A New Generation of Expedition Ships

Seabourn’s PC6 ice-class expedition ships—Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit—form the cornerstone of the line’s global expedition strategy. Created specifically for polar navigation, each vessel carries around 264 guests, two custom-built submarines, a fleet of zodiacs, and a 24-member expedition team spanning marine biology, geology, ornithology, glaciology and photography.

These ships represent a rare combination: genuine expedition capability with Seabourn’s signature ultra-luxury style—suite accommodation, dining by Chef Thomas Keller, and spacious deck design for wildlife viewing.

Arctic 2026: The High North Reimagined

From June to early September 2026, Seabourn’s Arctic programme pushes deeper into remote northern corridors, with routes covering:

Iceland & Greenland: The Ice-Edge Frontier

Seabourn’s 2026 Arctic season is anchored by a series of itineraries departing from Reykjavik, placing travellers at the doorstep of some of the North Atlantic’s most dramatic wilderness. These voyages trace Iceland’s wild western fjords, where sheer cliffs, remote fishing settlements and cascading waterfalls shape a coastline as untamed as it is cinematic. Zodiac excursions reveal coastal birdlife, basalt formations and the raw interplay of volcanic and glacial forces that define the island’s geology. Crossing the Denmark Strait, the landscape shifts into the towering ice architecture of East Greenland. Here, travellers enter Scoresby Sound—recognised as the longest and deepest fjord system on earth. Icebergs drift through mirror-calm waters, volcanic mountains rise sharply from the sea, and late-summer light casts a shimmering glow across the ice. Seabourn’s expedition team leads zodiac cruises, glacier viewing and naturalist-led scouting for musk ox, Arctic fox and seabirds that inhabit this remote, sparsely populated coastline.

Why it matters: Few ships access Scoresby Sound; this is one of the most pristine polar regions available to luxury travellers.

Svalbard: The Realm of Polar Wildlife

Further north, Seabourn’s Svalbard routes navigate one of the Arctic’s most protected wilderness areas—a high-latitude archipelago known for rugged glacier fronts, floating ice and abundant wildlife. This is prime territory for spotting polar bears, walrus hauled out on ice floes, and thousands of nesting seabirds along dramatic cliff faces. Expedition days here unfold through zodiac cruising, glacier landings, and ice-edge navigation, guided by Seabourn’s polar experts who provide context on geology, climate and wildlife behaviour. With 24-hour summer daylight reflected across fjords and ice fields, Svalbard delivers a rare combination of remoteness, biodiversity and breathtaking polar scenery.

Why it matters: It is one of the few places on earth where travellers can safely observe polar bears in their natural habitat, supported by strict environmental protocols.

Canadian Arctic & Baffin Bay: Culture, Ice & High-Latitude Majesty

Select 2026 expeditions carry travellers into the Canadian High Arctic, tracing the rugged coastlines of Baffin Island, Baffin Bay and the narrow channels that link the Northwest Passage. These routes are defined by cathedral-like fjords, towering granite mountains, and vast ice fields that shift colour with the season. Cultural encounters are a hallmark here. Seabourn partners with local communities to facilitate respectful visits to Inuit settlements, offering travellers the opportunity to learn about Arctic traditions, craftsmanship and contemporary life in remote northern environments. Zodiac landings may explore tundra landscapes, glacial valleys or wildlife habitats where seals, Arctic foxes and migratory birds thrive.

Why it matters: These routes combine wilderness with cultural depth—showcasing the human stories of the Arctic alongside its monumental landscapes.

Why the Arctic with Seabourn?

• Small ship advantage for deeper fjord access
• Submarines offering rare underwater perspectives
• Wildlife-focused itineraries timed for tundra bloom, midnight sun or early-season ice
• Higher comfort level than traditional expedition lines

For discerning travellers, Arctic 2026 is an invitation to see the Far North with nuance, sensitivity and ease.

Antarctica 2026–2027: The White Continent in Ultra-Luxury

Seabourn’s southern deployment spans November to March, offering multiple routes across the Seventh Continent.

Classic Antarctica Peninsula Voyages: Into the White Continent

Seabourn’s 10–13 day expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula depart from Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and gateway to polar exploration. Once across the Drake Passage, travellers enter a world sculpted by ice and silence—towering glaciers, cathedral-like icebergs, and shorelines dotted with gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguin colonies. Zodiac outings bring guests close to glacier faces, sculptural ice floes and wildlife-rich bays, while naturalist lectures deepen understanding of geology, climate and conservation.

Why it matters: The peninsula offers the quintessential Antarctic experience—dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and accessible exploration within a relatively compact voyage.

Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands: A Grand Expedition

For those seeking a deeper and more diverse Southern Ocean journey, Seabourn’s signature itinerary combines three of the region’s most storied destinations:

• Antarctica — a realm of floating ice cathedrals, blue-glacier fjords and remote polar amphitheatres
• South Georgia — home to hundreds of thousands of king penguins, dramatic mountains, and the historic sites linked to Sir Ernest Shackleton
• The Falkland Islands — windswept outer islands with albatross colonies, rockhopper penguins and shifting light that photographers adore

These longer voyages deliver a rare blend of wildlife, history and epic scenery. Days at sea are punctuated with expert-led talks, while landings reveal diverse ecosystems—from the icy shores of the Antarctic Peninsula to the wildlife-dense beaches of South Georgia.

Why it matters: This is the Southern Ocean in full—wildlife-rich, historically resonant and ideal for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and seasoned expedition travellers.

The Antarctic Circle Crossing: Beyond the Ordinary

Select Seabourn voyages attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33′ South, a milestone few travellers ever reach. Conditions permitting, these journeys take guests into colder, more remote reaches of the peninsula, where sea ice formations become more intricate, wildlife encounters differ, and anchorages feel untouched. Zodiac cruising in these southern latitudes offers extraordinary encounters with tabular icebergs, sculpted sea ice, and snowy landscapes rarely accessed by commercial vessels.

Why it matters: Crossing the Circle offers a deeper, more exclusive look at Antarctica—perfect for travellers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime polar frontier.

What Sets Seabourn Apart in the South?

• Stabilised PC6 ships for Drake Passage comfort
• Large zodiac fleet for multiple daily landings
• Expedition-led citizen science and enrichment
• A high crew-to-guest ratio ensuring personalised, attentive care

Antarctica with Seabourn feels different: not just expedition, but elevated exploration.

Luxury Expedition, Reframed

Across both poles, Seabourn leans into experience-led luxury—expedition ships with the soul of boutique hotels, destination access shaped by science experts, and itineraries built around meaningful encounters rather than simply “collecting” continents.

For travellers choosing between Arctic 2026 and Antarctica 2026–27:

• Arctic = wildlife, culture, midnight sun, volcanic islands, fjords
• Antarctica = purity, scale, penguins, icebergs, deep wilderness

For many, this becomes a “two-pole” journey across multiple years.

Let’s Keep Exploring

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