Host Lynn Elmhirst explores Arctic fjords, glaciers, icebergs, waterfalls, volcanos and geysers sailing on an expedition cruise on the Seabourn Venture. She takes the world’s only tour inside a glacier, sips champagne in the ship’s submarine, observes crew members using high tech to map uncharted waters for the ship’s captain to use in real-time navigation, and is inducted into the Order of the ‘Bluenose’ for first-time sailors crossing the Arctic circle.
The Ship: Seabourn Venture — Adventure and Elegance at the Edge of the World
The Seabourn Venture is an expedition ship unlike any other—where scientific discovery meets understated luxury, and every journey feels like both an adventure and a privilege. Designed for exploration in the most remote regions on Earth, from the Arctic to Antarctica, this state-of-the-art vessel carries just 264 guests in pure Seabourn style.
Step aboard, and you’re greeted by panoramic windows framing the icy expanse beyond, a palette of natural textures—walnut, stone, and leather—blending seamlessly with the raw landscapes outside. Each suite features a private veranda, a spa-like bathroom, and an attention to detail that’s both practical and indulgent: heated closets for drying parkas, binoculars on every desk, and expedition gear ready for the next Zodiac adventure.
The Expedition Lounge buzzes with quiet excitement after each outing, as guests and naturalists trade stories over espresso or Champagne. Two custom-built submarines and a fleet of Zodiac tenders allow travelers to venture where few ships can go—beneath ice shelves, through glassy fjords, and into remote Arctic inlets where glaciers meet the sea.
Dining aboard Seabourn Venture rivals the world’s finest restaurants. The menus celebrate global flavors with local flair—Arctic char with herb butter, Icelandic lamb, and decadent desserts paired with fine wines. Evenings are relaxed, filled with camaraderie, piano music, and the soft glow of the midnight sun.
Seabourn Venture embodies a rare balance: bold exploration wrapped in grace. It’s a ship for travelers who crave wild beauty and refined comfort—a floating sanctuary at the top of the world.
The Cruise Line: Seabourn — Small Ships, Big Worlds
Few cruise lines capture the essence of true exploration as elegantly as Seabourn. Known for its intimate ships, all-suite accommodations, and impeccable service, Seabourn has long represented the gold standard in luxury travel. With the addition of its expedition vessels—the Venture and Pursuit—the brand has expanded that legacy to the planet’s most remote frontiers.
Seabourn’s expedition philosophy is guided by immersion and insight. Each voyage is accompanied by a world-class expedition team: naturalists, glaciologists, ornithologists, and historians whose passion transforms every landing into a story worth remembering. This is not adventure for adrenaline’s sake—it’s travel for the mind and spirit.
The ideal Seabourn expedition guest is someone who values refinement as much as revelation. They are travelers who’ve seen much of the world and now seek its rarities: calving glaciers, geothermal wonders, and wildlife that thrives where few humans tread. They want adventure without discomfort, intimacy without isolation, and depth without rigidity.
Aboard Seabourn Venture, luxury becomes a means to an end—the ability to focus entirely on experience. The crew’s intuitive service, Michelin-quality cuisine, and thoughtful enrichment create an atmosphere of calm discovery.
For Seabourn, the world is not a checklist but a lifelong conversation. Each voyage—especially to Greenland and Iceland—feels like a chapter in that dialogue between civilization and the sublime.
Iceland’s Volcanoes: Fire Beneath the Ice
Few places on Earth embody nature’s raw power quite like Iceland. The island sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull apart, allowing molten rock to surge toward the surface. The result: over 30 active volcanic systems that define the landscape in perpetual creation.
From the black sands of Reynisfjara to the steaming vents of Hverir and the fiery glow of Fagradalsfjall, Iceland’s volcanoes are reminders that this is a living land—a place still being born. For travelers aboard Seabourn Venture, witnessing this geological drama is a privilege few forget.
Expedition stops often include scenic flights or guided hikes to volcanic craters and geothermal fields, where sulfuric steam rises from rainbow-colored earth. You’ll feel the warmth of the planet beneath your feet, the scent of minerals in the air, and the quiet awe that comes from standing on the edge of creation itself.
In Iceland, the world is not fixed—it’s fluid, dynamic, and gloriously alive.
Glaciers and Icebergs: Sculptors of the Arctic
The glaciers and icebergs of Greenland and Iceland are among the planet’s most mesmerizing wonders—living sculptures carved by time, gravity, and climate. Glaciers form when centuries of snow compact into ice, creating slow-moving rivers that reshape the land. When they reach the sea, they release massive chunks that become icebergs, drifting like floating cathedrals of blue and white.
On Seabourn Venture, guests often approach these giants by Zodiac, gliding through still waters where the only sounds are the crackle of melting ice and the distant thunder of calving glaciers. Each iceberg tells a story written in its layers—dust from ancient eruptions, air trapped from bygone centuries, and streaks of crystalline blue that glow in Arctic sunlight.
To witness them is to glimpse the heartbeat of the planet itself—majestic, fragile, and endlessly changing.
Ports of Call: Nuuk, Ilulissat, and Seyðisfjörður
Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, is a vibrant blend of old and new. Its colorful wooden houses stand against a backdrop of granite peaks, and the National Museum of Greenland offers insight into Inuit culture and the island’s colonial past. The city’s growing art scene reflects a people balancing tradition with modern identity.
Ilulissat, set beside the UNESCO-listed Icefjord, is a marvel of sound and motion. Here, glaciers calve daily, sending monumental icebergs into Disko Bay. A wooden boardwalk leads from the town to a stunning viewpoint, where you can hear the echoing rumble of ice meeting sea.
Across the Denmark Strait, Seyðisfjörður in eastern Iceland is a haven of creativity. The fjord’s pastel houses and the iconic rainbow-painted street leading to its blue church have made it one of the most photogenic towns in Iceland. Hike to the nearby waterfalls or browse local artisan shops that embody Icelandic craftsmanship.
Each stop reveals a different side of the Arctic world—Greenland’s cultural depth, Iceland’s natural drama, and the shared resilience of those who call these landscapes home.
