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The midnight Sun Pool Deck is a great spot to sit back and marvel at the surroundings. The ship is 7,400 gross tons and carries up to 189 passengers at full occupancy with up to 102 crew members. Beyond this standard cabin type, there are smaller cabin categories, which either have no balcony or a French balcony, as well as larger suites that doubled the size of my cabin. We also felt like the programming was still undergoing some growing pains in its inaugural season. It's not unusual for this kind of reaction in a first season, and we expect things will smooth out after the line evaluates offerings based on guest feedback. The hands-on science program, offered in partnership with California Polytechnic State University, also is a win.
About Swoop Antarctica
The X-Bow, which makes the front of the ship look a bit bulbous, was created to reduce noise and vibration on the ship. Climate change and carbon emissions continue to be major issues that everyone needs to be aware of and actively managing. Preserving and protecting the environment with the upmost importance and this is reflected in several features on the vessel. This includes reduced emissions into the air and sea, lower energy consumption, high fuel efficiency, reduced light pollution for minimal wildlife disruption and lower on-board plastic use. It's vital to also mention the state-of-the-art virtual anchoring technology of the X-BOW™, which means the ship can float anchorless while launching Zodiacs, kayaks etc, without disturbing delicate sea floor areas.
American Queen Voyages Ship Ocean Victory Debuts - CruiseCritic.co.uk
American Queen Voyages Ship Ocean Victory Debuts.
Posted: Fri, 09 Jun 2023 07:17:51 GMT [source]
Ocean Victory – The Ultimate Antarctica Experience
Generously-sized cabins and communal spaces along with a comprehensive wellness area promise a comfortable base for your expedition. As you enter the dining room, there is a plated preview showcase of each evening’s available dishes, which are then ordered once you are seated à la carte off the menu. Several alternative dishes are always available to order each night, like Lobster and Prime Beef. Unfortunately, the quality of the food is unremarkable and lacks regional specialties. The ship has two restaurants; the large enclosed Main Restaurant on deck 5 and the Panoramic Bistro on the top with indoor and outdoor seating.
Fly & Cruise Antarctica
Ocean Victory offers terrific viewing areas, both indoors and outdoors, with a highlight being the drop-down platforms on Deck 5, which are lowered when the ship is at anchor or stable under its dynamic positioning. When these are lowered, guests can step out for the best views, standing over the water on either the port (left) or starboard (right) sides. We also loved the Observation Lounge on Deck 8, and all the outdoor spaces, from Deck 8 on down through Deck 4. On a ship where you want to see what's ashore and in the water, you're never more than a couple steps away from a view. We got to know so many people, from crew members, to the expedition team members and guests. My favorite spot was Deck 8, which has a large glass-walled lounge with a bar and a variety of tables and comfortable chairs, as well as a large outdoor observation deck.
Under 80 passengers
Of course, the Ocean Victory offers several bars with a large selection of drinks, including wine tasting menus developed in partnership with French wine producer and expert Gerard Bertrand, who is a leader in producing biodynamic farmed wines. Cabins include 68x Balcony, 9x French Balcony and 16x with Porthole Windows. Most cabins (80% of all, excepting only Deck 3's porthole cabins) are with a private, step-out balcony accessible from the living area via sliding, floor-ceiling glass door. 60% of all cabins can be booked with triple occupancy (accommodate a 3rd person on a pull-out couch/sofabed). Enjoy the fantastic views of Antarctica from the comfort of its ocean-view suites and staterooms, or while sitting in a cosy seat in one of its elegant common areas.
American Queen Voyages ceases operations - Seatrade Cruise News
American Queen Voyages ceases operations.
Posted: Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Antarctic Peninsula In-Depth: Ocean Victory
Ocean Victory features 93 suites, of which 68 have balconies, nine French balconies and 16 panoramic windows. Your stateroom is your spacious, luxurious retreat in the middle of the world’s most beautiful wilderness. The ship Ocean Victory has a total of 20 pairs of connecting cabins (balconied) that can be booked as one stateroom for up to 6 persons (perfect for families). There are no wheelchair-accessible cabins (for passengers with disabilities).
The deck's casual-dining area with indoor and outdoor seating will be the perfect spot for barbecues and other informal meals. Unfortunately, it was not operating on the first sailing (never mind that it was still too cold for outdoor dining). The weather was perfect for relaxing in the Deck 7 hot tubs under the stars, even if the weather didn't allow a dip in the infinity pool. Take a classic voyage to the Great White Continent aboard a next generation expedition ship. Experience the incredible wildlife, stunning mountain scenery and gigantic icebergs over 10 action-packed days. Launched in 2021, the ice-class Ocean Victory was the first ship to join the family-owned travel company Albatros Expeditions which is based in Denmark and specializes in sailings to remote regions.
The largest of all the cabins on board the Ocean Victory is the Premium Suite. This 2 room suite features a double bed (or twin beds), a sofa bed, table and chair, a balcony and spacious bathroom with bathtub. The Ocean Victory strives to provide its guests with an intimate, immersive educational experience. It is enrichment-style cruising meant for those who wish to dive deeper into science and nature while on vacation.
Because the ship is so small—and itineraries are 12 to 13 days long—you really get to know the crew. I found the dining room wait staff to be exceptional, learning your preferences (both in cuisine and with whom you'd like to sit) very quickly. Right now, most passengers are American Queen Voyage loyalists—typically older couples. But given the expedition-style excursions in some locations, I could see the demographic tipping slightly younger in the coming years. Most passengers on my ship had never experienced expedition-style sailing before. The 186-passenger ship itself offers a striking silhouette thanks to its X-Bow design and blue livery.
Most adventure ships in Alaska are quite basic, with few onboard amenities other than a simple dining hall and lounge and cabins featuring fixed twin or queen beds and picture windows. Ocean Victory ups the ante, offering the type of public spaces and accommodations you would expect to find on luxury river and yacht cruises. Beautiful sister ship to charming Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, 670-guest Sirena embodies the most treasured elements of our celebrated fleet and features a few highlights all her own. Better than new, Sirena includes entirely new suites, staterooms and bathrooms and reflects the same beautifully re-inspired ambiance as her sister ships. She features Tuscan Steak, her signature specialty restaurant, which serves Italian favorites, succulent steaks and fresh seafood inspired by Toscana and Polo Grill, as well as the beloved restaurant Red Ginger.
As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form.
As a small expedition ship, there aren't very many "typical" cruise amenities. Though there's a pool on the sun deck, it wasn't filled on our sailing due to rough seas. Two hot tubs, however, were available, and if you plunked yourself in, a server would magically appear and take your drink order—even after dinner, in our case. While Ocean Victory does have two accessible cabins (both suites) and a central elevator, guests with mobility issues need to consider whether they will enjoy an expedition cruise if they're unable to participate in all activities. Zodiac transfers, for example, can be difficult for those who have mobility concerns, and kayaking and the like might be off limits, depending on your comfort and abilities. Likewise, there is a 1-inch-plus threshold separating most public spaces, so those using wheelchairs, scooters or walkers would struggle.
Various fine-dining options are available to guests who like to treat their palates. Fresh ingredients and diverse menus are prepared daily and served at the sophisticated Panorama Specialty Restaurant and the Beagle Restaurant, the ship’s main dining area offering hearty meals from morning to night. For an outdoor dining experience, head to the Albatros BBQ to get even closer to the breath-taking views. The Ocean Victory’s strength lies in its hands-on science session and daily wildlife and education presentations from the naturalist and expedition team.
The standard cabin on Ocean Victory is close to the Mudroom and has quick access to the zodiac platforms for disembarkation during landings. This is very convenient if you have more limited mobility and would like a short distance to the zodiacs. The cabins are perfect for those who wish a comfortable base during their stay onboard Ocean Victory.
Constructed at China Merchant Heavy Industry's (CMHI) shipyard in Haimen, Ocean Victory features an Ulstein X-BOW hull design for stability in potentially rough seas such as the Drake Passage. The ship is registered Ice Class 1A and Polar Code 6, which are the highest standards for expedition vessels. Albatros Expeditions has a Green Initiative Program which includes the ship being powered by low emission engines, using eco-friendly cleaning products and only serving sustainably sourced fish in the restaurants. In addition to the expedition team, the ship hosts a Tlingit native, who speaks about the people and culture. Shore excursions to smaller ports, like Petersburg or Kake, give guests an additional glimpse of the native culture in Alaska. We attended onboard lectures on the art and culture around totem poles, and then we saw them being created in Kake.
