Welcome any Atlas Thoughts

[JDPCruisers]

We have been receiving mailings from Atlas as of late and was wondering what others think about them. We have cruised RC and X, strictly X up to this point, but curious about the smaller cruise lines and if their approach and amenities live up to their marketing of an intimate yacht experience. 

 

Any thoughts are appreciated, the good, the bad and the ugly! 

[skrink]

3 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

We have been receiving mailings from Atlas as of late and was wondering what others think about them. We have cruised RC and X, strictly X up to this point, but curious about the smaller cruise lines and if their approach and amenities live up to their marketing of an intimate yacht experience. 

 

Any thoughts are appreciated, the good, the bad and the ugly! 

 

I don’t think there’s any comparison to RC or X.  

 

What makes Atlas work for some:

Tastefully luxurious but not ostentatious ships and accommodations

Small ships, ~200 or less passengers

Polar expeditions with stellar expedition crews

Access to Antarctica

State of the art, brand new ships

Few/no inside cabins and few/no obstructed view cabins (that I know of)

Good discounts during sales, which can be stacked with military discounts

Decent perks/inclusions

Absence of activities such as casinos, comedians, broadway shows, bingo, spas, etc.

No formal nights

No assigned dining time or table

 

What might turn some off from Atlas:

Limited communication pre-trip (their biggest problem)

Growing pains/staff turnover (in 2021-2022; not sure how it is now)

Absence of activities such as casinos, comedians, broadway shows, bingo, spas, etc.

Prices might be beyond someone’s means

 

For those who like lots of onboard entertainment, being nickeled and dimed by the large cruise lines, and being herded around in large groups to various excursions, then the luxury small ship experience probably isn’t for them.  I would cruise with them again, but would go into it knowing that they don’t communicate much beforehand.  Maybe that’s changing under the new CEO.

 

I’ve never sailed on a yacht so can’t speak to that point.  But their ships and the cruise itself?  Ohh myyy, is it ever nice!!

[jwsfun]

100 percent agree with the above!  Well said. 

[Sherry7641]

We’ll be cruising with Atlas on the World Traveler from Edinburgh to Dublin at the end of September… I’ll post how everything goes. So far our experience dealing with Atlas has been horrendous. I do have to say that we booked our original cruise in September of 2021 which was to cruise from Greece to Egypt, and ended up canceling due to COVID. Received vouchers, booked a cruise from Ushuaia to South Africa because the Greece to Egypt cruise was not longer available… however, Atlas canceled that one. Used most, but not all of the vouchers to book the Edinburgh to Dublin cruise in September. The list of problems we had with Atlas is so long I don’t even have the energy or time to list them. I do have to say that Atlas has since restructured and hired a complete new front office and staff. Our hope is that this will be an amazing cruise and we will want to use the remaining amount of our voucher to book another cruise.

[Host Jazzbeau]

50 minutes ago, Sherry7641 said:

I do have to say that Atlas has since restructured and hired a complete new front office and staff. Our hope is that this will be an amazing cruise and we will want to use the remaining amount of our voucher to book another cruise.

This is the hope.  The original Atlas C-suite team was good at holding press conferences, but apparently not at anything else.  The original CEO was onboard during the initial disastrous cruises and obviously he had the power to 'make it right' –  but he didn't.  [There were a number of initial marketing promises that not only were not delivered onboard, but based on the ship design couldn't be.  He should have offered something else as a 'make good' to those early passengers – but no.]  The new team seems to have strong cruise line experience, so I do hope they are getting their act together and making sure that marketing and performance are in sync.  So @Sherry7641 we look forward to your review!

[JDPCruisers]

Thanks to all for your thoughts, very helpful. As are tossing around between Azamara and Atlas for the smaller ships. But, we like what Atlas as to offer but not sure about the ~200 passengers as have never been in that small a ship. Sounds great thought and will likely book to check it out. Look forward to Sherry’s review!

[JDPCruisers]

Excuse the grammar mistakes, I’ll blame it on autocorrect! 

[GICNJC]

We are booked for a January 2024 Antartica cruise. Our first with Atlas, we usually sail Oceania. I agree communications are limited even with the use of a TA.

 

That said, we are amazed at the number of YouTube blogs about Atlas and the Antartica.  We did watch many before deciding to book.  Thier 2 for 1 sale was the item that sold us.  (we were considering Viking as we wanted to actually set foot on Antartica).

 

Their web site is good for sales information, but really lacks in a personal log in page with information on your personal cruise (similar to other major lines).  I believe if they added the personal information log in with information including booking of excursions it would improve the situation.

[mnocket]

1 hour ago, GICNJC said:

We are booked for a January 2024 Antartica cruise. Our first with Atlas, we usually sail Oceania. I agree communications are limited even with the use of a TA.

 

That said, we are amazed at the number of YouTube blogs about Atlas and the Antartica.  We did watch many before deciding to book.  Thier 2 for 1 sale was the item that sold us.  (we were considering Viking as we wanted to actually set foot on Antartica).

 

Their web site is good for sales information, but really lacks in a personal log in page with information on your personal cruise (similar to other major lines).  I believe if they added the personal information log in with information including booking of excursions it would improve the situation.

I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the 2025 Antarctica schedule.  I hope the pre-cruise experience is improved by then. 

[Mrs f.]

On 6/13/2023 at 8:33 PM, Sherry7641 said:

We’ll be cruising with Atlas on the World Traveler from Edinburgh to Dublin at the end of September… I’ll post how everything goes. So far our experience dealing with Atlas has been horrendous. I do have to say that we booked our original cruise in September of 2021 which was to cruise from Greece to Egypt, and ended up canceling due to COVID. Received vouchers, booked a cruise from Ushuaia to South Africa because the Greece to Egypt cruise was not longer available… however, Atlas canceled that one. Used most, but not all of the vouchers to book the Edinburgh to Dublin cruise in September. The list of problems we had with Atlas is so long I don’t even have the energy or time to list them. I do have to say that Atlas has since restructured and hired a complete new front office and staff. Our hope is that this will be an amazing cruise and we will want to use the remaining amount of our voucher to book another cruise.

Thanks for the info. We usually cruise Oceania....supposedly there are big changes being announced and we are starting to look elsewhere.    Keep the posts coming please.

[megray]

On 6/17/2023 at 10:36 AM, JDPCruisers said:

Thanks to all for your thoughts, very helpful. As are tossing around between Azamara and Atlas for the smaller ships. But, we like what Atlas as to offer but not sure about the ~200 passengers as have never been in that small a ship. Sounds great thought and will likely book to check it out. Look forward to Sherry’s review!

I sailed on Atlas in May this year.  I was not impressed with the food or wine options.  Just did not see anyone mention that.  We started to eat in port.  Also at some times of the day there are no places to eat or get snacks.  ALso don't fall for the brochure - there are no water toys.

[mnocket]

Wow!  Very concerning comments here.  I've been considering an Antarctic cruise and I've seen some very encouraging vlogs from people who have taken them on Atlas.  However, it seems that in many respects, Atlas is not ready for prime time and they don't seem to be improving the situation.  Not having water toys available on warm weather cruises, when this is a major advertised feature, makes one question the integrity of their management.  You don't boast a feature that you're not able to deliver - and yet they continue to do so. 

[jeffyd]

We're doing the Arctic voyage out of Longyearbyen on Atlas World Traveler from Aug 6-23, 2023 so I'll post something when we return. It looks like a pretty good itinerary with several days for expeditions in Svalbard as well as stops in Honningvag, Tromso, Hammerfest and the Lofoton Islands. We're spending a few days ahead of time and doing the Norway in a Nutshell tour out of Oslo. We love the small ship experience but have not been on a ship this small so we'll see. We've also never done an expedition ship so we're looking forward to that.

 

We did Azamara Pursuit to Croatia last fall and loved it. We just did Seabourn Ovation to the Caribbean in April and liked it slightly better than Azamara and didn't think anyone could top it. But then we just did Regent Seven Seas Navigator this month and it slightly beat out Seabourn. I'm hoping Atlas brings their A game!

[suewho2]

We traveled on the Atlas World Traveller to Antarctica in December 2022. Communication with Atlas before the trip gave us some anxiety, but once onboard everything ran smoothly. The cabins and ship are beautiful. The crew and expedition team were first class. We enjoyed the trip so much, we planned a back to back trip to the Arctic, leaving this August. 

[VACruiser123]

We loved our Antarctica trip on Atlas...BUT the precruise comm from Atlas is ZERO...nada...makes you a bit nervous I admit but the actual charter flights and cruise were no drama affairs. Now to each their own but I have been on Seabourn and Celebrity suites. For the same price and itinerary.  For ME it is

1. Seabourn

2. Atlas

3. Celebrity in a suite

And I would NEVER switch that order if they are the same(ish) price and location. Atlas is NOT a luxury line like Seabourn but the ships ARE drop dead gorgeous and the all inclusive nature of the cruise and the very small ship really is more like a "yacht" than a cruise ship...and it is a much more pleasantly relaxed and "upscale" than a Celebrity ship. There are some letdowns in the food area...but I do think overall it is "very good" and has the chance to get much better. We actually thought the sit down dinners were weaker than the lunch buffet...and we are normally not buffet eaters on main line ships...shrugs...like I said to each their own.

 

Edit - Oh, I can't speak to the quality or lack of in the wine...I would not touch spoiled grape juice on a bet...I grew up in the 60's in the south and never saw a bottle of the stuff...strictly beer or liquor in every house I was ever in...and that is what I drink today...beer or liquor. And the coffee was excellent.

Edited July 15, 2023 by VACruiser123
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[jimm942]

We’ll be going on the September 18 sailing of the World Traveller (Reykjavik to Edinburgh). So far no pre cruise communication even after filling out the passenger profile info. They request the excursions be booked from our TA and not direct. I’ll post a detailed review when we sail. I set up a roll call but there are ZERO posts from anyone else taking this cruise. I hope it doesn’t get cancelled. I hope Atlas management monitors this forum so they can make appropriate changes/improvements.

[texasstar]

If you are considering a small ship cruise, you might want to check out Windstar also.  They do not go to Antarctica, but have many other very nice destinations.

[mnocket]

19 hours ago, jimm942 said:

We’ll be going on the September 18 sailing of the World Traveller (Reykjavik to Edinburgh). So far no pre cruise communication even after filling out the passenger profile info. They request the excursions be booked from our TA and not direct. I’ll post a detailed review when we sail. I set up a roll call but there are ZERO posts from anyone else taking this cruise. I hope it doesn’t get cancelled. I hope Atlas management monitors this forum so they can make appropriate changes/improvements.

This complaint has been voice repeatedly by many posters, yet it seems AOV has made no improvements.  It doesn't speak well of management - and that raises concerns for someone who has been looking to book their first cruise on AOV.  While it's common for many cruise lines' pre-cruise experience to fall short of the onboard experience, AOV seems to take this disparity to a new level.

[lkloc]

I got an email today from Atlas regarding my upcoming Antarctica cruise. Mostly it just welcomed me aboard and explained and provided a link to the pre/post ops and gave a link to the MyAtlas acct. It also said that optional kayaking must be booked in advance but I don't know how to do that. There's no mention on the MyAtlas site - which so far is just a checklist of preferences and waivers. I will ask my TA about it if necessary but figured I'd check around here first. We're first-time cruisers and know nothing!🙃

[ridethetide]

16 hours ago, lkloc said:

I got an email today from Atlas regarding my upcoming Antarctica cruise. Mostly it just welcomed me aboard and explained and provided a link to the pre/post ops and gave a link to the MyAtlas acct. It also said that optional kayaking must be booked in advance but I don't know how to do that. There's no mention on the MyAtlas site - which so far is just a checklist of preferences and waivers. I will ask my TA about it if necessary but figured I'd check around here first. We're first-time cruisers and know nothing!🙃

My TA booked kayaking for our January cruise, but we were waitlisted. The slots fill up early apparently.

[lkloc]

Thanks for the info!

[MamaFej]

On 6/30/2023 at 6:35 PM, jeffyd said:

We're doing the Arctic voyage out of Longyearbyen on Atlas World Traveler from Aug 6-23, 2023 so I'll post something when we return. It looks like a pretty good itinerary with several days for expeditions in Svalbard as well as stops in Honningvag, Tromso, Hammerfest and the Lofoton Islands. We're spending a few days ahead of time and doing the Norway in a Nutshell tour out of Oslo. We love the small ship experience but have not been on a ship this small so we'll see. We've also never done an expedition ship so we're looking forward to that.

 

We did Azamara Pursuit to Croatia last fall and loved it. We just did Seabourn Ovation to the Caribbean in April and liked it slightly better than Azamara and didn't think anyone could top it. But then we just did Regent Seven Seas Navigator this month and it slightly beat out Seabourn. I'm hoping Atlas brings their A game!

I hope you are having a wonderful time. We are considering a 2025 Arctic expedition, and I look forward to hearing about yours when you return. 

 

 

[jeffyd]

Hi MamaFej. I just submitted a detailed review of our trip under the World Traveller reviews but it may take a day to post. Bottom-line, we LOVED it! We are already looking to book an Antarctica expedition with Atlas in Jan 2024. The ship is gorgeous both inside and out. The staff is excellent and it was some of the best service we've had on a cruise ship. The food is very good but probably not quite up to Regent and Seabourn's but still very good. We did not go hungry! Saw tons of wild life but not the elusive polar bear. Go for the 2025 Arctic expedition with them, you won't regret it. We're ready to do it again!

 

If anyone has any questions let me know.

 

Jeff

[JDPCruisers]

Looking forward to you review as are planning for 2025 now.