Seabourn
All-suite ultra-luxury cruising, plus two purpose-built expedition ships carrying 264 guests, 24 Zodiacs, and a pair of six-guest submarines apiece.
- Ultra-luxury, all-suite, effectively all-inclusive: dining, premium beverages, gratuities, and caviar service included.
- Two dedicated expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, at just 264 guests each with PC6 polar ice class.
- Two custom six-guest submarines per expedition ship, one of only two expedition operators worldwide with guest submarines.
- 26-person expedition teams, 24 Zodiacs, and double sea kayaks support genuine remote-access itineraries.
- Separate ocean fleet delivers classic ultra-luxury cruising for travelers who do not want landings and parkas.
What makes Seabourn different
Seabourn built its reputation on small ultra-luxury ocean ships where every accommodation is a suite, the bar setup in your room is stocked to your preference, and nobody presents a check. That culture, close to one crew member per guest, genuinely good food, and an inclusive fare, is the foundation. What changed the brand's position in the market was deciding to take that culture into expedition travel rather than approximating it.
Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit are not converted ocean ships. They are purpose-built, PC6 ice-class expedition vessels carrying 264 guests, 26 expedition staff, 24 Zodiacs, double sea kayaks, and two custom submarines each. The submarines are the headline: a pilot plus six guests in a panoramic acrylic sphere, descending to roughly 300 meters. Only two expedition operators in the world offer guest submarine dives, and this is one of them.
The honest counterpoint: submarine dives are weather, ice, and permit dependent, they carry a separate fee, and capacity is limited enough that they can sell out before departure. Book the trip for the ship, the team, and the itinerary; treat the sub as a remarkable bonus. For the full operator comparison, see our Antarctica expedition guide, and for the ultra-luxury alternative with broader expedition breadth, our Silversea guide is the natural side-by-side.
Where Seabourn sails
Antarctica and South Georgia
Venture and Pursuit run Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and Falklands and South Georgia itineraries. Best for travelers who want serious polar access without giving up suites, caviar, and a genuinely excellent wine list.
Arctic, Svalbard and Greenland
High-latitude summer sailings built around sea ice, wildlife, fjords, and long light. Submarine and kayak operations often shine here where conditions are calmer than in the Drake.
Australia's Kimberley
One of the strongest cases for the expedition ships. Remote gorges, tidal waterfalls, rock art, and almost no other vessels. Best for travelers who want somewhere genuinely uncrowded.
Amazon and Central America
River and tropical expedition routing with naturalist guiding, wildlife spotting, and cultural access, all from a base of ultra-luxury comfort.
Mediterranean, Alaska and World Cruises
The classic ocean fleet. Small-ship ultra-luxury with marina platforms, caviar in the surf, and overnight port stays. Best for travelers who want luxury cruising rather than expedition days.
Seabourn ships and what they mean for your trip
Seabourn effectively runs two fleets. The expedition ships and the ocean ships share a service standard but produce entirely different days, so ship choice is the first real decision.
Seabourn Venture
Purpose-built expedition ship, 264 guests, PC6 ice class, two submarines, 24 Zodiacs, and a full expedition team. The flagship of Seabourn's expedition story and the reason many travelers look at the brand for polar travel.
Seabourn Pursuit
Sister to Venture with the same submarines, ice class, and guest count, deployed heavily in the Kimberley and other remote warm-water regions alongside polar seasons. Choose between the two on itinerary, not on feel.
Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest
The Odyssey-class trio, about 458 guests each. Classic Seabourn ultra-luxury with marina platforms, spacious verandas, and world cruise pedigree. No Zodiacs, no submarines, no parkas.
Encore and Ovation
The newest ocean ships at roughly 600 guests, with slightly more contemporary interiors and expanded dining. A good fit for travelers who want ultra-luxury with a touch more onboard variety.
Who Seabourn is, and isn't, for
- Travelers who want genuine expedition access without stepping down from ultra-luxury service.
- Guests intrigued by submarine dives, Zodiac operations, and kayaking from a 264-guest ship.
- Couples who value an inclusive fare, all-suite accommodations, and no check-signing onboard.
- Repeat luxury cruisers comparing Seabourn with Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, and Ponant.
- You are looking for the lowest possible price to reach Antarctica.
- You want big-ship entertainment, casinos, waterslides, or extensive kids programming.
- You expect submarine dives to be guaranteed or included in the base fare.
- You want a purely science-forward, gear-first expedition culture over a luxury one.
Our honest take on Seabourn
Seabourn Venture and Pursuit solved a real problem. For years, travelers who wanted Antarctica had to choose between expedition credibility and the comfort standard they were used to. These two ships remove that tradeoff at a guest count low enough, 264, to keep landings efficient.
The submarines get all the attention, and they deserve some of it. But what we hear from clients afterward is usually about the expedition team, the quality of the Zodiac operation, and how good it felt to come back aboard to a hot shower, a real dinner, and a poured glass of something excellent. That is the actual product.
Where we push back: do not book Seabourn purely for the sub. Dives depend on weather, ice, and permits, cost extra, and can sell out. Reserve early if it matters to you, then judge the voyage on everything else. Suite category, season timing, and air routing move the total cost far more than most people expect, which is exactly the work we do before you commit. Our expedition travel hub is the right starting point if you are still deciding between operators.
Seabourn, frequently asked questions
Is Seabourn a luxury cruise line?
Yes. Seabourn sits in the ultra-luxury tier alongside Regent Seven Seas and Silversea. Every accommodation is a suite, most with a veranda, service runs close to one crew member per guest, and fares are effectively all-inclusive: dining in every venue, premium spirits and wines poured throughout the day, gratuities, and in-suite bar setup are covered.
What are Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit?
They are Seabourn's two purpose-built expedition ships, launched in 2022 and 2023. Each carries only 264 guests, holds PC6 polar ice class, and sails with a 26-person expedition team, a fleet of 24 Zodiacs, double sea kayaks, and two custom submarines. They bring Seabourn's ultra-luxury service standard into Antarctica, the Arctic, the Amazon, Australia's Kimberley, and other remote regions.
Does Seabourn really have submarines?
Yes. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit each carry two six-guest custom submarines, making Seabourn one of only two expedition operators in the world offering guest submarine dives. Each sub seats a pilot and up to six passengers in a panoramic acrylic sphere and descends to roughly 300 meters. Dives are weather and permit dependent, carry a separate fee, and sell out quickly, so they should be reserved as early as possible.
What is included in a Seabourn fare?
All dining venues, all beverages including premium spirits and wines, gratuities, in-suite bar stocked to preference, welcome champagne, and the signature caviar service. On the expedition ships, fares also include Zodiac excursions, expedition team programming, and a branded parka and boot use on polar sailings. Submarine dives, some kayaking outings, spa treatments, and air travel are additional.
How does Seabourn compare to Silversea for expedition travel?
Both are ultra-luxury lines with dedicated expedition fleets and both deliver excellent food, suites, and service. Silversea has a larger expedition portfolio, longer history in the category through Silversea Expeditions, and door-to-door air inclusion on many fares. Seabourn counters with newer purpose-built ships, a lower guest count on Venture and Pursuit at 264, and the submarines, which nothing in the Silversea fleet matches. Choose Silversea for breadth and air simplicity, Seabourn for hardware and intimacy.
Which Seabourn ship should I choose?
If you want expedition travel with landings, Zodiacs, and submarines, choose Venture or Pursuit. If you want classic ultra-luxury ocean cruising in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska, or on a world cruise, choose one of the Odyssey-class ships, Odyssey, Sojourn, or Quest, at about 458 guests, or the newer Encore and Ovation at about 600. The expedition ships and the ocean ships share a service culture but deliver completely different days.
Do I need to be fit for a Seabourn expedition voyage?
The base program suits most travelers in ordinary health who can manage a gangway, step into a Zodiac, and walk on uneven ground. Seabourn's expedition ships are notably comfortable, which makes them a strong choice for travelers who want polar access without roughing it. Kayaking, longer hikes, and submarine boarding have specific mobility requirements we review with you before booking.
Can I book Seabourn through Travel Squad Vacations?
Yes, and Seabourn is a line where advisor support pays for itself. Suite category strategy, submarine and kayak reservations, expedition versus ocean fleet selection, air arrangements, and promotional fare timing all move the final number materially. We also hold supplier standing that can bring amenities or onboard credit to bookings that would not appear on a direct reservation.
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