Onboard Review: 10 Highlights From the New Seabourn Pursuit

ATRIUM10 Highlights From the New Seabourn PursuitBy Lydia GregoryJust like its sister ship, Seabourn Venture, Seabourn’s newest small ship, Seabourn Pursuit, is a blend of luxury, extraordinary technology and the brand’s signature service, a vessel that is as much at home breaking the sea ice in Antarctica as it is sailing the French Riviera. We had a chance to step aboard during the handover ceremony in Genoa, Italy, and saw firsthand precisely what will make the Seabourn Pursuit a favorite with your most demanding clients. 1. The Art – “Since we started to work with Seabourn, design has become one of the pillars of the brand,” says Adam D. Tihany, founder of Tihany Design and head designer of Seabourn’s unique interiors. “They sell experiences, they sell luxury, they sell service, they sell amazing food, but they also sell design.” Design is in the vessel’s DNA, from the light switches to the custom-made furniture and art pieces to every throw pillow, dish and mural. In other words, Seabourn Pursuit is a veritable floating art gallery. LOUNGE2. The Bow Lounge – Located on Deck 6, the Bow Lounge is a game-changer for cruisers. Why? Because this unique indoor/outdoor setup not only sits them as close as possible to the water—where they can catch a glimpse of gamboling whales and other sea creatures—but also provides a series of touch screens that show the ship’s location, nautical charts, weather info and details about upcoming expeditions. Feel like a captain? That’s the point. And in case anyone is in their Jack-and-Rose feels, this is where guests can step out on the Bow Sprit and look down at the ice breaker plowing through the water (or ice!)3. The Constellation Lounge – True to its name, the Constellation Lounge will bring stars to your client’s eyes with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls and 280-degree view—it is, after all, the highest indoor viewing point of the ship. Lively from morning (with the Early Morning Riser breakfast) through Afternoon Tea and evenings with live piano entertainment, it’s also the stopping point for expedition team members to help your (libation in hand) clients spot local wildlife and sights. LADIES EATING4. The Cuisine – Foodies rejoice: Seabourn Square is one of five dining experiences on board the vessel, all included. Other eateries include The Colonnade, open for breakfast and lunch buffets (don’t miss the signature gelato stand for some homemade deliciousness) and themed dinners served tableside (“Earth & Ocean” is said themed dinner—only on select nights—with an eclectic menu); The Patio for alfresco lunches; the Pantry in the Bow Lounge for self-serve bites and, of course, 24-hour in-suite dining. Suppose guests want to dress up a little more. In that case, there’s Sushi in the Club, and Teatime and cocktail-hour tapas in the Constellation Lounge, and, of course, the main event signature restaurant on all Seabourn ships, The Restaurant, for fine dining and open seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Of note: vegetarian and vegan dishes are on the menu.AUDITORIUM5. The Discovery Center – Located on Deck 4, this is ground central for Seabourn Pursuit’s nature and cultural programming. It’s large enough to fit all the guests, and its design makes everyone feel like they have the best seat in the house. The chats are led by the members of the 26-person expedition team, comprised of wilderness experts, historians, naturalists and scientists. The giant hi-def screens bring the outside in, from polar bears walking on ice to the creatures that live deep under the waves to landscapes and more. These images, by the way, include live ones from the 4K GSS Cineflex Camera mounted at the very top of the vessel, which can zoom in on a walrus from miles away.6. The Landing Zone – This is where your client’s exploration experiences begin—and end. There are two landing zones on Deck 3 (port and starboard side), and they’re both where clients can gear up on their way out, then clean and store their gear on the way in, whether it’s boots and parkas or scuba and snorkeling gear. It also gives them direct access to one of the 24 Zodiacs ready to hit the water to adventure central. 7. The Seabourn Square – Whoever declared “there will be no boring reception lobby here” got their wish with the Seabourn Square, a staple aboard the brand’s ships. This is where your clients will go to pick up a book or a paper or view them on a courtesy tablet with a cuppa from the coffee bar, or meet fellow cruisegoers for a chat about the day’s activities. Expedition Team members regularly check in here, and this is also where they’ll find Guest Services—concierge-level staff that can take care of any request. Breakfast to go and other light fare is available throughout the day.8. The Spa & Wellness – This little gem aims to make its patrons feel the serenity of a forest while they pursue wellness in the shape of Mindful Living programs created by Dr. Andrew Weil and an indulgent spa menu. Here, they can work off their gourmet-induced calories on high-tech machines with personal trainers or stretch to their heart’s content in the yoga areas—all with a view from the floor-to-ceiling windows. UNDERWATER MACHINE9. The Submarines – Seabourn Pursuit is outfitted with two state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly submersibles that can each take six guests down nearly 1,000 ft. (984 to be exact). These aren’t any old submarines—true to the Seabourn ethos, they’re ultra-luxurious, with Bluetooth stereo, a/c and a champagne chiller so viewers can toast to the sea creatures floating by. And in case recent events might want to put a damper on your client’s adventure, we chatted with one of the pilots and were assured there were enough redundant safety devices to ensure a perfect trip (thanks, Merel!)BEDROOM10. The Suites – We could wax eloquent about the suites for an entire article because there’s no doubting the exceptional offer where accommodations are concerned. There are only 132 oceanfront suites aboard Seabourn Pursuit, but there are 12 categories. All have a private, oceanview verandah, living area, luxurious bathroom, walk-in closet, heated flooring, Swarovski Optik binoculars, complimentary laundry (among other high-level services) and even a built-in heated jacket wardrobe to warm up and dry off outerwear. The two-level Grand Wintergarden Suites on decks 7 and 9 and the Signatures Suites at the stern are swoon-worthy. Still, we were quite taken with the new Panorama Veranda Suites, with their floor-to-ceiling windows in the semi-circular living area with the bed placed to fully enjoy the view. And did we mention the soaking tub—also with a view? Contact Information Seabourn: onesourcecruises.com
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