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Seabourn Venture Makes First Visit to Antarctica for Naming Ceremony

Seabourn Venture Makes First Visit to Antarctica for Naming Ceremony

Seabourn Venture, Seabourn’s first purpose-built expedition ship, made her first visit to Antarctica for a traditional naming ceremony.

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Ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn‘s new expedition ship Seabourn Venture made her first-ever visit to the “Great White Continent” on November 20, 2022 for her official naming ceremony.

Seabourn Venture‘s passengers watch as she arrives for her inaugural visit to Antarctica

The 558-foot-long ship came to a stop in the fast ice of the Weddell Sea, where guests and crew joined the ship’s godmother for the ceremony. Adventurer, mountaineer and polar explorer Alison Levine carried out the ceremonial duties virtually, to wish Seabourn Venture and all who sail on her luck on future voyages.

Read more: What Is a Cruise Ship Godmother (or Godfather)?

Venture‘s onboard team broke a bottle against the ship, a time-honored ship naming tradition—though with a polar twist, this bottle was made of ice.

Luciano BernacchiSeabourn Venture’s Expedition Leader, praised Captain Stig Betten for finding the perfect location for the ship’s naming ceremony, which took place under calm winds and clear conditions.

“We’ve eagerly awaited Seabourn Venture’s maiden voyage to Antarctica since the moment the ship debuted earlier this year,” said Seabourn President Josh Leibowitz. 

“The extraordinary continent encapsulates exactly what we hope to bring to guests who sail aboard our new ship: adventure, discovery and awe-inspiring wonder. With the beauty of the Antarctic landscape and scenery in the background, it truly was the perfect place to name the most luxurious expedition ship, Seabourn Venture,” Leibowitz continued.

You can watch the full Seabourn Venture naming ceremony in the video below:

Although Seabourn Venture originally launched in Tromsø, Norway on July 27, 2022, Seabourn chose Antarctica for her naming ceremony. The ship departed San Antonio, Chile, on November 7 and sailed down the Chilean coast before reaching Antarctica.

Once she reached the icy continent, Venture offered her passengers hiking tours and Zodiac rides, led by a 26-member Expedition Team of wildlife experts, scientists, historians, and naturalists.

Guests also had the option to partake in expedition experiences including guide-led kayaking or journeying deep underwater on one of the ship’s expedition submarines.

Related: What Is a Zodiac Boat on an Expedition Cruise?

About Seabourn Venture

A Panorama Veranda Suite aboard Seabourn Venture

As a luxury expedition ship, Seabourn Venture was designed and built to PC6 Polar Class standards for diverse environments. The vessel includes modern hardware and technology that extends the ship’s global deployment and capabilities.

As part of its 120-member crew, Venture is staffed with a dedicated 26-person Expedition Team of wilderness experts, scientists, historians, and naturalists. The team regularly interacts with guests, providing in-depth insights into the history, ecology, and culture of the places they visit.

The Expedition Team offers insights both in formal presentations on a variety of topics as well as in casual conversations over meals, on deck during scenic cruising, or during leisure experiences.

The ship is equipped with kayaks and enough Zodiacs (sturdy, hard-bottomed inflatable boats) to transport every guest on expeditions at once. Venture also boasts two custom-built submarines, each with a six-person capacity, to explore the natural wonders under the sea in comfort.

Like all Seabourn ships, Seabourn Venture offers an all-inclusive luxury cruise experience with all ocean-view suites. Additionally, each of the expedition ship’s 132 guest suites features a private veranda.

Related: Which Cruise Lines Have All-Inclusive Cruises?

What’s next for Seabourn Venture?

Seabourn Venture at her first Antarctic stop in the Weddell Sea

Between November 2022 and February 2023, Seabourn Venture will sail on 11- to 22-day voyages to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

These voyages will include visits to research stations and daily Zodiac operations for landings and cruising along the Antarctic Peninsula.

In March and April 2023, Seabourn Venture will embark on a series of seven- to 12-day expedition voyages in Brazil and the Amazon, visiting the colorful cities on the coast of Brazil and sailing into the heart of South America.

Beginning in May 2023, Seabourn Venture will offer two new itineraries: the British Isles and Iceland. Then between June and August 2023, the ship will explore the Arctic with a series of 14- and 15-day voyages to Greenland and Iceland.

On August 27, 2023, Venture will embark on a 23-day journey across the storied Northwest Passage, the infamous route from the Atlantic to the Pacific with a fascinating history of exploration.

Latest news about Seabourn

Have you taken an expedition cruise with Seabourn? Or are you planning to sail aboard Seabourn Venture? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Carrie Ann Karstunen