Seabourn, the ultra-luxury ocean and expedition cruise line, has announced an exciting line-up of adventurous voyages for the summer of 2023 on its two new purpose-built expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. The program includes the line's first-ever voyages to the Northeast and Northwest Passages in the Arctic, where guests will discover two of the world's most remote and fascinating regions filled with an abundance of history, wildlife, and unique landscapes.
Seabourn Venture will depart July 29, 2023, for a 26-day journey across the Northeast Passage from Tromsø, Norway to Nome, Alaska. Its sister ship, Seabourn Pursuit, which is scheduled to launch in March 2023, will offer a 21-day adventure to the infamous Northwest Passage departing August 27, 2023, from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Nome. The expedition ships will be designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards, with advanced technology to maneuver in these regions. These voyages, as well as the entire summer 2023 season, are open for sale on December 15, and additional details will be available on www.seabourn.com.
"Our Northeast Passage and Northwest Passage are truly epic itineraries that are perfect for travelers who want to explore regions less traveled, and take in the landscapes, nature and wildlife they never thought they would ever see," said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. "Seabourn offers the most luxurious and most exclusive ocean and expedition experiences on Earth."
Seabourn's Northeast Passage and Northwest Passage expeditions will trace the footsteps of great explorers and deliver a number of authentic, engaging experiences. Highlights of these voyages, as well as the summer 2023 season on Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, include:
A remote and sparsely inhabited area, the Northeast Passage is a voyage of discovery that very few have ever taken. Among the many highlights guests may experience on this journey are:
The ship will visit a number of interesting destinations throughout the expedition, including:
Seabourn Pursuit will offer the extraordinary opportunity to travel one of the most infamous and storied passages in the world from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Notable experiences include:
In addition, the ship will visit many destinations, including:
Scheduled to launch on March 2023, Seabourn Pursuit will explore the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland & the Canadian Arctic during its maiden season, starting with a 12-day Wild & Ancient Scotland & Iceland pre-inaugural voyage departing on March 23, 2023 from Amsterdam to Reykjavik, Iceland. The ship will then operate a 14-day Lands of Fire & Ice inaugural voyage departing April 4, 2023 roundtrip from Reykjavik. The ship will wind its way along the coast of Greenland and Iceland, where it be filled with snow swept landscapes – the "Ice" – and have a late night in Akureyri, a wonderland providing access to magnificent waterfalls (Goðafoss), hot springs and the lava fields of Dimmuborgir and Leirhnjukur – the "Fire".
Following its launch and inaugural voyage, Seabourn Pursuit will offer a 14-day Lands of Fire & Ice in Greenland and Iceland, followed by a series of explorations of the Arctic Circle from Norway, most with Seabourn's popular Svalbard Experience in the mix, including a 14-day Norway & Iceland Polar Bears & Puffins. A series of 14- and 15-day voyages between Greenland and Iceland will follow, as well as a 12-Day Bering Sea & Inside Passage Cruise visiting destinations along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia, Canada.
Seabourn Venture will embark on its second year of operation in summer 2023, exploring the Arctic, Scotland, Norway & the Russian Arctic. The ship will begin its summer season on May 12, 2023, with a 10-day Wild Isles of Scotland and Iceland voyage from London to Reykjavik, Iceland. The ship will then offer a 12-Day Fjords of the Norwegian Sea voyage, followed by a series of 11- and 12-day expeditions exploring Arctic Svalbard from Norway. In mid-July, the ship will sail on a 14-day Norway, Novaya Zemlya & Franz Joseph Land expedition. After the Northeast Passage journey, Seabourn Venture will explore the Russian Far East with a 14-day Wild Coasts of Kamchatka expedition in August and 14-day Volcanoes & Wildlife of the Kuril Islands voyage in September 2023.
Both Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture are being designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and will include a plethora of modern hardware and technology that will extend the ships global deployment and capabilities. The new ships will be a brand-new innovative design, created specifically for the ultra-luxury expedition traveler, and will include many features that have made Seabourn ships so successful. The vessels will also feature an onboard crew that will include outstanding and well-traveled expedition teams comprised of highly regarded wilderness experts, scientists, historians and naturalists. During each sailing, team members will regularly interact with guests, providing keen insight to deliver a rich holistic travel experience and memories that last a lifetime. These fascinating, accomplished experts are also part of the Seabourn Conversations program, providing in-depth insights into the history, ecology and culture of the places they visit. Their valuable insights are offered both in formal presentations on a variety of topics and in more casual conversations over meals, on deck during scenic cruising or leisure experiences.
Designed by Adam D. Tihany, the ship features public spaces, such as the Expedition Lounge and the Discovery Center, that capture the romanticism of exploration and encourage guests to deepen and share their expedition experiences together.
Both ships are outfitted with a Landing Zone for launching and landing equipment for naturalist-led explorations, with sea kayaks and inflatable Zodiacs on board to accommodate all guests on exhilarating adventures. The ships will also have two battery-powered U-Boat Work Cruise Sub 7 submarines custom designed for Seabourn to open guests' eyes to awe-inspiring perspectives on shipwrecks and natural wonders under the sea. True to the line's reputation for luxury, guests will dive beneath the waves in exquisite comfort guided by their pilot, with each submarine outfitted with custom embroidered leather upholstery, air-conditioning, Bluetooth stereo system, and a Champagne chiller.
A selection of ship renderings is available to download here.
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel. Our all-inclusive, boutique ships offer: all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; and a pedigree in expedition travel borne through the Ventures by Seabourn program. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe travel, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. The line is also the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage.
Guests of Seabourn expeditions experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with Helly Hansen and SWAROVSKI OPTIK, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.
For reservations or more details, please contact a professional travel advisor; call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com. A dedicated shore excursion call center is available for guests at 1-800-984-3225.