Luxury and Adventure on the Seabourn Venture
A Look Inside the Seabourn Venture
Seabourn Venture in Svalbard, June 2024. Photo courtesy Morne Sanders
I recently had the pleasure of sailing from Tromsø to Longyearbyen around the Svalbard archipelago in the high Arctic on the Seabourn Venture.
What a way to travel! The Seabourn Venture isn’t just a ship—it’s the ultimate blend of adventure and indulgence. As a luxury travel expert, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing many remarkable vessels, but Seabourn Venture sets a new standard. This ship is for those who want to explore the hidden gems of the world without sacrificing a single comfort and where every detail is considered.
If you're a discerning traveler who appreciates fine craftsmanship, refined elegance, intuitive service, and access to the world's most remote destinations, the Seabourn Venture was created with you in mind.
From the moment you step aboard, it’s clear that this ship has been thoughtfully designed to embody Seabourn’s sophisticated style while embracing the rugged spirit of true exploration. Rich colours and lush finishes such as marble and leather welcome guests into comfort, and where curated art collections invite exploration of the ship. Seabourn Venture has been carefully designed with spaces that allow its 264 guests to socialize and mingle easily, or to find a quiet corner and cozy up with a good book, without feeling crowded and for connection to the incredible landscapes.
The Expedition Lounge on Deck 4 is the social heart of the ship, where guests can relax with a drink and share stories after a day of exploration. It features comfortable seating, a fireplace, and curated displays showcasing expedition equipment and artifacts. Some evenings, the space is transformed into a dance floor for a bit of lively fun. The bartender here hosts whisky tasting experiences.
The Bow Lounge at the front of the ship offers a prime spot for viewing wildlife and scenic landscapes, especially in polar regions. The connected deck space is a prime spot for capturing incredible photos. Equipped with touchscreens that display navigational information, it’s perfect for guests who want to learn more about the ship’s route and surroundings. It has a self-serve beverage and refreshment area where guests can warm up with hot chocolate and delicious baked goods, or savoury items such as soup and sandwiches.
The Constellation Lounge on Deck 9 has sweeping 270-degree views, making it ideal for panoramic viewing, especially during scenic cruising. In the evening, it transforms into a gathering space for cocktails and entertainment.This was my favourite lounge in the afternoons after a morning of zodiac cruising, to continue enjoying the incredible views.
The Discovery Center is a comfortable theatre area on Deck 4 that serves as a hub for enrichment activities. It’s here that Seabourn’s expedition team hosts lectures and briefings and the Cruise Director showcases his or her musical talents.
The Club Lounge on deck 5 comes alive late afternoons and evenings with a cocktail bar, live music performances and fun trivia games. The music trivia hosted by the Cruise Director was very entertaining and spirited. A new feature onboard was the sushi bar which served exceptional and creative plates.
Seabourn Square is a unique and welcoming hub on Seabourn Venture, combining elements of a luxury lounge, well-stocked library with books and newspapers, coffee bar, and Guest Services. Designed as a social and practical gathering space, it offers a relaxed, open atmosphere with comfortable seating areas. It features a specialty coffee bar with freshly roasted beans, artisanal gelato, and savoury and sweet treats throughout the day. Be sure to try moist homestyle Grandmother’s Cake; it was baked fresh every morning and quickly became a guest favourite.
Aft Deck Pool on Deck 5 features a heated infinity plunge pool with nearby whirlpools. Surrounded by lounge chairs and cozy seating, it’s a perfect place to relax after a day of exploring or enjoy cocktails with a view, or to enjoy an alfresco dining experience. And with typical Seabourn detail, sunscreen is available at the bar.
Sun Terrace on the top deck includes comfortable lounge seating and chaise lounges, offering panoramic views and a peaceful place to relax, read, or enjoy the sights in a serene atmosphere. This space is popular for taking in the sunset or watching the world go by in quieter moments.
Fitness Centre has full panoramic windows that allow for scenic views while working out, and is naturally designed with high-end equipment and facilities including personal training services if desired.
Spa & Wellness Area on the Seabourn Venture is a tranquil sanctuary with a full array of treatments inspired by natural elements and global wellness traditions, including a sauna with panoramic windows. The Fire and Ice manicure I enjoyed was exceptional.
Photo Lab is a tucked away room where guests can enjoy instruction sessions from the resident photographer and videographer, and use the computers and seek assistance with editing.
Thoughtfully Designed Accommodations
Luxurious Suites with Panoramic Views: Every suite on the Venture comes with a private veranda and floor to ceiling windows, providing expansive views of the ever-changing landscapes around you. The suites are designed to feel like your own sanctuary at sea, with walk-in wardrobes and plenty of storage, cozy throw blankets, comfortable seating area, spacious marble bathrooms with separate soaking tubs, and a mini-bar stocked to your liking. With a choice of pillows, plush mattresses and silky linens, it’s an incredibly comfortable sleep. I also appreciated the thoughtful amenities of binoculars to borrow and a heated gear closet. Plus having the space and storage in the suite for expedition clothing and life vests meant a smooth changeover process in the expedition loading area, instead of having to change in a crowded common area or step in puddles. There was ample extra storage with sideboard cupboards and bedside tables with drawers, a vanity table, and plenty of power outlets and USB charging ports.
With 355 square feet, my Veranda stateroom was very comfortable. For those looking for additional space, there are 527 square foot Penthouse suites with separated bedroom, 417 square foot Panorama Penthouse with full curved glass wall, and a 2 level Wintergarden Suite with more than 1000 square feet.
Accessible Suites and Public Areas: There was a wheelchair bound guest on my voyage and she was able to easily navigate through the public areas. There were noticeably wider doorways, fast elevators, and accessible bathrooms on several decks. In areas like The Colonnade restaurant during busier periods, the ever-attentive Seabourn crew quickly cleared the way and set up her favourite table. Clearly, Seabourn had impressed her as she was recognized at a special event for her loyalty and many voyages on Seabourn ships.
Culinary Experiences
With a focus on freshness, exceptional preparation, quality and beautiful presentation, dining on Seabourn is always a pleasure. The diversity of offerings appeals to a wide variety of preferences, and the culinary team are readily for specific dietary restrictions.
The Colonnade is a relaxed dining venue serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and features an open style kitchen where guests can witness the dedication to fresh ingredients and thoughtful presentation. The regionally inspired menu changes daily to showcase local flavours. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, whereas a la carte dinners may be themed to reflect the cultures and cuisines of the areas visited. Guests can choose to dine indoors or al fresco.
The Restaurant is a bespoke culinary experience, serving exceptionally well-prepared and creative menu items that cater to a variety of preferences. Guests quickly learn to enjoy having certain wait staff, and can request tables in a specific seating section. The open dining concept means no set dining times. While there are no formal nights on Seabourn Venture, guests can expect to feel comfortable in country club style attire for evening dining.
Caviar on the Ice is a Seabourn signature event on polar itineraries. Guests are invited to join the senior crew members and expedition staff on the pool deck, to mingle and enjoy a variety of delicious canapés including caviar served on blinis. The voyage is toasted with chilled champagne as the ship sails past incredible landscapes.
Small bites are available of course throughout the day. The Bow Lounge has self-serve beverages, soups, baked goods, and sandwiches. The Club Lounge has sushi in the evening. And Seabourn Square’s signature barista service has sweet and savoury offerings.
Beverages are included throughout the voyage, with a wide selection of wines and spirits, barista prepared coffees and teas, welcome champagne, and mini-bar stocked to suit a guest’s preference. Seabourn has a Zero at Sea menu of six creative mocktails using premium ingredients.
Set Up for Expedition Adventures
Seabourn Venture is purpose-built for expeditions, whether it be tropical coastlines or polar regions, with a reinforced polar class hull and dedicated marine launching area. Discerning adventure seekers can immerse themselves in an unparalleled exploration experience with kayaks, Zodiacs, and a state-of-the-art submarine holding 6 guests. The submarine can launch accordingly to local regulations and subject to marine conditions, and has an additional fee. The marine launching area has a dedicated cubby per guest for storing muck boots (provided), with benches, boot rinsing stations, and is well-protected from the wind. While access to the zodiacs is via a short staircase, there is a wheelchair loading system. Kayak excursions do have an additional fee whereas the zodiac excursions are included. Guests are treated to self-serve hot chocolate after a chilly excursion.
Life preservers provided are top of the line gas cylinder type that are comfortable to wear and not as bulky as foam type vests, so there is no impediment to viewing or comfort. For polar regions, Seabourn provides a dry bag, warm fleece-lined toque, warm inner jacket, and Helly Hansen waterproof outer shell. Guests should plan on bringing their own waterproof overpants, base layers and gloves; the shop onboard has an excellent selection of items if required.
There really is nothing quite like cruising or paddling into the most pristine and remote waterways, and being able to engage intimately with breathtaking landscapes and marine life.
Exceptional Seabourn Crew
What always stands out for me more than anything else on Seabourn are the exceptional crew who are attuned to anticipate the needs of guests and take care of the details that matter but in a warm, unassuming way that creates a relaxed, luxurious experience. The crew is drawn from a truly global background, and it’s such a pleasure hearing their stories of life at home and their experiences. Being greeted by your name and a welcoming smile, being escorted to your table and brought your favourite beverage without asking, being given a black napkin to match your dark outfit, or taking a few moments to share the excitement of a wildlife viewing - all of these details and more make the voyage so much more special and create those Seabourn Moments that remain in your memory long after the voyage has ended.
Why Seabourn Venture Stands Out
For those who have travelled widely and seek the next level of experience, the Seabourn Venture is not just a cruise—it’s an invitation to uncover the world’s secrets in an exclusive and immersive way. Every element on board is crafted for the seasoned traveller who values sophistication, adventure, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re ready to embrace an adventure that elevates exploration to a new level of refinement and sophistication, then the Seabourn Venture awaits.
If you are interested in learning more about Seabourn, please contact me. And check back soon for my blog about Svalbard on the Seabourn Venture.
