Arctic and Antarctic cruises back in Seabourn 2028-2029 expeditions

Seabourn has unveiled its 2028–2029 expedition season, putting a strong focus on deeper Arctic exploration and the return of its flagship Grand Expedition: Pole to Pole, timed to coincide with the line’s 40th anniversary in 2028.

Seabourn new program features 49 departures ranging from eight to 96 days, covering more than 180 destinations in 29 countries.

Purpose-built expedition ships Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit will operate the sailings, with itineraries spanning the Arctic, Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, the Chilean Fjords and remote Atlantic islands.

The line is significantly expanding its Arctic footprint, with more departures, new routes and longer daylight sailing windows designed to maximize wildlife encounters and off-ship exploration. Guests can expect a full suite of expedition experiences including Zodiac cruising, kayaking, guided landings and expert-led enrichment.

Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn, said the new season reflects growing demand for immersive, remote travel experiences. He added that the combination of expedition depth and Seabourn’s luxury service continues to set the brand apart.

Grand Expedition returns

A key highlight is the return of the Grand Expedition: Pole to Pole, a 96-day voyage sailing from Reykjavik to Ushuaia, departing August 17, 2028. The journey spans more than 20,500 nautical miles (38,000 km!) and crosses 147 degrees of latitude, connecting the High Arctic with Antarctica in one continuous voyage.

The itinerary includes exploration across 14 countries and territories, with extended time in key wildlife regions. Guests will spend five days in Antarctica, three days in South Georgia and three days in the Falkland Islands, including a call at Port Stanley. The voyage also crosses the Equator and both Tropics, adding a geographic milestone element to the experience.

Wildlife encounters are a major draw, ranging from polar bears and beluga whales in the north to penguins, seals and seabirds in the south. South Georgia and the Falklands offer particularly dense wildlife populations, including multiple penguin species and vast king penguin colonies.

The voyage includes 62 days of expedition activities and port calls, along with a pre-cruise hotel stay in Reykjavik, a charter flight to Greenland, and a post-cruise charter to Buenos Aires. Guests can choose between the full 96-day sailing or a shorter 82-day option joining later in the journey.

Onboard, the experience remains fully all-inclusive, with luxury suites, fine dining, premium beverages and expedition gear including Swarovski binoculars and a custom Polar Parka. Signature experiences such as the Polar Plunge and “Caviar on the Ice” also feature.

Beyond the Grand Expedition, the broader season places a clear emphasis on the Arctic. Between April and September 2028, both ships will operate in the region, marking Seabourn Pursuit’s first full Arctic season. Destinations include Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Canada and the Northwest Passage.

New itineraries explore remote regions such as the Torngat Mountains in Labrador, Baffin Island and Ellesmere Island, one of the northernmost inhabited areas on Earth. The program also includes a return to Svalbard and an expanded series of roundtrip sailings from Reykjavik.

Among the new routes are a 12-day Iceland and Faroe Islands voyage, an 18-day Greenland to Newfoundland sailing, and several deep-dive Arctic Canada expeditions.

From October 2028 through March 2029, both ships reposition to Antarctica. Voyages range from 10 to 25 days and include the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falklands and the Chilean Fjords.

The Antarctic program has also been enhanced, with longer landing windows, expanded wildlife viewing in South Georgia and new combination itineraries linking Antarctica with sub-Antarctic islands. Additional focus has been placed on photography and wildlife interpretation.