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USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
Two expeditions in one: New Seabourn cruise takes guests to Arctic, Antarctica
Seabourn already takes guests on expedition cruises to the icy wilds of the Arctic and Antarctica. Now, a new itinerary will combine both into one voyage. The luxury line will offer its 'Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition' in 2027, sailing more than 20,500 nautical miles over 94 days. 'This is the first time in Seabourn's history – and one of the first in the cruise industry – that a luxury expedition has been designed to explore both polar regions in a single sailing,' Robin West, Seabourn's Vice President of Expedition Operations & Planning, told USA TODAY in an email. 'The idea was born from our desire to push the boundaries of expedition travel and create a journey that few could even imagine, let alone undertake. With Seabourn Venture's advanced capabilities and PC6 Polar Class rating, we knew we had the right ship to make it a reality.' Here's what guests can expect. When is Seabourn's 'Pole to Pole' expedition? The itinerary will start in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Aug. 17, 2027. Guests will spend the night there before taking a charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, to board the 264-guest Venture. Where will the expedition cruise go? West said the sailing's combined format will give visitors a 'much deeper perspective.' 'Traveling from pole-to-pole in a single expedition allows guests to witness the full spectrum of Earth's most remote environments,' he said. 'In doing this, the format eliminates itinerary repetition and creates a natural progress through changing ecosystems, cultures, and wildlife. It also gives our expedition team the opportunity to guide our guests through the shifts in environment across hemispheres.' Passengers will explore destinations in 14 countries and territories, from Canada to Brazil and Argentina, and explore famed waterways and remote regions. Those include six days in the Northwest Passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; three days in South Georgia, home to king penguins and other wildlife; and five days in Antarctica. The trip also includes three days at Ellesmere Island, a lesser-visited destination in the Arctic Archipelago. 'The island is home to fewer than 200 people and remains one of the most pristine and isolated environments on Earth,' said West. 'Our guests will have the rare opportunity to explore Canada's northernmost landmass – an area few will ever reach – featuring dramatic Arctic landscapes such as ice caps, ancient glaciers, and rugged mountain ranges.' Guests will primarily explore Alexandra Fiord, and get the chance to see musk oxen, polar bears, walruses and more. The agenda isn't all chilly, either: other stops include warmer locales such as Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Barbados. The adventure will come to a close in Ushuaia, Argentina, where passengers can board a charter flight to Buenos Aires. Cheapest Arctic and Antarctica cruises: How to book an epic voyage without overspending How much does the 'Pole to Pole' expedition cruise cost? The 94-day expedition starts at $104,999 per person based on double occupancy. That includes dining on the ship, Zodiac landings, onboard lectures, Wi-Fi and more. The sailing is currently available to book for previous Seabourn guests, and opens to the general public on Aug. 13.
Business Insider
05-05-2025
- Business Insider
I went on an Antarctic cruise. I made 2 choices that made my trip way better, but one was a $1,000 disappointment.
Every traveler should experience a cruise to Anarctica at least once. From the adorable, toddling penguins that you'll witness almost daily to the mind-blowing cerulean-blue icebergs, it's pure magic. Of course, making your way south to the Great White Continent isn't cheap, especially when you tack on the myriad excursions you'll want to enjoy along the way. I sailed to Antarctica on the Seabourn Venture in 2022 and enjoyed my fair share of top-shelf cocktails and three-course meals while on board. My luxury cruise on the 264-passenger, all-suite vessel included daily activities, but I also chose to book several of the ship's extra outings for additional fees. Surprisingly, the most expensive one was my least favorite, but I found two I'd absolutely recommend. Antarctic kayaking was everything I hoped it would be One of my goals on this trip to Antarctica was to kayak with minke whales. I'm happy to report that I achieved that goal during my add-on kayaking excursions. Before my cruise set sail, I booked three kayaking sessions on different days for about $250 a pop. I spaced them out throughout the five days our ship was in Antarctic waters. The weather in Antarctica can be volatile and unpredictable, so I wanted to have options in case one or two of the trips got canceled. This experience was incredible. I encountered many glassy icebergs as I paddled around the area's frigid waters. In addition to seeing whales, I also witnessed penguins porpoising, where they torpedo themselves up and out of the water, like dolphins. If you get lucky, you may even see (and hear) a whale spout on this excursion. I'm glad I booked the photography outing and lecutres One of the best parts of my cruise was a photography outing on a Zodiac cruise (a smaller inflatable vessel) with the ship's onboard photographer. The add-on also came with a series of lessons on taking and editing great photos. I'd invested in a professional-caliber digital camera setup before my cruise, so I found this photography-specific trip and subsequent lectures to be particularly valuable. Our group had plenty of time to slow down and take multiple shots of shimmering icebergs while on the Zodiac. Plus, I learned tips for taking photos at great angles with better lighting. The best part is that I left with dozens of high-quality images to share with my family and friends when I returned home. During my trip, the excursion was more informal and organized by my ship's onboard photographer. Now, it's been built up into an entire course called the Image Masters Photography Masterclass for both amateur and pro photographers. The add-on is usually limited to 10 individuals and costs about $375 per person per day. However, I wasn't impressed by the pricey submerisble excursion Seabourn's high-end expedition submarines can take seven people at a time hundreds of feet underwater. Although this required less work than kayaking, it was also far less scenic and way more expensive. The one-hour underwater adventure cost $1,000. I felt that was too high, especially once I realized how dark Antarctica's oceans can be and how little I'd actually see. I didn't really enjoy sitting in a tiny, cramped bubble and trying not to feel claustrophobic for 60 minutes while descending into the dark depths of the ocean. Some optimistic part of me had hoped to see penguins or whales, but we just spent the hour cruising around a dense carpet of unmoving sea stars dotted with sponges. According to our guide, my group on this excursion saw more marine life than most, which didn't feel like very much. It was also tricky to take decent photos due to hazy sediment and low light at the bottom of the ocean. Truth be told, the coolest thing about the submersible excursion was nerding out with my fellow shipmates about being in a freaking submarine.
