Atlas Ocean Voyages elevates culinary program, expands Epicurean Expeditions

Published on Sep 30, 2025, 11:21 am CDTUpdated on Sep 30, 2025, 11:28 am CDT

5 min read

Atlas Ocean Voyages is rolling out an enhanced culinary program led by corporate executive chef René Aflenzer, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced through new partnerships in Argentina and beyond. The line is also expanding its Epicurean Expeditions, with immersive 2026 and 2027 Mediterranean cruise programs featuring guest chefs, wine pairings, market-to-table experiences, and curated shoreside tastings.

Key points

Why it matters: Food-forward experiences now anchor Atlas Ocean Voyages' premium positioning.
Travel impact: New menus and culinary programming add value on Mediterranean cruise itineraries.
What's next: 2026-2027 Epicurean Expeditions return to the Mediterranean with guest chefs.
Aflenzer's menus feature seafood, prime proteins, and produce sourced seasonally.
New dishes debut fleetwide across main dining and casual venues.

Snapshot

Atlas Ocean Voyages' culinary refresh centers on artistry, seasonality, and regional flavor. After a sourcing trip through Argentina, Chef René Aflenzer is collaborating with farmers, vintners, and artisans to bring locally sourced fish, prime proteins, fresh produce, regional wines, and seafood aboard the fleet. Guests will see the program at every venue, from the main restaurant to 7Aft Grill, Paula's Pantry, and 24-hour room service. Signature items include chilled tomato essence, raw hamachi with chile espuma, cured mackerel with verjus and Giaveri Oscietra caviar, Chilean seabass tiradito, lobster ravioli, and veal tenderloin with Porto au jus, plus vegetable-forward plates and new desserts. On shore, Epicurean Expeditions return to the Mediterranean in 2026 and 2027 with guest chefs, sommelier-led pairings, market walks, and tastings that link shipboard dining to local terroir.

Background

Atlas Ocean Voyages has steadily invested in culinary as a brand pillar. In 2024 it introduced The Explorer's Table, an omakase-style specialty experience, and in 2025 it spotlighted a roster of visiting chefs for European sailings. The latest Atlas Ocean Voyages culinary program builds on that framework with deeper sourcing and a broader menu overhaul under Aflenzer's direction. The line's small expedition ships, which carry fewer than 200 guests, allow tight integration between provisioning, presentation, and guest interaction. Epicurean Expeditions, a recurring theme for the brand, focus on the Mediterranean's food cultures, pairing onboard demonstrations and pairings with market visits and producer tastings ashore. This aligns with a wider cruise trend toward destination-driven dining and limited-capacity culinary events at sea, also reflected in specialty charters like the Bobby Flay cruise sets sail on Norwegian Joy in 2026.

Latest developments

New Atlas Ocean Voyages culinary program menus highlight seasonal sourcing

Chef René Aflenzer's refreshed menus roll out across Atlas restaurants and casual outlets, blending contemporary techniques with regional ingredients. Seafood-forward plates include raw hamachi with aqua de chile espuma, cured mackerel with verjus and caviar, and Chilean seabass tiradito dressed in yuzu-passion fruit leche de tigre with crispy quinoa. Heartier courses range from lobster ravioli with garlic butter to veal tenderloin finished with Porto wine. Vegetable-centered dishes-grilled romaine Caesar with herbed white beans, roasted white onion with wild mushroom ragout, and The Aubergine Mess with hummus and chimichurri-expand options for diverse diets. Desserts feature an Infinity Chocolate Peanut Butter cake and a pistachio tart with caramel and crumble. Atlas frames the rollout as part of a "culinary journey" that mirrors the destinations on its expedition routes.

Epicurean Expeditions return to the Mediterranean in 2026 and 2027

Alongside the onboard refresh, Atlas is widening its Epicurean Expeditions-Mediterranean cruise sailings that pair chefs, vintners, and food experts with immersive programming. The 2026 and 2027 deployments add more chef collaborations, guided market-to-table experiences, and shoreside tastings that connect guests to regional traditions. Select 2027 Europe itineraries include expanded Epicurean and Cultural expeditions across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with additional ports and themed enrichment. Atlas positions these sailings as an extension of its intimate, yacht-style approach, using small-ship access and limited-capacity venues to deepen the culinary narrative from sea to shore.

Analysis

Atlas Ocean Voyages is chasing differentiation where small ships can win: sourcing transparency, chef access, and programming that bridges galley and port. The Atlas Ocean Voyages culinary program under René Aflenzer doubles down on seasonality and locality, a smart move when expedition provisioning can be constrained by remote routes. By enlisting producers directly-highlighted by recent partnerships forged in Argentina-the line can build menus with a sense of place rather than defaulting to global hotel standards. The dish list signals technique and contrast more than luxury for luxury's sake: smoke with clarity in a chilled essence, acid and texture in a tiradito, and savory depth in mushroom-driven sides. Pairing this with Epicurean Expeditions adds a throughline for travelers who value learning as much as tasting. It also creates upsell paths that feel substantive, not just ticketing. If executed consistently, the program should raise onboard satisfaction scores, help justify fares in shoulder seasons, and give Atlas a credible culinary story against larger premium competitors.

Final thoughts

For travelers weighing small-ship options, Atlas's culinary update ties what is on the plate to where the ship sails, then extends that story ashore with Epicurean Expeditions. If chef access, market visits, and thoughtful wine pairings matter, these 2026-2027 Mediterranean programs make the case to choose Atlas over a standard itinerary. As menus settle in across venues, the Atlas Ocean Voyages culinary program becomes a clear reason to book.