This new cruise line is already sailing at full capacity after successful debut
Luxury adventure small-ship cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages is one of the first cruise lines to sail at full capacity after the successful August debut of its first ship, World Navigator.
The ship initially began sailing Greek Isles and Egypt itineraries -- a change from what the line had originally planned, due to COVID-19 restrictions -- at about 60% capacity but has since managed to ramp up. It is now sailing its originally planned itineraries from Italy to Portugal.
"Our first three and a half months of operations had to be completely retooled, which was tough because [with] our initial operations, we had 85%-plus booking," said Alberto Aliberti, the line's president, at a press conference during Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry's annual conference, which is taking place this week in Miami. "That was when we were going to the Black Sea, the Holy Lands and Greek Islands...."
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"We were able to recover. We came in right at about 65% occupancy for those. As of this week, we actually were able to run a cruise that was on the original, planned itinerary. The ship left from Italy, and it's on its way right now to Lisbon. The ship is full, and things are going well. And we're very, very pleased about that. Now, full capacity, we're able to deliver on our promise."
The line also revealed it has beefed up the Atlas Assurance medical evacuation coverage included in its fares. The coverage, which was a service rolled into the overall price prior to the pandemic, now features complimentary evacuation for anyone who might test positive for COVID-19 while on board.
"We are delivering greater peace of mind to our guests with the new Atlas Assurance program," Aliberti said in a statement from the line. "While emergencies rarely occur, it's comforting to know that our guests are protected with Atlas Assurance if something unexpected should happen and they need help."
In addition to medical evacuation (which includes transportation for everyone in the same travel party), the coverage also includes return home transportation, emergency eyeglass and prescription medication replacement, guarantee of payment for medical expenses, worldwide hospital and physician referrals, and other protections.
As part of its safety protocols, Atlas requires all passengers to be vaccinated, and everyone is given an antigen test prior to embarkation.
Atlas is set to debut its second ship in 2022, with its third, fourth and fifth ships coming in the spring of 2023, 2024 and either late 2024 or early 2025, respectively. The line, which focuses on spending extra time in out-of-the-way ports, plans to add New Zealand, Antarctica, the Middle East, the coast of eastern Russia and the jungles of South America and the Yucatan.
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees