What really stood out to me:

• 24 zodiacs for excursions that get you really close to the action
  
• Two custom submarines (we toured them, though they weren’t running on our sailing)
  
• A full expedition team—over 10 pros who led hikes, wildlife spotting, and deep-dive presentations
  
• A special bow thruster system that holds the ship steady without anchoring—very cool, and more eco-friendly for those tucked-away bays we visited

The ship also has an open bridge, so you can walk in and see the crew navigating, which I thought was such a fun and unique touch.

Life Onboard: Relaxed, Refined, and Effortless

Every day felt full, but never rushed (exactly what a great vacation should be). Mornings often started early with zodiac outings: you’d get a 15-minute warning announcement, and that was genuinely enough time to get ready. No stress, no running around, mostly because the ship is so easy to navigate.

There are a couple of main gathering spots:

Seabourn Square: kind of like the ship’s cozy living room, with a coffee bar, library, and concierge desk

Discovery Lounge: where they’d debrief the day’s adventures and preview what’s next (you can also watch from your suite)

Dining was a big part of the experience too:

• The Colonnade serves breakfast, lunch, and themed dinners
  
• The Restaurant is the more formal option and we loved it (the bolognese was legendary)
  
• Sushi is served nightly in The Club
  
• And yes, there’s grab-and-go coffee and snacks, which I definitely appreciated for early mornings
  

There are eight lounges and bars total, which may sound like a lot for such a small ship, but it never felt crowded. Each had its own vibe, so whether you wanted a quiet cocktail or a little live music, there was something for whatever mood you might be in.

A Touch of Wellness and Comfort

The spa was lovely, with saunas that overlook the ocean (my only complaint is that the saunas were in the locker rooms, so we couldn’t enjoy them as a couple). There’s also a small gym, which was never too busy, and even a larger space for fitness classes or stretching.

Our suite was spacious, with room to unpack completely, along with a really thoughtful addition a warming/drying closet. After getting splashed on a zodiac ride, it was so nice to come back and dry out your gear or warm up your clothes.

The bathroom was large with a deep soaking tub and oddly, the shower was quite small … not a dealbreaker, just something we noted.

Entertainment, But Make It Chill

If you’re looking for late-night shows and casinos, this probably isn’t your ship. Honestly, that’s part of the charm. We had some great live music including the Shamrock Tenors and a female trio later in the week, but things wrapped up early, which was perfect since our mornings started early with outings.

What impressed me most was how smoothly the crew handled the zodiac operations, even for guests with mobility challenges. Everyone who wanted to go exploring was able to—safely and confidently.

A Special Kind of Travel

This trip made me fall in love with expedition cruising. The Seabourn Venture gave us access to places you simply can’t get to on a regular cruise: we floated into sea caves, spotted puffins and other seabirds up close, and even visited small villages that are impossible to reach by road. It felt like we were seeing the world in a completely new way, while having all the comforts of ultra-luxury travel waiting for us back on board.