World Voyager

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS World Voyager cruise ship is a newbuild passenger vessel designed for operations in the polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica). The vessel is owned by Mystic Invest Holding (via the subsidiary Mystic Cruises USA). Since 2023, it is operated year-round (under a long-term charter) by the subsidiary AOV-Atlas Ocean Voyages (USA-based travel company/brand owned by Mystic Invest).

The ship World Voyager is the second vessel in an initially planned 10-ship fleet of Mystic Cruises, grouping the sisterships World Explorer (2019), World Voyager (2021), World Navigator (2021), World Traveller (2022), World Discoverer (2023), World Adventurer (2024), Star Seeker (2025).

The shipbuilder is WestSEA (naval shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal).

The vessel (IMO number 9871529) is currently Portugal-flagged (MMSI 255806150) and registered in Madeira/Funchal.

Ship history and ownership

Currently, the ship is owned by the Portugal-based company Mystic Invest Holding (via the subsidiary Mystic Cruises USA) and in the period 2021-2023 was operated by Nicko Cruises (subsidiary/fleet) via Schiffsreisen GmbH. World Voyager was also seasonally chartered to other small cruise companies, including Quark Expeditions and Riviera Travel UK (fleet). The polar travel company Quark Expeditions (1991-established) specializes in polar expedition cruises to Antarctica using vessels with ice-strengthened hulls. Quark Expeditions became part of the UK-based TUI Travel on May 1, 2007.

In May 2023, Nicko Cruises announced that starting September 2023, World Voyager will be transferred to the sister-company AOV/Atlas Ocean Voyages (fleet) which is a USA-based travel company also fully owned by Mystic Invest. This way Nicko's only ocean-going ship became Vasco da Gama.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is managed by Alberto Aliberti (President) and Brandon Townsley (VP of Sales and Trade Partnerships), plus two Sales Managers - Alyssa Logan (North America West) and Richard Sims (North America East, former Sales Manager of NCL-Norwegian, Holland America and Seabourn).

Mystic Cruises is a new brand owned by the Portuguese entrepreneur Mario Ferreira - president of Mystic Invest SGPS (group of companies) and best known as CEO of the Portuguese river cruise company Douro Azul, operating on Douro River roundtrips from Oporto. Mario Ferreira is also famous for being Portugal's first space tourist (traveling on Virgin Galactic's Spaceship One / owned by Richard Branson).

The shipowner Mystic Invest is a Portuguese family-owned financial holding that fully owns several brands specializing in the travel and tourism businesses (cruises, tours, hotels) and real estate. The list of brands (subsidiaries) owned by the parent company Mystic Invest includes DouroAzul (Portugal), Mystic Cruises (USA), Nicko Cruises (Germany), Priority Dolphin (shipbuilding), Mystic Tua (Portugal), Mystic Adventure (tour agency in Barca d'Alva), World of Discoveries (theme park in Porto Portugal), Helitours (Porto and Douro Valley), BlueBus (Porto), hotels and resorts (Hotel do Cais, Monumental Palace Hotel, Douro Marina Hotel, Wine Lodge Hotel), Caminho das Estrelas (suborbital and Zero-G flights), Mystic Real Estate.

Decks and Cabins

World Voyager staterooms (98 total) are all in Suite categories and with step-out balconies, providing max passenger capacity 200 (max 140 on polar cruises). The boat has 8 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 3 with cabins.

Each of the staterooms offers as standard (complimentary / price-inclusive) amenities

• en-suite bathroom (shower, WC, washbasin, hairdryer, plush bathrobes and slippers, premium bath products)
• separate bedroom (Queen-size double bed convertible to 2 twins / single beds, bedside cabinets, bedside USB charging ports, wall-mounted lamps)
• mirrored vanity table/writing desk with armchair, lounge area (2-seater sofabed, coffee table with chairs), Horizon and Veranda cabins additionally have a plush loveseat
• smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand movies, Bluetooth connectivity), large wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), minibar (fully-stocked refrigerator)
• individual air-conditioning, LED lighting
• daily turndown service
• Still and sparkling bottled water is provided complimentary and replenished twice daily.

Towels (excluding those on the rack) and bedsheets are changed every 3rd day (depending on cruise itinerary length). Shipboard laundry and ironing services are available at extra cost. Laundry bags are provided in the cabins and collected each morning.

Each cabin is equipped with orange-colored lifejackets, which are used in cases of emergencies and during lifeboat drills. Ship's electrical supply is 220 V (50 Hz). The electrical outlets (found in all cabins and throughout the ship) are standard European 2-pin plugs. A total of 5 USB ports (per cabin) are for digital devices (cameras, smartphones, tablets, etc). Each cabin is also fitted with a total of 5 power outlets (110V / 220V).

Most cabins (~90%) are with private step-out balconies, except only the aft-located (decks 5-6) "French Balcony" cabins, which are with a sliding window (upper panel) opening to a railing (Juliet balcony). Cabin balconies are furnished with 1 low table and 2 deckchairs. Superior, Deluxe and Owner suites additionally have 2 lounge chairs on their balconies.

MS World Voyager has 7 cabin categories ranging in sizes from 185 ft2 (17 m2, Adventure Stateroom) to 355 ft (33 m2, Owner Suite). French Balcony cabins (Infinity Stateroom, 270 ft2 / 25 m2) are with floor-ceiling glass wall with a slide-opening window (upper panel). Balcony cabins (Veranda Stateroom, 215 ft2 / 20 m2) are with a step-out balcony. Triple cabins (Junior Suites) are in 2 different types - with either outdoor or French Balcony.

All 12x Adventure-type (Porthole) cabins are located midship on Deck 3 and each with a large non-opening window.

All top-tier suites are 2-Room (1-Bedroom) and with larger balconies (sized 110 ft2 / 10 m2) furnished with 2 sun loungers, 2 teak deckchairs and 1 low table. Each suite has 2 closets and 2 large HDTVs (wall-mounted in the bedroom/living room).

Cabin bathrooms are with spa showers (rain shower head, handheld showerhead, 4 adjustable body jets), L'Occitane bath products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, handwash, hand lotion). Owner Suites and Deluxe Suites bathrooms are with double basin vanity (his-and-hers sinks) and separate WC. Owner Suites bathrooms are with bathtub.

Shipboard facilities and activities

The ship offers plenty of public areas, including Observation Lounge (glass-domed, with surrounding outdoor terrace), Voyager Lounge (multi-purpose and full-bar venue with floor-ceiling windows and comfortable seating), Library (reading lounge), Lecture Theatre (24-hour open Auditorium serving cruise company's enrichment program with daily scheduled activities, including port talks, discussions, media presentations), aft-located Dining Room Restaurant (with floor-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining/weather permitting).

Voyager Lounge doubles as a multi-purpose room hosting special events (anniversaries, birthdays, group and private meetings, etc). Fresh-baked cookies and pastries are offered in the afternoons. Hot and cold snacks are available during the evening cocktail hour (activities permitting) and special occasion events. Lounge's Bar is staffed by a professional bartender serving a selection of liquors, spirits, premium beers, wines and champagnes (by the glass). Complimentary beverages include soft drinks, juices, water, coffee, tea.

Polar Library is well stocked with books and popular board games. The Library is open 24 hours. Its collection includes books in various languages and themed on wildlife, history, marine biology, geology, ecology, also field guides, picture- and reference books.

Polar Boutique is a gift shop selling travel essentials and souvenirs, as well as a selection of expedition gear (clothing, waterproof pants, gloves, hats). The shop's opening hours are based on the daily scheduled cruise activities.

In the Lobby area is the Reception (Guest Services Desk) served by dedicated staff that assists passengers with information, purchasing PIN cards (Internet/email access, phone cards), arranging wake-up calls. The Reception also doubles as Cashier's Office for setting shipboard accounts and making payments of these accounts towards the end of the cruise. Also on Lobby Deck are the ship's two entrance areas (portside and starboard) used for passenger embarkation/disembarkation in ports of call where pier/quay/wharf is available for docking.

Wellness facilities include an outdoor jogging track (on top-deck), small gym, Sauna Room, Spa (room for massages, showers, changing / locker rooms), Hairdresser. On Sun Deck is the outdoor heated swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing area with loungers. The pool has a kids' (shallow) area separated from the deeper saltwater plunge pool. The ship doesn't provide lifeguards on duty.

On top-deck (aft) is a Helideck - helipad used in cases of emergencies.

As complimentary shoreside activities are offered camping, sea-kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Zodiac boat tours.

AOV itineraries

World Voyager's AOV cruises (Antarctica 2023-2024 itineraries) were open for booking on May 16, 2023.

For Atlas Ocean Voyages, World Voyager's inaugural season starts on November 8th (2023) with homeporting in Ushuaia Argentina. AOV program's highlights were popular destinations like South Shetland Islands, Deception Island, Neko Harbour, Graham Land/Paradise Harbor, Wiencke Island/Port Lockroy, cruising the Drake Passage, Lemaire Channel and the South Shetlands.

AOV World Voyager Antarctica 2023-24 program included 4x 9-day roundtrips from Ushuaia (departures Nov 8, Nov 28, Feb 27, Mar 18), 6x 11-day roundtrips from Ushuaia (departures Nov 17, Jan 14, Jan 25, Feb 5, Feb 16, Mar 7) as well as Atlas Ocean's first fly-cruise deals.

The fly-and-cruise offers are inclusive of direct charter flights from Punta Arenas Chile to King George Island Antarctica (Chile's Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva) as well as optional 1-night hotel stays (pre- and post-cruise) on all cruisetours from/to Punta Arenas.

Nicko itineraries

Under Nicko Cruises, World Voyager operated in Europe (Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Coastal, Baltic Sea, Norwegian Fjords), also Iceland and Greenland. When chartered by other companies, the ship operates on polar cruises - to Antarctica and Arctic destinations.

Details on the boat's 2020 season (itineraries /destinations and ports) were announced by Nicko in mid-January 2019. The deployments were in Europe (Mediterranean, Western and Northern Europe / Baltic Sea). A total of 24x different itineraries were announced, with 7 voyages in Northern Europe leaving from Germany (homeports Kiel and Hamburg). An 11-day Greek Islands itinerary (roundtrip from Piraeus-Athens) visited Mykonos and Santorini, with passing through Corinth Canal.

Eventually, the vessel's inauguration was rescheduled for 2021 - April 10, and later for May 22.

Next table shows the Maiden Voyage (7-day Canary Islands).

The Inaugural Cruise prices started from EUR 1595 (USD 1950 / GBP 1375) per person with double occupancy.

Other destinations scheduled by NICKO for season 2021 included Northern Europe (also Norwegian Fjords) with homeporting in Germany (Kiel and Hamburg), the Azores (Portugal/roundtrips from Funchal Madeira), the Canaries (Spain/roundtrips from Tenerife), the Caribbean (departures from Willemstad Curacao, Philipsburg St Maarten, Cozumel Mexico).

Nicko Cruises World Voyager's schedule for 2023 and 2024 included itineraries visiting Cuba.

(February 27 thru April 12, 2023) 45-day "Dream Beaches and Dense Jungle - Caribbean and Central America Intensive" voyage was priced from EUR 13760 per person (with double occupancy). Starting in St Maarten (Philipsburg) and ending in the Canary Islands (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), the itinerary visits Dominicana (Santo Domingo), Cuba (Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos/overnight, Cayo Largo del Sur, Maria la Gorda/Pinar del Rio, Havana/overnight), Mexico (Cozumel/2-night overnight, Progreso/Merida, Costa Maya/Mahahual), Belize City, Guatemala (Santo Tomas de Castilla), Honduras (Puerto Cortes/Omoa, Isla Roatan), Colombia (San Andres), Costa Rica (Puerto Limon/San Jose), Panama (Colon), Colombia (Cartagena), Curacao (Willemstad/overnight), Grenada (St George), Grenadines (Port Elizabeth/Bequia Island), Barbados (Bridgetown), Transatlantic crossing (6 days), Cape Verde (Sao Filipe/Fogo Island, Tarrafal/Sao Nicolau Island), Tenerife/Canaries Spain.

Shorter itineraries visiting Cuba that were also open for booking included:

• 30-day "Fulfilling Caribbean Dreams -Discover Central America" itinerary (Feb 27-March 28, 2023, from St Maarten to Curacao), priced from EUR 9670 pp.
• 43-day "Cuban lifestyle and the High Culture of the Mayas" itinerary (Jan 30-March 13, 2023, roundtrip from Cozumel), priced from EUR 9400 pp.
• 15-day "Caribbean Highlights. Islands. Beaches. Monuments" itinerary (Feb 27-March 13, from St Maarten to Cozumel), priced from EUR 2500 pp.
• 12-day "Rumba, Reggae, Rum and Relaxation" itinerary (March 18-29, roundtrip from Falmouth Jamaica), priced from EUR 3960 pp.

When the announcement about World Voyager's transfer from Nico to AOV was made (May 8, 2023), Nicko scheduled the "farewell cruise" to coincide with Hamburg Reise 2023 (Die Hamburg Cruise Days 2023/Sept 9-13), after which the vessel was slated to start operations for Atlas Ocean Voyages.

On November 15, 2018, the shipowner Mystic Cruises officially announced the contract with WestSEA Shipyard (Viana do Castelo, Portugal) for building two more vessels. Deliveries were scheduled for 2020 (World Voyager) and 2021 (World Navigator).

All Mystic Invest newbuilds as investments were backed by ICBC Leasing - part of ICBC Ltd (Chinese multinational bank, ranked world's largest by assets, deposits, loans, customers and employees). The shipbuilding financing was supported by Portuguese banks (during construction) and ICBCL Leasing funding (following delivery) through sale and charter-back of the vessel, with an obligation to repurchase it on maturity. Mystic Invest intends to build a 10-ship fleet of the same design.

In August 2017 were completed design's tank tests. The testing water tank and ship model were conducted by the Wageningen-based MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands).

In 2018 (February 20 through March 1), Nicko Tours scheduled a total of 10 roadshows in Germany to promote the company's new "ocean cruising" business. Each of the shows started with a casual get-together and buffet with finger food, followed by a presentation of the vessel and its Nicko cruise itineraries. Then travel agents enjoyed full meals and gourmet desserts.

The vessel's first Captain was Michael Wilhelm Block.

In September 2023, AOV announced that World Voyager's godmother would be Harpreet Kaur Chandi/Preet Chandi (1988-born as Harpreet Chandi). She is a physiotherapist and British Army medical officer (Captain since 2016). In 2022, she joined the MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire/1917-established chivalry order). Harpreet Kaur Chandi became famous after completing her 40-day solo expedition in Antarctica (leaving on Nov 7, 2021, from Hercules Inlet/Ronne Ice Shelf) traveling ~ 700 mi/1100 km, pulling a sled carrying 90 kg of cargo (food and supplies for 48 days). In 2022-2023 (November through January) during her second Antarctic expedition she became the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported, skiing the distance of 868 mi/1397 km between Hercules Inlet and Reedy Glacier.

On November 8th, 2023, was the ship's christening ceremony held dockside in Ushuaia Argentina. The naming event was led by the godmother (Chandi) and attended by James A. Rodriguez (AOV's President and CEO), the ship's Master (Captain Terje Ulset), local officials (including Monica Susana Urquiza/Vice Governor of Tierra del Fuego Province since 2019), AOV shareholders, travel agents and media representatives as well as by all the passengers on the inaugural sailing. After the ceremony started the 9-day Maiden Voyage (Antarctic Discovery itinerary).

World Voyager ship technology

The ship design is based on a Rolls-Royce expedition vessel platform developed by Giuseppe Tringali (Italian naval architect). It features an ice-strengthened hull (ice class 1B), top-notch automation and control system, modern propulsion (based on electrical pods / 360-degree azimuthing thrusters), dynamic positioning system (using GPS data to accurately maintain ship's position without anchoring), advanced water treatment system, hybrid powerplant (diesel-electric) with efficient marine engines (two Rolls-Royce engines running on ULSD / ultra-low-sulfur diesel).

The Rolls-Royce powerplant costs GBP 7 million (EUR 7,75 million / 8,9 million) and includes two main engines (Bergen C25-33L8P) and one auxiliary dual-fuel genset (Bergen C25-33L6P). The engines are connected to the ship's electric power system (Rolls-Royce SAVe CUBE) allowing them to operate efficiently at variable speeds. Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion is an integrated propeller-rudder system to optimize hydrodynamic efficiency. Promas include two controllable pitch propellers integrated with two flap rudders, steering gears and tunnel thrusters.

World Voyager is a cruise ship with hydro-jet propulsion (technology initially developed for military vessels). The ship is fitted with two SPJ Pump Jets by SCHOTTEL (model SPJ 82, total power output 670 kW) allowing silent navigation at 5 knots speed (9 kph). This is an alternative propulsion system as the hydrojets are used only in destinations with specific marine life. Both hydrojets pump water to propel the ship and similarly to the in-hull mounted Azipods (underwater azimuthing thrusters) can rotate 360 degrees. They also allow dynamic positioning (via GPS) to stabilize/fix the vessel without using propellers or anchors.

The vessel's draft is only 15 ft (4,7 m) allowing access to remote islands and unique coastal destinations. The ship has all 2 lifeboats (full-capacity) which are fully enclosed. Ship-to-shore communications are via Inmarsat Capsat Fleet 77 (satellite phone and Internet). Landings (passenger transportation) and coastal exploration voyages are served by the ship's own fleet of ten Zodiacs (motorized boats stored aft on Deck 7) and 2 loading stations.

The shipbuilder WestSEA (Viana do Castelo, Portugal) is owned by Martifer Group via the subsidiary Martifer SGPS. This is a family-owned holding company founded in 1990 (by the brothers Carlos and Jorge Martins), headquartered in Oliveira de Frades (Portugal) and Euronext Lisbon (stock exchange) listed since 2007. Martifer Group has over 3000 employees and specializes in metal construction and (since 2004) in renewable energy (wind and solar energy equipment production). Martifer Group is one of Europe's largest metal construction companies, with subsidiaries in Spain, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Brazil and Angola.