How Atlas is using food and wine to tempt new cruisers
Sponsored by Atlas Ocean Voyages
Food-loving cruise-goers have never had it so good, but Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Epicurean Expeditions takes things to a whole other level
Whether it’s slurping freshly shucked oysters on a terrace overlooking the Amalfi coastline or embarking on a tour of Bordeaux’s verdant winelands, sometimes letting your appetite be your travel guide is the fastest (and most enjoyable) way of discovering a new destination.
Atlas Ocean Voyages understands this better than most, which is why food and wine make up such an integral part of the expedition line’s vast breadbasket of experiences.
The luxury yacht-style cruise line has cast its net far and wide to unearth some of Europe’s most mouth-watering culinary experiences, all of which are captured within its renowned Epicurean Expedition programme.
With activities including food tours of local farmers’ markets, private chef-led cookery masterclasses and farm-to-table dining in the peaceful surroundings of a country estate, there’s no finer introduction to the continent’s cuisine than Epicurean Expeditions.
Each year the programme is led by an esteemed collection of guest chefs and culinary experts who step onboard to lead a series of afternoon cooking demonstrations and interactive events.
Arguably the most highly anticipated of all is the Yachtsman Cook-Off Competition, in which guests compete against one another to create a variety of dishes, before being judged by the chefs. Imagine serving up your very own homemade paella or freshly made truffle pasta to an award-winning chef or leading restaurateur.
Onshore, guests will be able to join local guides on tours of local farmers’ markets where they can sample regional cuisine, and discover the culinary culture of ports firsthand – think pintxos masterclasses in Bilbao or a tour of an organic olive farm in Olympia, where the monumental ruins of the first Olympic Games still stand today.
“Epicurean Expeditions is a central element of our offering and we are incredibly excited to unveil our 2025 programme of chefs and culinary experts,” says Bernard Carter, international sales lead for Atlas Ocean Voyages. “Their expertise is vital to creating the intimacy and immersion that defines an Atlas Ocean Voyages expedition.”
This year’s programme will be led by more than a dozen top foodie talents, including Brazilian-British chef Luciana Berry, who was crowned Top Chef Brazil 2020, and Polish-born Anna Wilamowska, a Michelin-star-trained French pastry chef.
They’ll be joined by Italian restaurateur and celebrity chef Massimo Capra, renowned cheesemaker Paula Lambert and award-winning cookbook author Paulette Mitchell.
The launch of the Epicurean Expedition 2025 programme coincides with Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ‘Explorer’s Collection’ promotion, which will run from 30 June all the way to October 2026.
As part of the offer, guests sailing on one of the line’s European, Arctic or Antarctica cruises will be able to get up to 20 per cent off their booking. They’ll also be able to choose from one of three complimentary amenities, including air credit of up to £800pp, a pre-cruise hotel stay or a free upgrade to unlimited Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, suite-staying guests will get to choose two out of three options.
‘2025 will be the year of the travel agent’, says Atlas sales lead
Carter says 2025 is going to be the “year of the agent”, explaining that he plans to engage with more than 400 travel advisors across a range of ship visits and UK roadshow events in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
The company is also introducing a new trade portal which will feature training modules, marketing tools and brand information. “In addition to that, we’ve launched a Facebook page dedicated to the UK travel trade to further enhance our relationships with agents across the country,” Carter continues.
“For us, 2025 is the year of the travel agent, because we know that the trade will be responsible for a massive part of our success as we grow.” Carter has high praise for the line’s general sales agent (GSA) in the UK, The Cruise Line, which has boosted its reputation in the market and helped the company to reach new customers.
“More and more agents want to book Atlas and the infrastructure is now in place so they can do everything through The Cruise Line, which is fully bonded and will provide pricing in local currency,” Carter explains.
“Not only am I working directly with more of the trade, I’m also targeting some of the biggest players, such as Hays Travel, Advantage, Travel Counsellors and the Fred Olsen Travel Group, on the commercial and promotional side of things, to help elevate the brand further in the UK.”
A little bit like his guests, Carter has plenty to sink his teeth into as he looks to solidify Atlas Ocean Voyages’ standing with the cruise travel trade.
