My expedition cruising experience spans some of the planet’s most fascinating corners, from Svalbard in the Arctic to the Isles of Scilly. I’ve sailed aboard an exceptional range of expedition vessels, including Swan Hellenic, Atlas, Ponant, Quark Expeditions, AE Expeditions, Albatross Expeditions, and Seabourn Venture - each offering a unique perspective on exploration at sea.
Expedition activities are where these journeys truly come to life. Zodiac cruising and landings have been central to my experiences, allowing close‑up access to shorelines and landscapes that feel wonderfully untouched. Standout moments include taking the Arctic polar plunge - an exhilarating, unforgettable rush - and joining a fossil hike in the Arctic, where walking through ancient terrain brought an incredible sense of connection to the history of the region.
The Arctic holds a special place for me, with countless memories that make it hard to choose just one highlight. Experiencing 24‑hour daylight, where time seems to lose all meaning and the world is bathed in a constant glow, was extremely surreal. Combined with the exhilaration of the polar plunge and witnessing the sheer scale of expedition operations in such a remote environment, it created an experience that felt truly extraordinary.
Antarctica sits at the top of my expedition wish list, offering the perfect counterpart to my Arctic journeys. That said, Greenland is close behind, with its dramatic ice formations, vast wilderness, and rich cultural heritage.
Sailed With:
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Seabourn
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Silversea
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Atlas Ocean Voyages
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AE Expeditions
Destinations Visited:
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United Kingdom
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Antarctica
Experience
Ship:
Seabourn Venture
Date:
June 2023
Summary
My expedition around the British Isles was an incredible experience. It was wonderful to enjoy the adventure whilst still experiencing the luxury of Seabourn. I'm going into my 15th year working in the travel industry and this was the best trip I've ever done.
The welcome/safety meeting onboard is where we first met the crew. There are 19 Expedition Team Members on board, ranging from academics, scientists and naturalists. Their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm really showed throughout the whole cruise, the tours and the lectures. You can tell they are genuinely excited to be there.
We spotted plenty of puffins and seals while exploring the Isle of Man and Isles of Scilly on zodiac excursions, led by members of the expedition team. They were always on hand to share their knowledge and expertise so we could learn more about the incredible creatures we were seeing. We had Luciano Bernacchi, the Expedition Leader, guiding our zodiac excursion. We sailed around the coast of the Calf of Man, taking our Swarovski binoculars (which are available to all guests) to spot the variety of different wildlife.
There are 24 zodiacs on board, varying in size. I was surprised by how sturdy they are on the water, even at speed. The guide gauges how fast you want to go, either a leisurely ride or a full-on jet ride as they’re taking you to and from the shore.
The onboard experience was phenomenal; exquisite dining and expedition talks really do bring the day’s activities and excursions to life. The relaxed ambience on board provided the perfect respite from a busy day of exploring. Expedition cruising with Seabourn truly combines the best of exploration and ultra-luxury cruising.
One of the notable differences with an Expedition cruise is that the schedule is fluid, plans can and do change depending on sightings, the weather and many other factors - safety will always come first. Seabourn talked about one of their Expedition cruises where the captain stopped the ship at 1am as there was a polar bear right beside them, and guests were woken up to take pictures!
The Seabourn Venture ship itself has a very different feel compared to ocean ships; you really feel like you're staying in a luxury ski lodge. There were only 160 guests on board, with maximum capacity of the ship holding 264 passengers. There are no formal nights and the dress code is much more relaxed. There are two main restaurants on board: the Colonnade, for more relaxed dining and The Restaurant, which is perfect if you want something a little more formal. We had breakfast delivered to the suite and dined on the veranda several times.
All in all, we had a fantastic trip. It really helped me get an even better understanding of the product and just how special the expedition cruises are. I cannot wait for my next one!
If you have been looking into expedition cruising, enjoy a bit of adventure, or would like some more information, I would be happy to speak with you in more detail about the operations behind the expeditions and how it all works on board.
Highlights
My favourite moment has to be using the zodiacs and getting up close and personal to the all the wildlife! It was incredible to enjoy the adventure whilst experiencing the luxury of Seabourn.
Recommendations/Advice
Seabourn have Parka jackets, designed exclusively for them by Helly Hansen. We ordered our Seabourn Expedition Parkas six days before travelling, which I'd recommend, as they were then waiting for us in the suite when we embarked. Mine was a little on the large side, however, and this was easy to change at the Parka Exchange the following day. The parka is multi-layered and perfect for zodiac tours.
