Carnival Cruise Line frustrated many loyal guests earlier this summer by announcing the new Carnival Rewards program, set to replace the existing VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program.
Now its upscale sister brand Seabourn is making loyalty headlines of its own – although this time, it’s mostly good news.
On 15th July 2025, Seabourn revealed a full redesign of its Seabourn Club loyalty program, with a stronger focus on guest feedback, simplified tiers, and faster ways to earn elite status.
“We’re evolving Seabourn Club to make it more rewarding for more guests on every voyage,”
Seabourn statement
While the program has always offered some of the most generous perks in the luxury cruise market, the new update introduces a point-based structure, replaces the old “Club Days” calculation, and lowers thresholds to help guests unlock benefits faster.
But there’s one major caveat: guests must opt in by 20th October 2025, or risk losing all previously earned progress.
A New Point System – With Better Rewards
Under the previous program, guests accumulated Club Days based on how much they cruised with Seabourn, with bonuses for premium suites and back-to-back sailings.
Now, those days are being replaced by “Club Points”, a more flexible structure that better reflects a guest’s loyalty without requiring complex bonus tracking.
Tier thresholds are also being lowered:
Silver status drops from 20 Club Days to 15 Club Points
Gold moves from 75 to 50
Platinum shifts from 140 to 100
Diamond drops from 250 to 200
Diamond Elite falls from 650 to 500
This change should allow more guests to reach higher tiers sooner – a marked contrast to Carnival’s controversial switch to a spending-based loyalty system that many long-time cruisers felt punished those who booked earlier or in less expensive staterooms.
Enhanced Perks, With a Warning
In addition to the faster tier progression, Seabourn is enhancing several key perks:
Silver and above now receive stream-level WiFi
Gold and Platinum enjoy complimentary unlimited laundry (but that doesn’t include pressing)
Diamond guests receive a one-time 100 Club Day bonus when the program goes live, with Diamond Elite guests getting 150 Club Days added.
While the tiers will now be earned with “Club Points”, there will still be “Club Days” based on your sailing days alone that will continue to count towards complimentary cruise awards.
Guests can still earn:
A 7-day free cruise at 350 Club Days
A 14-day free cruise at 460 Club Days
Additional 7-day awards every 110 Club Days after that
This is an increase of requirements compared to the old system, which gave a 7-day cruise at 140 Sailed Days and a 14-day cruise at 250 Sailed Days.
However, to preserve progress and perks, guests must opt in to the revised program by 20th October 2025. Failure to do so will result in loss of all loyalty status, including earned rewards and milestone accruals.
“The new program strikes a thoughtful balance of benefits, rewards, and recognition,”
Loyalty in the Spotlight
The loyalty program refresh comes at a time when cruise line loyalty structures are under heavy scrutiny.
In June, Carnival Cruise Line – Seabourn’s sister company under Carnival Corporation – sparked outrage after announcing major changes to its loyalty program.
While Seabourn’s approach does not mimic Carnival’s spending model, the company has clearly taken steps to modernize its offering in response to guest input – and possibly to avoid the missteps seen elsewhere in the cruise world.
Guests hoping to make the most of Seabourn’s updates – especially those nearing milestone reward thresholds – are encouraged to review their accounts now and claim any Redeemable Sail Days before the new system launches in October, if they are due to get a reward sailing that they won’t yet be eligible for under the new system.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Seabourn Venture is Seabourn’s first purpose-built luxury expedition ship. She launched in 2022, carries around 264 guests in all-veranda suites, and is built to PC6 Polar Class standards. She also carries two six-guest submarines, 24 Zodiacs and a fleet of kayaks. Expect a polar-ready ship with the all-inclusive service Seabourn is known for, sailing mainly to Antarctica and the Arctic, with warm-water and European voyages in between.
This guide covers the ship’s key facts, a deck-by-deck tour, the suites, dining, what’s included, where Seabourn Venture sails in 2026-27, rough fares, and how she compares with her twin sister, Seabourn Pursuit.
Seabourn Venture at a glance
Fact
Seabourn Venture
Entered service
July 2022 (maiden voyage from Tromsø, Norway)
Builder
T. Mariotti, Genoa, Italy
Gross tonnage
About 23,000
Length / beam
About 557-564 ft / 78 ft
Guests
264 (double occupancy)
Suites
132, all ocean-view with verandas
Crew
About 239, including an expedition team of up to 23
Most expedition ships make you choose between comfort and getting close to nature. Seabourn Venture is built to do both. The PC6 hull lets her sail in polar waters during the summer and autumn seasons. Inside, the ship feels like one of Seabourn’s smaller yacht-style vessels, with spacious suites, open-seating dining and drinks included.
The expedition side is just as serious. The team of naturalists, scientists, historians and guides runs Zodiac landings and cruises, kayaking, hikes and daily briefings in the Discovery Center. A 4K camera on the mast can stream the view to screens around the ship and in suites, which is handy when whales turn up during dinner. Starlink Wi-Fi is fitted fleetwide.
The submarines get the most attention. Each carries six guests and a pilot for dives of about 45 minutes in places where conditions and local rules allow. Antarctica is the main location for dives, while some areas, such as Svalbard, don’t allow them, and dives are called off in strong winds. Plan on it being a bonus rather than a sure thing.
The ship has nine guest decks, and Seabourn publishes full deck plans as PDFs on its site. The layout is mirrored on Seabourn Pursuit. Broadly:
Deck 3: The expedition launch area, where you board Zodiacs and kayaks. The mudroom-style setup keeps wet gear away from the rest of the ship.
Deck 4: The Restaurant and the Expedition Lounge, a casual bar and gathering spot.
Deck 5: The Colonnade, with an outdoor terrace at the stern beside the infinity pool and hot tubs. There is also a self-service guest laundry and the first suites.
Deck 6: Seabourn Square, which combines guest services, a library and a coffee bar, plus the forward Bow Lounge and more suites.
Deck 7: The spa and fitness area (gym, Motion Studio, sauna, steam rooms and treatment rooms), with Penthouse Spa Suites close by.
Deck 8: The bridge and more suites, including Panorama and Penthouse categories.
Deck 9: The Club, the main evening lounge, with hot tubs on its terrace. The Zodiacs are stored on this level.
Deck 10: The top-level observation deck, a good place to watch for ice and wildlife. The open-air Sky Bar, with its own small hot tubs, is also near the top of the ship.
When you look at the deck plans, check what sits above and below a suite you’re considering. Suites near the stern and the lower decks can feel more motion in rough seas, such as on the Drake Passage. If you’re prone to seasickness, a midship suite on a lower deck is the usual choice.
Every suite on Seabourn Venture has its own veranda. Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Seabourn Venture suites
Every suite faces the ocean and has a veranda, a walk-in closet and a small drying closet for wet gear. The main categories are:
Suite type
Approx. size (incl. veranda)
Good to know
Veranda Suite
355 sq ft
Most of the ship. Queen or twin beds.
Panorama Veranda / Penthouse Panorama
About 417 sq ft
Larger windows and a bathtub by the window. A new category for Seabourn.
Penthouse Suite / Penthouse Spa Suite
About 527 sq ft
Separate living area. Spa Suites sit next to the spa.
Signature and Wintergarden Suites
Up to 1,000+ sq ft
Some are two-story. Two can join to make a Grand Wintergarden of about 1,400 sq ft.
Owner’s Suites (2)
About 1,023 sq ft
Large veranda, dining for four, whirlpool tub.
A common question is which cabins to avoid. With every suite an outside veranda suite, there are no truly poor choices. The main things to weigh are motion (higher and further forward or aft means more movement), and nearby public spaces or the Zodiac operations area if you’re a light sleeper.
Dining on board
The Restaurant: The main dining room, serving multi-course dinners with open seating and included wines.
The Colonnade: A relaxed venue for breakfast and lunch with indoor and terrace seating, and table-served dinners on many evenings.
Sushi: Made-to-order sushi is served in The Club on many evenings, with a limited menu.
Bars and snacks: The Expedition Lounge, Bow Lounge, Sky Bar and Seabourn Square coffee bar all offer drinks and light bites.
In-suite dining: Available around the clock, with the Restaurant menu served course by course in your suite during dinner hours.
Unlike Seabourn’s larger ocean ships, there is no long list of speciality restaurants. On a small expedition ship, the focus is on fewer venues that do more.
What’s included in the fare
All meals, plus most drinks: a selection of wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks
Gratuities
Zodiac landings and cruises, and expedition team talks and guided activities
On polar voyages, a parka to keep and boots to borrow
Wi-Fi in standard fares according to recent coverage (confirm when you book)
On many Antarctica sailings, a pre-cruise hotel night in Buenos Aires and charter flights to Ushuaia
Extras usually include: submarine dives (reports suggest several hundred dollars per person), guided kayaking, spa treatments, premium wines and spirits, international flights and travel insurance. Check the details of each voyage, as inclusions vary by itinerary and booking region.
Antarctica is Seabourn Venture's main winter destination. Photo: Hugo Sykes on Pexels
Seabourn Venture itinerary: where she sails in 2026-27
Seabourn Venture follows the seasons between the poles, filling the gaps with longer repositioning and coastal voyages.
Antarctica (late 2026 to March 2027): Mostly 11- to 13-night Antarctic Peninsula voyages, based in Ushuaia with packages starting in Buenos Aires. There are also longer 20-plus-night sailings that add the Falklands and South Georgia, and a South Atlantic voyage from Rio de Janeiro in late October 2026.
Spring 2027: Long South Atlantic crossings via the Falklands, Brazil and the Canary Islands to Spain and France, then Iberian and French coastal voyages.
Northern Europe (May to June 2027): Scandinavia from Copenhagen, the “Wild British Isles” from Greenwich (London), and North Atlantic islands from Belfast.
Arctic (summer 2027): Iceland, Greenland and Scoresbysund, and the Canadian High Arctic. Seabourn has announced two 18-day Northwest Passage voyages from Kangerlussuaq in August and September 2027.
Pole to pole: Seabourn has also announced a 94-day High Arctic to Antarctica Grand Expedition, its longest expedition sailing to date.
Earlier seasons included Amazon voyages, and the ship sometimes sails warm-water routes along South America while repositioning. Schedules change, so check Seabourn’s current deployment before you plan around a specific voyage. If you want to see the Northern Lights, the September Arctic departures are the ones to watch. Our guide to Northern Lights cruises from the UK covers more options.
How much does a Seabourn Venture cruise cost?
Fares vary a lot by season, suite and promotion, so treat these as rough guides at the time of writing (per person, double occupancy):
Short European and coastal voyages (about 10 nights): Often listed from around $8,000-$12,000.
Antarctica (11 nights): Typically from the mid-teens of thousands of dollars in a Veranda Suite. Peak December and January dates and larger suites cost considerably more. UK agents have listed some December 2026 sailings from just under £13,000.
Arctic and British Isles expeditions (12-14 nights): Commonly from about $14,000-$18,000.
Seabourn regularly runs offers such as shipboard credit and reduced deposits. Our roundup of cruise deals for 2027 is worth checking before you book.
Seabourn Venture vs Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn Venture
Seabourn Pursuit
Debut
2022
2023
Guests / suites
264 / 132
264 / 132
Polar Class
PC6
PC6
Submarines and Zodiacs
2 subs, 24 Zodiacs
2 subs, 24 Zodiacs
Typical 2026-27 regions
Antarctica, Arctic, British Isles, Europe
Antarctica, Kimberley (Australia), South Pacific
The two ships are essentially twins, so the choice comes down to the itinerary. If you want Greenland, Iceland, the Northwest Passage or the British Isles, choose Venture. For Australia’s Kimberley coast, Indonesia or the South Pacific, choose Pursuit. Both sail Antarctica, so in winter you can simply pick the dates that suit you.
Who is Seabourn Venture best for?
A good fit: Travellers who want serious polar exploration without giving up fine dining, included drinks and a spacious suite. It also suits Seabourn regulars, many of whom are repeat guests, and couples celebrating a big trip.
Maybe not: Families with young children, people who want a big-ship pool deck, theatre and casino, or budget-focused expedition cruisers, who will find better value on smaller or no-frills lines.
In late October 2026, Seabourn Venture is ending a South America voyage before heading south for her Antarctica season, which runs until March 2027. Ship-tracking sites such as CruiseMapper show her live position.
How many passengers does Seabourn Venture carry?
She carries 264 guests in 132 veranda suites, with about 239 crew, including an expedition team of up to 23 specialists.
Which cabins should I avoid on Seabourn Venture?
There are no inside cabins, so no suite is a bad choice. If you’re sensitive to motion, choose a midship suite on a lower deck. Light sleepers may want to avoid suites right beside public areas or expedition operations.
Are the submarines included on Seabourn Venture?
No. Submarine dives cost extra, are limited, and depend on the weather and local rules. Book early on board, as places fill up quickly.
Is Seabourn Venture the same as Seabourn Pursuit?
They are near-identical sister ships with the same capacity, suites and expedition kit. The main difference is where they sail.
Silversea vs Seabourn comes down to style more than quality. Silversea has the bigger, more varied fleet, butler service in every suite, a slightly more polished European feel and fares that can include a shore excursion in every port, plus flights and transfers. Seabourn feels more like a relaxed private yacht club, and its fares cover premium drinks, every restaurant and Wi-Fi, with most excursions charged extra.
Both are genuine ultra-luxury, all-suite lines, so you can’t really make a bad choice. The better fit depends on where you want to go, how you like to spend your evenings and which inclusions you’ll actually use. Below we compare the two lines’ ships, fares, dining, suites, destinations and prices as they stand in late 2026.
Silversea vs Seabourn at a glance
Feature
Silversea
Seabourn
Fleet (late 2026)
12 ships: 8 ocean, 4 expedition
5 ships: 3 ocean, 2 expedition
Guests per ship
About 100 to 728
About 264 to 600
Newest ships
Silver Nova (2023), Silver Ray (2024)
Seabourn Venture (2022), Seabourn Pursuit (2023)
Suite service
Butler in every suite
Suite stewards, attentive but no butler as standard
Drinks, Wi-Fi, tips
Included
Included, with premium spirits and fine wines
Shore excursions
One per port on Port-to-Port and Door-to-Door fares (ocean voyages)
Mostly extra on ocean voyages; included on expedition sailings
Flights and transfers
Included on Door-to-Door fares
Not usually included
Speciality dining
Some venues carry a fee
All venues included
Atmosphere
Elegant, slightly more formal
Relaxed, resort-casual, sociable
Best for
Variety of itineraries, polar expeditions, butler service, all-in packages
Silversea, founded in 1994 and now part of Royal Caribbean Group, runs one of the largest fleets in luxury cruising. Its eight ocean ships range from the classic Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper (around 390 guests each) through Silver Spirit, Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn (roughly 600 guests) to the Nova-class Silver Nova and Silver Ray, which carry 728 guests. The Nova-class ships have an asymmetric, open design with lots of glass and are the line’s most modern and energy-efficient vessels.
The expedition side is just as important. Silver Endeavour is a polar-class ship for Antarctica and the Arctic, Silver Origin was built specifically for the Galápagos with only 100 guests, and the older Silver Cloud and Silver Wind have been converted into ice-strengthened expedition ships.
Seabourn’s fleet
Seabourn has deliberately become smaller. It sold Seabourn Odyssey in 2024, and Seabourn Sojourn finished her final world cruise for the line in spring 2026 before joining Mitsui Ocean Cruises in Japan. That leaves three ocean ships, Seabourn Quest (about 450 guests) and the newer sisters Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation (about 600 guests each), plus two purpose-built expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit (264 guests each). Seabourn sailed its first ship in 1988, so the brand is approaching its 40th anniversary.
In practice, Silversea gives you more ships, more ship sizes and more itineraries to choose from. Seabourn gives you a tighter, more consistent product: its ocean ships feel very similar from one to the next.
Both lines are all-suite, and most suites on either fleet come with a private veranda. Photo: Jean-Paul Wettstein on Pexels
What’s included: Silversea vs Seabourn fares
This is where the two lines differ most, and it’s the area most comparisons skip.
Silversea fare types
Every Silversea fare includes butler service, 24-hour in-suite dining, drinks (a good selection of wines and spirits), Wi-Fi, gratuities and port fees. On top of that, you choose a fare type:
Door-to-Door: adds flights, private transfers between home and airport where available, and one shore excursion per port on ocean voyages.
Port-to-Port: includes the one-excursion-per-port benefit, but you sort out your own flights and transfers.
Essential: a cheaper voyage-only fare with stricter terms and no included excursions on ocean voyages (expedition voyages still include landings and charter flights).
Silversea is also reorganising its 17 suite types into four categories, Oceanview, Veranda, Residence and Villa, for sailings from 1 January 2027. Residence and Villa guests get extras such as earlier dining and spa bookings, and Villa guests get private transfers (when flights are booked through Silversea), chef and sommelier consultations and other perks. Basic inclusions stay the same for everyone.
Seabourn inclusions
Seabourn keeps things simpler. Fares include all dining venues, premium spirits, fine wines and Champagne, Starlink Wi-Fi, gratuities and caviar on request, plus a stocked in-suite bar. Most traditional shore excursions on ocean voyages cost extra, although some itineraries include special experiences. On Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, expedition landings, Zodiac tours and a parka are included. Note that Seabourn ended its expedition submarine programme in early 2026, so don’t count on that if you’re reading older reviews.
In short, Seabourn tends to give you more in the glass and on the menu, while Silversea tends to give you more ashore and, on Door-to-Door fares, in the journey to and from the ship.
Dining compared
Both lines serve excellent food, but Silversea offers more variety and Seabourn more freedom from extra charges.
On Silversea, the main restaurant Atlantide and Italian-themed La Terrazza are joined on newer ships by the S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) programme, which ties menus, a cookery lab and some shore experiences to the region you’re sailing through. S.A.L.T. Kitchen is included, while venues such as French restaurant La Dame, Japanese Kaiseki and the S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table on the Nova-class ships carry a supplement.
Seabourn’s restaurants are all included. Alongside The Restaurant and the casual Colonnade, the speciality venue is now Solis, a Mediterranean restaurant that replaced The Grill by Thomas Keller in 2024. If you see Thomas Keller mentioned in older articles, that partnership has ended. Encore and Ovation also have a sushi venue, and the line is known for touches like Shopping with the Chef in local markets.
Suites and service
Neither line has inside cabins. Silversea’s big selling point is a butler for every suite, from the smallest Vista to the Owner’s suites, which suits travellers who like things done for them without asking. Seabourn uses suite stewards instead, and its staff are known for remembering names and drinks orders quickly. Seabourn’s entry suites are well designed, with generous bathrooms, and the newer ships have verandas on most suites.
If you plan to book a top suite, Silversea’s new Villa tier from 2027 adds noticeably more perks than Seabourn’s upper suites typically do.
Atmosphere, activities and entertainment
Silversea leans slightly more formal and traditional, with elegant evenings and a classic European style, although the Nova-class ships feel more contemporary and relaxed. Entertainment includes intimate shows, live music, enrichment lectures and the Silver Note jazz supper club on some ships.
Seabourn’s dress code is resort casual by day and elegant casual at night, with typically one optional formal evening. Its social life is built around signature events such as Caviar in the Surf on Caribbean and Mediterranean beaches, Evening Under the Stars on deck, a watersports marina on some warm-water itineraries and Seabourn Conversations talks. Neither line markets itself as adults-only, but both draw a mostly mature, well-travelled crowd. If a child-free ship matters to you, see our guide to the best adults-only cruise lines.
Both lines run expedition ships, but Silversea has more of them and more polar itineraries. Photo: Jan Tang on Pexels
Destinations and expedition cruising
With more than twice as many ships, Silversea covers more ground: the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, world cruises and a large expedition programme covering Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos and remote islands. If you want somewhere unusual, Silversea is more likely to go there.
Seabourn concentrates on the classics, such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe and Alaska, with longer voyages including a world cruise. Its overnight stays in key ports are a highlight. Its two expedition ships are polar-class, with an expedition team and 24 Zodiacs each, and sail to Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, the Kimberley in Australia and more.
Silversea vs Seabourn price
Prices change constantly, so treat these as rough guides only. On ocean voyages, entry-level suites on both lines often work out at roughly $600 to $1,000 per person per night, sometimes less on promotions and much more on peak dates or in larger suites. Expedition voyages are pricier on both, often well over $1,000 per person per night. Silversea’s Essential fare can undercut Seabourn, while its Door-to-Door fare looks more expensive but includes flights.
How to compare quotes like-for-like
Match the fare type: compare a Silversea Port-to-Port fare with Seabourn, not a Door-to-Door fare that includes flights.
Add up excursions: on a 10-night Seabourn ocean voyage, a few paid tours per couple can add a significant sum, which Silversea’s included excursion may cover.
Check the drinks you prefer: if you drink premium spirits or particular wines, Seabourn’s wider included list can save money.
Price in any speciality dining surcharges on Silversea.
Look at the suite tier, especially for 2027 sailings when Silversea’s new categories begin.
Choose Silversea if you want the widest choice of ships and destinations, a butler in your suite, included shore excursions, or a package with flights and transfers arranged for you. It is also the stronger pick for Antarctica, the Galápagos and other expedition trips, simply because it has more ships and departures.
Choose Seabourn if you value a relaxed, sociable atmosphere, enjoy premium drinks without thinking about a bill, like to choose your own excursions and want every restaurant included.
If you like the idea of a small, casual ship but want a lower price point, it’s also worth reading our Windstar cruise ships guide as a small-ship alternative.
Dining is a big part of the luxury premium, and our guide to the cruise lines with the best food compares Seabourn and its rivals across every budget.
For a closer look at Seabourn expedition cruising, read our Seabourn Venture ship guide, covering suites, submarines and itineraries.
Book Seabourn if you want premium drinks, every restaurant and Wi-Fi included with a relaxed, social yacht-club feel. Book Silversea if you want a butler in every suite, more ships and destinations to choose from, or a fare that includes shore excursions, flights and transfers. For expedition trips to Antarctica or the Galápagos, Silversea has more departures.
Is Silversea or Seabourn more expensive?
They are priced similarly. Silversea’s Essential fare can be cheaper, while its Door-to-Door fare costs more because it includes flights and transfers. Compare like-for-like fares and include excursions and drinks in your sums.
What is included in Silversea cruises?
All fares include butler service, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, in-suite dining and most restaurants. Port-to-Port and Door-to-Door fares also include one shore excursion per port on ocean voyages, and Door-to-Door adds flights and transfers.
Is Seabourn a good cruise line?
Yes. Seabourn is an established ultra-luxury line with all-suite ships, premium drinks, all restaurants and gratuities included, and a relaxed, sociable style that many experienced cruisers prefer.
Which is better for Antarctica, Silversea or Seabourn?
Both run polar-class expedition ships. Silversea has more expedition ships and departures, including smaller ships, while Seabourn’s two expedition ships offer a consistent, newer product. Seabourn’s submarine excursions ended in early 2026.
Does Silversea have new ships coming for 2027?
Silversea’s newest ships are Silver Nova (2023) and Silver Ray (2024). The big change for 2027 is its new suite structure of Oceanview, Veranda, Residence and Villa categories, for sailings from 1 January 2027.
