When you think about cruising, you may think about crowds at the buffet, a smokey casino or photographers waiting to grab a photo as you disembark the ship. That is NOT what you will find when you choose Atlas Ocean Voyages. Instead you will find a small ship, small enough to fit inside some of those mega ships and elevated service in an elegant, but relaxed setting. With only 175 passengers, Atlas Ocean Voyages offers something few cruiselines can offer; attention, luxury and a feeling of connectedness to both passengers and crew.
The first thing you notice when you board this ship is its beautiful finishes. The Navigator features rich wood with neutral colors throughout. The other ships in the fleet have similar features with varying color schemes. Next come the cabins. These cabins are fairly standard in size, except for the shower that is spacious and features a rain shower, body jets and a hand held shower. The beds are firm, but that’s the way we like them. Egg crates are available for those who prefer a softer night’s sleep. We selected a Horizon Cabin, the large picture window lowers to allow great breezes and a bar high shelf to lean over. Because the cabin did not have a verandah, we had more seating space with two chairs, a couch and a desk. It was a very comfortable space for our seven night sojourn. We were greeted with gifts including an aluminum water bottle and a roomy backpack for each guest. They are lovely reminders of a wonderful vacation.
Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships are designed for Antarctica, they are expedition ships. In order to put them to their best use off season, Atlas has created Epicurian Expeditions featuring well known chefs from around the world. On our journey through the south of France, we were joined by Peter Campbell and Bobbie Marcotte, best known for their appearances on Guy’s Grocery Games and Diners, Drive In’s and Dives. Throughout the cruise Peter and Bobbie offered cooking demonstrations, hands on learning opportunities and special tastings during the dinner service. They were accessible throughout the trip, sharing meals, tours and laughs with the guests.
Speaking of dinner service, the food on Atlas is terrific. The chefs are preparing food for 175 passengers instead of several thousand. That gives them the opportunity to create more elegant dishes with finer touches. The ship has two restaurants. The main dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has both indoor and outdoor seating. 7Aft, the specialty steak restaurant, is on the pool deck. It can be a little windy, but they have plenty of blankets and it is certainly worth it. Reservations are required for 7Aft.
The ship has two bars, one in the center of the ship and one on the top deck. Both feature full bars and comfortable seating. The Dome on the 7th deck has a piano and vocalist each evening. That is the extent of the entertainment on this ship, but the evenings are lively in the Dome.
Atlas Ocean Voyages offers many different intineraries, including their “flagship” Antarctica expeditions. Our trip began in Barcelona and ended in Nice with stops in Corsica, Sardinia, St. Tropez and Cannes. There is one cultural emmersion activity offered on each voyage and many excursions available for purchase. On this trip, we were docked close enough to walk into town and enjoy the locations on our own when we wanted to.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is one of the newest cruiselines in the world. They are adding two new ships in the next year and will continue to expand their itineraries. If you love the idea of small ships with attentive service, Atlas could be the cruiseline for you.
For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages and all your travel needs, contact Footloose Travels!