Seabourn Venture

The 2022-built Seabourn Venture cruise ship is one of the newest vessels in the Seabourn fleet. The ship was inaugurated in July 2022 (previously scheduled for delivery in July and December 2021, and April 2022). The second vessel in this series - Venture's sistership Seabourn Pursuit - was inaugurated in August 2023 (postponed from May 2022 and later December 2022).

The vessel (IMO number 9862023) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000930) and registered in Nassau.

Venture and Pursuit are part of Seabourn Expeditions' fleet. These vessels are PC6 (Polar Class 6) expedition cruise ships and each carries two mini-submarines (custom-built submersibles with a maximum capacity of 7 persons - 6 passengers plus 1 pilot; read more in the ship's Wiki section), 24 Zodiacs (large-capacity RIBs/motorized boats used for tendering and shore landings/exploration), and a fleet of 8 sea kayaks.

Each ship has a total of 132 staterooms, all of which are outside (balconied) suites.

History - construction and ownership

Seabourn Cruises is a top luxury (all-inclusive) cruise company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Seattle WA. Seabourn operates global itineraries ranging from 7-day Caribbean cruises to 100+ day Around the World voyages. Since 1998, Seabourn has been fully owned by Carnival Corporation - the world's largest passenger shipping company. Seabourn is a signature travel brand and a major player in the premium cruise market, competing directly with Silversea and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas.

With the name Venture, Seabourn pays tribute to the remote polar destinations visited by the company's expedition fleet and to "Ventures by Seabourn" (the company's shore excursion program).

Note: In February 2026, Seabourn announced that after the current Antarctic season (2025-2026), the optional undersea program (submarine excursions) would be discontinued. The decision reflected several factors, including lower-than-expected guest engagement and the significant technical resources required for maintenance and recurring recertification of the units. Additionally, evolving regulatory requirements in some regions increasingly restricted the areas and conditions under which submarine operations could be conducted, further limiting possible deployments.

Decks and Cabins

Seabourn Venture staterooms (132 total) are all suite categories with private step-out balconies. All cabins are thoughtfully appointed and designed as comfortable residential-style accommodations, with a separate lounge area serving as a relaxation and entertainment space.

The largest accommodations are the two Grand Wintergarden Suites (duplex apartments in Seabourn's new category GR). Grand Wintergarden Suites combine two cabins (Wintergarden + Veranda) and span two levels (midship on decks 7-8) with a total size of 130 m2 (1,400 ft2) and a terrace sized 19 m2 (205 ft2).

The smallest accommodations (Veranda Suites) measure 33 m2 (355 ft2) with balconies sized 7 m2 (75 ft2).

Wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) number five and are available in categories PH-Penthouse (2) and V2-V4-Veranda (3).

The vessel has 10 decks, of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 4 contain cabins.

Through the company's loyalty program, "Seabourn Club," Silver Level and above passengers receive free Internet (limited and unlimited packages), free phone calls (20-30-40 minutes worldwide), a complimentary spa massage, a day pass for the Spa Serene Area, free laundry (1 bag for every 7 days on the ship), discounted pricing on onboard alcohol purchases (premium wines and spirits), future cruise booking discounts, luggage shipping service discounts, and access to special offers and exclusive onboard events.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Seabourn Venture operates with all-inclusive fares and offers a wide choice of complimentary dining venues and open-bar lounges. Guests may dine when, where, and with whom they wish. The ship's contemporary public spaces were designed by Adam Tihany's studio, including the Main Dining Room and the club-style Seabourn Square lounge area.

Below is the complete list of Seabourn Venture restaurants and food venues - a total of 8 dining options.

The Restaurant (main dining room/MDR on Deck 4) offers open-seating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. MDR dining is top-luxury, with an "elegant casual" dress code and optional formal attire on special evenings. The Restaurant also features an extensive premium wine selection with renowned labels and vintages. Some wines by the glass are complimentary, while premium labels are available at an additional charge. The cruise line also offers special Thomas Keller-inspired menus including appetizers, entree options (including vegetarian), and desserts in French-American style.

Sushi in The Club (Deck 9 aft) is a specialty dinner restaurant (replacing the traditional "Restaurant 2" on Seabourn Odyssey-class ships) serving freshly prepared sushi. The Adam Tihany-designed venue features floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows, comfortable seating, and alfresco terrace seating served by the open-air Sky Bar. The Club's interior design includes royal blue carpeting with abstract geometric patterns, a central water-vapor fireplace, a large dance floor, a stage for live performances, Tihany Design Venture collection chairs, and banquette seating by the windows with decorative pillows.

The Patio Grill (Deck 5 aft) serves the pool area with grilled BBQ specialties, salads, side dishes, and fresh pizza by the slice. Patio Grill is open for casual alfresco lunches and throughout the afternoon (weather permitting).

• Dinners feature a full menu in an alfresco setting. Chef Keller developed signature items for Patio Grill, including the Napa Burger and an artisanal hot dog called the Yountwurst (named after Yountville CA). Chef Thomas Keller owns renowned restaurants including Per Se (Manhattan NYC), Bouchon Bakery and Cafe (Manhattan NYC), The French Laundry (Yountville CA), Ad Hoc (Yountville CA), and Bouchon Bistro (Yountville CA).
• The Patio Pool area features a plunge pool (aft-facing infinity pool flanked by two Jacuzzies), a sunbathing area with loungers and private cabanas, and service from The Colonnade Restaurant (Deck 5) and Seabourn Square (Deck 6), both accessible via outdoor staircases. Patio Deck also hosts barbecue parties accompanied by live music and dancing.

The Colonnade (specialty restaurant on Deck 6 aft) is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chefs prepare dishes in an open kitchen so guests can watch the cooking process. Dinner menus are themed daily, with special evenings featuring Chef Keller-influenced comfort dishes such as Clam Bake and BBQ ribs served family-style. The Colonnade also has an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining.

The Grill by Thomas Keller (specialty restaurant on Deck 9 aft) is a classic American steakhouse created in partnership with Adam D. Tihany (NYC-based hospitality designer) and Thomas Keller (three-Michelin-star chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author). Signature dishes include tableside Caesar salad preparation, ice cream sundaes, Lobster Thermidor, and creamed spinach. The dining experience is complemented by a cocktail program and an extensive wine list featuring both Old World and domestic labels. Reservations can be requested online before sailing (recommended due to high demand) up to 15 days prior to departure, or made onboard. One reservation per sailing is permitted.

Constellation Lounge (theatre/bar lounge on Deck 9 forward) serves early risers with beverages and fresh-baked pastries, hosts Afternoon Tea, and offers signature cocktails and tapas-style appetizers in the evenings. The lounge features floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows with 270-degree views, comfortable seating, plush sofas, round glass tables, constellation-pattern carpeting, and a centrally located bar. Expedition staff regularly visit the lounge to provide guests with information about visited ports and destinations, including regional wildlife and geology.

Seabourn Square (Deck 6 aft) serves premium coffees and teas, sandwiches, gourmet sweets, fresh pastries, and homemade gelato.

"Pantry in the Bow Lounge" offers freshly prepared light snacks and beverages.

Complimentary 24-hour in-suite dining (room service) is available to all suite categories.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The atmosphere aboard Seabourn Venture is relaxed, with a wide range of onboard activities. Many sailings feature Seabourn's "Caviar in the Surf" beach barbecue or Marina Days, when guests can kayak or sail directly from the ship. Seabourn's service is considered among the best in the luxury cruise market - highly personalized and attentive. Tipping is neither expected nor required.

The ship's Atrium, Discovery Center, Expedition Lounge, Landing Zone, and other interior public areas were designed by Tihany Design (founded in 1978). Discovery Center, Landing Zone, and Expedition Lounge are new venues themed around the era of early sea exploration and feature memorabilia and interpretive displays.

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, Internet/WiFi access, laundry services, and self-service laundromats (Laundry Room located midship on Deck 5 adjacent to the Meeting Room). Tipping/gratuities are not expected and are not added to the fare. Wedding ceremonies aboard Seabourn ships (including Ovation) can be held in various public venues, although there is no dedicated chapel onboard.

Bow Lounge (Deck 6 forward) is an indoor observation bar lounge providing near water-level access through its foredeck terrace. This makes it one of the ship's best vantage points for marine wildlife and scenic viewing, including during port arrivals, berthing, and departures. The lounge features large touchscreens displaying navigational charts and maps showing the vessel's current position and itinerary details (weather updates, Zodiac landings, wildlife information, etc.). Wall-mounted HDTV screens show live footage from the ship's external HD cameras and from a camera drone deployed nearby (weather permitting). Members of Seabourn's Expedition Team are also stationed here to interact with guests throughout the day.

Below is the complete list of Seabourn Venture lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues for adults, teens, and families.

The Atrium (the ship's social hub and focal point) features a winding grand staircase. Interior design combines metal and wood elements, ropework details replacing traditional spindles, and topography-inspired wall patterns. A suspended art installation in the Atrium resembles wind-measuring instruments.

The Discovery Center (Deck 4, adjacent to the Expedition Lounge) serves as the main venue for Seabourn's enrichment program and can accommodate all passengers. Events include port talks, briefings, lectures, and Seabourn Conversations presentations. The ship's 26-member expedition team (scientists, historians, naturalists, wilderness experts) delivers lectures related to the cruise destination and itinerary. The venue features topography maps, custom seating, and large HD screens (2.5x10 m / 8x33 ft) displaying itinerary-themed content, including footage from daily mini-submarine dives.

The Expedition Lounge (midship on Deck 4) is the ship's main indoor relaxation lounge with a full-service bar. The space features custom furniture (armchairs, sofas, low tables, bar stools), an etched glass partition depicting a vintage Antarctica map, a fireplace, and display vitrines containing expedition tools and artifacts. Two large touchscreens present multimedia content including navigational and weather charts, photographs, and maps.

The ship's two Landing Zones (portside and starboard) are embarkation points for expedition landings. Both are located on Deck 3 and measure approximately 60 m2 (646 ft2). The Landing Zone (also known as the Mudroom) is designed with durable materials and provides direct access to the ship's fleet of 24 Zodiacs used for shore landings and coastal exploration. These areas also support watersports activities (such as snorkeling in warmer climates) and provide storage for expedition gear including boots, parkas, masks, and fins.

Living Room is an open-plan lounge area designed as a comfortable social gathering space.

Seabourn Square is designed as a "living room" style lobby lounge and central meeting area. It incorporates the ship's reception desk, concierge services (24-hour assistance, reservations, information, and purser services), shore excursions desk, library, and Internet workstations. Seabourn Square also features an outdoor terrace with glass railings, mounted binoculars, padded seating, and observation areas.

The Club Lounge (disco nightclub on Deck 9 aft) hosts Afternoon Tea and later transforms into a dance club with cocktails and live music.

• The lounge has direct access to a wraparound terrace sundeck with two Jacuzzies and offers 270-degree views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Seating includes plush sofas, armchairs, window benches with decorative pillows, and a central bar with high stools and an electric fireplace.
• The open-air Sky Bar (Deck 9 aft) serves the terrace area, which includes the Jacuzzies and a sunbathing area with loungers and deckchairs.

The Meeting Room (Deck 5 midship) also functions as a Card Room for playing cards and board games.

The Boutique (Deck 4) is a duty-free shop selling designer clothing, cosmetics, perfumes, watches, jewelry, Seabourn-branded merchandise, travel essentials, gifts, and souvenirs.

The Coffee Bar (patisserie and specialty coffee bar) serves the Seabourn Square lounge area, which also includes the Library and Computer Center.

"Spa at Seabourn" is a two-deck wellness complex with an outdoor relaxation area, massage and treatment rooms, steam room, saunas, thermal suite, glass-roofed spa pool, and beauty salon.

The Fitness Center is a panoramic modern gym equipped with Technogym equipment for strength and cardio training. Personal trainers provide nutrition and fitness guidance. Complimentary classes such as Pilates, Tai Chi, and yoga are offered. The separate Motion Studio (Aerobics Room) also hosts fitness classes.

The Observation Bar is a circular observation lounge featuring a grand piano and serving coffee and tea in the morning as well as alcoholic beverages before and after dinner.

The ship's largest outdoor relaxation areas are Sun Deck (Deck 9), Promenade Deck (Deck 5), and Observation Deck (Deck 10).

Itineraries

Seabourn Venture's schedule includes Arctic itineraries in summer and Antarctica expeditions in winter. The originally planned Maiden Voyage (July 15, 2021) was themed "Northern Isles and the Viking Homeland" departing from Greenwich-London.

This expedition vessel cruises farther north and south than any other Carnival Corporation-owned ship.

The ship's initially planned inaugural season (July 2021 through April 2022) included 35 itineraries. The pre-inaugural voyage ("Highlights of the English Channel") was planned as a roundtrip from Lisbon departing July 5, 2021. Summer 2021 itineraries were scheduled along the coasts of Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. In October 2021, the ship was to reposition from Europe to Barbados (Caribbean), then transit the Panama Canal and continue along the coasts of Peru and Chile to Antarctica (November 2021). Winter 2021-2022 voyages were planned around Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands, followed by cruises along the east coast of South America to Brazil and the Amazon River Delta. In April 2022, Venture was scheduled to reposition back to homeport London-Greenwich via Cape Verde, Casablanca, and Lisbon.

• Seabourn opened bookings for Venture's inaugural cruise season on May 20, 2019. The inaugural program (July 2021-April 2022) included visits to remote Arctic and Antarctic destinations, as well as ports in the Caribbean, Central and South America (including the Amazon Delta). The program included 25 itineraries ranging from 7 to 22 days and covering more than 150 destinations worldwide, including 65 new or notable ports for Seabourn.
• However, due to COVID-related closures at T. Mariotti shipyard, the inaugural cruise was rescheduled from July 5 (Antarctica program) to December 1, 2021 (Arctic Norway program). A total of 22 itineraries were canceled (see details in the ship's Wiki section).
• Between December 2021 and April 2022, the vessel was scheduled to operate 10- to 14-day Norwegian Coastal winter cruises themed around Viking heritage and the Northern Lights. These voyages (between homeports Copenhagen Denmark and Tromso Norway) included optional and complimentary expedition-style outdoor activities such as ice fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, dog and reindeer sledding, overnight camping, and the complimentary "Concert in the Northern Lights Cathedral and Seabourn Signature Evening Event" in Alta Norway.
• Seabourn Venture's Maiden Voyage (themed "Northern Isles and the Viking Homeland") was scheduled to depart London-Greenwich on December 11, 2021. The 12-night itinerary included visits to Bergen, Alesund, Trondheim, Bodo, Svolvaer (Austvagoya Island, Lofoten), Alta, Honningsvag (Mageroya Island), Nordkapp, and Tromso.

In August 2021, Seabourn canceled 12 additional itineraries (the entire Norway winter 2021-2022 season from December 11 through April 24).

The Maiden Voyage was later rescheduled for April 10, 2022. The inaugural season was planned to begin with two ex-UK itineraries:

• (April 10) 12-day "Wild and Ancient British Isles Voyage" from London-Greenwich (England) to Leith-Edinburgh (Scotland)
• (April 22) 12-day "Scottish and Norse Legends Expedition" from Edinburgh to Tromso (Norway)

However, in February 2022 Seabourn announced that Seabourn Venture's Maiden Voyage would be postponed once again - from April 10 to July 15, 2022 (departing London-Greenwich) due to COVID-related global supply chain disruptions. The final cancellations affected 10 voyages. In early June, the July 15 departure was also canceled, and the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for July 27 (departing from Tromso).