Atlas Ocean Voyages Unveils ‘Epicurean Expeditions’ for 2025 Europe: Michelin-Starred Chefs to Helm Culinary Journeys from the Mediterranean to the Arctic
Luxury expedition cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages has unveiled its most ambitious culinary program to date, Epicurean Expeditions, set to debut during its 2025 European season. This groundbreaking initiative will pair immersive destination exploration with world-class gastronomy, featuring Michelin-starred chefs who will curate bespoke menus, host onboard workshops, and lead ashore culinary adventures across 12 voyages spanning the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, and Arctic Circle.
A New Era of Culinary-Driven Exploration
Designed to redefine luxury expedition cruising, the Epicurean Expeditions program taps seven award-winning chefs from Europe’s most celebrated kitchens, including:
- Chef Anaïs Moreau (2 Michelin stars, Marseille’s Le Mirador), who will reinterpret Provençal classics using hyper-local ingredients harvested during stops in Corsica and Sicily.
- Chef Lars Vikström (1 Michelin star, Stockholm’s Själagårdsgatan), pioneering “Nordic Zero-Waste Cuisine” with Arctic-foraged ingredients on voyages to Svalbard and Iceland’s Westfjords.
- Chef Sofia Costa (1 Michelin star, Lisbon’s Água e Sal), blending Portuguese maritime traditions with modern techniques on Iberian Peninsula itineraries.
Each chef will collaborate with Atlas’s culinary team to design region-specific tasting menus, paired with rare wines and spirits sourced from vineyards and distilleries along the routes. Guests can also participate in hands-on workshops, such as crafting Sardinian culurgiones dumplings or fermenting Nordic seaweed caviar.
Signature Itineraries & Unmatched Access
Highlights of the 2025 Epicurean Expeditions include:
- “Taste of the Midnight Sun” (10-night Arctic voyage)
- Sail from Tromsø to Longyearbyen, with Chef Vikström leading a shore excursion to collaborate with Sámi reindeer herders in Norway’s Finnmark Plateau.
- Exclusive dinner served on-pack ice under the Northern Lights, featuring Arctic char smoked over juniper wood and cloudberry-infused aquavit.
- “Mediterranean Pantheon” (7-night voyage)
- Explore Sicily’s Mount Etna with Chef Moreau, harvesting volcanic soil-grown capers and Nero d’Avola grapes alongside fifth-generation farmers.
- Private after-hours tour of Athens’ Acropolis Museum, followed by a Hellenic-inspired feast prepared by Chef Dimitris Kapsalis (Athens’ Varoulko Seaside).
- “Coastal Treasures of Iberia” (9-night voyage)
- Forage for wild herbs in Portugal’s Douro Valley with Chef Costa, then learn port wine pairing from Quinta da Pacheca’s master sommelier.
- Flamenco-and-tapas evening in Seville’s Triana district, featuring Ibérico ham carved tableside from acorn-fed pigs.
Sustainability Meets Indulgence
Aligning with Atlas’s Whisper-Sail™ sustainability ethos, the program emphasizes:
- Zero-mile sourcing: 85% of ingredients procured directly from local fishermen, farmers, and artisans at each port.
- Carbon-neutral galley operations: Biogas-powered kitchens and compostable servingware.
- Culinary conservation: A portion of proceeds funds UNESCO-protected food heritage sites, including Italy’s Valle dei Mulini ancient grain mills.
“This isn’t just about fine dining—it’s about preserving the stories behind every bite,” said Chef Moreau. “When guests taste a dish made with olives pressed in a 300-year-old Sicilian trappeto, they become part of that legacy.”
Why Atlas Ocean Voyages?
The Epicurean Expeditions program leverages Atlas’s signature small-ship advantages:
- Intimate access: With just 196 guests per ship, chefs can personalize interactions, from private cooking demos to market tours.
- Guaranteed departures: Helicopter and Zodiac expeditions ensure culinary adventures proceed seamlessly, even in remote fjords.
- All-inclusive luxury: Unlimited premium beverages, caviar tastings, and roundtrip airfare via Atlas’s partnership with Emirates Business Class.
Booking Details & Early Incentives
Voyages open for booking on October 15, 2024, with fares starting at $12,499 per person. Guests who book before December 31, 2024, receive:
- Complimentary pre-cruise Michelin-starred dining experience in Barcelona, Lisbon, or Copenhagen.
- A $1,000 onboard credit redeemable for chef-led shore excursions or wine masterclasses.
Media Contact:
Isabella Marquez
Director of Culinary Partnerships, Atlas Ocean Voyages
Email: imarquez@atlasvoyages.com
Website: www.atlasoceanvoyages.com/epicurean2025
