Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the world’s stateliest cities and proudest capitals, it’s built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthur’s Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburgh’s character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 “for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge,” remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the world’s best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you haven’t earned your porridge until you’ve climbed Arthur’s Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburgh’s highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.
Longyearbyen is the biggest settlement in Svalbard. Seat of the Norwegian administration, it also has the best services and infrastructure in the archipelago. Located deep in the Adventfjord, a sidearm of the Isfjorden (Icefjord), Longyearbyen’s airport can be used all-year round, but its harbor is blocked by ice in winter. Most shops, hotels, restaurants and a hospital are within easy walking distance of the port. One of the most prominent buildings in town is the UNIS center, where several Norwegian universities have joined forces to operate and offer the northernmost higher education to both Norwegian and international students. Adjacent to UNIS, and well worth a visit, is the Svalbard Museum, covering the natural history and exploitation of Svalbard. Remnants of the former mining activity can be seen all around Longyearbyen and even in town.
A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.
A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.
A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.
A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.
A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.
Described as one of the most remote islands in the world, Jan Mayen liesbetween Norway to the east and Greenland to the west. It is a rugged volcanicisland 34 miles long and is made up of two parts – the larger section to thenorth (Beerenbeg Volcano) and the longer but narrower section to the south. Amile-wide isthmus links these two parts. Geologically, the island was formed bya ‘hotspot’ where molten magma pushes up through the earth’s crust to createvolcanoes in the middle of nowhere. Politically, Jan Mayen is an integral partof Norway. The eighteen people living on the island work for either the NorwegianArmed Forces or the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Their main purpose isto operate the Loran-C radio navigation system. From 1615 to 1638, the Dutchran a whaling station here. Today, the island is a nature reserve underNorwegian jurisdiction aimed at preserving the pristine Arctic island and themarine life, including the ocean floor.
Akureyri, called the Capital of the North is the second largest urban area in Iceland, and a lively one at that. Hemmed by the 60-km (37-mile) long Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is sheltered from the ocean winds and embraced by mountains on three sides. Late 19th-century wooden houses impart a sense of history, and the twin spires of a modern Lutheran church rising on a green hill near the waterfront, provide a focal point. To the south of Akureyri is the pyramid-shape rhyolite mountain Súlur. Beyond it is Kerling, the highest peak in Eyjafjörður District.
Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation’s nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island’s population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík’s name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there’s no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city’s seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.
All Grand Wintergarden Suites onboard Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalised stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Expansive apartment-style suite stretching over two decks located midship. Entry opens to seamless double height views and generous lower level living area large enough for entertaining with a dining table for four, separate guest bath and pantry with wet bar stocked with a customised selection of spirits. Sculptured staircase leading to upper level and the master bedroom with a queen-sized Duxiana Axion 15 adjustable high-performance sleep system facing expansive windows, a wall of closets along with advanced technology including a roll-up LG OLED TV. Separate walk-in closet adjacent to the five-piece bathroom complete with a whirlpool spa tub and separate shower. Wintergarden suite guests also enjoy wildlife and vista spotting using a Swarovski ATX Interior spotting scope. The tripod-mounted scope, with its 25-60×85 lens capability, is for use in-suite while onboard. Entertainment experience features a high-end Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5 speaker system and Bang & Olufsen H4 Bluetooth headphones for guest use onboard.
All Wintergarden Suites onboard Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalised stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Expansive apartment-style suite stretching over two decks located midship. Entry opens to seamless double height views and generous lower level living area large enough for entertaining with a dining table for four, separate guest bath and pantry with wet bar stocked with a customised selection of spirits. Sculptured staircase leading to upper level and the master bedroom with a queen-sized Duxiana Axion 15 adjustable high-performance sleep system facing expansive windows, a wall of closets along with advanced technology including a roll-up LG OLED TV. Separate walk-in closet adjacent to the five-piece bathroom complete with a whirlpool spa tub and separate shower. Wintergarden suite guests also enjoy wildlife and vista spotting using a Swarovski ATX Interior spotting scope. The tripod-mounted scope, with its 25-60×85 lens capability, is for use in-suite while onboard. Entertainment experience features a high-end Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5 speaker system and Bang & Olufsen H4 Bluetooth headphones for guest use onboard.
All Signature Suites onboard Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet, personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalised stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Foyer entry to living area with high-definition TV, dining table for four, guest bath, pantry with wet bar and large windows. Separate bedroom with queen-sized bed, makeup vanity, generous closet space and a glass door leading to a large curved 595 square foot veranda that includes its own canopied whirlpool spa tub, sun loungers, sofa and chairs. A five-piece bathroom with a separate shower and tub.
Owner’s Suites on Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; extra-large walk-in closet for expedition gear; personal safe; interactive flat-screen TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalised stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom with double vanities, tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Entry with large closet to store gear and personal belongings. Comfortable living area with high-definition TV, writing desk and dining table for two for meals in-suite. Glass door leading to a curved veranda with sun loungers and a table for four. Separate bedroom with queen-sized bed has its own high-definition TV, a large window, makeup vanity and walk-in closet. Five-piece bathroom designed with multiple doors that can create a half-bath, and also features a separate shower and bathtub.
All Penthouse Suites onboard Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalised stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Living area with dining table for two to enjoy in-suite dining, high-definition TV, large windows, sliding glass door to the private furnished veranda and makeup vanity. A separate bedroom that can be closed off from the rest of the suite with high-definition TV. Marble-lined bathroom with separate shower and bathtub. Penthouse Suites also come with a convenient Nespresso® machine with a variety of coffee choices.
All Panorama Veranda Suites onboard Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalised stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Semi-circular separate living area with comfortable seating and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Queen-sized bed or twin beds oriented to face the windows to enjoy views of beautiful scenery and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Bathroom features a separate shower and large soaking tub placed next to a wide window.
*Some veranda sizes vary.
All Veranda Suites onboard Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalized stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Separate seating area with coffee/dining table for two, which is ideal for in-suite snacking or an intimate meal at any time of the day. A queen-sized or two twin beds, spacious walk-in closet with ample room for a traveler’s wardrobe, and sliding glass door leading to a private furnished veranda. Bathroom with separate shower and tub.
*Some veranda sizes vary.
All Veranda Spa Suites onboard Seabourn Venture feature a comfortable living area; private veranda; queen-size bed or two twin beds; walk-in closet; personal safe; interactive TV with music and movies; fully stocked bar and refrigerator; writing desk with personalised stationery; makeup vanity; spacious bathroom, separate tub and shower, plush robes, slippers, luxury health and beauty products, hairdryer and 110/220V AC outlets.
Our more casual, indoor/outdoor alternative, features an open kitchen, lavish buffets or table service for breakfasts and lunch, and serves regionally themed, bistro-style dinners with table service nightly. At The Colonnade, special theme nights feature Chef Keller-influenced dinners that pay homage to his American childhood. His interpretations of classic comfort dishes, such as Clam Bake and BBQ Ribs will be served family-style on platters to complement the essence of sharing in a relaxed spirit of fun and togetherness. *Chef Thomas Keller influenced menu served family-style in The Colonnade are available for reservations once onboard.
Before Seabourn, open-seating dining on a cruise ship was unheard of. Come when you like, with whom you please, and be seated as you wish. The room is beautiful, the cuisine is exquisite, and the service is simultaneously flawless, friendly and fun.
Each evening, our skilled Earth & Ocean chefs create an imaginative array of fresh, inventive dishes—a sophisticated menu celebrating eclectic traditional flavours from around the world, served in a relaxed setting under the stars for a distinctive dining experience unlike any other on board.
The Grill by Thomas Keller is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, exclusive to Seabourn. Guests setting foot inside the elegant dining room will be treated to table-side preparations of Caesar salad and ice cream sundaes as well as a range of other steakhouse favorites like Lobster Thermidor and creamed spinach, presented à la carte. The timeless menu will draw on the freshest products from artisan purveyors. A cocktail program and wine list of domestic and old-world labels complement the menu. For Booked Guests: Dining reservations for The Grill by Thomas Keller can be requested online prior to sailing, subject to availability. Online reservations close 15 days prior to sailing. Due to high demand, online reservations are recommended, however, reservations can also be made on board. One reservation permitted per voyage. For additional details or to make a reservation, log in and customize your itinerary.
The Constellation Lounge will be the highest indoor viewing point on each ship. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls will wrap around the space, offering guests stunning 270-degree, outward-facing views as far as their eyes can see, heightening their expeditionary spirit while bringing them closer to wildlife and wonders at sea and in port.
Relaxed poolside dining offering luncheon buffets, salads, soups, grilled specialties and freshly baked pizza. Dinners feature a full menu in an alfresco setting. For The Patio, Chef Keller has developed exclusively for us, a signature Napa burger, as well as an artisanal hot dog dubbed the Yountwurst, named for the hometown of The French Laundry, Ad Hoc, and the original Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery.
Seabourn is pleased to offer a varied menu available around the clock for service in your suite. You may also order dinner from The Restaurant menu and have your meal served, course by course, in your suite or on your veranda.
The Landing Zone is the area where exploration begins. There are two landing zones, port and starboard side on Deck 3. The launch and recovery point for landings, it’s a spacious environment where guests change and clean their gear in comfort, as well as a place to store excursion essentials like boots. It’s designed for functionality, accessibility and ease, offering direct access to one of the 24 Zodiacs available for Ventures by Seabourn® adventures. In tropical areas, it’s the place to kick off scuba, snorkelling and similar undersea adventures.
The Discovery Centre is the place to gain in-depth knowledge of every place of interest you encounter in your journey. In this theatre — which can accommodate all guests on board at once — our world-class, 26-person Expedition Team routinely delivers fascinating, interactive lectures on topics pertinent to the region where guests are sailing (with the help of an over-30-foot-wide, high-definition screen).
The art of conversation has always been central to the Seabourn experience.
Our voyages attract interesting, interested people –people who enjoy talking together, sharing their interests, their adventures and discoveries, and their life stories with longtime and newfound friends. Their enthusiasms and curiosity are far-ranging, and these are what spark their desire to travel the world.
To encourage and enhance this satisfying aspect of your Seabourn voyage, we invite luminaries of particular interest and accomplishment to join our guests on board – and bring fascinating insights, expert opinions and delightfully entertaining diversions to the conversation.
Daring explorers, heralded chefs, learned scholars, celebrated performers and renowned experts from every arena of the arts, sciences, politics and the humanities share your journey on our intimate ships. They each bring skilled presentations of their expertise for guests to enjoy. But just as importantly, they participate in the daily social scene, sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats throughout the voyage. On some ships, they lecture. On Seabourn, they join the conversation.
Seabourn is pleased to announce in partnership with The Onboard Spa by Steiner, we have created a fleet-wide mindful living program offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being. The new Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil program will be the first-ever of its kind at sea. The new program will be led by the newly established position, The Wellness Guide. The Guide, will be a certified yoga and meditation practitioner who will inspire and educate all guests through various complimentary classes and gatherings throughout the voyage. Guests who choose to participate in this new program will have a cruise experience that is further enhanced by a holistic mind and body perspective. The program kicked off with Dr. Weil sailing on Seabourn Encore’s inaugural cruise in January 2017. The program will be rolled out throughout the entire Seabourn fleet in 2017, including Seabourn Ovation in spring of 2018. Dr. Weil will sail on a different Seabourn ship each year where he will deliver a 60-minute lecture for guests and will also offer smaller informal group discussions. A separate team of wellness experts will also make regular visits to spa facilities throughout the Seabourn fleet. Central to the program is the daily practice of meditation and yoga through a selection of complimentary sessions. Guests can experience Mindful Meditation, which will introduce positive affirmations and mantras they can reflect on throughout the day. There will also be daily restorative yoga classes which will continue to focus upon the mantra and positive affirmations. Yoga classes will be varied, offering guests the ability to choose classes that focus on various physical issues, such as yoga to heal back and joint pain, headaches and body alignment, as well as yoga to enhance creativity, mental focus and happiness. Classes will focus on mind, body and spirit over a period of seven days, and will change daily with a new theme. Integral to the wellness program are enriching complimentary Mind and Body seminars designed to educate guests on philosophies and practices that are aligned with the program’s mission. Each presentation will aim to empower guests with ideas and practices that enhance well-being and increase the awareness of connection between mind, body, environment and wellness. Seminars are created by Dr. Weil and Steiner’s Wellness professionals, many of which will be based upon Dr. Weil’s teachings, and will explore the fields of the healing arts. The launch of the Mind and Body Wellness Program with Dr. Andrew Weil deepens the already wellness-focused Seabourn spa program that offers a wide range of body massages, facials, fitness and beauty treatments. Lending itself to the program is the powerfully aromatic Thai Poultice massages that use the traditionally prepared steamed herbs of Camphor, Kaffir Lime, Prai, Turmeric and Lemon Grass in muslin poultices to melt away stress and tension, or nourishing desecrated Coconut that nurtures the body with soothing fats and lipids. Guests will also find Deeper than Deep Hot Stone Massage, Bamboo Massage and Freestyle Massage to engage their minds and bodies.
One of the most FUN evenings during any cruise, Evenings Under the Stars is a night where guests can let their hair down and simply be in the moment. Enjoy Let’s Dance! with great live music, interact with fellow travelers and be spoiled in true Seabourn style by our food and beverage team with Desserts Under the Stars. A signature event, this dance party has been a part of the line’s rich culture, and a Seabourn cruise is not complete without Let’s Dance! and Desserts Under The Stars. Weather permitting, this high-energy dance party is hosted poolside and under the stars by the entire entertainment team, featuring performances by The Band, vocalists and dancers. There is even the possibility your Cruise Director and Assistant Cruise Director might jump on stage to perform, as well! Guests can expect music that appeals to everyone’s taste with a great mix of hit songs. It’s a real treat and guests LOVE Evenings Under the Stars!
Shopping with the Chef — at local food markets. Shop a bustling Sicilian market, gather spices in Istanbul or explore the local wines of Tuscany and Provence. Wherever you are in the world, you’ll enjoy an insider’s look at unique regional markets with an expert Seabourn chef as your guide
Discover the Wonders that Wait Under the Waterline in Seabourn’s Luxurious New Expedition Submarines
Consider it the ultimate luxury perk on the ultimate luxury expedition ships: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the wonders of the ocean floor in the comfort of Seabourn’s custom submarines.
The deeper you explore beneath the ocean’s surface, the more unique the scenery becomes, and the more secrets the sea reveals, from incredible sunken shipwrecks to stunning coral reefs to unique marine wildlife normally hidden from human view.
The only way to experience this otherworldly realm is by submarine, and at Seabourn our exacting standards for comfort and luxury mean these undersea explorations take place in custom-built submarines crafted to be the best at the sea.
Each environmentally friendly, battery-powered sub carries just seven people — six guests, three each in two clear acrylic spheres — plus the highly trained pilot guiding the journey. The intimate and innovative new exploration vehicles are capable of diving to depths of 300 meters (984 feet) offering passengers an awe-inspiring perspective of the marine world just outside. Thanks to undisturbed and undistorted views in virtually all directions you’ll come face-to-face with the wonders that lie below the waterline.
Not only will passengers be kept dry and comfortable while the submarine dives under the sea, in keeping with the ultra-luxury experience found on Seabourn, subs are outfitted with custom-embroidered leather upholstery, a Bluetooth stereo system, air conditioning, and champagne chiller so you can toast your extraordinary journey.
Rendering of Seabourn expedition submarine being launched in to the water from a special cargo hold on Expedition ships
To memorialize your time under the sea, the subs are outfitted with a high-tech, 4K underwater video camera system that will capture your underwater experience. The videos will be screened in the Discovery Center for workshops and conversations with guests that are led by marine biologist or oceanographer Expeditions leaders.
This is truly the adventure of a lifetime. Experience it for yourself when Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit set sail for breathtaking locations and remote destinations in the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit’s submarines are a high-profile amenity of its expedition capabilities. Itineraries where submarines may be deployed are indicated by an icon, however their use is limited by conditions of currents and visibility, cannot be guaranteed, and are at the Captain’s discretion.
The Expedition Lounge, located on Deck 4, is the heart of the ship. A gathering place for the curious, guests are invited to relax or linger with a complimentary cocktail or glass of fine wine from the bar as they share photos and stories from the day with their fellow travelers and the onboard staff. The Expedition Lounge will be central to the Seabourn expedition operation where guests convene before and after expeditions each day.
Custom furniture designed in a variety of warm, natural materials creates an inviting, tactile atmosphere. An ode to the adventurous, the Expedition Lounge features an etched glass partition displaying a vintage map of Antarctica and vitrines showcasing intricate tools and devices of the trade. Two large touchscreens will also display a wealth of information including photos, navigational charts, weather charts, and maps.
Many veteran cruisers specifically choose cruises that provide at least a few days at sea. The Card Room is a great choice for the sea-loving cruiser who craves that languorous feeling of lazy leisure. There will be loads of on board activities during those days, including a great game of bridge.
Open for afternoon tea then transforms into a dance club in the evening. Socialise while enjoying cocktails, live music, and great company.
Stunning lounge with a bar and panoramic views. Enjoy Coffee and Tea served every morning, and drinks before or after dinner.
Photo: Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest
Whether you’re taking a dip with friends or relaxing your muscles at the end of an adventure-filled day, we’ve got plenty of aquatic inspiration right on-board — from an elegant infinity pool to a variety of therapeutic whirlpools.
A spot for enjoying your daily newspaper, socialising with your fellow passengers, discovering a good book, or getting a little work done (but hopefully not too much of the latter…), this club-like environment is designed for equal parts productivity and relaxation. It’s as much a place to escape as it is to reconnect with the world on-shore.
Located on Deck 6, at the forward-most part of the vessel, the Bow Lounge provides the closest access to water level via the foredeck, making it the perfect spot for guests to spend some time watching for marine life. Within a few steps, guests can be outside, with a vantage point that is ideal to watch the ship’s course, spot wildlife, or take in the beautiful natural scenery.
The Sky Bar is a place to enjoy a refreshing tropical beverage during the day, or an evening cocktail under the stars.
For meetings and gatherings, our ships offer meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 40 guests. The meeting rooms can be arranged to guests’ specifications including theater-style or with tables; and each of the rooms have large-screen TVs for presentations. Guests may also reserve the Card Room when available. Our crew members are happy to assist guests with meeting room reservations and setup.
Whether you’re buying souvenirs for your friends at home or want a memento of your vacation, our Shops will have what you need. Shop for fashion and cosmetics at The Boutique, jewelry and fine watches at The Collection, or logo cruisewear at the Shop.
Spa & Wellness, our onboard wellness program, focuses on mindful living (along with some major pampering). This carries through to both spa experiences and fitness and wellness classes, all offered by on-board wellness experts. And if you’re not taking part in one of the wellness programs, it’s just a good place to grab a great workout, with state-of-the-art equipment and luxurious amenities.
From quick touch-ups, to a whole new look for dinner, to a relaxing massage, the Spa & Salon is an oasis of comfort, providing the option for individual pampering that’ll truly make relaxation a key part of your vacation. It’s also a great place to unwind after an offshore excursion adventure. Extend your expedition into your own physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being with our first-ever program of its kind at sea. Based on Dr. Weil’s groundbreaking research and bestselling books, the program incorporates a holistic mind and body approach including:
Seabourn is committed to providing safe, easy, and accessible accommodations for all persons with disabilities, to the extent that is feasible. It is for this reason that Seabourn is honoured to be a part of Carnival Corp., which received the Society For Accessible Travel & Hospitality’s (SATH) “Access to Freedom” award. This award is the highest honour in the travel industry that SATH presents to recognise individuals or organisations that have made the greatest strides in advancing opportunities for persons with disabilities, and for promoting the awareness of, and access for, travellers with disabilities.
The Importance of Planning Ahead
Seabourn does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability. We seek, to the extent feasible, to accommodate guests with disabilities. However, some needs require adequate time to prepare for a guest’s arrival. It is recommended that guests make every effort to contact Guest Accessibility and to submit a Special Requirements Information form (SRI) well in advance of the departure of their cruise and/or cruise tour. We recommend submitting an SRI upon booking or a minimum of 45 days prior to departure.
Guests who are unable to care for their basic needs (e.g. dressing, eating, and attending safety drills) MUST have a capable traveling companion. The medical staff on board is not available for daily care unless an individual is hospitalised in the ship’s Medical Centre. In limited situations (either on board or ashore), we may find it necessary to ask the individual to make alternative travel arrangements, such as if an individual with a disability is unable to satisfy certain specified safety and other criteria, even when provided with appropriate auxiliary aids and services.
Our vessels have specially designed suites for guests who need mobility assistance. If you have not booked one of these accessible suites but instead will be using a standard suite you need to know about some limitations that adversely impact manoeuvrability, especially ingress and egress. Most entry doors and bathroom doors in non-accessible suites measure 23 inches wide. Bathrooms have a doorsill and the bathtubs are often difficult to negotiate for guests who have limited mobility. Passageways within the suite may be too narrow for a wheelchair or scooter to manoeuvre throughout the suite.
Accessible Suites offer features such as wider entry doors to the suite and bathroom measuring a minimum of 32 inches wide, accessible showers with grab bars, benches/seats, and hand-held shower heads as well as lowered closed and towel rods.
Accessible suite numbers are detailed in the section below by ship and their locations are noted on the deck plans for each ship within the “Onboard Life” section of this website.
Note: For safety reasons, mobility devices must be stored and charged in the guest’s suite.
If you are on an Expedition voyage click here for information. If you are on another Seabourn voyage please find the below information applicable to your cruise.
Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest
Seabourn only permits service animals on board, defined as those animals that are individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. We do not permit our guests to bring pets, therapy/companion animals, and other animals that do not meet the definition of service animals. If you have any questions about whether the animal you wish to bring on board is, in fact, a service animal, you may contact Guest Accessibility.
Your itinerary may include ports of call that have very specific and strict requirements that need to be met prior to your service animal being allowed off of the ship. Please be sure you understand the requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call. The best places to obtain specific information on required documentation and immunisations for your service animal are the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website, local customs offices in the specific ports, and from your service animal’s veterinarian. All documentation and immunisation requirements are established by government authorities and not by Seabourn. Should you need assistance in locating this information, please contact Guest Accessibility.
To board the ship, your service animal must have current vaccinations. Records confirming the vaccination status should be provided to Guest Accessibility prior to your departure. We also recommend that you carry the immunisation records with you in case they are required at any port of call. If you do not have the proper documentation and proof of vaccinations for your service animal required at a port of call, or if there are local quarantine requirements, your service animal will be denied the right to leave the ship. If your service animal is denied the right to leave the ship in a specific port of call, the staff and crew will work with you to determine what actions may be possible to allow you to visit the port without your service animal. Please note that in your absence, you will need to provide for the care and supervision of your service animal. Except in those circumstances where your service animal has been denied disembarkation, you may not leave your service animal unattended on the vessel or in your suite at any time.
The Australian quarantine authorities have changed their approach regarding service dogs on-board cruise ships. Unfortunately, their new approach makes it practically impossible for us to accept service animals on domestic or roundtrip cruises from Australia. The Department of Agriculture now considers these cruises to be akin to an international voyage and therefore under ‘biosecurity control’. As a company, we are incredibly disappointed with the Department’s new approach, and we have written to the Federal Minister to ask for a return to their previous way of doing things. At this time guests will not be able to travel with service animals on voyages that end in Australia or call upon a port in Australia after visiting a foreign country. Guests sailing on voyages that begin in Australia will be able to sail with their service animal provided the voyage does not return to Australia after visiting a foreign port. Should you have further questions please contact Guest Accessibility via email at Access@Seabourn.com.
For guests with food intolerances or allergies that are not life-threatening, please contact our Reservations Department. For guests with life-threatening food allergies, we ask that guests provide detailed information to Guest Accessibility by completing a Special Requirements Information form (SRI). Guests should indicate on this form which foods may potentially cause a severe reaction.
Guests with a variety of severe food allergies sail with Seabourn regularly. Our galley staff on board is accustomed to and experienced in dealing with these types of needs. The galley itself has many different areas of food preparation, which can help reduce the possibility of cross-contamination. It is important to note, however, that meals are prepared in open galleys on board the ships, thus there is always the possibility of some cross-contamination. As such, Seabourn cannot guarantee that a guest will not come in contact with those items. Although Guest Accessibility will provide the ship with an advance notice of all food allergies detailed on an SRI submitted to them, it is recommended that guests also contact the Maitre d’ upon boarding to review the details of these special dietary needs.
Guests under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone who is at least 21 years old; one adult chaperone is required for every five people under age 21. A guest must be at least 6 years of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail on voyages to Antarctica or on Expedition Cruises. We will not accept reservations for infants 6 months or younger for non-transocean sailings, 12 months or younger for transocean sailings at the time the cruise commences. Seabourn cannot accept a booking or carry any guest who will be 24 completed weeks or more pregnant on the last day of the intended cruise. All pregnant women are required to produce a physician’s letter stating that mother and baby are in good health, fit to travel, and that the pregnancy is not high-risk.
Attire During the Day
In the evening (after 6pm) there are two different dress codes:
Elegant Casual
Formal
The itinerary in the preliminary document booklet will inform you of the number of Formal evenings to expect during your voyage. As a rule of thumb, Formal evenings are scheduled as follows:
(Note: Extended Explorations, Holiday voyages and crossings may be scheduled differently.)
Attire Ashore
Packing clothing that can be layered is the best way to plan for cruising in virtually any climate. For tropical cruises, bring light, loose-fitting garments that can be paired with a lightweight jacket or sweater. For cooler climates, pack extra layers of warmer garments such as a light top coat and some sweaters. When dressing to go ashore, it is helpful to be aware of the customs of the countries you are visiting. In some ports men and women should not wear shorts. Many cultures prefer that women wear dresses or skirts when visiting shrines, churches, mosques and temples.
Some of our more adventurous destinations like Alaska and Antarctica voyages have additional special packing requirements.
Please Note: Firearms, explosives, fireworks, other weapons and knives or sharp blades over 2.5 inches long and illegal drugs of any kind are prohibited without exception.
Full list of Prohibited Items
For safety reasons drones and any other remote controlled aerial devices/toys, as well as hoverboards or similar devices are not allowed on board our ships.
ON SEABOURN VENTURE AND SEABOURN PURSUIT:
We are implementing a “no smoking” policy on Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, our two expedition ships, which includes e-cigarettes. Expedition travel visits many remote and rarely visited environments that are pristine, with diverse ecosystems and wildlife. We have implemented this policy to eliminate the possibility that cigarette butts and other smoking materials would end up harming the environment.
ON ALL OTHER SEABOURN SHIPS:
For the comfort of all guests, most public areas on board, as well as guest suites are smoke-free.
Cigarette smoking is permitted in the following areas:
Smoking of electronic cigarettes is permitted in guest suites. Smoking of water-pipes, glass-pipes or other smoking devices is not permitted on board. Smoking is not permitted on open decks during fuel bunkering operations in port.
Inside smoking of cigarettes is not permitted.
Outside smoking of cigarettes is permitted in designated areas of Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation:
Guests are asked to refrain from smoking anywhere inside the ship, including in guest suites, on verandas and balconies. If you have any doubts about any area, please consult your onboard staff.
Any guest who smokes inside staterooms or on adjoining verandas in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation
Seabourn ships offer guests access to the internet by means of transmission between satellites orbiting approximately 20,000 miles above the earth and our mobile shipboard system. While this technology enables mid-ocean access in virtually every part of the world, satellite service is frequently noticeably slower and slightly less reliable than land-based methods of access due to the motion of the ship and limitations of bandwidth. There are two main reasons for this:
For these reasons, we ask that guests not use internet service for high volume uses such as gaming, file sharing or streaming video content. The internet service on board is generally quite adequate for all guests’ usage when web browsing and sending or retrieving email.
Guests can access the internet either at terminals located in Seabourn Square, or wirelessly using their own wireless-enabled devices in most locations on board, including in guest suites, lounges and most areas on open decks.
Your ship’s small but modern basic medical facility is staffed by a doctor and a nurse. This facility is equipped to provide medical care for illness or accidents that may arise during the cruise, but is not intended to provide ongoing medical treatment. Since we are either at sea or in ports where availability of medical facilities and pharmaceutical products may be limited, we suggest you bring adequate supplies of prescription medications and other health-related items.
Full laundry, dry cleaning (on selected ships wet-cleaning) and pressing services are available. Suite attendants take care of pick-up and delivery. Same-day service is available at extra charge if requested by 9:00 a.m. A complimentary launderette with washers, dryers, laundry soap and ironing facilities are available onboard all Seabourn ships..