It’s amazing to reflect on how far cruising has come in the past 50 years. The shift in focus from transportation to destination cruising in the 1950s and 60s during the age of booming air travel symbolized the first major evolution. The second evolution came when cruise ships seemingly doubled in size every 10 years while packing even more amenities on board. And now it appears the industry is entering it’s third evolution.
Demand for off-the-beaten-path and nearly impossible to reach destinations has risen over the past few years. Now it seems all of the luxury cruise lines are venturing into expedition exploration. Once thought to be a gritty experience, expedition cruising is entering luxurious maturity. Seabourn Cruises, the company known for its more informal ultra-luxury style, is the latest to unveil brand new expedition vessels that not only will test the limits of how far non-sailors can traverse the globe by boat, but also how far we can take luxury. So what are some things you should know about Seabourn Venture before she sets sail?
Two Ultra-Luxury PC6 Polar Class Vessels
Seabourn Venture will be the first of two PC6 polar class vessels, with the former slated for a June 2021 launch and the latter in May of 2022. What does PC6 polar class mean? This refers to the ice class assigned to a ship which allows summer/autumn operation in medium first-year ice, which may include old ice inclusions. Both ships are designed and built for diverse environments and will include a bevvy of modern hardware and technology that will extend the ships’ global deployment and capabilities.
An Exquisite Portfolio of Suites
Seabourn Venture will boast spacious, comfortable and exquisitely designed suites on their new expedition vessel which will make passengers feel as if they’re not even in the Arctic. Warm tones, luxury amenities and private verandahs make for incomparable experience. Take a look at some suite renderings, ranging from lowest to highest category.
Onboard Activities That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re On An Ocean Liner
Seabourn’s expedition vessels are large enough that they include many elements you can typically find on large cruise ships. Of course, Seabourn will offer a more refined product and upscale experience, and they bring with it a focus on destination immersion and education. Their target passengers are those who travel frequently and are interested in seeking the furthest stretches of the world. Couple this with an elegant design touch that channels the environment and you have a very inspiring atmosphere.
An Unexpected Start: The Heart Of The Amazon
While Seabourn’s new expedition vessels are touted as polar class, you’ll be surprised to know that it’s first major sailing (from it’s repositioning from Greenwich in the United Kingdom) will be the Amazon River. Depending on river conditions, the Seabourn Venture’s “Heart of the Amazon” itinerary will bring the expedition as deep as Iquitos in Peru.
A Chance To See The Underwater World
Passengers on the Seabourn Venture will have the opportunity to expand their adventure horizons by boarding a custom-built submarine which will be operated by Seabourn’s experts on their expedition team. For an additional cost, guests can view everything from vivid reef walls to towering underwater ice cliffs. If the cost doesn’t justify the experience, guests can always take part in the other included activities during destination visits including kayaking, scuba diving, e-biking, “zodiacing,” snorkeling, mountain biking and hiking.
