If Seabourn Cruise Line’s ships were cars displayed at an automobile dealership, potential customers would surely gravitate toward Seabourn Venture, the latest expedition model. The gleaming white luxury vessels still turn heads, but the svelte angular lines and dark hull — sporting a unique forest-green color scheme outlined in vibrant orange — attract even greater attention.
Accommodating up to 264 guests, Seabourn Venture is the smallest ship in the fleet, but it comes with many Seabourn favorites, as well as a few changes. Most noticeably missing, due to limited space, is The Grill by Thomas Keller and a casino. But new cabins up the ante for the brand with its first-ever loft-style accommodations. The pair of Wintergarden Suites cover two levels, with a massive expanse of glass overlooking an inviting veranda and vistas beyond.
Also exclusive to Venture are Panorama Veranda Suites with both an outdoor balcony and an indoor seating nook with windows pushed all the way to the side of the ship, ideal for polar climes.
The most important thing to know about this product is that we don’t compromise on quality at all.
Our Veranda Suite would be most familiar to Seabourn loyalists, with comparable comforts and layouts transferred over from other ships. To maintain the inclusion of a bathtub, corner-clipped showers are smaller by recent standards, but newly introduced for expeditions is a handy drying closet for wet jackets and rain pants, in addition to a walk-in wardrobe. Waterproof boots are also provided for use, but those are stored in cubbies down in the Landing Zone mudrooms.
“The most important thing to know about this product is that we don’t compromise on quality at all,” said Robin West, vice president and general manager of expeditions for Seabourn, who was onboard our cruise from Greenland to Iceland in the Arctic.
Panorama Veranda Suites have both an outdoor balcony and an indoor nook.
Credit: 2023 Jason LeppertShip Features, Onboard Restaurants and Excursions
Conveniently located just one deck above the mudrooms is the Expedition Lounge, complete with its own bar (alcohol is included in the rate on Seabourn) and outfitted with two faux fireplaces. It’s a great spot for relaxing before excursions — certainly much better than queuing up.
In addition, unlike other ships in the fleet, the Discovery Center is positioned forward, replacing the Grand Salon. This is the spot for daily recaps and briefings from the expert, 24-person expedition staff, as well as a slate of great guest entertainers.
Frequent cruisers will appreciate that Seabourn Venture not only has the usual observation lounge up top, but also a secondary Bow Lounge nestled right behind the prow. It’s a neat addition to have three sets of navigation screens here — mirroring those on the bridge to monitor the ship’s progress.
The ship also features a unique bowsprit (the rod at the very front of the ship) that cantilevers out over the hull for mesmerizing perspectives as the ship propels through icefields. The ship’s four exterior whirlpools and heated infinity pool overlooking the stern are also nice vantage points, as are its complimentary dry saunas, which are part of the ship’s spa, salon and fitness offerings.
Without celebrity chef Keller’s presence, cuisine on Venture mostly lives up to Seabourn’s standards. The Restaurant offers full-service dinners and other meals, and The Colonnade is the ship’s self-service buffet for breakfast and lunch prior to serving alternating dinners based on global cuisines. Sushi, snacks and teatime are available throughout the day at various other lounges, and 24-hour room service has been recently revamped. The line’s signature caviar events are also in full force on and off the ship.
Off-ship activities include kayaking.
Credit: 2023 Jason LeppertSeabourn Venture is mostly all-inclusive — extending to Zodiac cruises and landings, hikes and some shore tours — but taking the eight double kayaks and two submarines out does cost extra ($200 and $900, respectively). Having experienced both firsthand, though, they really are not to be missed. We paddled during one morning in Eternity Fjord among glacial ice as rugged mountains towered above us, and in Maniitsoq, Greenland, we dove 387 feet down to the sea floor where we discovered sparkling bioluminescent jellyfish, sea squirts and an Atlantic wolffish.
Seabourn Venture is sailing now, and its sister ship — Seabourn Pursuit — will follow in the fall of 2023, possibly heading off to more tropical destinations including Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
Whatever the itineraries, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit are sure to take adventure to the next level.
