kayakcove

Pick up the phone and call them. When that first presented this type of pricing last fall, I did just that. Learned the price for the second person was $0 plus port fees. Told them thank you and called me regular TA. I think they are offering additional incentives for Europe this summer.

Back to the original question, what does Oceania consider to be “Premium Economy”. I recently got notice of flights for the May 13 sailing on Vista. The return flight was pretty good from Venice, one stop in London to Charlotte. The first leg was regular economy, the trans-Atlantic flight was ‘Premium Economy’ on American Airlines. That is more width, legroom, uprated meals and drinks. However, the flight going on United, the trans-Atlantic was in Economy, looking at the seat assignments it was ‘Economy Plus’ which appears to be nothing more than a couple of inches of leg room. United does offer a ‘Premium Economy’ class similar to others including American Airlines. They even have flights with “Economy Plus’ and ‘Premium Economy’. I am rebooking those flights to spend a couple extra days in Rome, told my TA, I did not consider ‘Economy Plus’ to be ‘Premium Economy” purchased. Waiting to new flights.

I would use an agent as well. My recommendation to call to directly was to get a starting point and an indication on solo pricing in double cabin.

I think I would call Atlas direct to get an indication of their official position. I suspect you will find a discount. Wonderful trip, have been home 2 weeks and it still fills my thoughts.

When is your sailing? We heading out Friday for 11 nights on the Navigator January 30 sailing. I jumped on this when they started their 2 for 1 approach to pricing. There was a little bit of tease in the first pricing, which seems to have worked in getting bookings coming in. Our cabin price has gone up $3800 for our cabin since early September. Same trip in 2024 is showing up as $10,000 higher per cabin.

I am just a few days away from sailing with Atlas the first time and I am optimistic. The reviews here on CC with only a couple of exceptions dealt with their first season and many were impacted by Covid issues. There is one review (World Traveler) from this season and their negative dealt with the passengers not the trip. That may reflect that the mix of persons choosing to go to Antarctica, and not the average mix of cruisers we see here on CC. That may also explain the limited activity here on CC. There is little activity here on other providers doing expedition cruises. I will encourage others to post here on CC to help spread the word. There is new management and feedback from passengers from this season in Antarctica has been far more positive. You may want to search for Atlas Ocean and Antarctica to find additional activity. Here is a link from travel blogger's recent experiences who commented on plus and minus issues. https://goldringtravel.com/atlas-ocean-voyages-world-traveller-in-antarctica-goldring-travels-experience-part-v-reflections/?fbclid=IwAR01vr7EdH1erhE6Hw45WCF4ccxzZ8STza7DlOAAL_gwChgSjvY42ZwJ6M4

People are reporting luggage for charter flights is standard 50lb checked, carry on and a personal item. Some have reported being overweight by a few pounds, but no one seemed to care. The charter flights are all economy and not much overhead space. The actual charter carrier is variable depending on sailing and may be different each direction. All charters in EZE domestic terminal at BA. Have seem some variance in times, Leaving BA as early as 10:00 am and as late as 2:30pm. On Ushuaia to BA, similar range of times. Note these times can certainly impact your flights in and out of BA. I am going in two nights early in case I lose a travel day to weather issues. My American flight out of JFK would get into BA to late for the earlier charter departure. I also picked a very late flight on return, looks like some are adding extra night(s) on the return As for clothing, less that you might think based on most comments. All the time on the ship is casual and comfortable, no dress up items. The boots provided for excursions will stay in the Mud Room, but you can take your Parka to your room in case you need heavier coat to get out on deck. On excursions, need thermal layers top and bottom, avoid cotton. Essential are waterproof pants and gloves, can get wet from spray on zodiac and may step into water getting ashore. I would recommend google searches for packing lists for travel to Antarctica and Antarctica excursions. Recommendations about packing apply across providers, even the most formal luxury lines skip the dress codes for these trips.

Wonder if the people that were the August 4 sailing are being offered good deal on the new August 6 sailing and if those on the old August 11 sail could board early in Longyearbyen and benefit from flight from Oslo. As I consider the status of Atlas. I certainly don't know what their bookings going into the Arctic looked like but will assume they did not look good. To the new management at Atlas, this may have been your best move, but if you are going to build the brand this kind of event should not repeat itself. I am personally excited about my January 30 sailing on the Navigator and having just seen the announcement of the team leaders and researching the Navigator lead, Gerard Baker, thought he would make an interesting and entertaining person to have in place.

No one has sailed the World Traveller; its first sailing is later this month in Antarctica along with its sibling ship the World Navigator. I have booked the World Navigator 11-day Antarctic sailing Jan 30, 2023. I am hopeful. The reviews I have found focused all their issues on land side issues not the sailing experiences. In addition, they are attempting to address their land side issues with as most of the top-level management starting since their new CEO came on a couple of months ago. He had been at Oceania and other new names came from there as well. (I am looking forward to my first Oceania cruise in May on what has become the inaugural sailing of the Vista.) Their current sale on 22/23 Antarctic sailings has been successful, and I have seen posts confirming strong bookings of hopeful people. Hope we will see reviews to start showing up later in December and January. I have reviewed lots of reports and videos about other providers and see Atlas offering many things that other higher end lines offer, but with a positive of carrying under 200 passengers opening more opportunities to get out. I was just reading review of a Viking sailing last March and they were only getting off once a day weather permitting because needing to cover more groups because of the 100-person limit on shore. The BOGO sale was good enough that when that extended the sale, they raised pricing, my cabin went up $3200.

I have continued to look for information about Atlas Ocean. I just spotted another video showing a different view of the sauna. Looking back towards the door there is hot rock box and water tucked in the corner. In the past two months the new CEO has brought in two new Vice Presidents, Guest Relations and also Finance.

Good idea. I have some, but need to check, may be to large. Used them for kayak camping.

No backpack provided. I normally pack one, but not sure that I will on this trip. Your excursions will be by zodiac, I ran across a video from another lines Antarctic cruises and the person indicated they did not allow backpacks on the zodiacs as a potential safety issue. But I have seen videos where some did have one. I am thinking about a smaller bag that I can access easily under the parka they do provide, and you get to keep. Thinking I would only be carrying extra camera batteries and micro-SD cards. The batteries do not last as long in the cold. Photographers recommend keeping your spares close to your body core. Muck boots are provided for your use during the cruise. I am considering taking collapsible hiking poles. Reports are they have some available where you land, but sometimes not enough for everyone. I did find another item Atlas will provide but only for those who book the Navigator Suite, a $1600 designer carry-on bag. Was featured in an information video done for TA’s

I was able to find a pretty detailed video of the ships layout and areas. 'rloke' is correct, there is the infrared sauna, no steam room. It does have a great view as the bench looks out floor to ceiling windows to the sea from deck 4.

The sale worked, Atlas reported best booking week ever. doubling occupancy for Antarctic season. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/atlas-ocean-voyages-reports-best-booking-week-since-start-of-business-301620626.html Also announced new VP of Sales, Tanya Springer. She also was with Oceania as was the new CEO,

The day this sale went active offering a $600 savings, I spotted another sale. I am keeping my original plan to go South the end of January, with a modification. Going a lot further South. 2 for 1 sale on Atlas Ocean World Navigator 11 nights to Antarctica. $12599 for 2 in A1 Horizon cabin basically all-inclusive along with flights to and from ship from Buenos Aires. Only extras are kayaking and or paddle boarding. Sale is supposed to end tomorrow.

Got up this morning to find an email from Viking focused on Antarctica sailings. Their ships have what looks like some nice tech features and I would think would be very well run based on Viking's reputation. However, the trip with the same basic itinerary and no air fare included to/from Buenos Aires and Horizon style cabin (50sq ft smaller) on sale came in for two at $31,119. My price on Atlas $12,599. A difference of $18,520, for a trip focused on the sights, wildlife, and the experience, it is worth any potential risk. I have an annual travel policy in place, but it is not a cancel any reason policy. I am going to review and my travel credit card of choice offers good coverage.

I have answered my own question. The answer is yes. The deck plan on the Atlas site only indicates a stairs only location on deck three. I found a ship walk through video that includes the same deck plan layout, but with additional labels for the elevator aft location.

Prior to booking I reviewed different cruise providers and a multitude of YouTube videos some focused on a particular cruise line and some generic about the Antarctic experience. I did find two which were on Atlas World Navigator. I would include the links but they night violate CC rules as they both were or are travel agents. I would use the following search terms on YouTube – “Atlas Ocean World Navigator Antarctica.” The two on the Atlas ships had experienced bumps but based on Covid issues and transportation to and from the US. Their onboard experience was positive. I would also use “tips for travelers Antarctica” as a YouTube search. He does tons of cruise related videos and does not seem to be tied to any cruise lines. Comments on good and bad for Antarctica cruises. Good seems to win. What I learned, no matter who you go with be ready to have things change, often more than once in a day. Basically, everyone found the experience to be fantastic. I heard “life changing” used more than once. I am hopeful that the change in the charter flights to Buenos Aires will cut some the complications of last season. You can also search this forum for ‘Antarctica’ Also check the few reviews Atlas Ocean here on Cruise Critic. The vast of majority of concerns deal with start up and Covid complications. Crew and expedition staff got good/excellent marks. I chose the Navigator over the new Traveler hoping that would mean more experienced service staff. I am excited about the possibilities of this experience. This sale makes it something that works for me.

This is worth a mention here in case someone is not on their email list. Atlas came out with a two for one sale on Antarctica sailings thru March 2023 with four exceptions listed. The sale expires September 6. It does include the new World Traveler, which I was told would go into service this November for the Antarctica season. It only applies the Veranda and Horizon cabins. Take the posted per person price and add two sets of $550 port fees ($1100). I have booked an 11-night late January sailing on the Navigator. It is certainly a significant savings over other lines currently. Have seen decent flights and from Buenos Aires. Will go in a day early but probably not on way out. Could consider longer time in Buenos Aires, but that would require a second set of clothes. I just checked current locations for both, and the Navigator is in Norway heading North on schedule and the Traveler is in Spain listed as sea trials. I had booked an August 2021 sailing on a similar offer but canceled out as it appeared sailings would not be able to go as planned as ports closed their doors, which proved to be the case

They have re-named the Oceanview cabins on deck 3 as Solo Suites. I might not call it a suite, but pretty good size for a solo. Question is the deck plans online do not show an elevator on deck 3 or 4. The solo cabins are just forward of the Mud Room. Can any on confirm the elevator access to deck 3.

I will be hopeful, most cabins are showing available.

Are the category upgrade sales capped at a certain level? Can you move from Concierge to Penthouse. We are new to Oceania and have booked Trieste to Athens 12 days aboard the Vista in May. Was looking for something in the Caribbean in January or February. Considering the Riviera to see the new décor. Have done the R ships on Azamara and find them a little cramped. Just came off Celebrity, seems like you need to be a suite to get the attention desired. That may change, it was my impression last month on the Millennium in Alaska. Food Service staffing was causing problems in MDR and buffet. Staff was great, just not enough of them. Did Barcelona to Rome in June on the Edge in a Sky Suite and it was great.

Saw a news story from yesterday July 26 in Travel Weekly. Looks like they are closing the Railroad Dock Forward (RRF) at this time. It appears this most impacts Princess Cruises and they are shifting their itineraries. Not clear whether to Icey Strait Point or Sika. Looking at the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska (CLIA) listing of dockings in Skagway for the balance of the season, the Millennium on their South bound itinerary maybe impacted. Looks like the ORE dock is open on that route August 1 and that is the dock they use on the North bound itinerary. I am scheduled there on August 10th and hope its stays that way. The following is a link to that docking schedule for Skagway. https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.189/2xl.54d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SKG-Skagway-2022-2.pdf

I sail in a couple of weeks on the Millennium and saw a post that you can select other cruises. In the app press the calendar at the top of the page, then when the screen changes it should offer options at the bottom. I selected Millennium and a current week that was doing north bound run and able to get a sense of what we might expect for activities each day and menus as well. Same process to get you back to your actual cruise.

The cruise lines will have knowledge of how many positive cases are being stopped from boarding, based on the last minute cancelations they get because of positive results. That can help them evaluate the risk to staff and passengers. Tests are a hassle but some comfort as well, potentially reducing my exposure to getting sick and being confined to my cabin.