Antarctica refuses to be ordinary. So does Seabourn, offering expedition cruise guests a rare chance to experience the White Continent with expertise and effortless elegance.
Step onto the deck and the world tilts. Icebergs rise like monoliths, jagged and immense, their sheer faces dwarfing the ship. The water lies still, broken only by the occasional crack of shifting ice. Penguins march across the ice in perfect, almost comical formation, while humpbacks drift past in silent arcs, a reminder that life endures here against every expectation. This is Antarctica with Seabourn, the perfect mélange of ultimate adventure and utter indulgence.
Onboard are 24 expedition-grade Zodiacs, kayaks and two submarines that carry guests 300m beneath the surface to discover sea spiders the size of dinner plates, ice fish with antifreeze in their blood and the forests of soft coral that thrive in the depths. Every excursion, above or below the ice, is guided by one of a 23-member expedition team of marine biologists, glaciologists, polar historians and photographers, whose expertise reveals the science, history and culture behind the Antarctic landscapes.
Only 264 guests share the ship, and this intimacy transforms every encounter. When the expedition team spots a pod of orcas hunting in pack ice, the vessel can linger, drifting slowly so the pods can be observed without haste. When the weather allows a landing on Deception Island, the volcanic caldera opens to all, not a select few. Destinations are further elevated by Seabourn’s exclusive expedition experiences, from the bracing adrenaline rush of a Polar Plunge to the indulgence of Caviar on the Ice. Voyages can also include South Georgia, home to hundreds of thousands of king penguins and fur seals, and the Falkland Islands’ rugged landscapes, with guests returning from the icy wilderness each day to enjoy all-suite accommodations, world-class dining and an ultra-luxury all-inclusive environment.
Life aboard
After a day of exploration, the ships offer comfort without compromise. Each vessel features 132 luxurious ocean-front suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing constantly shifting panoramas… a leopard seal hauling out on an ice floe, the midnight sun turning pink on a glacier face or a seabird wheeling with the wind. Personal suite hosts embody Seabourn’s attentive yet unobtrusive service, ensuring every detail is exactly as you prefer, while heated wardrobes, curated in-suite bars and veranda hot tubs offer luxury after long hours in expedition gear.
A proud member of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious gastronomic societies, Seabourn includes exceptional, all-inclusive dining seamlessly in the expedition experience. Guests can choose from multiple dining venues or enjoy 24-hour in-suite service. Every meal, whether a full-course dinner or a quick refreshment between excursions, is served by a crew who anticipate every need, making each moment as indulgent as it is memorable. All meals are accompanied by premium wines and spirits and naturally, animated conversation that transitions seamlessly from the science of glaciers to the extraordinary array of wildlife glimpsed that afternoon.
Antarctica unscripted
Antarctica delivers its moments without warning, whether it’s a minke whale surfacing alongside a Zodiac or the eerie stillness of a whiteout on Cuverville Island. Seabourn offers the access, expertise and attentiveness to experience these moments fully, without compromise. The ships provide comfort, the crew become guides and interpreters, but it is the continent itself that remains the star, revealing its wonders on its own terms.
Seven reasons to sail with Seabourn
Beautiful design
With interior design by New York-based hospitality atelier Tihany Design, a world of opulence unfolds before your eyes on Seabourn’s ships. From custom furniture to sleek lighting and refined colour palettes. Each ship offers an intimate, yacht-like atmosphere showcasing a curation of fine dining venues and charming alfresco eateries – all of which are complimentary within the Seabourn all-inclusive ecosystem.
Total relaxation
Soak up the boundless sea vistas and wildlife sightings from your private veranda (all suites are ocean-facing and most have verandas) before luxuriating in a marble bath in an ensuite that also boasts double vanities, a shower and bespoke amenities. Relax further at the onboard spa with wellness treatments and a mindful living program. Whatever your style of cruising, guests are looked after by their personal suite host who will attend to their every need. Whether this involves drawing you a bubble bath, managing your laundry service, or helping you arrange a private in-suite cocktail party – all you’re left to do is enjoy.
Smooth sailings
Set sail from tropical Guam in the western Pacific Ocean to picture-perfect Papeete in French Polynesia, and embark on an icy adventure from Reykjavík, Iceland to the rugged wilderness of Newfoundland in Canada. Take a summer sojourn to the Mediterranean, or explore the wild environments of Alaska in North America. With sailings to all seven continents, including expedition voyages of the Kimberley, the Northwest Passage, Antarctica and the Arctic, there’s an exhilarating adventure to suit all travel tastes.
Food scene
Raise your glass to the Seabourn experience while indulging in complimentary food and wine at the wide range of culinary options onboard. Seabourn cruise ships offer a variety of world-class dining experiences, including Earth & Ocean, which serves globally inspired dishes under the stars, and The Colonnade, offering casual, regionally themed meals in a relaxed setting. Guests can also enjoy fine dining at The Restaurant, Mediterranean flavours at Solis, and expertly crafted Japanese sushi, ensuring a diverse and luxurious culinary journey. You won’t be jostling for a table either, with each intimate sailing accommodating just 264 to 600 guests.
Unique excursions
The voyage is also about the destinations, and thoughtfully crafted shore excursions grant guests exclusive access to the world’s most fascinating sites. Create memories to last a lifetime on a private tour of ancient Mayan ruins in South America, be fascinated by the history of the South Pacific during an immersive cultural excursion, or opt for an awe-inspiring Zodiac expedition taking in the pristine white wilderness of the Arctic. Or delve even deeper into your ocean environment in a state-of-the-art, six-person submarine, an optional expedition on some ships.
Onboard entertainment
Mediterranean specialists
Bordered by 22 countries, each with a unique character, the Mediterranean offers travellers a heady mix of food, culture, natural beauty and man-made splendour. In 2025 and 2026, Seabourn will continue taking guests into the heart of the Mediterranean’s most desirable locales aboard their all-inclusive, ultra-luxury small ships. Seabourn offers itineraries in, but not limited to, Spain, Greece, and Italy. In each location, you will wake up to incredible vistas from the private veranda of your oceanfront suite and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Mediterranean culture with expertly curated shore excursions to ancient landmarks and historic villages. Seabourn turns the Mediterranean into your private playground, delivering elevated itineraries with marquee ports and special events while revealing gems along the Côte d’Azur in France and Spain’s Costa del Sol. Seabourn’s ships go where others cannot, taking guests to new and unexpected ports. Seabourn also offers exclusive Mediterranean experiences, including Marina Day, where guests enjoy water sports directly from the ship, Shopping with the Chef, an immersive culinary tour of local markets, and Evening at Ephesus, a private after-hours event at the ancient archaeological site.
*Venues and activities vary by ship
Read more:
Opulence at sea with Seabourn Venture
World’s best luxury cruise ships
Eight cruise lines leading the way with sustainable cruising
This article originally appeared in volume 48 of Signature Luxury Travel & Style magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue today.
