Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit: The Expedition Ship Guide

At a glance

• Two sister expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, each with its own page on seabourn.com. shows a banner describing the ships as all ocean-front suites.
• To our knowledge each ship carries about 264 guests, has a PC6 polar ice class, and has two custom submarines, Zodiacs, kayaks and a 24-member expedition team. The pages we opened did not state these numbers, so confirm them on the ship pages before you rely on them.
• Seabourn lists Antarctica, the Kimberley, the Arctic, the Northwest Passage, South America, the South Pacific and a Grand Expedition as expedition destinations.
• The deck plan is a PDF on the official deck plan page, not text we can read.
• Typical Antarctica routing starts in Ushuaia, Argentina, crosses the Drake Passage, and spends several days on the South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula. Our itinerary here is representative, not a sailing.
• Submarine rides are typically an extra purchase; we could not confirm pricing on any page we opened.
• Biggest mistake to avoid: booking flights with no slack. Weather and ice can move embarkation or landings, so leave a buffer day at both ends.

Who it is for, who it is not

This guide suits a traveler who wants small-ship polar travel with a luxury hotel layer on top: suites, a mainly included drinks and dining style, and a dedicated expedition team. Seabourn's own expedition page lists complimentary dining venues, caviar, premium spirits and fine wines, a welcome Champagne and an in-suite bar for the brand overall, though the page does not say whether each applies on every expedition voyage.

It is less suited to anyone who needs a low price, who dislikes cold, wet landings from small boats, or who needs an unscheduled itinerary guarantee. Polar landings depend on wind, swell and ice. You may skip a landing you paid for, and no ship page can promise otherwise.

How to pick a sailing

1. Choose the destination first. Antarctica is the headline, but Seabourn also lists other expedition regions on its expedition page.
2. Choose a season. Antarctic cruising typically runs in the southern summer, roughly November to March. Early season brings snow and ice, later season brings more wildlife activity. Confirm the exact season window on the sailing page.
3. Count days. Antarctica trips of 12 to 14 days typically include two Drake Passage crossings, which can take around four days at sea in total; confirm the day-by-day on seabourn.com for your sailing.
4. Pick the suite category last. Ask the line which categories exist for your date and read the deck plan PDF to see where they sit.
5. Decide on extras early, particularly submarine and kayak places, which are typically limited. Ask your consultant at +1 800-442-4448, the number Seabourn lists on its FAQ pages.

Rough cost of the trip, three ways

We name no cabin prices, because fares vary by sailing. Fill the blanks from the sailing page.

Fees we could not confirm: gratuities, Wi-Fi tiers and submarine pricing. The FAQ index lists a question titled "Are gratuities included?" but the page does not show the answer.

Entry and safety basics

Argentina's State Department advisory was Level 1, "Exercise normal precautions," dated July 10, 2026. Chile's was Level 2, "Exercise increased caution," dated August 19, 2026, with risk indicators for crime, unrest and health. (Check this on the official page before you book.

Seabourn's expedition FAQ lists a question about what to pack and wear on a polar expedition and describes Zodiac and kayak experiences, but the answer text did not appear on the page we opened. Read those answers and your embarkation documents before you sail. Expect to fill in health forms for expeditions; we could not confirm the form names.

Three free things

1. Watch the Beagle Channel leave. Stand on an outside deck as the ship leaves Ushuaia and the Andean peaks slide past. Photo subject: Beagle Channel and the mountains behind Ushuaia.
2. Follow the wake in the Drake Passage. Sea days cost nothing, and the birds that glide behind a ship are free entertainment. Photo subject: albatross over the Drake Passage.
3. Look at a glacier face from the deck. Even on a day without a landing, the ship cruises past ice. Photo subject: glacier front in the Lemaire Channel.

What a landing day looks like

Expect an early wake-up call over the ship's speaker, then breakfast and a short briefing from the expedition team. You dress in layers, collect boots and a parka if the ship provides them, and wait for your group to be called to the loading platform. A Zodiac ride of a few minutes takes you to a beach or into the ice. Ashore you walk with guides, keep your distance from wildlife and return for a boot rinse. Afternoons often repeat the pattern at a second site, followed by a recap and dinner. Plans change with wind and ice, so treat every landing as a possibility rather than a promise. Bring a small day bag with water, a snack, spare gloves and a lens cloth, because you may be ashore for a couple of hours at a time and the weather can change quickly. Keep your hands free for boarding the boats. Anything in this guide without a stamp is typical rather than confirmed; ask Seabourn directly before paying a deposit.

This is the free lite guide. The full day-by-day guide, with maps, photo stops, rain plans and the points playbook, is part of PerkJolt All-Access.