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Atlas Ocean Voyages focuses on Always Included luxury, meaning all dining venues, specialty restaurants, and even 24-hour room service are included in your cruise fare. The dining experience is inspired by the line’s Portuguese heritage and changes based on the region you are visiting.

Onboard Dining Venues

Each ship features a main restaurant named after a Portuguese city, but the menu concepts remain consistent across the fleet:

The Main Restaurant (Porto, Lisboa, or Madeira):

• Breakfast & Lunch: Offers a mix of indulgent buffets and made-to-order items like omelets and waffles.
• Dinner: A formal, multi-course affair featuring global cuisine. A highlight is the Alma menu on select nights—a traditional Portuguese dining experience featuring family-style recipes and artisanal techniques.

7AFT Grill:

• Daytime: A casual poolside spot for gourmet burgers, hot dogs, and fresh salads.
• Evening (Epicurean & Cultural Expeditions): Transforms into an open-air chophouse using a Josper Grill (high-end charcoal searing) for premium steaks and seafood.

Paula’s Pantry

A grab-and-go café perfect for early risers or quick snacks. It serves specialty coffees (Caffè Milano), fresh-pressed juices, muffins, wraps, and salads.

The Dome Observation Lounge

The go-to spot for a traditional Afternoon Tea with finger sandwiches and pastries. In the evening, it serves pre-dinner canapés and cocktails with 270-degree views.

Key Dining Policies

Specialty Experiences

On Epicurean Expeditions (mostly in Europe), the dining experience is elevated with:

• Gastronomic Guests: Onboard celebrity chefs and visiting vintners.
• Wine Tastings: Often included as part of the Concierge Collection or special events.
• Après Expedition: A social hour with gourmet snacks and drinks to discuss the day’s adventures.

Like most luxury cruise lines, Atlas Ocean Voyages includes a right to surcharge clause in their terms and conditions to protect against extreme fluctuations in global oil prices.

The Right to Surcharge Clause

Atlas Ocean Voyages reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement if the price of fuel increases significantly. Specifically:

• Threshold: A surcharge is typically considered if the price of light sweet crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) exceeds a certain price point (often around $65 to $70 per barrel, though the exact trigger can vary by year).
• Applicability: This surcharge can be applied to both new and existing bookings, even if the cruise fare has already been paid in full.
• Maximum Charge: If implemented, the fee is usually capped at approximately $9 to $15 per person, per day.

Current Status

• Inclusive Pricing: Currently, Atlas heavily markets their Always Included luxury, and they strive to absorb minor fuel fluctuations to maintain price stability.
• Notification: If a fuel surcharge is ever activated, Atlas is required to notify guests and travel advisors. Typically, you would see this as a separate line item on your final invoice.

Pro-Tip for Travelers

If you are concerned about unexpected costs, check your travel insurance policy. Some Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrades allow you to cancel your trip if a cruise line imposes a significant surcharge after you’ve booked, though standard policies usually do not cover fuel price increases.

Atlas Ocean Voyages follows a structured payment and cancellation timeline, typical of luxury expedition cruise lines.

Payment Schedule

To secure your reservation, Atlas requires a deposit shortly after booking. The balance is due several months before your voyage begins.

• Deposit: For bookings made more than 120 days from sailing, a deposit is typically required within three days of booking. The amount is usually a flat fee (approximately $500 to $1,000 per person) or a percentage of the fare.
• Final Payment: The remaining balance must be paid in full at least 120 to 150 days prior to departure (depending on the specific itinerary).
• Late Bookings: If you book within 120 days of sailing, full payment is required immediately at the time of booking.

Standard Cancellation & Refund Policy

If you need to cancel your trip, the amount refunded depends on how far in advance you notify the cruise line in writing. Please note that Administrative Fees are generally non-refundable.

Note: For certain high-demand expeditions, like Antarctica, the 50% penalty window may begin earlier (at 120 days) due to the complexity of logistics for those regions.

Atlas Ocean Voyages prioritizes a smoke-free environment to maintain the luxury and comfort of its small-ship experience. Like many expedition lines, the rules are strict, particularly regarding indoor areas and private spaces.

Where You Cannot Smoke

Smoking is strictly prohibited in the following areas:

• All Guest Suites & Staterooms: This is a firm rule for safety and air quality.
• Private Balconies/Verandas: Guests are not permitted to smoke on their private balconies, as smoke can drift into neighboring suites.
• Indoor Public Spaces: This includes all restaurants, lounges, bars, hallways, elevators, and the fitness center/spa.

Where You Can Smoke

• Designated Outdoor Areas: Smoking is only permitted in specifically marked areas on the outside decks. These areas are equipped with ashtrays and are situated to minimize the impact on non-smoking guests.
• Electronic Cigarettes & Vapes: The same rules apply to e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and heat-not-burn products. They are only allowed in the designated outdoor smoking zones.

Important Safety & Environmental Notes

• Overboard Policy: Under no circumstances should cigarette butts or any other smoking materials be thrown overboard. In regions like the Arctic or Antarctica, this is a significant environmental violation; globally, it is a major fire hazard, as butts can be sucked back into the ship’s intake vents.
• Refueling (Bunkering): Smoking is typically forbidden on all open decks while the ship is fueling in port. The crew will make an announcement when these restrictions are in place.
• Cleaning Fees: If evidence of smoking is found in a suite or on a balcony, the cruise line will charge a significant cleaning and sanitization fee (typically $250–$500) to the guest’s onboard account.

Atlas Ocean Voyages includes a base level of protection for all guests, but they strongly recommend purchasing additional coverage due to the remote nature of their expeditions (especially in Antarctica and the Arctic).

Included Atlas Assurance (Complimentary)

Unique in the industry, Atlas includes a baseline Emergency Medical and Trip Delay plan in your cruise fare. This is Always Included and typically covers:

• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Coverage up to $250,000 for necessary medical transportation.
• Trip Delay: Reimbursement (often around $2,000) if your trip is delayed for 12+ hours due to covered reasons (e.g., airline delays).
• Ancillary Services: Worldwide 24/7 medical assistance, emergency prescription replacement, and legal/bail bond assistance.

Recommended Optional Travel Protection

While the complimentary coverage handles the big emergencies, it does not cover Trip Cancellation. Atlas offers an optional, more comprehensive plan (often through partners like Arch Insurance or Allianz) that guests can purchase. This usually adds:

• Trip Cancellation: Up to 100% of the total trip cost if you have to cancel for a covered reason (illness, injury, etc.).
• Trip Interruption: Usually up to 150% of the trip cost to get you home if your journey is cut short.
• Baggage Protection: Coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage (typically up to $1,500–$2,500).
• Missed Connection: Coverage to help you catch up with the ship if you miss embarkation due to flight issues.

Cancellation Safety Net

For guests who want maximum flexibility, it is recommended to look for a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade through an independent insurer.

• Standard Atlas policies (and their included insurance) will not refund you if you simply change your mind or decide not to travel.
• Given that Atlas moves into a 100% penalty window 45 to 60 days before sailing, CFAR is the only way to recover funds for non-covered reasons.

Atlas Ocean Voyages follows an all-inclusive philosophy regarding gratuities. Because they aim for a seamless yacht-style experience, you won’t find the daily service charges that are common on larger commercial cruise lines.

Included Gratuities

• Standard Staff: Gratuities for housekeeping, dining room servers, and bar staff are pre-paid and included in your cruise fare.
• No Daily Fees: You will not see a daily service charge (typically $15–$20 per person on other lines) added to your onboard account at the end of the trip.
• Service Surcharges: There are generally no automatic gratuity percentages added to individual drink orders or spa treatments, as these are typically part of the all-inclusive pricing model.

Additional Tipping Guidelines

While the base gratuities are covered, there are a few scenarios where additional tipping is at your discretion:

• Exceptional Service: If a specific crew member—such as your bartender, cabin steward, or waiter—goes above and beyond, you are welcome to provide a personal cash tip, though it is never expected.
• Butler Service: For guests staying in Navigator, Discovery, or Journey Suites (part of the Reserve Collection), butler service is included. While their base gratuity is covered by the line, many guests choose to provide a personal tip at the end of the voyage for high-touch service.
• Shore Excursion Guides: The included gratuities cover shipboard staff only. It is customary to tip local guides and drivers on shore excursions, typically $5–$10 for a half-day or $10–$20 for a full-day tour, depending on the level of service.
• Expedition Team: On Polar expeditions (Antarctica/Arctic), the expedition team (naturalists, scientists, and zodiac drivers) works incredibly hard. While their tips are technically included, some guests choose to contribute to a crew fund or tip certain specialists directly if they provided significant personal insight during the journey.

True Luxury Expedition Experience
Atlas seamlessly blends adventure with comfort, offering Zodiac landings, guided expeditions, and polar exploration paired with elegant onboard amenities.
Intimate Yacht-Style Ships
With fewer guests onboard, Atlas delivers a highly personalized experience and access to destinations larger ships cannot reach.
All-Inclusive Value
Fares include dining, beverages, gratuities, enrichment programs, and expedition gear on select voyages, creating a worry-free travel experience.
Expert-Led Exploration
Voyages are guided by seasoned expedition teams, naturalists, historians, and scientists who provide meaningful insight into each destination.
Extraordinary Destinations
From Antarctica and the Arctic to remote islands and culturally rich regions, Atlas focuses on places that inspire discovery.

What is included in an Atlas Ocean Voyages cruise fare?
Cruise fares typically include accommodations, all meals, complimentary beverages, gratuities, enrichment programs, and expedition activities.
Are shore excursions included?
Yes, guided shore landings and expedition activities are included on expedition itineraries.
Is Atlas Ocean Voyages all-inclusive?
Yes, Atlas offers an all-inclusive experience, including dining, drinks, gratuities, and expert-led programming.
What is the dress code onboard?
The dress code is casual and practical during the day, with smart-casual attire recommended for evenings.
Does Atlas Ocean Voyages offer Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is available onboard; however, connectivity may be limited in remote regions.
Are medical facilities available onboard?
Ships are equipped with medical centers staffed by qualified medical professionals.
Is Atlas suitable for first-time expedition cruisers?
Yes, Atlas is an excellent choice for travelers new to expedition cruising who want adventure paired with luxury.
Are gratuities included?
Yes, gratuities are included in the cruise fare.
Do I need special gear for expedition cruises?
Atlas provides essential expedition gear on select voyages, though personal gear recommendations will be provided before departure.
How large are Atlas Ocean Voyages ships?
Atlas ships are small and intimate, typically accommodating fewer than 200 guests.