Considering taking a cruise with Atlas Ocean Voyages but aren’t quite sure what the cruise fare actually includes? While Atlas isn’t a fully inclusive line like other luxury and expedition brands, it comes very close to including almost everything in the base price. Here, we’re breaking down exactly what’s included on Atlas Ocean Voyages and what you’ll need to pay extra for. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting for your money before you even book a sailing with this luxe-adventure cruise line.
Key Takeaways
- Accommodations: All-suite accommodations are included with twice-daily housekeeping; all have at least a window, most have balconies
- Dining: Ships feature a main dining room that functions as both a buffet by day and a sit-down venue by night. There’s also casual poolside dining, a cafe with grab-and-go bites, and afternoon tea in the observation lounge. Room service is also included in the cruise fare.
- Complimentary Beverages: Nearly all beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are included in the cruise fare.
- Activities & Entertainment: Heated swimming pool, hot tubs, jogging track, fitness center, sauna, trivia, afternoon tea, enrichment lectures, port talks, demonstrations and workshops, and live music are all included.
- Atlas Immersive Experiences: These unique experiences, which can take place either onboard or ashore, are included in the cruise fare. Polar Expeditions also include guided hikes and zodiac safaris.
- WiFi: 1 GB of wifi internet is included in the cruise fare. Additional internet access costs extra.
- Gratuities & Travel Insurance: All gratuities are included in the cruise fare, as is travel insurance.
- Not Included: Ultra-premium spirits, many shore excursions, spa treatments, laundry service, and additional wifi access are not included.
What’s Included on Atlas Ocean Voyages
Accommodations
Your cruise fare covers the cost of your suite for the duration of the trip. That’s right — all accommodations on Atlas Ocean Voyages are suites. In addition, every suite has at least a window, with most featuring traditional walk-out balconies or infinite balconies where a large window opens up to create a “balcony” within the room. Included with your accommodations, you’ll have a room attendant who will make up your room twice daily.
Staterooms feature convertible queen-size beds with luxury linens, oversized flat-screen TVs, a Nespresso coffee machine, a stocked mini bar, Vero Water, a safe, a hair dryer, and the use of binoculars, terry bathrobes, and slippers. The marble-accented bathrooms feature L’Occitane bath products.
Food & Dining
Nearly all dining (not including the chef’s table experience, called The Explorer’s Table) is included on Atlas Ocean Voyages ships. The main dining rooms offer always-changing menus with dishes inspired by global cuisines, which includes buffet-style dining at breakfast and lunch and an elevated table-service experience in the evenings. An open-air poolside venue called 7AFT Grill is also available, offering casual fare by day and becoming an upscale chophouse by night.
Other dining options on board include a café with grab-and-go bites called Paula’s Pantry and afternoon tea with light snacks in The Dome observation lounge. Room service is also included on Atlas.
Note: 7AFT Grill dinner service is not available on Polar Expeditions, as outdoor dining is weather dependent.
(Nearly) All Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Nearly all beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are included in the cruise fare on Atlas Ocean Voyages. You can enjoy unlimited fine wines, premium craft cocktails, spirits, craft beers, and more all included. As well, things like specialty coffees, afternoon tea service with premium teas, fresh-pressed juices, sodas, and more are all part of the standard price of the cruise.
Atlas Ocean Voyages also allows guests to bring their own bottles of wine on board, including bottles they might purchase while in port. Passengers can consume their own wine wherever they want on board for free too, as there are no corkage fees.
Essentially, the only beverages that aren’t included are ultra-premium liquors and rare vintage wines.
Onboard Amenities & Activities
Atlas Ocean Voyages ships are small, and therefore don’t feature many of the bells and whistles that you’d find on larger mainstream cruise vessels. On board, you’ll find a heated swimming pool, as well as two hot tubs. There’s also a fitness center and jogging track, as well as a sauna and spa relaxation area that are completely free for guests to use. A small boutique to purchase things like logo wear and toiletries can be found onboard as well.
There are a few bars and lounges on board as well, including The Dome observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows offering 270-degree views. There’s also the outdoor pool bar in warmer climates, the Atlas Lounge, and a coffee shop (at Paula’s Pantry) on Atlas ships.
Since ships are small and there’s such an emphasis on the destinations you visit along the itinerary, there aren’t a lot of scheduled activities on an Atlas Ocean cruise. However, there are still some, including trivia, game shows, and a dance party in The Dome called “Dancing Under The Dome.” There’s even the popular Yachtsman Cook-Off on Epicurean Expeditions.
As far as unhosted activities go, board games, card games, and puzzles are complimentary for guests to use during their sailings.
If you’re taking an expedition cruise with Atlas Ocean Voyages, you’ll be provided most of the gear you’ll need for land exploration including boots, a parka (yours to keep), and hiking poles. You’ll also have your own locker in the ship’s mudroom area to store bulky outerwear and wet clothes.
Enrichment & Entertainment
Destination immersion is the focal point of a sailing with Atlas Ocean Voyages, so it’s no surprise that most entertainment on board is geared toward that. Expert-led discussions are common on board, with topics ranging from nightly port talks and lectures on local culture, history, art, cuisine, wildlife, and beyond. Interactive sessions and workshops led by photographers, chefs, astronomers, and beyond can also be found aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages ships. These will vary depending upon whether you’re sailing on a Polar, Epicurean, or Cultural expedition.
In addition, the cruise line has a partnership with Afar magazine called “Afar Recommends.” This collection of experiences, exclusively on Cultural Expeditions, is handpicked by Afar and includes events both on board and ashore. These experiences immerse travelers in the local culture, with opportunities to interact with locals, engage in national pastimes, participate in hands-on workshops, and taste regional cuisines.
When not being immersed in the destinations you’re visiting, you can enjoy a bit of live music on board. Musicians may include vocalists, pianists, and guitar players who provide passengers with enjoyable tunes throughout the sailing. Be sure to catch the crew talent show too, where the crew members get to show off their skills on stage.
(Limited) WiFi Internet Access
On Atlas Ocean Voyages, each guest receives one gigabyte of wifi data for free that can be used by a single device. This internet access allows passengers to use social media, send and receive emails, browse the web, and stream videos/music on things like social media and YouTube. This free internet access does NOT include streaming on bandwidth-heavy applications like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube TV, etc.
Premium high-speed internet connectivity and additional internet data are available for an additional cost. Guests can purchase gigabyte data plans starting at $80 for one GB, social media plans starting at $30 per day, or premium streaming plans starting at $35 per day, with discounted per-day rates when purchasing for the length of the voyage.
Cultural & Immersive Experiences
While Atlas Ocean Voyages does not include all excursions in the cruise fare, some experiences, called “Atlas Immersive Experiences,” are included. They’re designed to enhance guests’ experience of the history, nature, art, or cuisine of a destination. The experience can be an exclusive excursion ashore or a unique event on the ship.
Here are some examples of shoreside Atlas Immersive Experiences:
- Discovering traditional Dutch life at the Zuiderzee Museum’s open-air village, where guests can watch craftspeople at work, enjoy a Schermerhorn dance performance, and enjoy a buffet meal
- Exploring Tierra Del Fuego National Park in Ushuaia, which includes scenic sightseeing and a three-course lunch
- In Sicily’s Valley of the Temples, admire Casa Diodoros’ preservation project before enjoying a three-course dinner of seasonal ingredients from the archaeological park, accompanied by Sicilian wines and live music
- Touring the Ittoqqortoormiit Museum and church, having coffee with local residents, and browsing shops that sell handcrafted souvenirs
- Exploring Magellan’s Strait Park in Punta Arenas, discovering Fort Bulnes, and dining privately on Patagonian dishes accompanied by traditional Chilean song and dance
- In Ephesus, visitors can discover the city after hours while enjoying canapés and Turkish wine, accompanied by the melodies of a chamber orchestra
Polar Expeditions also include shore landings with guided hikes and zodiac safaris.
Gratuities
The base cruise fare on Atlas includes gratuities. This means that there is no per-day gratuity or “service charge” added to your bill at the end of the sailing. However, if you’d like to provide additional gratuities to crew members, you can tip them in cash directly.
Travel Insurance
An unusual inclusion on a cruise, Atlas Ocean Voyages actually includes limited travel insurance in the standard cruise fare. Called “Atlas Assurance,” the program includes reimbursement for expenses including trip cancellation, trip delays, baggage loss, certain medical situations (including medical evacuation) and more.
The cruise line does suggest purchasing additional travel insurance, though, with “increased maximum reimbursement.” For details on what Atlas’ current included insurance plan covers, click here.
What’s Not Included on Atlas Ocean Voyages
Most Shore Excursions
Aside from the special Atlas Immersive Experiences mentioned above, shore excursions are not included in the cruise fare on Atlas Ocean Voyages. Whether you choose to book through the cruise line, take a tour through a third-party, or create your own adventure while in port, these experiences come at an additional cost.
Spa Treatments
While the sauna and lounge area at the spa are included in the cruise fare, the actual hands-on treatments are not. If you want a massage, facial, or other treatment, you’ll have to pay extra.
Laundry Services
Unfortunately, there are no self-service laundry rooms on Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships. That means if you want to do laundry, you’ll have to utilize the ship’s laundry services. The standard pricing structure is to pay per item. However, the line sometimes runs specials where you can send away an entire bag of laundry for one set price.
Of note, while those staying in standard accommodations do have to pay for laundry services, it is free for those staying in a Concierge Collection or Reserve Collection suite.
Upgraded WiFi Access
Beyond the included gigabyte of wifi access, guests can purchase more gigabytes of internet or an unlimited package — which includes streaming platforms — for an additional fee. Specific costs and exact wifi package offerings may vary depending on your ship and itinerary.
Shopping
Though it goes without saying, anything you purchase from the onboard boutique or from shops in port are at your own expense. If you plan to purchase lots of souvenirs, be sure to build that into your budget (and spare some room in your suitcase!).
Comments
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