Seabourn’s first purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Venture, marked its inaugural voyage to Antarctica with an official naming ceremony on 20NOV 2022, when the ship came to a stop in the fast ice of the Weddell Sea, part of the Southern Ocean.
Seabourn Venture’s guests, serving as honorary godparents, joined the ship’s godmother, global adventurer, mountaineer and polar-explorer Alison Levine, who carried out her ceremonial duties virtually, to wish Seabourn Venture many blessings and extraordinary expeditions to come.
Instead of a glass champagne bottle, the onboard team released a bottle made of ice that was broken against the ship, in a unique, icy twist to the time-honoured ship naming tradition.
“We’ve eagerly awaited Seabourn Venture’s maiden voyage to Antarctica since the moment the ship debuted earlier this year,” said Seabourn President Josh Leibowitz. “The extraordinary continent encapsulates exactly what we hope to bring to guests who sail aboard our new ship: adventure, discovery and awe-inspiring wonder. With the beauty of the Antarctic landscape and scenery in the background, it truly was the perfect place to name the most luxurious expedition ship, Seabourn Venture.”
Though Seabourn Venture launched on 27JUL 2022, in Tromsø, Norway, Seabourn chose Antarctica for the naming ceremony as the southernmost continent represents everything for which the ship is intended. The ship departed San Antonio, Chile, on 07NOV 2022, and sailed down the coast of Chile before reaching the icy continent.
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In Antarctica, the ship offered hiking tours and Zodiac rides, all led by a 26-member Expedition Team of wildlife experts, scientists, historians, and naturalists. Guests also had the option to partake in expedition experiences such as kayaking where expedition guides led guests to paddle amongst the arctic landscape, or diving Antarctica by Seabourn’s expedition submarines for an undersea view.
A Maiden Year of Exploration
Between NOV 2022 and FEB 2023, Seabourn Venture will sail on 11- to 22-day voyages to Antarctica, South Georgia and Falkland Islands that will offer up-close encounters with wilderness and wildlife including icebergs, penguin colonies, and fur seals, as well as visits to research stations that have footholds on the continent. The voyages will include multiple daily operations using the Zodiacs for landings and cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula. Optional excursions will also be available, such as kayaking and the ship’s submarines, allowing guests to explore below sea level.
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In MAR and APR 2023, Seabourn Venture will embark on a series of seven- to 12-day expedition voyages in Brazil and the Amazon, visiting many colonial cities on the coast of Brazil and sail into the heart of South America through one of the world’s longest rivers.
Starting in MAY 2023, Seabourn Venture will offer two new itineraries encompassing the British Isles and Iceland. The ship will depart Greenwich (London), United Kingdom on 12MAY 2023 for a 12-day Expedition allowing for wildlife and bird viewing throughout Ireland including the Orkney Archipelago in Northern Scotland before finishing up in Edinburgh, Scotland on 24MAY. From there, the ship will continue her northern trek for 11 days with calls in Scotland before ending in Reykjavik, Iceland on 04JUNE 2023.
Between JUN and AUG 2023, Seabourn Venture will then explore the Arctic with a series of 14- and 15-day voyages to Greenland and Iceland. On 27AUG 2023, the ship will embark on a 23-day journey across the Northwest Passage, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Designed for Exploration
Seabourn Venture is designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and includes modern hardware and technology that extends the ship’s global deployment and capabilities. The ship is a brand-new innovative design and is created specifically for expedition travel.
Along with a crew providing hospitality service, the ship is staffed with a 26-person Expedition Team whose role is to give guests the most from expeditions on land and at sea. Comprised of wilderness experts, scientists, historians and naturalists, the team will regularly interact with guests, providing in-depth insights into the history, ecology and culture of the places they visit. Their 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.
The ship is equipped with kayaks and enough Zodiacs to transport every guest on expeditions at once, as well as two custom-built submarines, each with capacity for six and capability of exploring the natural wonders under the sea.
For more details, please visit Seabourn.
