January 21, 2026

Atlas Ocean Voyages Launching the Largest Expedition Sailing Yacht in the World

Your ABC Trips travel broker is able to secure Early Access Priority Reservations for inaugural sailings before general availability. Learn more and inquire.

Phil Lockwood
Written by:
Phil Lockwood
Luxury/Adventure Travel Broker
Aft view of the newly-announced Atlas Adventurer cruise ship

Quick Take

  • Atlas Adventurer will be the largest luxury expedition sailing yacht ever built
  • Sail-assisted propulsion and hybrid tech push expedition cruising into a more sustainable future
  • Bigger scale unlocks longer itineraries and new regions without losing the Atlas feel

Atlas Ocean Voyages is about to redraw the map of luxury expedition cruising.

With the unveiling of Atlas Adventurer, the line is introducing what it calls the largest luxury expedition sailing yacht in the world—and unlike most “big announcement” ships, this one actually represents a fundamental shift in how expedition cruising can look, feel, and move through the world.

Launching in 2028, Atlas Adventurer isn’t a departure from Atlas’ DNA. It’s an intentional evolution: bigger, more capable, more sustainable—and still unmistakably Atlas.

A rendering of the new Atlas Adventurer sailing cruise ship at sunset

A New Era of Luxury Expedition Sailing

From the beginning, Atlas Ocean Voyages has positioned itself in a rare middle ground: refined but relaxed, immersive without being extreme, and luxury-forward without drifting into stuffy, old-guard cruising.

Atlas Adventurer extends that philosophy into an entirely new category.

At 690 feet long, carrying up to 400 guests, and supported by an international crew of 274, Atlas Adventurer will nearly double the guest capacity of Atlas’ current fleet—while preserving the boutique, design-led experience the brand is known for. This isn’t scale for scale’s sake. It’s scale with purpose.

The goal?
More destinations.
More space.
More time to explore—without sacrificing intimacy, service, or soul.

Not Just a Ship—A True Expedition Sailing Yacht

Atlas is deliberate with its language here, and for good reason.

Atlas Adventurer is not a traditional cruise ship with decorative sails bolted on. She’s a true expedition sailing yacht, purpose-built to blend modern expedition capability with sail-assisted propulsion and next-generation sustainability.

Her triple-masted carbon-fiber sail system works in tandem with dual-fuel Wärtsilä engines and a 9-megawatt hybrid battery system, allowing for sail-assisted operation that can reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 percent when conditions allow. In practical terms, that means quieter sailing, lower emissions, and a more immersive experience—especially in ecologically sensitive regions.

She also carries Ice Class 1B (Polar Category C) certification, making her capable of navigating polar and high-latitude destinations while remaining equally comfortable in tropical and temperate regions.

This isn’t nostalgia sailing. It’s modern exploration refined.

A rendering of the new Atlas Adventurer sailing cruise ship with Venice in the background
With her Ice Class 1B (Polar Category C) certification, she'll sail Antarctica as easily as the Mediterranean

All-Suite Living, Elevated Across the Board

One of the most notable shifts with Atlas Adventurer is the move to an entirely all-suite ship—every single accommodation, from entry level to premium.

Even the smallest suites are larger than what Atlas guests may be used to, while higher categories are designed for longer, deeper voyages, with layouts that feel genuinely residential rather than “ship-shaped.” Expect refined materials, thoughtful storage, generous living space, and the kind of quiet luxury that fades into the background while the destination takes center stage.

Select suites will accommodate families or small groups, with connecting configurations for up to four or five guests, signaling Atlas’ confidence in expanding beyond strictly couples-only expedition travel.

Social, Culinary, and Wellness Spaces—Expanded, Not Overdone

With increased scale comes more room to breathe—and Atlas Adventurer uses that space wisely.

Guests will find:

  • Five distinct lounges and cocktail bars, each with its own atmosphere
  • Seven dining venues, ranging from refined full-service restaurants to relaxed, open-air options
  • In-suite dining available at any hour, without sacrificing quality

Wellness is also elevated meaningfully. A fully expanded spa and fitness center, outdoor pools, whirlpools, and serene relaxation spaces are designed not as distractions from exploration—but as essential recovery tools between days ashore.

As with Atlas’ current fleet, the emphasis remains on balance: active days, restorative evenings, and a ship that supports the journey rather than competes with it.

Purpose-Built for Immersive Exploration

True to Atlas’ expedition roots, Atlas Adventurer is equipped for hands-on, up-close engagement with the world:

  • A fleet of expedition Zodiacs for shore landings and wildlife encounters
  • A dedicated marina platform for swimming, kayaking, and water sports directly from the yacht
  • Two elegant luxury motorboats for small-group coastal exploration and seamless shore transfers

These features expand where Atlas can go—and how guests experience each destination—without turning the voyage into a high-adrenaline endurance test.

A rendering of the new Atlas Adventurer sailing cruise ship at sunset

A Global Debut Across Asia and Africa

Beginning in late 2028, Atlas Adventurer will debut with an ambitious slate of itineraries across Asia and Africa, including Japan, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Seychelles, Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.

These are regions that demand:

  • Longer itineraries
  • Varied climates
  • Operational flexibility
  • Cultural sensitivity

Atlas Adventurer is designed specifically for that kind of global exploration—bringing elevated comfort to journeys that unfold over weeks, not days.

Among the most headline-worthy sailings: extended Asia expeditions, East African coastal voyages, and a 128-night Grand Odyssey from Japan to Cape Town—an itinerary that signals Atlas’ intent to compete at the very top of the expedition market.

Inaugural Season Expeditions

Early Access Priority reservations are now open. Get a quote →

Region Itinerary Ship Start Date Duration Embark Disembark
Asia Dynasties & Rising Suns: Japan & China Atlas Adventurer 11.30.2028 10 days Kobe Hong Kong
Asia South China Sojourn: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand Atlas Adventurer 12.10.2028 13 days Hong Kong Bangkok
Asia Holiday Expedition: Jewels of Southeast Asia Atlas Adventurer 12.23.2028 14 days Bangkok Bali
Asia Island Treasures: Indonesia, Malaysia & Philippines Atlas Adventurer 01.06.2029 13 days Bali Manila
Asia The Coral Triangle Atlas Adventurer 01.19.2029 13 days Manila Singapore
Asia Panoramas & Pagodas Atlas Adventurer 02.01.2029 9 days Singapore Bali
Asia The Sunda Passage Atlas Adventurer 02.10.2029 9 days Bali Singapore
Asia Crossroads of Southeast Asia Atlas Adventurer 02.19.2029 8 days Singapore Phuket
Asia Isles of Spice & Sapphire Seas Atlas Adventurer 02.27.2029 15 days Phuket Mahé
Africa East African Isles Atlas Adventurer 03.14.2029 10 days Mahé Mombasa
Africa Swahili Coast Atlas Adventurer 03.24.2029 14 days Mombasa Cape Town
Africa Cape Currents & Safari Shores Atlas Adventurer 04.07.2029 14 days Cape Town Mombasa

*Inaugural season sailings subject to change

Extraordinary Expeditions

Epic journeys spanning 22-128 nights.

Date Nights Itinerary Region Embark Debark
Nov 30, 2028 128 The Grand Odyssey Expedition Asia & Africa Kobe Cape Town
Dec 23, 2028 40 Apex of the East Indies Asia Laem Chabang (Bangkok) Singapore
Jan 6, 2029 35 Southeast Asia Adventure Asia Bali (Benoa) Bali (Benoa)
Jan 19, 2029 22 Opulence of Asia Asia Manila Bali (Benoa)
Feb 10, 2029 42 East Africa & Asia Expedition Asia & Africa Bali (Benoa) Mombasa

*Extraordinary Expeditions are limited-capacity, extended-length voyages and subject to availability

Why This Ship Matters

Atlas Adventurer isn’t trying to out-luxury the ultra-luxury cruise lines. And it’s not trying to out-muscle hardcore expedition operators.

Instead, it’s refining a space that more travelers are actively seeking: exploration delivered with taste, intention, and restraint.

This is growth done thoughtfully.
Innovation without excess.
Luxury that feels lived-in, not performed.

For travelers who love the Atlas ethos but want to go farther, longer, and deeper—Atlas Adventurer is the clearest signal yet that Atlas Ocean Voyages is just getting started.

If you want help understanding where Atlas fits among today’s luxury expedition options—or whether this new sailing yacht aligns with your travel style—that’s exactly where ABC Trips comes in.