Atlas Ocean Voyages hails agents and polar demand as UK sales rise 37%

Atlas Ocean Voyages has hailed the support of travel agents and cruise trade associations as it reported UK revenue rose 37% year on year in 2025.

 

The expedition cruise line – which sells all its cruises in the UK market via agents – said Clia, the cruise trade body, and Expedition Cruise network have been “critical” to its success.

 

Bernie Carter, Atlas Ocean Voyages international sales director, said another key factor was the increasing demand for polar expeditions within the UK market.

 

He also said business during January has been good, thanks to a “generous” wave offer, with savings of up to 40% and two free extras such as air credit savings, hotel package, or enhanced unlimited WiFi.

 

Carter said Atlas is still like a start-up operation, with three ships and another being built, so it has a “very targeted message” for trade partners.

 

“Their expertise, and their recommendation of a relatively new brand when they can see the genuine quality and value has helped us to achieve this growth – and I know there is so much more to come,” he said.

 

“Travel agents are crucial to the process – not just brand awareness but also the destinations that we visit, and each of their unique attributes and requirements.”

 

He added: “The growth in demand for expedition in the UK is very much on the up. We are seeing people doing the different poles. Once they’ve done Antarctica, they are going to the Arctic – or if they’ve done Antarctica, they might do another region there.”

 

He noted there is growing interest in Greenland, amid the news coverage about Donald’s Trump’s interest in the island.

 

“With people hearing about Greenland and finding out more information, it is leading to an increased demand in Greenland itineraries,” he noted.

 

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“What has been critical to the success…is the focus on expedition by Clia and the Expedition Cruise Network.

 

“A growing number of travel agents have discerning guests who might never have been on a ship before but want to do something different.

 

“We have a lot of first-timers, not just to our brand, but also to the idea of sailing to get down to Antarctica, in particular.

 

“[Expedition cruise lines] collaborate well together because we recognise that we’ve got strength in numbers and if we talk as a united group…we will have a stronger voice than if we stand alone.”

 

He said participating in the Clia expedition showcase in Svalbard in July 2025 was “pivotal” for Atlas Ocean Voyages, thanks to hosting 50 travel agents onboard one of its ships, along with business sessions, meetings and networking opportunities.

 

Carter will take part in the second Svalbard showcase this summer, although there won’t be an Atlas Ocean Voyages ship in the destination this time.

 

However, he said: “We are planning to bring more travel agents onto ship visits, virtual and face-to-face training sessions and fam trips and we will continue to work on expanding our commercial network.

 

“Brand awareness is key for us; we remain a widely unknown and ‘emerging’ brand – although I have a feeling that is all about to change as we enter 2026.”

 

UK agents also have a dedicated Facebook group and a new online training portal, he added.

 

“The value of a knowledgeable and professional travel partner is immeasurable. If they’re going to recommend somebody travelling with Atlas, they need to know that we’ll look after them,” he explained.

Another recent initiative is an onboard booking programme, with one person on every ship dedicated to take bookings, which are allocated to the agent who made the original sale – along with the commission.

 

“The amount of people who book on board is phenomenal, and it makes our life and the life of the travel partner a lot easier. Everything is booked much further out,” said Carter.

 

“It’s worth travel partners saying to guests before they travel, if they are interested in any future savings, get looking now…then you can speak with the person on board.”

 

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