Seabourn Venture: Ship Guide, Suites, Itineraries and Review Roundup

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.

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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

What makes the Seabourn Venture ship different

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.

Seabourn Venture deck plans: deck-by-deck highlights

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.

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:

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.

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

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.

If you’re torn between luxury lines, our Silversea vs Seabourn comparison covers how the two approach expedition cruising.

FAQs

Where is Seabourn Venture now?

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.