Why you should choose an expedition cruise with Seabourn – and never look back

So, what is an expedition cruise?

To put it simply, it’s an immersive and all-inclusive holiday that enables you to visit the world’s most remote destinations and see the planet’s rarest wildlife - in their own unique environments.

Think of an expedition by ship as a ‘sea-fari’, so instead of embarking on a land adventure or escorted tour, you’ll be travelling by ocean, glimpsing landscapes, glaciers and animals that are, in many cases inaccessible in any other way than by ship.

And Seabourn is the line to sail with – a world of ultra-luxury, where space is generous and crowds are few; where names and wine orders are remembered, preferences noted, and wishes granted before they are spoken.

Not to mention your experienced captain and expert expedition team, who will make sure you have the best views of these rare and incredible sights.

Having offered expedition-style voyages in Antarctica since 2013, led by a highly qualified, world-class expedition team, Seabourn now has a full programme of dedicated year-round expedition sailings.

Who are Seabourn Expeditions?

Seabourn Expeditions are designed for those whose appetite for unique experiences is matched by a taste for ultra-luxury amenities and all-inclusive elegance.

Built for diverse environments to PC6 ice-strengthened hull standards, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit feature 132 luxurious veranda suites.

You can also take advantage of a host of expedition amenities including 24 Zodiacs, eight double sea kayaks, two six-seater submarines, and an onboard 24-strong Expedition team made up of world-renowned scientists, historians, and naturalists, who will set the stage for an unforgettable and immersive experience.

Expedition destinations include Antarctica, the Arctic and Greenland, and even warm weather destinations such as the Amazon, South Pacific and Australia’s remote Kimberley.

Here are some highlights to tempt you!

Voyage to South America & Antarctica

You’ll never forget how this pristine continent makes you feel – you’ve got to see it to believe it.

Catch your breath as a breaching whale casts up sheets of icy water, reflect on nature’s incredible power as you ride a Zodiac in the shadow of monumental icebergs.

And along the way, let magical moments, celebratory meals and luxurious surroundings fill you with delight.

Your skilled expedition leaders will curate complimentary Zodiac landings at remote islands and beaches, while on optional kayak excursions you may paddle among icebergs, leopard seals and regiments of penguins along untouched beaches.

‘Seabourn Moments’ include a ‘Caviar on the Ice’ party, digital photography workshops, open air bouillon and freshly baked treats on deck as you survey the incredible wildlife and scenery.

Choose from 11 or 13-night itineraries which include up to 6 days of zodiac landings, optional kayak and submarine trips in pure, pristine Antarctica, or take a longer expedition which will visit the remote Falklands and South Georgia, a stunningly beautiful and rugged island and wildlife sanctuary to over 450,000 pairs of King Penguins, over a million Macaroni Penguins, and many other bird species including albatrosses.

Arctic Expeditions

Taking in views of rugged mountains, ice-blue glaciers, and lush greenery is one of the most sought-after activities for expedition travellers.

And a few of the most amazing places to experience nature’s seasonal extravagance are Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic.

Cruise in Zodiacs under teeming bird cliffs and kayak among tall, stately icebergs under the Midnight Sun. Thread a kayak among sculpted icebergs and observing the whales, walruses, seals, reindeer, polar bears and more that fill this remote region with life.

Visit Viking ruins and ancient Inuit sites, explore Svalbard's breathtaking fjords, immense Icelandic waterfalls, the grandeur of Greenland’s glaciers and polar bear-haunted beaches in remote Baffin Bay and Nunavut.

You may even join an elite group to traverse one of the most wildly beautiful places on Earth – the Northwest Passage.

Witness polar bears and other fascinating wildlife, and snap picture-perfect photos every time.

Ensure you become immersed in a wonderland of rugged tundra, historical remains and modern Inuit custom and, not to mention, explore by Zodiac, kayak and submersible, using your ship as a home base to experience the wild passages of the North.

The UK & Ireland expedition cruise

We know what you’re thinking – what does the UK and Ireland have to offer for an expedition cruise?

The answer – lots.

Britain and Ireland are often overlooked in the world of expedition however voyages around these coastlines will visit many remote locations that are sites of historical, cultural, and natural significance.

Admire rugged coastlines and outlying islands with tremendous nesting bird populations which only come to land in the late spring and summer months as well as incredible Neolithic sites showcasing early farming communities and religious sites of longstanding significance.

Seabourn brings you to Iona, where St Colomba established an Abbey in the year 563, where you can then join a Zodiac cruise to see Staffa Island and peer into Fingal’s Cave.

Explore the remote and fascinating double UNESCO World Heritage site of St Kilda. the vast seabird colonies of Copinsay by Zodiac or marvel at the population of Atlantic puffins at Canna in the Inner Hebrides.

Then take in County Donegal’s stunning scenery and Galway’s traditional Irish culture. Or head to Norway’s magnificent fjords and the Midnight Sun.

Cruise The Amazon

During expeditions in the Amazon River, explore varying environments shaped and differentiated by the river itself, divided into three major regions: You’ll visit flooded forests and Backwater Tributaries, where the river is wide, slow and winding.

In the Frontier Amazon, your Seabourn ship passes near to the forest where there is less frequent evidence of human population.

And in the Peruvian Amazon encounter indigenous populations and discover age-old human traditions surviving unaltered by the outside world.

Travelling by zodiac with the Expedition Team, you will learn how the rise and fall of the river relates to the rise and fall of fortunes – watch for evidence of how the local people deal with their sometimes-inhospitable environment.

Ensure you keep an eye out for wildlife encounters including sloths, howler monkeys, birds and squirrel monkeys.

The Kimberley

The northernmost region of Western Australia is one of the oldest and most remote places on Earth, renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, abundant wildlife, and an Aboriginal culture that dates back some 50,000 years.

Onboard Seabourn Pursuit, you can join the expert Expedition Team for Zodiac rides through horizontal waterfalls and guided hikes in The Kimberley to surreal sandstone escarpments, where you can explore spectacular gorges and primeval caves richly adorned with rock art.

Also on your Zodiac ride, you can search for short-eared rock wallabies, crocodiles (both saltwater and freshwater), tawny nurse sharks, flying foxes and other unique creatures.

Explore Wyndham, gateway to remote places like Bungle Bungles, El Questro National Park and the Ord River.

Take in the King George Falls, the two highest twin waterfalls in Australia. Learn about mangrove eco systems that support a wide range of birdlife, Osprey, White Tailed Sea Eagles and Brahminy Kites.

Hike to Raft Point and view the aboriginal artwork of the Wadjina or take a Zodiac trip through Montgomery Reef, its’ fascinating geology formed some 1.8 billion years ago.

Keep an eye out for Saltwater Crocodiles, one of the oldest species to walk the planet – best viewed from a zodiac, of course.

The South Pacific

Explore Juan Fernandez Archipelago by Zodiac and search for wildlife such as pink-footed shearwaters and the South American fur seal.

Another stand out destination in the South Pacific is the hardly inhabited Pitcairn islands; ionic Easter Island with its giant Moai heads.

At Fiji’s remote Yasawa Is lands, meet the friendly locals and explore the incredible limestone format ions of the Sawa-I-Lau Caves, then venture into the mysterious cults and dances of Vanuatu.

The mainland and islands surrounding Papua New Guinea and West Papua are incredibly rich and diverse, offering incredible snorkeling and diving over coral reefs that are protected and thriving.

The culture of the islands is rich and varied, and you’ll enjoy welcome dance performances and hear locally performed music.

You’ll also learn about life in some of the most remote wildernesses of mainland West Papua and meet villagers on some of the smallest islands of both Papua New Guinea and West Papua.

The big question now is, how to choose which destination to explore first?

For more information visit www.seabourn.com or call 0344 338 8615