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Secret Atlas

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Secret Atlas
Company typePrivate
IndustryExpedition cruise, Travel
Founded2019
Headquarters
United Kingdom
Area served
Svalbard, Greenland, Antarctica and South Georgia
Key people
Michele D'Agostino and Mariano Curiel
ServicesExpedition micro cruises
Photo expeditions
Private charters
Websitewww.secretatlas.com

Secret Atlas is a British expedition cruise company, founded in 2019 by Michele D'Agostino and Andy Marsh. The company specializes in expedition micro cruise, photography expeditions and private charters for small groups to the Arctic and Antarctic.[1]

History

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Secret Atlas was established in 2019 by Michele D'Agostino.[2] The objective was to share the passion for exploration of the polar regions through "expedition micro cruises", with only 12 guests for Arctic expeditions.[3][4][5][6]

Initially, Secret Atlas operated in the Svalbard archipelago, chartering available vessels.[7] In 2020, the company became a provisional member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).[8] In 2022, Secret Atlas introduced the MV Vikingfjord, a completely refurbished, ice-strengthened former buoy-laying vessel, which began Arctic operations in Svalbard in 2023.[9][10] The company also joined the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

Secret Atlas became the first affiliate of the Polar Tourism Guide Association and joined the Expedition Cruise Network.[11][12]

In early 2023, polar explorer Mariano Curiel joined the company as partner and head of operations and sustainability, contributing over 200 polar expeditions of experience.[13][14][15]

In 2024, Secret Atlas designed its first Expedition Micro Cruises to Antarctica and South Georgia and expanded operations to East Greenland, focusing on Scoresby Sund.[16][17][18][19][20] The company also added the MV Freya to its fleet, with an exclusive commercial agreement.[21][22][23]

Environmental commitment

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Secret Atlas uses eco-friendly technologies, offsets carbon emissions, and adheres to sustainability guidelines set by AECO and IAATO. The company partners with organizations such as 1% for the Planet and supports marine biology research through programs like Yachts for Science.[14][24]

Polar fleet

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Name Year Shipyard Capacity Rating Notes
MV Vikingfjord (formerly Hekkingen) 1974 (Retrofitted 2013) Simek AS 12 1B [6][10]
MV Freya (formerly Freya AV, Skattegarde, Fyrbjorn) 1981 (Refurbished 2015, Renovated 2024) ASI Verkstads, Amal, Sweden 12 1A [21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Secret Atlas - Arctic & Antarctic - Expedition Micro Cruises Private Expeditions" (PDF).
  2. ^ Ayling, Kim (2023-05-01). "Secret Atlas Founder on Creating a New Type of Cruise". Elite Traveler. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  3. ^ gecpr (2024-07-25). "Secret Atlas Announces Largest Ever Expedition Micro Cruise Schedule for 2025 | GEC PR Marketing Communications". Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  4. ^ "Secret Atlas Unveils 2025 Expedition Roster for Exclusive Journeys to Earth's Hidden Gems". 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  5. ^ "Secret Atlas unveils 2025 polar voyages".
  6. ^ a b Jenny (2023-01-23). "Secret Atlas launches micro Polar expedition cruises". Globetrender. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  7. ^ Staff, DRIFT (2022-04-11). "Secret Atlas Launches Sustainable Expedition Cruises". Drift Travel Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  8. ^ Anne (2020-09-09). "AECO welcomes Secret Atlas as a Provisional Member | AECO". Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  9. ^ Nunn, Lewis. "Secret Atlas Announces The Launch Of MV Vikingfjord". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  10. ^ a b "Secret Atlas: Micro Ship Cruises". Cruising Journal. 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  11. ^ Ltd, Jacobs Media Group. "Expedition Cruise Network announces three new members". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  12. ^ "Affiliate Members". Polar Tourism. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  13. ^ "Polar explorer Mariano Curiel is Secret Atlas' new partner, and head of operations and sustainability".
  14. ^ a b "The remarkable discovery giving new significance to a remote Arctic outpost". www.boatinternational.com. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  15. ^ "'Micro cruises' setting new standards in luxury expedition travel". TTG. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  16. ^ "Discover The World's Most Remote Community On Secret Atlas' New East Greenland Micro Cruise To Scoresby Sund". 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  17. ^ Staff, Geographical (2024-07-19). "Explore the Untouched Wilderness of East Greenland on an Expedition Micro Cruise with Secret Atlas". Geographical. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  18. ^ Staff, DIVE (2024-07-19). "Discover remote East Greenland on a Secret Atlas Expedition Micro Cruise". DIVE Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  19. ^ MoralCompass (2024-07-31). "Discover the Remote Wonders of East Greenland with Secret Atlas". Moral Compass: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  20. ^ "Fresh from her maiden voyage to Svalbard, with Secret Atlas, "Polar Pioneer" Heads South To Antarctica South Georgia | Late Cruise News". 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  21. ^ a b Palamountain, Olivia (2024-10-07). "Secret Atlas to deploy MV Freya on Arctic voyages in 2025". Globetrender. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  22. ^ Koumelis, Theodore (2024-07-29). "Secret Atlas announces largest ever expedition micro cruise schedule for 2025". TravelDailyNews International. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  23. ^ gecpr (2024-09-09). "Secret Atlas Grows As Expedition Micro Cruise Leaders Signing Exclusive Agreement With Mv Freya For Arctic 2025 Season". Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  24. ^ "1% for the Planet". directories.onepercentfortheplanet.org. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
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