Seabourn Cancels Expedition Submarine Program: What It Means for Future Voyages
In a recent strategic shift at the conclusion of the current Antarctic season, Seabourn has announced it will be discontinuing its expedition submarine programme. This decision means that the custom-built submersibles onboard the Seabourn Venture and its sister ship, Seabourn Pursuit, will not continue past this season and will be phased out over the next six weeks.
The submersibles were an integral feature of the ships, which were specifically designed to support this undersea activity when they began service in 2022 and 2023. However, Seabourn cited multiple reasons for the programme’s discontinuation. Guest engagement with the submarine experience was lower than expected, leading to questions about operational viability. Furthermore, maintaining and recertifying the specialized equipment required considerable technical resources, complicating sustainability.
Additionally, evolving regulatory requirements in certain operational regions increasingly restricted where and how submarine operations could occur, limiting deployment options.
Despite the removal of the submarine experience, Seabourn’s expedition offerings will still include various activities that immerse travelers in remote environments, such as Zodiac excursions, sea kayaking, and guided hikes. The company has reached out to travel advisors with clients who had reservations for submarine dives to discuss alternative arrangements or refunds, which is standard practice when an optional excursion is removed from published itineraries.
The broader expedition activities aboard Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit will continue, as both vessels are built to Polar Class standards and equipped for an array of immersive guest experiences, supported by expert expedition teams.
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At CruiseShip.net, our editorial team is made up of passionate travelers, seasoned cruisers, and maritime industry enthusiasts who live and breathe life at sea. From the latest ship launches and destination spotlights to detailed reviews and onboard tips, we are dedicated to helping readers discover the joy of cruising. Our mission is to make every article both inspiring and useful, whether you are planning your first voyage or your fiftieth. We research, fact-check, and collaborate with cruise insiders around the world to bring you accurate, up-to-date, and exciting coverage of the global cruise industry. Join us as we chart new horizons, exploring one port, one ship, and one unforgettable experience at a time.
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