Seabourn Venture is an ultra-luxury expedition cruise ship that can take you to some of the most exotic places on Earth.
I was lucky enough to be invited step on board for the day and enjoy a full tour of the ship along with lunch. So, let’s take a deck-by-deck tour of this ship
Deck 3
Lets start down on the lowest deck, where you’ll find the most exciting features of this ship: the submarines.
There are two subs on board, each seating 6 guests and costing around $5 million dollars to build.
Submarine rides cost around $1,000 per guest, but if you want to venture down 1,000 feet to explore the ocean floor in style, this is the ultimate way to do it.
Also on deck 3 is access to the 24 Zodiac boats that take guests out on wildlife spotting expeditions and to shore. There are also kayaks, scuba gear, snorkels and fins that you can hire for free.
You’ll also find the boot room with a cubby hole for each cabin. Each guest is given a pair of boots.
I love how Seabourn has thought of every little detail and here’s an example of that…
The boots have a little bump on the back, and the seats have been made with a ledge underneath that makes it really easy for people to take off the boots without bending down.
Deck 4
Seabourn Venture’s main dining room is simply called The Restaurant. It’s big enough to accommodate every guest on the ship at the same time, although this is a small ship so that’s only 264 people.
Here you can enjoy fine dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My meal was gorgeous and it even came with flowers on top. I ate one, and I’m not convinced that I was meant to. It tasted like a flower.
Also on this deck is the Discovery Centre where guests can enjoy a rich programme of lectures about the history and culture of the places they’ll visit.
And in the heart of the ship is the Expedition Lounge, where you can sit and relax with a drink by the fire. All of the drinks are included, of course.
The atrium of this ship is beautiful. It has a skylight at the top and a staircase that goes to every deck. At the bottom is this incredible sculpture which is made from recycled plastic that has been reclaimed from the ocean.
Deck 5
At the back of deck 5 there’s an infinity pool and two spacious hot tubs. This is a lovely place to relax and enjoy the sunshine on a warm-weather cruise.
There’s also an outdoor seating area with a bar and a restaurant that’s open for a more casual breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Here’s today’s lunch menu….
At night there’s live music like opera under the stars and an officer’s deck party.
If we head inside there’s a decent-sized buffet with plenty of options to suit all tastes.
There’s even an Italian gelato truck if you’d like a sweet treat after dinner.
Deck 6
On deck 6 you’ll find more sun loungers and comfy outdoor seating. The outside area was lovely and warm even on a cold day because it has heaters in the ceiling.
Inside you’ll find a ‘living room’ style area which has concierge services, the library, a cafe and places to relax.
At the very front of deck six is the bow lounge, which is also known as the guest bridge. This space mimics the captain’s bridge with lots of instruments and interactive screens displaying current information about the day at sea.
There’s information to help you spot wildlife. When you do spot an interesting animal you can head outside for a closer look.
Deck 7
Deck 7 on Seabourn Venture has the spa and wellness centre which has a yoga room as well as good sized gym.
Deck 8
Deck 8 on Seabourn Venure has cabins, as well as the bridge.
When it comes to accommodation, you’ll find that on decks 5, 6, 7 and 8. Every room on this ship is a suite with a balcony.
The entry-level is this Verandah Suite…
At the mid-range, we have the Penthouse Suite…
The top suites are the Grand Wintergarden Suites, which have two stories, floor-to-ceiling windows and a separate sleeping loft above the living area.
Whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy a selection of Molton Brown toiletries.
As this is an expedition ship, each suite also comes equipped with heated wardrobes for drying and storing your expedition gear, including the complimentary Helly Hansen jacket which is yours to keep.
Deck 9
At the aft of deck 9 is The Club, a great place to gather before or after dinner to listen to live music.
There’s also an outdoor bar area. And if you happen to have forgotten your sun cream, Seabourn really does take care of everything for you!
There are two more hot tubs here, and two on the deck below for a total of six, which is quite a lot for such a small ship!
The highest indoor viewing point on Seabourn Venture is the Constellation Lounge which has stunning 270-degree views accompanied by live music.
To conclude
I think you’ll agree that this ship is truly stunning, but what’s even more impressive is the destinations she visits and the world-class expedition team who deliver immersive experiences in the world’s most remote destinations.
The best way to book a Seabourn cruise
Want expert help to plan your perfect cruise?
Included expedition experiences that you might enjoy include:
Caviar on Ice – Indulge in exquisite caviar while surrounded by glaciers on the top deck of the ship or onboard your Zodiac boat
Champagne Zodiac – As you return to the ship from your Zodiac cruise, another Zodia may appear from behind an iceberg, bringing Champagne!
Polar Plunge – Take a shot of whiskey, jump from the ship into the icy ocean andn then enjoy a cup of hot cocoa to warm up
Kuri Bay Pearl Reveal – Witness the delicate opening of an oyster to unveil the gleaming pearl within
If you’re interested in a luxury expedition cruise, it’s fair to say that Seabourn offers one of the very best options for you to consider.
The best way to book a Seabourn cruise
Want expert help to plan your perfect cruise?
Related Posts:
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
There are a handful of cruise lines that cater to guests looking for the most luxurious experience at sea possible. These cruise ships are not for the mass market – expect the finest food, the best service, and a fairly hefty cruise fare too.
Two of the best options are Silversea and Seabourn, but is there one that’s distinctly better than the other? Are they relatively similar, or are they aimed at slightly different markets?
Let’s find out.
Ships
The fleets for both cruise lines are relatively similar, though Silversea does have more ships.
Each cruise line has its main luxury ships, along with a small selection of expedition ships that are smaller, and designed to visit some of the more remote parts of the world.
There are just seven ships in the Seabourn fleet, including two that are expedition ships:
Ship
Type
Year Built
Size (Gross Tonnage)
Passenger Capacity
Seabourn Odyssey
Main Fleet
2009
32,346
450
Seabourn Sojourn
Main Fleet
2010
32,346
450
Seabourn Quest
Main Fleet
2011
32,348
450
Seabourn Encore
Main Fleet
2016
41,865
604
Seabourn Ovation
Main Fleet
2018
41,865
604
Seabourn Venture
Expedition
2022
23,000
264
Seabourn Pursuit
Expedition
2023
23,000
264
Only the expedition ships have been built since 2020, but there are no current Seabourn ships sailing that were built before 2009.
In terms of size and passenger capacity, there’s not a huge world of difference between the two cruise lines.
Silversea’s newest ships are bigger than Seabourn’s, but not by a huge amount. Silversea also has the smallest ship with its 100-passenger Silver Origin.
Destinations
Luxury cruise lines tend to visit a wider range of destinations than more mainstream cruise lines do. That’s because they know that guests looking for a luxury experience care as much about the destination as they do the onboard experience, and they want to see the world (plus, they have the money to afford the long-haul flights alongside their cruise fare).
Both Silversea and Seabourn, therefore, have a similar range of destination options you can choose from.
Destination
Silversea
Seabourn
Africa & Indian Ocean
YES
YES
Alaska
YES
YES
Antarctica
YES
YES
Arctic & Greenland
YES
YES
Asia
YES
YES
Australia & New Zealand
YES
YES
Canada & New England
YES
YES
Caribbean & Central America
YES
YES
French Polynesia
YES
YES
Galapagos Islands
YES
YES
Kimberley, Australia
YES
YES
Mediterranean
YES
YES
Northern Europe & Britain
YES
YES
South America
YES
YES
Transoceanic
YES
YES
World Cruises
YES
YES
Itinerary lengths are very similar between the cruise lines, too. Around a third of the cruises offered by each cruise line are for 7 nights, with half of the itineraries being for 8-21 days in length. The remainder are longer sailings.
Silversea Destinations
Silver Spirit sailing under Tower Bridge
The main reason to choose a Silversea cruise based on destination would be the smaller ports that some of the ships can visit. This is where the ship size does make a difference, but it’s marginal, as only a handful of ports exclude the Seabourn fleet.
The most notable, perhaps, is the Tower Bridge port in London – it’s quite something to sail along the Thames to begin your cruise on Silver Wind.
Seabourn Destinations
Seabourn Quest in Canada
Seabourn has historically been better known for its more adventurous shore excursions, but Silversea has caught up in that regard.
As a result, Seabourn doesn’t really offer anything destination-wise that Silversea doesn’t, and the differences between the cruise lines are very minimal when selecting an itinerary.
Food
Silversea and Seabourn both offer fine dining across the fleet – each meal truly is a level above what you would expect from a mainstream cruise line. The quality of the ingredients used, and the menu options, really are quite special.
There are some key differences between the two cruise lines though – and this could sway you when booking your cruise.
Silversea Food
There are 14 different restaurant options across the Silversea fleet.
Atlantide
An elegant grill offering seafood and steak options. Available on Silver Spirit, Silver Muse, Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Dawn and Silver Nova.
Il Terrazzino
An authentic Italian restaurant with a cosy, intimate design. Available on Silver Endeavour.
Indochine
A pan-Asian venue serving dishes from India, Thailand, Vietnam and more. Available on Silver Spirit and Silver Muse.
Kaiseki
An Asian restaurant that offers sushi, sashimi, and a teppanyaki grill for dinner. Available on Silver Muse, Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Dawn and Silver Nova. A $40-80 per person fee applies.
La Dame
Described as “quintessentially Parisian”, this restaurant offers fine French cuisine. Available on all ships except Silver Origin. This is the only Relais & Chateaux restaurant available at sea and a $60-160 per person fee applies.
La Terraza
An Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating areas. Available on all ships except Silver Origin and Silver Endeavour.
S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table
A private dining experience with food prepared in front of you, paired with fine wines and cocktails. Available on Silver Nova and Silver Ray. A $180 per person fee applies.
S.A.L.T. Kitchen
A destination-focussed restaurant with an ever-changing menu. Available on Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Dawn and Silver Nova.
Seishin
A pan-Asian restaurant serving fusion cuisine. Available on Silver Spirit. A $40 per person fee applies.
Silver Note
A lively venue with jazz and blues music, serving tapas. Available on Silver Spirit, Silver Muse, Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Dawn and Silver Nova.
Spaccanapoli
A specialist pizza restaurant. Available on Silver Spirit, Silver Muse, Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Dawn and Silver Nova.
The Grill
A poolside venue with lava stone cooking at your table. Available on all ships.
The Marquee
An outdoor dining venue that houses The Grill and Spaccanapoli but also serves a plant-based menu for breakfast. Available on Silver Nova and Silver Ray.
The Restaurant
The main dining room, serving a varied menu. Only available on Silver Whisper, Silver Origin, Silver Shadow, Silver Cloud, Silver Endeavour and Silver Wind.
This means that, if you’re sailing on Silver Spirit, Silver Muse, Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Dawn or Silver Nova, you don’t have a main dining room – instead you’ll choose from the other specialist venues instead.
Silversea allows guests to order from The Restaurant for room service, and on ships without that venue there is still an extensive room service menu.
Seabourn Food
Seabourn has fewer restaurant options than Silversea, with 7 main venues to choose from.
Solis
A new venue that offers modern Mediterranean cuisine all freshly prepared. Available on Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Sojourn.
Sushi
As the name suggests, this restaurant offers a sushi-based menu including vegan options. Available on Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation. Some sushi options are served in The Club Lounge on Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Venture.
Earth & Ocean
A vibrant restaurant serving destination-focussed menus. Available on Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Sojourn.
The Grill By Thomas Keller
A seafood and steakhouse venue with menus tailored by renowned chef Thomas Keller. Available on Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Sojourn. This is extremely popular and reservations fill quickly.
The Colonnade
A buffet restaurant with open kitchens during the day, and a contemporary bistro for dinner, again with Chef Keller inspirations. Available on all ships.
The Restaurant
The main dining room serving a wide-ranging menu. Available on all ships.
The Patio
Relaxed poolside dining venue serving burgers, pizzas, salads, soups and more. Signature burgers designed by Chef Keller are an option. Available on Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Sojourn.
Seabourn has also massively expanded its in-suite dining options, and guests can enjoy an amazing menu served course-by-course, even in the middle of the night.
While Silversea has more varied dining options compared to Seabourn, the main difference is that Seabourn never charges extra for its speciality venues, whereas some of the Silversea restaurants have a considerable additional charge.
Seabourn also has better options for casual dining – if you want to enjoy gourmet food, but occasionally grab a burger, then Seabourn would be the better choice.
Activities And Entertainment
Luxury cruise lines don’t offer the same range of onboard activities as you’d find on some of the bigger cruise lines aimed more at the mass market.
You’re not going to find bowling, roller coasters, go-karting or climbing walls on these ships – that’s not who they’re aimed at.
Both cruise lines have a similar range of activities to enjoy both during the day and at night, despite that. On these cruise lines, you can look forward to:
Cookery demonstrations
Movies at the ship’s theatre
Spa treatments
Use of a large fitness suite
Relaxing by the pool or in a whirlpool
Enrichment classes and talks
Luxury shopping
A card room for games
Drinks at one of the many bars onboard
Things To Do On A Silversea Cruise
Silversea offers a selection of evening entertainment options, including a variety of theatrical and musical performances in the onboard lounges. You’ll also find live music in feature bars, adding a lively ambience to the sophisticated evenings onboard.
Things To Do On A Seabourn Cruise
Similar to Silversea, Seabourn offers a range of exciting evening entertainment, including live music performances and a musical production exclusive to the cruise line, An Evening with Sir Tim Rice, which is playing on all ships in the fleet.
Occasionally guests can also enjoy Evenings Under The Stars, a dance party with live music on the deck.
Seabourn also offers Marina Days on select cruise itineraries. This is when the ship drops anchor out at sea and opens up the marina to allow guests to enjoy a host of complimentary water sport activities, including canoeing, jet skiing and more.
Some of the expedition ships even have miniature submarines that carry up to six guests for an amazing undersea experience.
These are only available on select sailings when the conditions are suitable, and are very exclusive – not everyone will have the chance to try them.
Price
It’s always difficult to do a side-by-side comparison of cruise lines, as the itineraries are not identical and will be affected by the ship and the demand.
However, Seabourn’s cruises do tend to be more expensive. Here are some example prices to use as a guide:
Cruise
Silversea
Seabourn
Lowest Price
Highest Entry-Level Price
Lowest Price
Highest Entry-Level Price
7 Night Caribbean
£3,950pp
£4,600pp
£2,999pp
£4,909pp
7 Night Alaska
£2,900pp
£4,500pp
£4,099pp
£6,374pp
7 Night Mediterranean
£2,800pp
£6,400pp
£3,099pp
£4,899pp
The Price of Silversea Cruises
Silversea’s cruises are considered all-inclusive, because you get all of the following included:
Food
Premium drinks
All room service
Gratuities
Standard internet (some suites have Premium WiFi included, or you can upgrade)
In-suite bar with premium liquors
What isn’t included with Silversea is:
Speciality dining in select venues
Shore excursions
Silversea offers a choice of cruise fares when you book. You can choose port-to-port fares, which covers just the cruise element, or you can choose door-to-door. This not only includes any flights you need, but also includes transfers that pick you up from home – you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get to the airport.
The Price of Seabourn Cruises
Seabourn’s cruises are also all-inclusive, as you get:
All food, including speciality dining
Premium drinks
All room service
Gratuities
Standard internet (some suites have Premium WiFi included, or you can upgrade)
In-suite bar with premium liquors
Just like Silversea, your shore excursions aren’t included in the fare. And while Seabourn offers fares that include flights, you’ll need to pay extra if you also want to book transfers from your home.
Suite Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
The Verdict
The experience that both Silversea and Seabourn offer is not completely dissimilar. Both are extremely special cruise lines that cater to guests who want to enjoy the finest things in life, including on their luxury holidays.
Silversea tends to be slightly more formal in style, with slightly less to do onboard during the day and at night – Seabourn is a little more ‘fun’ but still very much aimed at those who like a relaxed, upscale vibe.
And while Silversea does have more variety of restaurants, including the ever-popular opulence of La Dame, at least with Seabourn you know you can enjoy all the venues onboard without paying anything extra.
In summary, if you really want to feel like you’re enjoying the finest quality of cruise, then choose Silversea. But if you are more adventurous and want your luxury to be slightly more understated, then Seabourn may be the better choice.
Related Posts:
If you found this interesting, please share!
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.
