Sailing the Arctic: Seabourn Venture Delivers Luxury and Adventure

Exploring the Norwegian High Arctic earlier this summer proved an incredible experience for Jocelyn Burgess, guest relations specialist, and Erin Conner, manager, leisure sales for Pavlus Travel. While sailing the Arctic on Seabourn Venture, they experienced both a “journey to adventure” and an ultra-luxury Seabourn cruise.

Earlier this week, The Meandering Traveler wrote about the top perks of such a voyage exploring Svalbard, Norway. You can read Part One of this two-part series, which includes six “Top 10 Arctic” benefits.

Below is our second installation with more firsthand feedback from Burgess and Conner. So, check out these four additional “Top 10 Arctic” perks for those sailing the Arctic on Seabourn Venture.

7. Top 10 Arctic: Intimate, Small-Group Exploring

“Carrying a maximum of 264 guests, Seabourn Venture‘s small-ship experience allows every guest to have truly intimate small-group expeditions,” stresses Conner. “I felt that we experienced that in every Arctic location that we explored.”

For both Arctic expeditions on water and wet landings ashore, 24 Zodiacs are carried on board. Depending on their size, each can accommodate eight to 16 guests. That facilitates small-group exploring.

Overall, “the high quality of the Zodiac outings and landings ashore, based on the expertise of the expedition guides, truly creates a memorable — and often unique — adventure each and every day,” Conner believes.

These are intimate, small-group outings, personalized to the specific Zodiac — depending on the guide. Cruisers on one Zodiac might head for a spot where seals are sunning on an ice floe.

But then setting out just five or 10 minutes later, another expedition guide piloting a different Zodiac might head in a separate direction. He or she may have spotted something else of interest.

Hiking ashore too, often just a handful of people were experiencing views of a pristine, remote landscape or exploring a beach.

As a result, “I came away with amazing individual experiences that I felt were all my own,” Conner explains. “Many fellow guests felt the same way.”

8. Top 10 Arctic: Superb Dining Afloat 

The beauty of any cruise is that travelers’ accommodations, dining and entertainment float along with them. There’s no packing or unpacking either. It’s an easier way to travel than hopping from city to city via multiple hotel stays, train rides or air flights.

Certainly, one top voyage feature is the dining. And that’s particularly great in a truly remote region at the northern end of the Earth.

Conner and Burgess experienced luxury dining in the ship’s fine dining Restaurant on Deck 4, and an elevated buffet restaurant called the Colonnade on Deck 5 (including the Earth & Ocean specialty dining experience on some nights as described in another section below).

Plus, the ship offers themed dinners, culinary-and-wine pairing dinners in the fine dining spaces, and pampering room service. Burgess describes the cuisine that she enjoyed in the two main dining venues this way:

• “So, the Restaurant on Deck 4 had two themed tasting menus during our voyage, and then also had themed chef specials for other nights. In culinary styles, those ranged from French to Italian, Indian, Scandinavian, American Steak House and more. That’s in addition to the Restaurant’s expanded menu available every night.
• “The Colonnade, on Deck 5, had themed buffet lunches and then a sit-down dinner each night, which was also themed around a culture. So, one day we had an Indian-inspired lunch buffet and a Norwegian-inspired dinner and so on.”

Of course, in addition to the culturally themed options, other classic dishes were available. Guests could also opt for vegetarian or gluten-free choices.

No Reservations Required

Dining hours are posted in the app and daily Seabourn Herald. Within those hours, for regular dining, “no reservations are needed.”

Plus, dining in the Restaurant or the Colonnade isn’t set at a fixed time for each guest,” says Conner. “It’s open seating, which we liked for the flexibility after a day of expedition outings.”

One exception is if guests receive a special invitation for a Restaurant dinner hosted by a ship’s officer. That’s at a specific time, dependent on the officer’s schedule.

Sailing the Arctic: Seabourn Signature Events

Throughout their Seabourn Venture voyage, the ladies also experienced several Seabourn Signature Events. Among them were afternoon tea and “Caviar on Deck,” endless/bottomless caviar served various ways and paired with cocktails and wine.

In addition, the “Epicurean Event,” an extravagant deck party, is a cocktail hour with food from around the world. “While sailing the Arctic, you might taste such tasty favorites as apricot crepes, Iberico ham, fondue, charcuterie, beef tartare, and flambe desserts,” Conner says.

Most notably, twice during the Arctic voyage, the ship’s Restaurant offers a “Signature Dining Experience,” a six-course tasting menu with a choice of entrees. “On our cruise, one dinner was French, the other Scandinavian,” she explains. “In particular, “I thought the Scandinavian Signature Dinner was fantastic.”

These special dining experiences are offered with a la carte wine pairings curated by the sommeliers on the ship. While the tasting dinners themselves are part of Seabourn’s all-inclusive approach, the specialty wine pairings cost an additional $195.00 per person.”

Overall, “the gastronomic result is “simply superb,” according to Conner. 

Earth & Ocean Specialty Dining

While Seabourn Venture doesn’t have a stand-alone specialty restaurant, it DOES offer additional dining diversity. How so?

For at least one evening per cruise, guests who dine in Colonnade or on that eatery’s outside deck can order dishes from a specialty Earth & Ocean Restaurant menu. That popular specialty dining concept is found on Seabourn’s other ships including its larger, classic ships.

Presented with style and flair, the dishes are rich and savory,” says Burgess. “I still dream of the farmers-style baked Camembert (baked brie) with honey pommery mustard and grilled bread!”

Sailing the Arctic: Room Service

The two Pavlus Travel team members felt that room service for their suite was treated with the same level of care and respect as the full restaurants. “It truly feels luxurious to have high-end dining in your pajamas at breakfast,” says Burgess.

One tip she offers for potential guests? “When you put out a door tag for room-service breakfast at 7 a.m. the next morning, don’t think they won’t be prompt when delivering your food at that time,” she quips.

“So, choose the timing carefully! After several days of early morning exploring, sometimes it’s good to just relax, sleep in and call for room service when you get up.”

9. Top 10 Arctic: Exploring Longyearbyen

In Part One of this series, we chatted about the eco-thrill of seeing wild critters while sailing the Arctic. Yes, Conner and Burgess loved spotting polar bears, Arctic foxes, seabirds, walruses and other wildlife.

But there’s another great perk of a Norwegian High Arctic cruise — the discovery of Arctic heritage and culture in Longyearbyen. As the prime enclave of civilization in the Svalbard archipelago, Longyearbyen is both a cruise embarkation destination and a popular port of call.

As the world’s most northerly town, Longyearbyen is Svalbard’s administrative center. Its 2,400 outdoor-focused residents hail from more than 50 countries!

Talk about the wilderness! Dramatic Arctic scenery is viewable from everywhere in town. In fact, local residents are accustomed to seeing reindeer.

Sailing the Arctic: Visiting Longyearbyen 

Cruise guests walking around Longyearbyen will find shops, restaurants, bars and cultural offerings. While there’s just one grocery store in town, a local greenhouse supplies fresh herbs and vegetables.

Another fun factoid? Longyearbyen even has its own brewery and chocolaterie! 

Certainly, one top stop included on many cruise shore excursions is the North Pole Expedition Museum. At this two-story museum, travelers can learn about tales of North Pole expeditions. The focus is mainly on airships but the museum also details some expeditions via skis, dog sleds and boats.

Visitors can peruse historic documents, newspapers, photographs, movies, artifacts, letters and more.

If time permits, cruisers also might check out the Svalbard Museum and Nordover Art Museum.

Svalbard Church, part of the Church of Norway, is managed by the bishop of Nord-Halogaland. As the world’s most northernmost church, this vital meeting place hosts both religious services and cultural gatherings.

10. Top 10 Arctic: Luxury with Adventure! 

“For our Norwegian High Arctic expedition, Seabourn did an incredible job balancing luxury and adventure in one voyage,” stresses Conner. The on-ship team’s impeccable care in serving guests and the high quality of the Zodiac outings combined to create that perspective.

Conner emphasizes: “I felt that we were incredibly pampered, but living an adventure at the same time.”

Putting it another way, Burgess says this: “If you desire luxurious glamping as a cruise vacation, this is definitely a good one. It’s the perfect mix of adventure and outdoor activities while still maintaining luxury and high-end cruising.”

For instance, Burgess quips that “the turn-down service was exceptional, though we may have had too many chocolates for our pillows by the end of the trip. Our suite attendants were also very charming, engaging and seemingly interested in our daily excursions.”

This type of Arctic expedition is very good for potential guests who desire a little excitement, according to Burgess. In other words, guests might not know exactly what the next day may bring. But they usually can’t wait for the next polar adventure.

“What Seabourn excels at is carefully curated experiences both on and off the ship,” stresses Burgess. “Even that extends above and beyond.”

From The Meandering Traveler‘s perspective, having sailed on this ship in the Arctic in 2023, we’d opt for an expedition in the wild and then return to Seabourn Venture for a luxurious sauna experience. Check out the incredible windows for Arctic views (see photo below).

Sailing the Arctic: Upcoming Svalbard Options

Seabourn operates many expedition voyages to the Arctic. Some explore the Svalbard archipelago. For example, Conner and Burgess set off on Seabourn Venture’s 11-night “Svalbard: Beyond the North Cape” journey.

That itinerary sailed to Svalbard, but also explored such Norwegian mainland spots as Tromso and North Cape. The voyage concluded in Edinburgh, Scotland, which both women loved. (Hint: We got so much separate “intel” about top things to see and do in Edinburgh, that we’ll cover those in a different, upcoming blog! Stay tuned.)

As for Tromso, Burgess says it’s “a very quaint town with lovely restaurants, bars and breweries. It was easy to walk around with a welcoming town square.”

In addition, Norway is known for its mythological “trolls,” so she visited the fanciful Tromso Troll Museum.  “Dedicated to trolls and fairytales, it’s interactive and fun for families,” she tells us.

At North Cape, on an island atop the Norwegian mainland, Conner enjoyed learning about past explorers. In addition, “we visited with a local, indigenous Sami family and learned about their nomadic ways,” she says. “It was fascinating to hear about reindeer herding, breeding and trading, all important to both the local lifestyle and to Norway overall.”

Upcoming Svalbard Journeys with Seabourn

For 2025, Seabourn Venture will sail other itineraries to the Norwegian Arctic. Here are a few examples:

From Conner’s perspective, the best guest for a trip to the Norwegian High Arctic is “an adventurous and active traveler that wants to experience the Arctic in an up close and personal manner. This trip is also ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers, and hikers.”

Parting Thoughts: High Up, Otherworldly Nature

Finally, we’ll end this report with these thoughts. On a Norwegian High Arctic cruise to Svalbard, “there’s such a strangeness to how high up in the world you are and the almost ‘otherworldly nature’ of the environment,” says Burgess.

Both women told The Meandering Traveler that they felt akin to true explorers. Day after day, they landed at pristine, beautiful landscapes practically untouched by humanity. They were surrounded by glaciers of unimaginable size.

They spotted amazing wildlife including polar bears, Arctic foxes and walruses. And the excitement of never knowing what each day would bring delivered a level of thrill. “This is a great itinerary for the cruise guest who has ‘done it all’ and is looking for the next step in their cruising portfolio,” Connor says.

So, forget the standard port-a-day regimen of tours, museums, gift shops and crowds. Burgess puts it simply:  “Instead, you’ll feel the unfiltered exclusivity of being at the highest point in the world.”

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