Atlas Ocean Voyages schedules 2029 Cape Town calls for new expedition yacht

Cape Town features prominently in the inaugural 2028/29 deployment of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ newest expedition yacht, with the city included in multiple African itineraries during the vessel’s first season.

The newbuild Atlas Adventurer is scheduled to call in Cape Town in March and April 2029 as part of a wider programme spanning Asia, the Indian Ocean, and East and Southern Africa.

Among the itineraries announced is the 14-night Swahili Coast voyage sailing from Mombasa to Cape Town on March 24th, 2029, followed shortly afterwards by the 14-night Cape Currents & Safari Shores sailing departing Cape Town for Mombasa on April 7th, 2029.

Cape Town will also serve as the departure point for the line’s 45-night Silk & Sands Passage expedition from Cape Town to Athens, scheduled to depart on April 7th, 2029.

The deployment forms part of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ first expansion into several new operating regions, with Atlas Adventurer set to debut in Asia before repositioning westward through Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, and Africa.

“This inaugural season is a defining moment for Atlas Ocean Voyages,” said James A. Rodriguez, President and CEO, Atlas Ocean Voyages. “With Atlas Adventurer, we are introducing entirely new destinations while staying true to our ethos of delivering deeply immersive, culturally rich journeys.”

“These voyages are designed for discerning travellers seeking both discovery and refinement in some of the world’s most compelling destinations,” he said.

Atlas Adventurer is described as the world’s first luxury expedition sailing yacht. Scheduled to launch in 2028, the vessel will accommodate up to 400 guests with a crew of 274 and will operate under the Portuguese flag.

The ship has been designed in collaboration with Portuguese studio Oitoemponto, led by designers Artur Miranda and Jacques Bec, with interiors drawing inspiration from the golden age of ocean travel and 1930s ocean liners.

The all-suite vessel will feature 200 suites across three accommodation categories, including two-bedroom Owner’s Suites measuring 1,385 square feet and Penthouse Suites measuring 565 square feet.

The yacht will also incorporate a hybrid propulsion system intended to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Technical features include Wärtsilä engines, a triple-masted carbon-fibre sailing rig, marine battery systems, and dual-fuel capability. The vessel will additionally feature Ice Class 1B certification, enabling operations in polar regions.

South African ports and coastal experiences are positioned as a key component of the Africa deployment. Atlas highlighted marine safaris and whale watching in Mossel Bay among the shoreside experiences planned for the region.

The itineraries reflect growing cruise industry interest in combining expedition-style cruising with destination-intensive voyages across Africa and the Indian Ocean, particularly as operators seek alternatives to more saturated European and polar expedition markets.

Atlas Adventurer’s deployment also places Cape Town within a broader network of luxury expedition itineraries linking Southern Africa with East Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, and Mediterranean repositioning voyages.

Atlas Adventurer’s Africa and Cape Town itineraries:

March 14th, 2029 – East African Isles
10 nights: Mahé to Mombasa

March 24th, 2029 – Swahili Coast
14 nights: Mombasa to Cape Town

April 7th, 2029 – Cape Currents & Safari Shores
14 nights: Cape Town to Mombasa

April 7th, 2029 – Silk & Sands Passage
45 nights: Cape Town to Athens

Selected regional experiences
Marine safaris and whale watching in Mossel Bay, culinary tours in Thailand, and snorkelling excursions in the Philippines