World Navigator

World Traveller

LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISE

Atlas Ocean Voyages, which launched its first Polar-Class ship, World Navigator, just a year ago, is determined to beat the odds despite the difficulties of launching a luxury expedition cruise brand during a pandemic and is investing heavily in its expansion. The Fort Lauderdale-based startup is releasing its second vessel, World Traveller, this month, and has already begun construction on its third vessel, World Seeker, which is scheduled to debut in 2024. It hopes to have five ships in operation by 2025.

As a newcomer to a business segment severely impacted by COVID, Atlas has been gaining experience and changing its operations accordingly. The all-inclusive brand is still making headway, but it has caught the attention of travel agents thanks to a shakeup at the top. Anne Scully, a partner at Embark Beyond, a New York City-based Virtuoso-affiliated travel agency, says, “They haven’t had much of an impact at this point in the U.S. marketplace, but James Rodriguez is now with them and he’s great at marketing and has a great fan base within the travel adviser community.”

In fact, in August, Atlas welcomed Rodriguez as its new president and CEO. He brings with him significant start-up expertise. The seasoned cruise executive worked for Oceania Cruises for 19 years, seeing the company grow from its inception. He claims that the investments in transformation that Atlas has made so far are already paying off. The number of passengers on the company’s Antarctica trips, for instance, has virtually quadrupled in the previous two months. He says that the increase in sales may be attributed to the timing of the offer as well as the efforts made to ensure that both travel agents and prospective passengers fully grasp the line’s unique selling proposition.

“Our guests get a luxury product that equals any of the luxury products out there, but at more of an Upper Premium price,” Rodriguez says, noting that the average spend is $700 to $950 per person, per day, whereas expedition cruises operated by high-luxury lines like Scenic and Silversea cost $1,100 to $1,500 per person, per day.

Atlas Lounge, World Navigator

Horizon Stateroom, World Navigator

7-AFT Grill, World Traveller

Veranda Stateroom, World Traveller

YACHT-STYLE CRUISING

The firm originally marketed itself as a “luxury-adventure” line, providing thrilling and unforgettable trips to exotic, seldom visited locations such as the Arctic and Antarctica. This is still true, but Rodriguez has shifted the pitch to emphasize the more intimate yacht-style sailing that he believes better defines the offering for potential visitors.

It’s a convincing sales pitch. Both vessels have a stylish, yet relaxed, decor that is typical of the yachting lifestyle.In contrast to World Navigator’s steamship and 1940s New York style, World Traveller will feature a la dolce vita aesthetic with lots of blues and softer hues. The ships contain 98 suites and guestrooms and carry less than 200 passengers, creating an atmosphere similar to that of a yacht. Additionally, butler service is available in all suites, and the guest-to-staff ratio is roughly 1:1. “You get to know your fellow guests, the chefs, the captain, the officers, the lecturers, and the naturalists a little bit more than on larger ships,” adds Rodriguez, adding that passengers may even have a drink and supper with the expedition team leader.

There are additional benefits to providing a yacht-like atmosphere for your guests. Since Antarctica only permits 100 visitors each landing, Atlas can safely disembark all of its passengers in a single day and go on to their next destination. He explains that, unlike other lines, his company is not restricted to spending consecutive days at a single port.

During the off-peak months, Atlas visits Antibes, France, and Porto Venere, Italy, two tiny, out-of-the-way European ports more commonly associated with yachts than cruise liners. Originally, the business planned to cruise to exotic smaller ports along the West Coasts of both Africa and South America. However, they had trouble selling these trips to the all-important American market, so they scrapped the idea. Ports like Athens, Barcelona, London, Monte Carlo, and Seville, as well as the more typical ports in the Mediterranean, have become more common on itineraries since the lifting of pandemic travel restrictions. When scheduling its cruises, Atlas prioritizes visiting major cities during times when there will be large crowds, such as during the Monaco Grand Prix or Seville’s immensely renowned spring festival, La Feria de Abril.atlasoceanvoyages.com