited experience in Antarctica, plus what I've heard from expedition staff across the industry, polar expedition ships often skew more toward hardcore expedition or more toward traditional luxury cruising.
Atlas Ocean Voyages Antarctica Cruise Reviews
I remember him describing the stench of the penguins ("They're covered in their own droppings and the droppings of their friends. It's very pungent," he told The Guardian in 2016) and the visceral experience he had while camping. And as you'd expect from a luxury cruise line, there's also very friendly, intuitive service. After ordering the same drink on more than one occasion, I was simply asked on future evenings if I wanted my usual. There's the luxury spa by L'Occitane, the first of its kind at sea (I had an excellent massage that was like being masterfully pulled apart and remade in 90 minutes).
It is well designed and allows Altas to perfectly organize 150 people gearing up for winter conditions and getting onto Zodiacs efficiently. It also ensures you don’t bring wet boots and clothes to your cabin. On one particular Zodiac cruise, our expedition guide found a leopard seal swimming in the water. It observed our boat with curiosity before opting to chase a group of frenzied penguins. Everyone warned me about the rough seas, and even though I'm not prone to seasickness, I packed a small pharmacy in my suitcase (meclizine, ginger chews and plenty of lorazepam) just in case.
Prepare For YourAntarctic Expedition
While many had lost hope that this ceremonial event would occur, Mother Nature cooperated during this final afternoon in Antarctica. Afterwards, our zodiac captain guided us on an exhilarating ride through the sea ice; not to mention, we spotted a leopard seal. Skating along the partially frozen waters, we were treated to some fantastic views which made for the perfect ending to our Atlas Ocean Voyages Antarctica cruise. This was definitely the experience everyone was waiting for given the delays from the previous few days. But like anything in Antarctica, you never known what to expect until you are there. While a landing would not be possible, the team approved abbreviated zodiac rides around the glaciers and icebergs.
Antarctica cruise photos: Drake Passage via Atlas Ocean Voyages - The Arizona Republic
Antarctica cruise photos: Drake Passage via Atlas Ocean Voyages.
Posted: Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
A True Taste of ChilePre-Expedition Free Cultural Immersion
Despite owning all the right gear long before this trip was booked, I still found myself chilled to the bone during some tours on the line's fleet of custom-built Zodiac boats. It certainly didn't feel like an actual place until I stood on a solid Antarctic island, my face whipped raw by the wind, with the pervasive smell of nesting penguins and marine life all around. Instead, I found my mind kept drifting away like thick floes of sea ice, captivated by the silhouette of a whale off the starboard side of the ship — or maybe just the crest of a wave. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 17, 2024 –Atlas Ocean Voyages announces Polar Expeditions by Atlas™ to Antarctica beginning October 2025 to March 2026 are now available for bookings. Offering 37 departures aboard the expedition yacht fleet of World Voyager™, World Navigator®, and World Traveller™, this will mark the third season featuring the entire Atlas Ocean Voyages fleet in the region.
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Despite the lack of walking, I was captivated by the rugged landscapes and the sense of adventure they evoked. With each turn of the road, I couldn’t help but feel a growing excitement for the experiences that awaited me on board the vessel, knowing that Tierra del Fuego’s natural wonders were just a taste of what was to come in Antarctica. I saw a pod of orcas playing the ship’s bow while navigating, and it was common to see penguins and fish jumping out of the water along the boat. Whether watching penguins waddle along the shore or witnessing a majestic whale breach the surface, these encounters are truly unforgettable, even more so because they are unexpected. When the weather is favorable, it is possible to go and walk on the 7th continent.
Adventures in Antarctica: Just Back from Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Voyager
A Cruise to Antarctica with Atlas Ocean Voyages aboard World Voyager - Cruise Critic
A Cruise to Antarctica with Atlas Ocean Voyages aboard World Voyager.
Posted: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
On board Atlas Ocean Voyages' expedition yachts in Antarctica, guests will explore a range of polar expeditions with options ranging from 7 to 18 nights. Most expeditions sail roundtrip from Ushuaia, Argentina, while others offer the option of 7-night Drake Express expeditions departing from Punta Arenas, Chile. Every voyage includes a pre-cruise hotel night stay in Buenos Aires or Punta Arenas and private roundtrip charter air flights for your convenience.
The entire ship is clad in wood paneling and bedecked with blue-and-white textiles and black-and-white photographs of vintage ships. It's all comfortable, understated luxury, and a divine place to spend two days at sea when crossing the Drake Passage. The top deck is a partial deck with a running track along the perimeter that overlooks the pool, hot tubs and bar on Deck 7. Also on Deck 7, at the very front of the ship, is the glass-walled Dome Observation Lounge that is surrounded by a spacious viewing deck with heated benches. Afternoon tea, nighttime entertainment and activities like trivia contests rotate between The Dome and the Atlas lounge on Deck 4.
The Intercontinental Hotel in Buenos Aires is situated in the bustling business center of the city, but it provides a peaceful haven for travelers. When I arrived the day before my cruise at 10 a.m., the hotel staff informed me that if I wanted to check in early, I would have to pay almost the full cost of the room, amounting to 120 USD. I was taken aback because I had never encountered such a high fee for early check-in before. On the last morning, we took a bus to the airport for our charter flight from Ushuaia back to Buenos Aires. I left the trip with many new friends who had bonded over the incredible landscapes and wildlife we witnessed during our incredible Antarctica adventure. Finally, the ship emerged from the turbulent waters into the calmer seas near Ushuaia.
From appreciating the dining experience to keeping up an exercise routine while on holiday to taking time for self-care, we cultivate an atmosphere of overall well-being in every space on board World Traveller. You don’t have to sail on a refitted research vessel to explore this polar region. You can still experience many of the comforts of cruising from upscale dining to bars and lounges, a spa, fitness center, and elegantly appointed staterooms. While there are several options for visiting this White Continent, Atlas Ocean Voyages offers the ideal mix of a classic cruise experience and an enriching expedition program with time ashore. With another day at sea, everyone was ready to brave the elements for our next stop at Chiriguano Bay.
