Atlas Ocean Voyages

AOV - Atlas Ocean Voyages (AtlasOceanVoyages.com) is a luxury expedition cruise brand and a fully owned subsidiary of Mystic Invest SGPS SA. Mystic Invest is a Portuguese financial holding company owned by the Ferreira family, with a portfolio primarily focused on travel, tourism, and leisure industries.

Atlas Ocean Voyages (AOV) specializes in polar expedition cruising—offering voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica—while also operating in regions such as Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, Iceland, Greenland, Norwegian Fjords), Central America, the Caribbean, and other popular destinations.

AOV is part of Mystic Invest's broader cruise network, which includes the brands Mystic Cruises (USA), Atlas Ocean Voyages (North America), Nicko Cruises (Germany), and DouroAzul (Portugal river cruising).

Mystic Invest's subsidiaries include DouroAzul, Mystic Cruises, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Nicko Cruises (via Schiffsreisen GmbH), Priority Dolphin (shipbuilding), Mystic Tua, Mystic Adventure (Barca d'Alva), World of Discoveries (Porto), Helitours (Porto and Douro Valley), BlueBus (Oporto), Caminho das Estrelas (suborbital and Zero-G flights), Mystic Real Estate, and several luxury hotels (Hotel do Cais, Monumental Palace Hotel, Douro Marina Hotel, Wine Lodge Hotel).

Mystic Invest fully owns the WestSEA shipyard (shipbuilding and repair yard) in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, where its expedition cruise ships are constructed.

Mystic Cruises USA also charters some vessels (expedition and riverboats) to smaller cruise lines, including Quark Expeditions and Riviera Travel UK.

Atlas Ocean Voyages operates all Mystic-owned ocean ships under the AOV brand. These include:

• World Navigator (2021)
• World Voyager (2021)
• World Traveller (2022)
• World Discoverer (2023)
• World Adventurer (2024)

On May 16, 2019, Mystic Cruises partnered with Adonis AS for maritime HR services, including recruitment, crewing, and payroll through Adonis Maritime HR Suite.

In June 2019, Certares GBT Holdings Ltd (a NYC-based travel-focused investor) acquired a 40% stake in Mystic Invest for EUR 250 million (~USD 294 million). The Ferreira family retained 60% ownership of the cruise brands and 100% of non-cruise subsidiaries.

Atlas Ocean Voyages was officially introduced on November 14, 2019, and is managed by Mystic Cruises USA. Bookings opened January 2, 2020, with inaugural cruises scheduled for July 7, 2021, aboard World Navigator. Early booking incentives included savings of up to USD 2000 per cabin and reduced deposits.

Due to the COVID crisis, all Mystic-owned brands (Nicko, DouroAzul, AOV) suspended operations fleetwide from March 2020 through May 2021.

Company changes 2023

On May 24, 2023, AOV launched the "Atlas Yacht Club" loyalty program. The five membership tiers are: Purple (7–35 nights), Bronze (36–75 nights), Silver (76–125 nights), Gold (126–200 nights), and Captain’s Yacht Club (201+ nights).

For the May–October 2023 season, AOV’s Epicurean Expeditions featured the open-air dining venue “Alma Alfresco” aboard World Navigator and World Traveller. The complimentary experience included traditional Portuguese cuisine with wine pairings, featuring dishes such as Polvo a Lagareiro, Alheira de Mirandela, and Torta de Azeitão, prepared using local ingredients and artisanal methods.

Epicurean Expeditions also offered wine tastings, guest chefs (including Michelin-starred talent), a Yachtsman Cookoff competition, and poolside Josper Grill Dining.

In May 2023, Nicko Cruises announced that World Voyager would transfer to AOV in September 2023, leaving Vasco da Gama as Nicko's only ocean ship.

In November 2023, Bernard Carter joined AOV as Sales Consultant for Europe and the UK. He previously worked with Oceania, Silversea, and The World.

Company changes 2022

In February 2022, AOV appointed Colleen Rodriguez (VP of Marketing), Jacqueline Leyva (Senior Director of Guest Services), Robert Cao (Senior Director of Charters & Incentives), Oya Bekisoglu (Sales Director, Central USA), and Anthony Iozzia (Sales Director, Northeast USA & Eastern Canada).

In August 2022, James Rodriguez became AOV’s President and CEO, succeeding Alberto Aliberti. Previously, Rodriguez served at Crystal Cruises and as EVP of Sales and Marketing at Oceania Cruises.

In June 2022, AOV announced Panama homeporting (starting October 2022) for World Navigator and World Traveller. The 12-night roundtrip itinerary from Panama City (Fuerte Amador) includes ports in Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Prices range from USD 6400 (Veranda) to USD 9300 (Navigator Suite) per person (double occupancy).

Company changes 2021

In January 2021, AOV partnered with L’OCCITANE en Provence to debut the first-at-sea “Luxury SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE” aboard World Navigator.

• Facilities include a reception room, two treatment rooms, infrared sauna, serenity lounge with panoramic windows, and exclusive spa treatments such as the 90-minute "Sleep & Reset Massage."
• All staterooms feature L’OCCITANE amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand wash).

In September 2021, AOV launched "Atlas Assurance," a travel insurance program covering medical, legal, and emergency expenses including medevac services. It is included in AOV’s “All Inclusive All The Way” package.

In January 2021, AOV partnered with Ensemble Travel Group (850+ member travel agencies in the US and Canada), expanding its trade distribution network.

AOV Ship Technology

The expedition vessel design was developed by Leadship Ltd (Piraeus, Greece), owned by Giuseppe Tringali and Mirco Zoia. Features include:

• Ice-strengthened hull (ice class 1B)
• Diesel-electric hybrid propulsion with Rolls-Royce Bergen engines
• Dynamic positioning system using GPS
• Integrated Rolls-Royce Promas system (controllable pitch propellers with flap rudders)
• Shallow draft (15 ft / 4.7 m) for access to remote regions
• 2 fully enclosed lifeboats and Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 communications
• Fleet of 10 Zodiacs and two loading stations for landings

Ships are built by WestSEA shipyard, a subsidiary of Martifer Group (Portugal). Founded in 1990 by Carlos and Jorge Martins, Martifer is one of Europe’s leading metal construction and renewable energy firms, listed on Euronext Lisbon since 2007, with 3000+ employees and international subsidiaries across Europe, Brazil, and Angola.

Atlas Ocean Voyages (AOV) is a subsidiary cruise brand managed by Mystic Cruises USA, part of the Mystic Invest Holding.

AOV's fleet currently consists of five expedition-style newbuild vessels:

• World Navigator (2021)
• World Voyager (2021, transferred from Nicko Cruises in 2023)
• World Traveller (2022)
• World Adventurer (2023)
• World Discoverer (2023)

AOV Itineraries 2026–2027

AOV’s 2026 summer program features expedition cruises in the Canadian Arctic, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Europe. The schedule introduces 28 new ports of call, 70+ extended port stays (departures after 8 PM), and over 25 overnight stays.

Highlighted 2026 itineraries include:

• Norway/Baltic: 14-night “Picturesque Peaks and Fjords” roundtrip from London UK (June 1)
• Baltic: 10-night “Denmark & Sweden Beauties” (Oslo to Stockholm, June 30)
• Mediterranean: 10-night “Sea of Antiquity” (Istanbul to Rome, July 20)
• Mediterranean: 10-night “Riviera Marvels” (Rome to Barcelona, July 30)
• Mediterranean/Adriatic: 7-night “Pearls of Italy” (Rome to Dubrovnik, September 8)
• Transatlantic: 11-night “Greenland and Canada Explorer” (Kangerlussuaq to Halifax, September 21)
• Atlantic/Caribbean: 12-night “Bermuda and Island Wonders” (Halifax to Philipsburg St Maarten, October 2)
• Caribbean: 7-night “Colors of the Caribbean” (Philipsburg to Bridgetown Barbados, October 14)

Antarctica–Arctic 2026–2027

AOV’s "Polar Expeditions by Atlas" to Antarctica run from November 2026 through March 2027, marking the company's fifth season in the region. World Navigator and World Traveller are deployed for 23 scheduled departures, while World Voyager operates under full charter.

Six Antarctic expedition options are offered:

• Antarctic Discovery: 9-night roundtrip from Ushuaia, featuring up to 4 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula with multiple landings and Zodiac safaris (weather permitting). Departures: Nov 8, 28; Dec 27, 2026; Feb 1, 5, 10; Mar 8, 19, 2027.
• Antarctic & Falklands Adventure: Two 16-night cruises from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, focusing on South Atlantic wildlife including penguins and albatrosses. Departures: Nov 12, 2026; Mar 13, 2027.
• Exploring the Last Continent: 11-night roundtrip from Ushuaia, exploring Antarctic summer landscapes. Departures: Nov 17, 2026; Mar 2, 2027.
• Drake Express: 9-night roundtrip from King George Island, flying over the Drake Passage with return to Punta Arenas and post-cruise hotel stay. Departures: Nov 28; Dec 7, 14, 2026.
• Crossing the Antarctic Circle: 11-night roundtrip from Ushuaia, with up to 6 days on the Antarctic Peninsula. Departures: Dec 16, 23, 2026; Jan 21; Feb 14, 19, 25, 2027.
• Grand Antarctica & Beyond: 18-night expedition from Ushuaia visiting South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Departure: Jan 3, 2027.

AOV's all-inclusive expeditions feature fine wines, spirits, craft beers, specialty coffees, gratuities, shore landings, and sightseeing safaris via Zodiac. Antarctica sailings include pre-cruise hotel nights in either Buenos Aires or Punta Arenas and charter flights to Ushuaia / King George Island for "Fly the Drake" programs.