News / Atlas Ocean Voyages announces Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops for the 2026 season

Guests will find Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops on all 2026 Cultural Expeditions sailings

Atlas Ocean Voyages announces Afar Recommends, a curated collection of cultural experiences developed in partnership with Afar, the award-winning travel media brand. New for the 2026 season, select expeditions will feature Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops across Northern Europe and the Caribbean.

Guests will find Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops on all 2026 Cultural Expeditions sailings. Guided by a resident astronomer, Afar Recommends: Stargazing & Astronomy Workshops offer captivating insights into the universe through expert-led talks and on-deck stargazing sessions. The collection also features thoughtfully curated shore excursions identified by the Afar Recommends icon that immerse guests in local culture through authentic encounters, hands-on workshops, national pastimes, and regional cuisine.

Featured Experts

As Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Resident Astronomer, Jonathan H. Ward delivers a dynamic blend of space history, astrophotography insight, and celestial exploration. He leads engaging enrichment lectures, interactive workshops, and onboard stargazing sessions that illuminate the cosmos throughout the voyage.

World Voyager — London roundtrip, June 1, 2026
World Voyager — London to Copenhagen, June 15, 2026
World Navigator — August 11, 2026

Charles Barclay, Astronomer and former Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society, brings a lifetime of astronomy education and outreach to the Cultural Expeditions program. He delivers illuminating presentations on astrophysics and engages guests in lively cosmic discourse.

World Navigator — August 11, 2026
World Voyager — September 21, 2026
World Navigator — October 14, 2026

Ian Ridpath, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, acclaimed author, and renowned astronomy lecturer, is known for making the science of the skies accessible and engaging. His talks cover constellation mythology, the history of space discovery, and celestial navigation.