14-Day Melanesia & Polynesia: Island Cultures & Coral Coasts

Discover the Wonders that Wait Under the Waterline in Seabourn’s Luxurious New Expedition Submarines

Consider it the ultimate luxury perk on the ultimate luxury expedition ships: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the wonders of the ocean floor in the comfort of Seabourn’s custom submarines.

The deeper you explore beneath the ocean’s surface, the more unique the scenery becomes, and the more secrets the sea reveals, from incredible sunken shipwrecks to stunning coral reefs to unique marine wildlife normally hidden from human view.

The only way to experience this otherworldly realm is by submarine, and at Seabourn our exacting standards for comfort and luxury mean these undersea explorations take place in custom-built submarines crafted to be the best at the sea.

Each environmentally friendly, battery-powered sub carries just seven people — six guests, three each in two clear acrylic spheres — plus the highly trained pilot guiding the journey. The intimate and innovative new exploration vehicles are capable of diving to depths of 300 meters (984 feet) offering passengers an awe-inspiring perspective of the marine world just outside. Thanks to undisturbed and undistorted views in virtually all directions you’ll come face-to-face with the wonders that lie below the waterline.

Not only will passengers be kept dry and comfortable while the submarine dives under the sea, in keeping with the ultra-luxury experience found on Seabourn, subs are outfitted with custom-embroidered leather upholstery, a Bluetooth stereo system, air conditioning, and champagne chiller so you can toast your extraordinary journey.

Rendering of Seabourn expedition submarine being launched in to the water from a special cargo hold on Expedition ships

To memorialize your time under the sea, the subs are outfitted with a high-tech, 4K underwater video camera system that will capture your underwater experience. The videos will be screened in the Discovery Center for workshops and conversations with guests that are led by marine biologist or oceanographer Expeditions leaders.

This is truly the adventure of a lifetime. Experience it for yourself when Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit set sail for breathtaking locations and remote destinations in the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit's submarines are a high-profile amenity of its expedition capabilities. Itineraries where submarines may be deployed are indicated by an icon, however their use is limited by conditions of currents and visibility, cannot be guaranteed, and are at the Captain’s discretion.

More and more of our guests relish the opportunity to engage with destinations in a more interactive, experiential and participatory way. We created Ventures by Seabourn® to provide these travelers with exciting, adventurous optional activities that are expertly planned, professionally operated and escorted by skilled expert guides.

Enhance..

On select sailings featuring Ventures by Seabourn® excursions, share your voyage with a knowledgeable, experienced expedition team of scientists, scholars, naturalists and more. These fascinating, accomplished experts will be part of our complimentary Seabourn Conversations program, providing you an in-depth understanding of the history, ecology and culture of the places you visit. On board, their valuable insights are offered both in formal presentations and in more casual conversations over meals or at leisure.

Extend

In select ports of call and destinations, optional Ventures by Seabourn® excursions, guided by our Expedition Team, invite you to explore spectacular destinations on exhilarating sea-level adventures. Launching from your ship on board our fleet of sturdy, Zodiac® boats or paddling in double sea kayaks, these adventures will vary depending on your itinerary, but include thrills such as cruising picturesque fjords and waterways, trekking on scenic islands, viewing birds, seals, whales and other wildlife up-close, and surveying massive, white-blue icebergs.

Ventures by Seabourn vs Excursions: What's the Difference?

First launched in 2013, Ventures by Seabourn was introduced for guests who have dreamed of experiencing a Seabourn expedition, but are unable to sail on one of our expedition ships.

Unlike traditional shore excursions, the expedition team is placed aboard select sailings to offer knowledge, commentary, education on the destinations, and to lead hikes, Zodiac cruises, and kayaking in remote areas. It allows Seabourn guests to experience expedition-style encounters with the landscapes, but do it on the traditional Seabourn ships that our guests know and love.

Our guests travel with us because they want to see, hear, learn and discover new places and experiences. To ensure that our guests have memorable and enriching experiences in the over 450 ports of call we offer annually, we contract the best local agents to create and operate some 12,000 carefully curated shore experiences, offering our guests a range of choices in duration, content and the type of activity involved to fully satisfy their wishes. To assist our guests in choosing among these numerous excursion options, we are categorizing our overall Shore Experiences by Seabourn into seven ‘Collections,’ according to the general interests they are designed to captivate.

The Cultural Collection
The Cultural Collection explores the arts, ideas and legacy of places, including access to UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world.

The Bespoke Collection
The Bespoke Collection affords guests opportunities to customize their shore experiences by arranging private cars and drivers, guides, yachts, reservations and other services in ports of call

The Adventure Collection
The Adventure Collection is an array of excursions offering guests active and participatory experiences in ports, including Ventures by Seabourn™ and expedition excursions on our Expedition ships.

The Mindful Living Collection
The Mindful Living Collection consists of guided shoreside experiences in Mindful Living, designed in partnership with world-renowned integrative medicine pioneer.

The Epicurean Collection
The Epicurean Collection invites guests to explore the unique flavors of a destination by indulging their passion for tasting both traditional and contemporary foods and drinks.

The Essential Collection
The Essential Collection offers shorter-duration introductory experiences such as guided walking tours, allowing guests with general interest to learn the highlights about a port.

The Journeys Collection
The Journeys Collection offers escorted pre-, post- and mid-cruise overland experiences of two to 13 days, exploring iconic landmarks impossible to visit during a scheduled port call.

The Discovery Center, which is adjacent to the Expedition Lounge on Deck 4, acts as the teaching & academic center for natural history and cultural programming in an environment spacious enough to accommodate all guests at one time. Each day, guests will visit this venue for insightful lectures, briefings, and Seabourn Conversations enrichment programming designed to help educate them throughout their expedition experience. The world-class 26-person expedition team of wilderness experts, scientists, historians and naturalists will deliver rich, insightful lectures and discussions on a broad array of topics related to the region where guests are sailing. Inspired by the compelling landscape of some of the expedition destinations, the Discovery Center incorporates the organic shapes of topography maps against the elegant curves of the plush custom seating.

Audio-visual experiences will come to life through high-definition screens 2.5 meters high by 10 meters wide, showing a variety of programming to create a captivating experience that whets the appetite and creates excitement for each destination. Footage from submarine voyages will also be shown, providing an enticing look at the undersea world and the marine life that calls it home.

The Landing Zone is the area where exploration begins. There are two landing zones, port and starboard side on Deck 3. The launch and recovery point for landings, it's a spacious environment where guests change and clean their gear in comfort, as well as a place to store excursion essentials like boots. It's designed for functionality, accessibility and ease, offering direct access to one of the 24 Zodiacs available for Ventures by Seabourn® adventures. In tropical areas, it's the place to kick off scuba, snorkelling and similar undersea adventures.

Shopping with the Chef — at local food markets. Shop a bustling Sicilian market, gather spices in Istanbul or explore the local wines of Tuscany and Provence. Wherever you are in the world, you'll enjoy an insider's look at unique regional markets with an expert Seabourn chef as your guide

Enjoy fascinating Seabourn Conversations sessions with guest experts from the fields of arts, history, science, and more.

A place to enjoy some light reading or to socialize with your fellow passengers, Seabourn Square is what you're looking for. Seabourn Square is the true ‘living room’ of the ships. An inviting sociable space where guests will find a charming European style coffee bar, Seabourn Square has been designed as an open, comfortable environment for guests to interact with onboard officers and the expedition team and engage in conversation with family and new friends. The space is also home to the highly-trained Guest Services staff, who provide a range of concierge services such as general ship information, assistance with special service requests, port and travel information, and more.

A selection of coffees are prepared by the skilled onboard baristas some using beans roasted in Seabourn Square. For those feeling a bit hungry, Seabourn Square offers freshly made pastries and other on-the-go breakfast items in the morning, as well as an assortment of light sandwiches and desserts later in the day, along with a selection of artisanal gelati made on board. Guests will also find a wide range of books in the adjoining library, with a host of titles on subjects such as adventure, expeditions and other topics of interest to enjoy while onboard. Staying current with the news is made easy with tablets featuring the Press Reader news application available to browse each day.

The Expedition Lounge, located on Deck 4, is the heart of the ship. A gathering place for the curious, guests are invited to relax or linger with a complimentary cocktail or glass of fine wine from the bar as they share photos and stories from the day with their fellow travelers and the onboard staff. The Expedition Lounge will be central to the Seabourn expedition operation where guests convene before and after expeditions each day.

Custom furniture designed in a variety of warm, natural materials creates an inviting, tactile atmosphere. An ode to the adventurous, the Expedition Lounge features an etched glass partition displaying a vintage map of Antarctica and vitrines showcasing intricate tools and devices of the trade. Two large touchscreens will also display a wealth of information including photos, navigational charts, weather charts, and maps.

Located on Deck 6, at the forward-most part of the vessel, the Bow Lounge provides the closest access to water level via the foredeck, making it the perfect spot for guests to spend some time watching for marine life. Within a few steps, guests can be outside, with a vantage point that is ideal to watch the ship’s course, spot wildlife, or take in the beautiful natural scenery.

The Bow Lounge introduces some technological enhancements, providing guests with a first for Seabourn with touch screens showing the ship’s plotted location, as well as navigational charts and scientific information used to help guide the ship on its journey. Large screens project live footage from mounted cameras outside the ship, and from a drone when conditions permit, while the touch screen monitors invite guests to explore on their own with a live map, weather information, and notes detailing upcoming expeditions. Expedition Team members will be available within the Lounge throughout the day to interact with guests, answer questions, provide interpretation and aid in spotting wildlife.

The space provides direct access to the Bow Sprit on Deck 6 forward (when conditions permit) to give guests the sensation of standing in front of the ship and views of waves parting and ice sloughing off the bow at the waterline.

Designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany, the ship’s public spaces exude casual elegance at every turn, from the soaring sky-lit Atrium, to the inviting Expedition Lounge and into each guest suite. Rich textures and first-rate materials take shape in modern-yet-timeless settings that are made for socializing, relaxing, learning and exploring.

One of the most FUN evenings during any cruise, Evenings Under the Stars is a night where guests can let their hair down and simply be in the moment. Enjoy Let’s Dance! with great live music, interact with fellow travelers and be spoiled in true Seabourn style by our food and beverage team with Desserts Under the Stars. A signature event, this dance party has been a part of the line’s rich culture, and a Seabourn cruise is not complete without Let’s Dance! and Desserts Under The Stars. 

Weather permitting, this high-energy dance party is hosted poolside and under the stars by the entire entertainment team, featuring performances by The Band, vocalists and dancers. There is even the possibility your Cruise Director and Assistant Cruise Director might jump on stage to perform, as well! Guests can expect music that appeals to everyone’s taste with a great mix of hit songs. It’s a real treat and guests LOVE Evenings Under the Stars!

Overlooking the beautiful Pool Patio, the open-air Sky Bar presents you with a gorgeous setting to take a break from the afternoon sun while enjoying a refreshing tropical beverage, or spend the evening enjoying a few social cocktails under the stars.

The Constellation Lounge is the highest indoor viewing point on each ship. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls wrap around the space, offering guests stunning 270-degree, outward-facing views as far as their eyes can see, heightening their expeditionary spirit while bringing them closer to wildlife and wonders at sea and in port.

In addition, the expedition team will be in the lounge regularly to help identify points of interest, wildlife and geological wonders. Imagine glimpsing killer whales, waddling penguins, and sea lions in Antarctica; sleepy-eyed sloths, sprightly monkeys, and colorful parrots in the rainforests of South and Central America; and icebergs bobbing in the seas and waterfalls rushing over cliffs in the far reaches of the Arctic and Northern Europe – all from the comfort of the Constellation Lounge.

The Constellation Lounge offers Seabourn’s popular Early Morning Riser continental breakfast, while afternoons features the line’s popular and recently enhanced Afternoon Tea service. Steeped in the tradition of proper English tea service, yet as fresh and memorable as a newly brewed pot, the elegant daily tea service incorporates the finest luxury tea brand TWG Tea. As the sun dips and the night sky lights up, live piano entertainment delights guests as cocktails and tapas are served both before and after dinner. 

Whether you're buying souvenirs for your friends at home or want a memento of your vacation, our Shops will have what you need. Shop for fashion and cosmetics at The Boutique, jewelry and fine watches at The Collection, or logo cruisewear at the Shop. 

The liveliest lounge on board is the scene of daily afternoon tea service. It is a popular spot for pre-dinner drinks and dancing to live music. After dinner, the dancing music continues, and later a DJ spins dance music until late at night. Another terrace of open deck aft of The Club boasts a plunge pool and two small whirlpool spas.

Many veteran cruisers specifically choose cruises that provide at least a few days at sea. The Card Room is a great choice for the sea-loving cruiser who craves that languorous feeling of lazy leisure. There will be loads of on board activities during those days, including a great game of bridge.

For meetings and gatherings, our ships offer meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 40 guests. The meeting rooms can be arranged to guests’ specifications including theater-style or with tables; and each of the rooms have large-screen TVs for presentations. Guests may also reserve the Card Room when available. Our crew members are happy to assist guests with meeting room reservations and setup.

Our Fitness Center features high performance Technogym equipment for cardio and strength training. We also offer a series of complimentary classes including yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi. Or, if personal attention is preferred, our personal trainers will design a nutrition and exercise plan that will help you achieve results. Based on your body’s particular needs, this personalized session will expose you to the wellness program that works best with your body. Aboard Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest you may try the Kinesis System. Using a tri-dimensional pulley system, our personal trainers will guide you through a series of exercises designed to improve balance, flexibility and strength.

Offering the perfect setting for a sunny afternoon, the swimming pool is surrounded by an expansive sundeck with chaise lounges, shaded seating, two large whirlpool spas, and is within steps of the Patio Grill. Sun loungers and cabanas are arrayed in a mix of sun and shade. A stage provides occasional live music for dancing.

Seabourn’s spas offer a wide spectrum of massages, facials, and beauty treatments, blending traditional practices from around the world with the most up-to-date techniques. Seabourn’s spas are suitable for guests wishing to maintain a personal fitness regime or discover a new one. A well-equipped ocean-view gym and Motion Studio is staffed by professional fitness trainers, and a full-service salon for men and women complement the spas.

SPA AND FITNESS SERVICES INCLUDE*

• Skilled therapists offer a full range of body and facial services including massage, detox, cleansing and wrap therapies and more
• Full-service salon for men and women
• Fitness Director to create your ideal regime
• Fitness centers with ocean views, offering state-of-the-art fitness equipment
• Motion Studio offering yoga and meditation, Crystal Sound bath, TRX and stretch classes, and more
• Personalized spa services are also offered in a dedicated Spa Cabana at The Retreat, our serene enclave atop Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation, available by reservation
• Unique to Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit: Glass-walled saunas with expansive ocean views

*Class offerings may vary by ship