In 2027, Seabourn is set to offer a rare opportunity: an astonishingly ambitious expedition that takes travellers to both Antarctica and the Arctic in a single voyage, something vanishingly few will ever experience.
In the words of Seabourn President Mark Tamis, “Our Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition is unlike anything we’ve ever offered and is a once-in-a-lifetime journey designed for travellers who dream of exploring the ends of the Earth in total comfort and luxury.”
Without further ado, here’s why this hemisphere-traversing voyage is the kind of experience that bucket lists were made for.
1. It covers over 25,000 nautical miles
It’s hard to comprehend the extraordinary breadth of this journey. Over 94 days, guests will travel from Reykjavík to Buenos Aires, reaching both 82° North and 66° South along the way.
On the journey, they’ll take in some of the most remote places on the planet, with 60 days of port calls and excursions in destinations like Greenland, Ellesmere Island in northern Canada, the Northwest Passage, South Georgia, the Falklands and the Antarctic Sound.
Seabourn will also offer a shorter 82-day Grand Expedition, with guests joining just under two weeks into the voyage.
2. You’ll see spectacular wildlife
For many travellers, one of the biggest draws of Seabourn’s Grand Expedition is the opportunity to spot a diverse range of animals from sea-level Zodiacs, uncrowded decks and your own private veranda.
Examples of wildlife you may see on the voyage include several species of penguin, from Kings to Gentoo, the ancient muskoxen of the High Arctic, elusive polar bears, formidable leopard seals, Arctic foxes and whales such as humpbacks, minkes and belugas. Swarovski® binoculars are on hand to help you make the most of rare sightings.
3. You can chase the Northern Lights
While the aurora borealis can’t be guaranteed, guests joining this expedition are uniquely well-positioned to see them, given how far north they’ll travel and the duration of the sailing.
Seabourn Venture’s Constellation Lounge, featuring 270° floor-to-ceiling views, as well as the ship’s 30,000 square feet of open deck space, provide you with plenty of ideal vantage points for witnessing these magical celestial displays, should they appear.
4. You’ll visit tropical beaches
It won’t be all glacial wilderness, aurora hunting and penguin colonies. There’s a whole world between the poles, after all, and this voyage will showcase the full spectrum of the planet’s geography.
That includes the sizzling warmth of South American shores and the sun-drenched tropical islands of the Caribbean. Destinations include St Lucia, where pristine beaches sit alongside rainforests with wild orchids and brilliantly plumed tropical birds, and Rio de Janeiro, where Sugarloaf Mountain overlooks famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema.
Simply put, your swimsuit will come in handy for dips in the sun-dappled waters of equatorial islands as well as polar plunges.
5. You’ll sail in all-inclusive luxury
Considering this is a globe-spanning expedition, 33 days of the itinerary will be spent at sea, enjoying all that Seabourn Venture has to offer.
It’s fair to say the experience will bear little resemblance to the early days of expedition travel, when voyages were decidedly rough and ready. This all-veranda-suite vessel, which was purpose-built to take Seabourn’s guests to diverse environments, is one of the most luxurious ways to see the world, full stop.
As well as intuitive, personalised service from suite hosts and attendants, expect amenities such as a spa and wellness area, an infinity pool, eight lounges and bars, world-class dining venues and thoughtful touches including heated wardrobes.
That’s alongside features designed to optimise exploration, such as a PC6 ice-strengthened hull that takes you closer to the action in polar regions, and a Discovery Centre dedicated to natural history and cultural programming.
6. Guests get extra, exclusive benefits
As standard, Seabourn operates on an all-inclusive basis, with complimentary dining across all venues, premium spirits and fine wines, no gratuities required or expected, expert-led lectures and more.
But on this Grand Expedition, guests receive a set of additional perks that go beyond the usual offering. Benefits include:
- Up to $10,000 Shipboard Credit per suite
- Upgraded stream Wi-Fi packages, powered by Starlink (two devices)
- Unlimited laundry service
- Two kayak tours, one per hemisphere
- A commemorative, custom Polar Parka designed exclusively for the Grand Expedition
7. It’s led by highly skilled experts
This immersive voyage is led by an elite 23-person expedition team of scientists, scholars, naturalists and other specialists. They’re on hand to offer insights into remote cultures, as well as the history and ecology of each destination.
Robin West, vice president of expeditions, explained, “I often describe the expedition team as having a set of encyclopaedias walking around with you.”
Depending on your destination, they might share findings from their research into rare wildlife, explain the rituals and myths of indigenous Arctic cultures or ensure you can get up close and personal with nature while remaining safe and respectful.
8. You’re invited to join Seabourn Signature Events
Passengers are invited to take part in complimentary Seabourn Signature Events, including Caviar on the Ice. Surrounded by majestic polar landscapes, Seabourn Venture’s deck transforms into the setting for this memorable event, where guests sip chilled champagne out of frozen glasses while enjoying live music and rare caviar.
Robin West said, “You’re already blown away by what you’ve seen, and we’re just adding the icing on the cake. The expedition team is there as well, to engage with the guests, because while we’re having caviar on ice, you never know what we’re going to see.”
The Polar Plunge is another passenger favourite, giving guests the thrill of leaping into ice-cold water from a Zodiac positioned directly at the side door of the ship. Afterwards, these intrepid travellers are welcomed back into the warmth on board, with the hotel team and a full bar awaiting them.
9. It’s a chance to master polar photography
Keen photographers joining the Grand Expedition may be interested in the optional Image Masters photography masterclass, which offers in-the-field guidance in photo composition, camera technique, editing and retouching, all led by the ship’s accomplished photographer.
The programme also includes photographer-led Zodiac tours, exclusive lectures, one-to-one mentoring sessions, private lab hours and a photographer-hosted dinner.
Visit Seabourn’s website to see the full itinerary, suite categories and more.
What else to know about sailing with Seabourn:
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