Atlas Adventurer

The 2028-built (currently under construction) Atlas Adventurer cruise ship is Atlas Ocean Voyages/AOV's first ATLAS-class superyacht, scheduled to enter service in November 2028. The unique vessel is also the world's first luxury expedition yacht designed with carbon-fiber sails. Mounted on three masts, the sails' power reduces fuel consumption by ~40%.

Atlas Adventurer is the first of (potentially) four vessels of the AOV ATLAS design. The shipbuilding order with China Merchants includes three more (optional) units.

The vessel (IMO number tba) will be Portugal-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Funchal.

With Atlas Adventurer, AOV doubles its fleet capacity while retaining its small-ship, destination-focused philosophy. Adventurer is considerably larger than the existing 200-passenger ships of the AOV WORLD series. Nevertheless, Adventurer's 275-member crew provides an unusually high staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1.45.

Atlas Adventurer's namesake is the 2024-built fleetmate World Adventurer.

History - construction and ownership

The AOV ATLAS project (with Atlas Adventurer being the first unit out of 4, with 3 optional under the MoU agreement) was announced in January 202. The ATLAS-class platform, developed by Mystic Invest Holding (shipowner and parent company of Atlas Ocean Voyages), was conceived around three objectives: expanding AOV's capacity, introducing a genuine sailing expedition superyacht, and combining wind/sails with battery-electric and dual-fuel propulsion to reduce noise and fuel consumption.

The shipbuilder is China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding (part of China Merchants Group's subsidiary China Merchants Industry Holding/CMHI), with the construction/assembly conducted at CMHI's Haimen base (Nantong City, Jiangsu Province).

Mystic Invest Holding is a Portugal-based group of companies controlled by Mario Ferreira. Mystic Invest's assets include Mystic Cruises, which manages several river and ocean cruise operations, including AOV. The group also has interests in tourism, hotels, transportation, and other travel-related businesses.

Atlas Ocean Voyages/AOV (2019-established, Fort Lauderdale, Florida-headquartered) is Mystic Invest's USA-focused luxury cruise brand. AOV provides small-ship luxury expedition travel (including in Antarctica and the Arctic) marked by destination-intensive itineraries, yacht-style hospitality, and all-inclusive fares.

China Merchants Group's principal businesses span ports and logistics, marine equipment manufacturing, and real estate and finance.

Mystic Invest chose China primarily because suitable European shipyards were heavily booked, including the Mystic-owned WestSEA shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The other reason was that CMHI is a prominent cruise shipbuilder that became famous for Maritime Group's INFINITY-class expedition ships.

The shipbuilding contract (signed on December 10th, 2025) comprises 1 firm unit (Atlas Adventurer) and 3 options for additional units of the same ATLAS design. The three options indicated that Mystic Invest treats the new ship design as a new platform rather than an experiment.

Ship technology

AOV Adventurer's most visually distinctive feature is the 3-masted, carbon-fiber sailing rig integrated with a dual-fuel/diesel-electric (Wartsila hybrid) propulsion plant and a 9-MWh battery storage system. The design is notable for integrating the sails into the propulsion system.

Atlas Adventurer vessel's specifications feature ice-strengthened hull (Ice Class 1B/Polar Category C), max draft 6,6 m (22 ft), max air draft 68,5 m (225 ft), max speed 16 knots (sailing speed 14 knots), a triple-masted carbon rig carrying carbon fiber sails, and zero-speed fin stabilizers and two vertical fin stabilizers providing precision stability at anchor and under sail.

Atlas Adventurer's carbon-fiber masts and solid composite sails are a new marine technology derived from SolidSail, a large-scale, wind-assisted marine propulsion system developed by the French shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique/CdA in Saint-Nazaire. Instead of traditional flexible canvas/fabric sails, SolidSail uses large (mechanically foldable) rigid composite sail panels. The technology allows the enormous sail surfaces required for a large vessel without the complexity of conventional tall-ship rigging. The SolidSail system is fully automated and integrated with the electric propulsion system. This allows navigation solely under wind power (in favorable/sufficient conditions), substantially reducing engine load and fuel consumption. Estimates suggest that, on suitable routes, the ship could cruise under sail for 40-50% of the time.

The carbon-fiber SolidSail mast has height 66 m/217 ft, width 2 m/7 ft, and weight ~20 tons. It can carry a SolidSail sized ~1500 m2/16150 ft2. THE Aeoldrive (rig comprising the mast and the SolidSail) is fully automated and 360-degree rotating, while the masts rotate/tilt up to 70 degrees (when the vessel passes under bridges).

Wartsila's large (9-megawatt) marine battery system allows the ship to reduce or eliminate the diesel engine use in suitable circumstances, particularly for in-port maneuvering, cruising in environmentally sensitive locations, or under sail.

Traditionally for modern expedition ships, Atlas Adventurer has a dedicated aft Marina platform ( extending from the stern) and carries expedition watercraft, including Zodiacs (large-capacity RIBs/Rigid Inflatable Boats for near-shore and inland waterways cruising), luxury motorboats, and equipment for watersports activities (kayaking, scuba diving, protected ocean pool).

Shipboard facilities, venues, amenities, services

AOV ATLAS ship's interior design was developed by Oitoemponto, Architecture & Interiors (a Porto-based, 1993-founded studio by Artur Miranda and Jacques Bec). Oitoemponto's design concept is inspired by the golden age (1930s) of ocean travel (including Cunard Line's Vistafjord/1973-2017, and Sagafjord/1965-2010) interpreted with contemporary warm modernism. This positions the vessel closer to a luxury superyacht/boutique ship rather than a conventional expedition ship.

Atlas Adventurer has 7 dining venues, including specialty restaurants.

The Culinary Studio is an interactive kitchen/restaurant that incorporates cooking demonstrations and destination-inspired programming. The venue features several cooking stations and chef's table/multi-course dining experiences.

The Paula's Cafe is an expanded version of AOV's Paula's Pantry.

The 7AFT Grill is an outdoor/open-air venue with a Josper grill (high-performance, closed-door charcoal oven and grill in one. Invented in Spain in 1969, it combines the functions of an oven and a traditional grill, running 100% on charcoal to reach extreme temperatures (300 to 350 Celsius or higher) while locking in juices and infusing food with a distinct smoky flavor). 7AFT Grill functions as a casual daytime dining and transforms into a sophisticated steakhouse in the evenings.

The ship has 5 indoor lounges/bar venues, 2 outdoor bars, and signature observation spaces.

The 2-deck-high Aft Lounge is a classy venue for cabaret-style production shows, live piano performances (including professional jazz), and various social events.

The expanded wellness complex consists of a sundeck (a large swimming pool complemented by whirlpools/Jacuzzis and sunbathing areas), Marina ocean pool (a protected pool allowing swimming directly in the sea, being separated from open water by a protective enclosure), an expanded SeaSpa by L'OCCITANE, oceanview Massage Rooms (for treatments), an oceanvivew Sauna Room, and an expanded Fitness Center (modern gym for cardio, strength training and group classes).

Outdoor spaces (on open decks) are suitable for unobstructed observation and relaxation.

Decks and Cabins

Atlas Adventurer is an all-suite expedition cruise ship accommodating 400 passengers (in 200 staterooms) and 275 staff and crew members.

The accommodations are grouped into 3 collections (Signature, Concierge, and Reserve) and 10 cabin grades/categories.

Signature Collection staterooms include Veranda Suites (270 ft2/25 m2) and Panorama Ocean Suites (255 ft2/24 m2).

Concierge Collection staterooms include Concierge Deluxe Veranda Suites (355 ft2/33 m2), Concierge Veranda Suites (270 ft2/25 m2), and Concierge Panorama Ocean Suites (255 ft2/24 m2).

Reserve Collection groups the ship's top-tier/largest and most luxurious accommodations: Penthouse Suite (550 ft2/51 m2) and the Two-Bedroom Owner's Suite (1475 ft2/1370 m2, with two separate bedrooms and two terraces).

AOV's standard amenities range across the cabin categories and generally include private balconies or two large windows (Ocean Suite categories), marble spa bathrooms (with premium L'OCCITANE bath products, hairdryers), coffee/tea making facilities (Nespresso coffee machine, Kusmi Tea), smart TVs (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand movies), fully stocked minibars, digital safe boxes, premium bedding, 24-hour room service.

Select suites accommodate up to 3 guests. Connecting suites accommodate 4-5 guests.

The boat has 8 passenger-accessible decks, of which 4 have cabins.

Itineraries

AOV Atlas Adventurer's inaugural season starts with the Maiden Voyage on November 6th, 2028, a 12-night itinerary round-trip from Kobe, Japan.

The inaugural season's deployment covers a broad range of Asian destinations, including: Japan and South Korea, China (and Hong Kong), Singapore, exotic Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali), the Philippines) and Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique).

The African itineraries include voyages between Mombasa (Kenya), Mahe (Seychelles), and Cape Town (South Africa).

AOV's Extraordinary Expeditions collection groups extended voyages/B2B itineraries with the following departure dates: Dec 23rd, 2028 (40-night "Apex of the East Indies" from Bangkok to Singapore), Feb 10th, 2029 (42-night "East Africa & Asia Expedition" from Bali to Mombasa), Apr 7th, 2029 (45-night "Silk & Sands Passage" from Cape Town to Athens) and Nov 30th, 2028 (128-night "The Grand Odyssey Expedition" from Kobe to Cape Town, groups all sub-segments into one global, 4-month-long itinerary).

Note: The prices in the above table (created in August 2026) are AOV's listed minimum ("From") fares per person, cruise-only, and based on double occupancy, but they are dynamic and can change. Taxes/fees are included in AOV's fares.

Bookings on Atlas Adventurer's inaugural cruise program can select one of the following three amenities: Air Credit (max US$3,000 per cabin), unlimited Wi-Fi, or a pre-cruise hotel stay. Concierge Collection cabin bookings can choose 2 of these amenities, while Reserve Collection suites receive all 3 amenities.

Atlas Ocean Voyages' plans include deploying the ship to Antarctica.