While some cruise lines are shouting from the crow’s nest about their “small ships,” Secret Atlas has quietly charted a radically different course—genuinely intimate, authentically adventurous, and blissfully free of buffet queues. In an era where cruise operators are busily upsizing what they call “expedition vessels,” this trailblazing outfit has drawn a hard line in the snow and declared: small isn’t small enough.
Welcome to the world of Expedition Micro Cruising, where the group size caps at just 12, the experience is entirely unmanufactured, and the focus is firmly on the journey, not just the Instagram shots.
A Return to Real Exploration
In a cruise industry increasingly crowded with “boutique” ships that somehow manage to carry over 100 passengers, Secret Atlas has stuck to its guns—and its polar boots. With a fleet designed not for spectacle but substance, the operator is carving out a niche for those who prefer icebergs over ice sculptures and glaciers over glamour.
Their ships—MV Vikingfjord, MV Freya, and MV Polar Athena—aren’t just vessels; they’re portals to a deeper kind of travel. The two 12-passenger Arctic ships offer experiences that feel more like an expedition than a holiday. Meanwhile, the 42-passenger Polar Athena, exclusively operated for micro cruises in the Antarctic and South Georgia, brings the same ethos of intimacy to the southern polar region, without compromising capability.
Myth-Busting at 70° North
It turns out, a few old sea-dog tales are floating about when it comes to micro cruising. Secret Atlas is only too happy to hoist the truth up the mast.
Myth #1: Micro Means Cramped
Think again. With fewer cabins comes more space, not less. Gone are the giant theatres and cavernous dining halls. In their place? Cosy lounges, open decks with uninterrupted views of Arctic foxes and ice flows, and a dining room where you’ll remember everyone’s name. No queueing, no waiting, no bingo—just you, the crew, and your fellow adventurers.
Myth #2: Smaller Ships Miss the Best Bits
Quite the contrary. These smaller vessels are purpose-built to venture where the big ships fear to tread—into narrow fjords, shallow inlets, and hidden bays. Their Zodiacs don’t wait in line; they’re out on the water before most passengers aboard larger ships have finished their second croissant. It’s the sort of travel where you’re not just seeing nature—you’re part of it.
Myth #3: It’s Less Safe
Hardly. Secret Atlas vessels are ice-class rated, rugged, and helmed by polar veterans who’ve navigated these waters more times than most of us have had hot dinners. A smaller guest count means faster evacuation procedures, higher crew-to-passenger ratios, and an environment that feels more like family than a floating hotel.
Experience, Not Excess
“We’re not offering luxury in the traditional sense,” says Michele D’Agostino, Co-Founder of Secret Atlas. “These are journeys for the curious, the brave, the thoughtful traveller who’s after meaning, not menus with five forks.”
Indeed, the line draws a stark—and refreshing—contrast between luxury and experiential value. Travellers are invited not to lounge but to learn. Whether it’s a wildlife briefing by a seasoned marine biologist, a glaciology talk with boots in the snow, or a fireside debrief on Inuit culture, each voyage is curated to elevate understanding, not just comfort.
A Season of Discovery
Secret Atlas’s itineraries are exceptional, even by polar standards. Their Arctic adventures include micro cruises around Svalbard and Greenland, while in the Southern Hemisphere, Polar Athena will soon begin its much-anticipated Antarctic and South Georgia routes. The vessels are small, but the ambition is anything but.
The 2025 season has seen record interest, with only a handful of Arctic voyages remaining. Greenland, in particular, has seen a surge in demand, prompting the release of special last-minute pricing for September. The 2026 season, meanwhile, is shaping up to be the line’s boldest yet, with charters and scheduled departures already in motion.
Science and Stories on the Ice
These aren’t your average cruise lectures. Secret Atlas’s scientific and educational programming is built in collaboration with groups like Yachts for Science and includes partnerships with glaciologists, naturalists, historians, and award-winning photographers. The goal? To bring the landscapes to life—not just through observation, but through deep, informed storytelling.
From photography expeditions to guest-led seminars, each voyage is a floating classroom with an ever-changing whiteboard. Guests might learn the finer points of sea ice formation one day and sit down to lunch with a visiting Inuit guide the next.
The Soul of Sustainability
In a time when cruise lines are scrambling to “greenwash” their growing operations, Secret Atlas walks the walk. Their ships are ice-strengthened but light on fuel consumption, and their itineraries are crafted to reduce environmental impact while maximising cultural sensitivity and guest enrichment.
There’s no karaoke bar, no plastic champagne tower, no “Captain’s Gala” with prawn towers—just a genuine sense of purpose and deep respect for the fragile ecosystems they traverse.
The Future of Polar Travel? It’s Smaller.
Secret Atlas is banking on a future where less is more— smaller ships deliver bigger experiences and deeper connections. And so far, the numbers are on their side.
D’Agostino puts it: “We believe this is the future of polar tourism, and we’re proud to lead that charge. The media, trade partners, and guests alike have a vital role in helping redefine what travel can be.”
Well, amen to that. Because if you ask us, the best-kept secret in polar cruising might be Secret Atlas.
🔗 To learn more or book your voyage: www.secretatlas.com.
By Michelle Warner
