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Luxury and expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments of the cruise industry and small-ship voyages are a large part of this trend. These intimate journeys whisk travellers away to extraordinary destinations, from the awe-inspiring fjords of Norway to the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.
Not all small ships are the same. While some accommodate under 1,000 passengers, another relatively undiscovered category exists: small-yacht cruises. With a capacity of less than 200 guests, a small-yacht cruise combines off-the-beaten-path adventures with luxurious, personalized attention.
Small yachts can navigate their way to smaller ports of call not accessible to larger vessels due to their size, providing travellers with the opportunity to see and explore more.
There are more than 320 cruise ships in operation worldwide. With a little research, we found the right vessel awaiting our calling. We discovered Atlas Ocean Voyages Ocean Expeditions, who proudly earned recognition on the Condé Naste Gold list for 2024.
First impressions
It was mid-May in Barcelona when we stepped aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages expedition ship The World Traveller, an intimate yacht-style ship which clearly sets itself in a league of its own. Christened in 2022, the yacht has a 1:1 ratio of staff. With a maximum capacity of 196 guests, our cruise had just 178 passengers.
With a chilled craft cocktail in hand, we received a warm welcome from the captain, crew and staff.
We were immediately in awe of the elegant architecture of the ship’s interior, designed with sophistication and elegance. The masterminds behind the composition and layout of the stylish design are Artur Miranda and Jacques Bechat, the renowned Portugal-based designer team from Oitoemponto Architect and Interiors.
State-of-the-art staterooms
Our stateroom was located midship, two floors above the main floor reception area and one floor below the seventh-floor top deck. Our private haven was comfortable and impressively designed with a private balcony where we enjoyed taking in the fresh Mediterranean air while absorbing the unforgettable glistening aqua ocean views.
The stateroom’s washroom was luxuriously appointed with glossy marble floors and a spacious shower area mounted with a multi-function shower system. It was much bigger than what we’ve experienced on larger cruise ships.
Outside on our stateroom balcony, with either Nespresso coffee or a crisp wine in hand, we enjoyed the many stunning and scenic views of each port city, beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and historic castles and perfectly positioned grapes vines — all highlights of our trip.
Luxury on every level
After a quick orientation of our stateroom, it was time to explore the ship. Solely by accident, we started with what turned out to be our favourite location: the Dome Lounge on the yacht’s seventh-level bow. Being at the front of the ship, the views were spectacular, no matter which way you turned. Large windows allowed for endless natural light and provided unobstructed views of the Mediterranean Sea, coastlines and ports of call. The lounge was quiet and relaxing during the day and lively with entertainment most evenings.
Also on level seven is a sun deck, pool, spa pool, restaurant and bar for those returning from any one of the many daily off-board excursions or for those wanting just to lounge in the sun or shade, protected from the warm ocean breeze.
Each area of the yacht is designed with purpose, with settings that are ideal for a variety of activities — whether you prefer a relaxing space to read, a place to gather with friends and family, a fun game of cards or a relaxing spa treatment. The World Traveller accommodates even the most active passenger who routinely visits a gym or relies on a running track.
Culinary excellence
Our epicurean voyage offered daily Michelin-inspired menus to accommodate any palate. The large menu selection even provided options for passengers preferring a plant-based menu, requiring a special diet or those with food allergies. No matter what time of day, the delicious onboard meals and snacks were available from either the main dining room, the poolside grill, or the upper lounge. For those with smaller appetites, the main floor pantry provided a number of grab-and-go healthy bites and pastries.
The main dining room encompasses the full aft section of the fourth level, including a large outdoor dining area. We sat on the sunny side for breakfast, the outdoor deck for lunch and enjoyed a sunset window view for dinner.
Enriching experiences
Each day offered on-land cultural experiences including gastronomical or wine-tasting options. While some guests took in hiking or biking, others chose to wander through museums and boutiques, or wade through the clear blue shallow ocean waters surrounded by natural sandy beaches.
We were well taken care of, relying on the expert knowledge and advice from our cruise and excursion director.
Onboard, we enjoyed the entertainment and so many well planned activities, including epicurean guest chefs who provided a hands-on cooking contest and cooking lessons. A master sommelier hosted the most informative and tasty wine-tasting session we have ever attended.
We also enjoyed some pampering in the Sea Spa by L’Occitane, the brand’s first at-sea luxury spa. Our stateroom was even supplied with L’Occitane products.
Overall experience and recommendations
Our trip was largely a success due to the kindness and service we received from the amazing on-board staff, who were never without a smile and hello while greeting us by name. Repeat passengers were even remembered by staff who were onboard with them on a previous cruise.
If you haven’t yet experienced the Mediterranean, add it to your travel bucket list. An Atlas Yacht journey is an adventure you’ll never forget. Throughout our cruise we met wonderful and interesting people, while sharing stories and photographs of the amazing places we visited. Some were reuniting with friends or family, others celebrating an engagement, honeymoon, toasting a milestone birthday, anniversary or retirement.
While we looked forward to returning home to our family and friends, we felt somewhat reluctant to disembark our World Traveller dream expedition. However, we were comforted knowing that we were departing with fond memories of a fantastic small yacht vacation experience with Atlas Ocean Voyages.
If you go
Flight: Travellers can connect in Calgary for a non-stop nine-hour flight arriving in Barcelona mid-day, or from Toronto for a non-stop eight-hour flight arriving mid-morning.
Included: All meals, afternoon snacks entertainment, on-board non-alcohol and alcohol beverages (excluding upgrades) and some complimentary excursions.
Tips: Optional on-board
Currency: Onboard – US dollars / Land – Euro
Atlas Ocean Voyages offers year-round polar, epicurean and cultural expeditions through Antarctica, Patagonia and the Falklands, South America, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Transoceanic Iceland and the Arctic.
For more information: https://atlasoceanvoyages.com.