Atlas Ocean Voyages announced new summer 2021 itineraries for its first, newly constructed expedition ship, World Navigator. Alternating departures from Athens (Piraeus), Greece, and Cairo (Alexandria), Egypt, starting August 4, World Navigator will be the industry’s first cruise ship to bring travelers to Egypt. The five new itineraries, ranging from seven to 12 nights, feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites at nearly all of the 14 unique ports of call, and include multiple nights in either Cairo or Mykonos, Greece, allowing guests to enjoy each destination’s nightlife. On the Aug. 4 maiden voyage, guests will also be hosted at an included celebration dinner and party on the Giza Plateau overlooking the iconic Pyramids, which will be illuminated into the evening exclusively for World Navigator guests.
These itinerary changes reflect Atlas’ response to geopolitical uncertainty in Israel as part of the cruise brand’s commitment to guests’ safety and health. Throughout the itinerary, World Navigator guests will enjoy Atlas’ All Inclusive All The Way promise, which includes complimentary roundtrip air travel, choice of a shore excursion at each port, prepaid gratuities, shipboard gourmet dining, premium beverages, and more.
“The safety and health of our guests and staff is our top priority,” said Alberto Aliberti, president of Atlas Ocean Voyages, in a press statement. “While we would have liked to carry out our original Holy Land itineraries this summer, the region’s geopolitics does not make it prudent. However, we created World Navigator’s Egypt and Greek Isles voyages to offer travelers a new, unique and superior choice of exclusive and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, in true luxe-adventure style.”
Due to her small size, World Navigator will also exclusively call at smaller Greek islands where larger ships cannot reach. At port, World Navigator guests can enjoy a choice of complimentary shore excursions that showcase must-see attractions, as well as optional immersive experiences. Complimentary tour options include Ano Mera, perhaps the most traditional of Mykonos’ villages; a visit to Akrotiri, ranked among the world’s top 10 archeological sites; and Alexandria’s National Museum and its iconic Library. Guests seeking to learn more about the Egyptian and Greek heritage can opt for premium escorted overland tours, which include all the major sites of Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor and Athens.
All shore excursions and overland tours will be conducted in small groups, led by expert and screened local tour guides aboard full-size motorcoaches operated at less than 50 percent occupancy to provide ample personal space. Wireless headsets will also be used to allow guests to remain socially distant while still able to listen to the guides’ commentary.
World Navigator is newly constructed with hygiene and cleanliness measures incorporated into her design and offers guests plenty of guest-space ratio. All staff and crew are trained in and will observe stringent health protocols, and guests will participate in screening tests prior to boarding and during the voyage.
Atlas’ list of complimentary inclusions also covers emergency medical evacuation insurance, premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, WiFi, L’Occitane bath amenities, and regionally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, in-room coffee, tea and personalized bar service, as well as butler service in suites.
World Navigator, Atlas’ expedition ship launching this summer, features SeaSpa, the first L’Occitane spa at sea. At 9,930 GRTs, World Navigator is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified. Four additional sister ships, World Traveller, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, will join World Navigator by the end of 2023.
For more information, visit atlasoceanvoyages.com.
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