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World Navigator Review

-- / 5.0
Editor Rating
15 reviews
World Navigator (Image: Atlas Ocean Voyages)
The SeaSpa Serenity Lounge on World Navigator (Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages)
The SeaSpa Sauna on World Navigator (Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages)
Horizon Stateroom on World Navigator (Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages)

Launching in 2021, World Navigator is the debut luxury adventure expedition vessel built for newcomer Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Designed to traverse the most remote parts of the globe, World Navigator was created with environmental impact in mind. To that end, the ship features GPS positioning that eliminates the need to drop anchor, along with a set of hydro-jets that can propel the ship silently at up to five knots. This supplements the vessel's standard propulsion system that is used during normal cruising operations and allows the ship to get close to wildlife without disturbing it.

Cruising on World Navigator is inclusive, with fares bundling in a number of features that would be considered optional add-ons aboard other cruise ships. This includes roundtrip economy-class airfare; alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages; yoga, Pilates and spin classes; at least one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call; and prepaid gratuities.

Other niceties across the vessel include L'Occitane toiletries in each of 98 cabins; butler service for all suites; and gourmet cuisine.

Passengers will find a generous amount of open deck space onboard World Navigator, including a specialized bow viewing area on Deck 5 that provides heated seating for comfortable scenic viewing in cooler climates.

Dining

World Navigator's main restaurant is located at the stern of Deck 4, and will offer up the standard breakfast, lunch and dinner services that cruisers have come to expect.

A casual grill is featured poolside on Deck 7.

The company has yet to release full details of World Navigator's culinary offerings. 

Cabins

Eight different accommodation grades aboard World Navigator feature ocean views or private balconies.

The smallest of these, the Adventure category cabins on Deck 3, are 183 square feet and come with a picture window and not the more-common portholes found on some expedition vessels.

Like all accommodations aboard World Navigator, it features a queen-sized bed that converts into two singles upon request; a bathroom featuring L'Occitiane toiletries; a walk-in glass shower with rainforest shower head and body jets; and a wardrobe, interactive television system; and a small sitting area.

Veranda cabins increase the passenger living space to 270 square feet and add a private balcony with teak furnishings. A larger category, Veranda Deluxe, comes in at 300 square feet and offers a 52-square-foot private balcony.

Horizon staterooms are also 270 square feet but substitute a "Juliette" balcony for a full step-out balcony, with a drop-down window arrangement similar to what is found on many modern river cruise ships and Celebrity Edge. A larger version of this category, Horizon Deluxe, increases the size of the room to 300 square feet.

Journey Suites are 382 square feet and are located on decks 5 and 6. These one-bedroom suites offer generous 105-square-foot balconies and come equipped with the services of butlers.

Discovery Suites are larger still, coming in at 445 square feet with separate living and sleeping areas. These also offer butler service.

The top-of-the-line accommodations onboard World Navigator are its 465-square-foot Navigator Suites that reside on decks 5 and 6. These can sleep up to three passengers and come with separate living and sleeping areas and a private balcony that spans the width of the cabin. Navigator Suites also include butler service.

Top Deck Attractions

Decks 7 and 8 hold all of the top-deck attractions aboard World Navigator.

Deck 8, otherwise a technical area, is home to a helipad and World Navigator's jogging track, which encircles the vessel's radar mast and funnel.

On Deck 7, passengers will find the ship's forward-facing lounge, offering panoramic views of the scenery that surrounds the ship.

Traveling aft, passengers will come out to a small midship pool deck, complete with a decently sized swimming pool and ample seating areas. The aft end of the pool deck is anchored with a casual pool grill and bar.

The last half of Deck 7 is set aside for Zodiac stowage and is off-limits to passengers.

The Spa

Atlas Ocean Voyages has partnered with luxe spa brand L'Occitane en Provence, and World Navigator will debut with the 947-square-foot SeaSpa by L'Occitane onboard. Passengers can enjoy an array of signature treatments, including a 90-minute Sleep & Reset Massage. The spa will feature a relaxing reception room as well as two treatment rooms. It also will offer an infrared sauna and a serenity lounge. All cabins will include L'Occitane toiletries -- shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand wash.

Entertainment

Entertainment onboard will predominantly involve socializing with fellow passengers and participating in informative lectures and daily destination briefings. Expect to find passengers engrossed in a good destination-relevant book or taking in quieter pursuits, like strolling the open decks to watch for wildlife. The company is still determining what programming will look like.

Itineraries

When World Navigator debuts July 17, 2021, it will offer 10 different itineraries on its inaugural season that range from seven to 15 nights. Itineraries will include voyages to the Holy Lands, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

The vessel's debut voyage, an 11-night Greek Isles sailing, will visit Zakynthos, Olympia (Katakolon), Elafonisos, Chania, Sitia, Lindos (Rhodes) and Mykonos/Delos, Greece, as well as Noto (Syracuse), Italy; and Kusadasi, Turkey.

The ship will later sail to South America and Antarctica and will offer transatlantic and Caribbean journeys.

World Navigator's commitment to active adventures ashore is a hallmark of Atlas World Voyages.  Excursions include overland and multi-night tours in select ports of call and can include distinct adventures like visits to archaeological sites with augmented virtual reality; hiking off-the-beaten-path trails; or delving into the local culture.

World Navigator will also offer Atlas Ocean's Max Shore program, which includes truly unusual adventures. The ship's 16-night Black Sea in Full itinerary offers a Max Shore overland adventure from Odessa to Kiev that culminates with a visit to Pripyat, Ukraine to see the infamous Chernobyl Exclusion Zone that resulted when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant experienced a reactor accident in April 1986.

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