Luxury cruise line Seabourn took the wraps off of its first expedition ship, the Seabourn Venture, with a 12-day sailing to the Arctic in July 2022 from its departure port of Tromsø, Norway. In addition to the Arctic, the ship's inaugural summer season takes guests to Greenland, Iceland, and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Seabourn Venture marks a turning point for the cruise line as it enters the luxury expedition cruise market. Previously the cruise line operated six luxury ships, but none were built for expedition cruising. Seabourn Venture was constructed to PC6 Polar Class standards, which is an ice-class designation allowing it to cruise safely in polar waters.
The ship accommodates 264 passengers in 132 veranda suites and has a crew of 120. The cruise line's second expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, is expected to begin service in 2023.
A 26-person Expedition Team travels onboard the Seabourn Venture, interacting with guests on land and at sea. Comprised of professional wilderness experts, scientists, historians, and naturalists, the team offers insights into the history, ecology, and culture of the places the ship visits, making formal presentations throughout the cruises.
From The Arctic To Antarctica And Ports In Between
Destination highlights in the expedition ship's summer 2022 voyages include Greenland, with visits to Scoresby Sound, the world's longest fjord system, and Sermilik Fjord, known for its abundance of icebergs that flow from multiple glaciers.
In the fall of 2022, the ship will travel south to destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, where guests can explore in Zodiacs and kayaks, visit ancient sites, and snorkel among coral gardens. Later in the year and into 2023, Seabourn Venture will sail the fjords and channels of Chile on its way to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. These itineraries will offer guests encounters with icebergs, penguin colonies, and fur seals, along with visits to research stations.
In spring 2023, Seabourn Venture will offer voyages to Brazil and the indigenous villages along the Amazon River.
According to Seabourn, the ship is equipped with kayaks and enough Zodiacs to transport every guest on expeditions at the same time. It also has two custom-built submarines, each accommodating six guests who can explore shipwrecks and other underwater sites.
It's All Luxury All The Time In Seabourn Venture's Public Spaces
Luxurious guest lounge areas abound on Seabourn Venture.
The Expedition Lounge is where guests meet before and after each day's expeditions. It's a cocktail lounge as well and is considered the heart of the ship. A vintage map of Antarctica is on display in the form of an etched glass partition, and two touchscreens show guests photos, navigation and weather charts, and various maps.
The Discovery Center, adjacent to the Expedition Lounge, is billed as the teaching and academic center of the ship and can seat all guests at once. Lectures, briefings, and educational programs by the Expedition Team are held at the center. Also, footage from each day's submarine voyages is shown in this space.
As with all Seabourn cruise ships, the Atrium is a focal point of the Seabourn Venture and features a winding staircase and topography-inspired wall treatments.
There is a full spa and eight dining venues on the ship.
The Restaurant is an open-seating dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the Colonnade is a casual alternative for buffet or table service breakfast and lunch and themed dinners; the Patio offers casual, alfresco dining for lunch; Sushi in The Club serves a variety of sushi bites; and Seabourn Square provides specialty coffees, pastries, sandwiches, and homemade gelati throughout the day and into the evening.
Also, the Pantry in the Bow Lounge is a self-serve area where guests can obtain light fare, while the Constellation Lounge is the location for breakfast pastries and beverages, afternoon tea, and cocktails with tapas in the evening. The ship also offers 24-hour in-suite dining.
Luxurious Veranda Suites To Rest Your Head
The Seabourn Venture is an all-suite ship, and all accommodations have verandas. The largest and most luxurious is the Penthouse Spa Suite which is designed for guests who wish to stay close to the ship's spa and wellness facilities. The 637-square-foot suite features a living area with a dining table; high-definition TV; large windows, and a sliding glass door to the private furnished veranda; a separate bedroom that can be closed off from the rest of the suite; and a marble-lined bathroom with separate shower and bathtub.
Other accommodation choices include the Veranda Suite, which is 355 square feet and offers a separate seating area with a coffee/dining table for two, a queen-sized or two twin beds, a walk-in closet, and a sliding glass door leading to a private furnished veranda.
A slightly larger suite, the Panorama Veranda Suite, provides 417 square feet of living space and has a semi-circular living area with seating and floor-to-ceiling windows. As with the Veranda Suite, guests can choose a queen-sized bed or twin beds.