Seabourn this month completed a showcase of remote Greenland for a group of Australian travel advisors who sailed for 14 days aboard the luxury cruise line’s first of two purpose-built expedition ships, Seabourn Venture.
On board the voyage were some 160 guests, comprising a mix of travellers from the USA, Europe, a few Australians and guests from Southeast Asia, reflecting the diverse audience Seabourn is penetrating with its five-star expedition product.
Accompanied by Seabourn’s Jennifer Compton, Key Accounts Manager and Catherine Rynd, Marketing Lead, the high-performing luxury cruise sellers — and their plus ones — joined Seabourn Venture in Reykjavík, Iceland for their two-week exploration of Greenland. Compton and Rynd now share the privilege of being the first two Australian-based Seabourn representatives to cruise aboard the all-balcony, 132-suite vessel.
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The voyage sailed around the horn of Greenland, exploring many fascinating (and very hard to pronounce) ports including Tasiilaq, Aappilattoq, Qaqortoq, Paamiut, Maniistoq and Ilulissat. Highlights included the fjords of Johan Petersen, Tunulliarfik and Amerloq, before concluding in Kangerlussuaq for a private charter flight back to Reykjavik.
The adventure included sailing among icebergs and desolate inlets, visiting remote villages for cultural immersion, and activities such as kayaking in the remote wilderness, hiking through snow to hillside vantage points, Zodiac excursions, submarine dives and more.
Speaking exclusively to LATTE on behalf of Rynd and herself, Compton said finally seeing Seabourn Venture in the flesh, and stepping on board was an emotional experience for the duo. Both have been at Seabourn since Venture and soon-to-launch sister ship, Seabourn Pursuit, were first flagged in 2018, and as new details of each ship was slowly revealed, until the first ship’s launch in July last year.
“The product really blew our minds,” Compton said, saying Seabourn Venture was even better than they anticipated. “It was everything and so much more.”
Like all guests onboard, the advisors relished their private balcony and marble bathrooms, while the heated closet to dry and keep jackets and attire warm was highly regarded.
Compton was also particularly impressed with Seabourn Venture‘s Bow Lounge, which is a new concept for the brand on its expedition ships. The Bow Lounge is perched beneath the ship’s bridge, with panoramic windows facing foward, and features a range of screens and interactive displays where guests can view and bring up the ship’s tracking and course, along with live footage from cameras mounted outside the ship, while remaining in absolute comfort with coffee, tea and fresh pastries available from the stocked pantry within the venue.
“There were always people engaged in the Bow Lounge. It’s very popular and very well utilised.”
She also noted that Seabourn’s Expedition Team members were frequently engaged with guests, regardless of where they were on the ship, answering questions and providing insight on various topics
And for those advisors (and guests) who still needed to remain ‘connected’ for work while travelling, Seabourn’s complimentary Starlink wifi service provided ongoing connectivity, even in the most remote corners of Greenland.
Lead image: The participants aboard Seabourn’s first Australian trade famil aboard Seabourn Venture included [back from from left]: Caitlyn Grant, This Is Flow Media Agency; Liam Jarman, Savenio; Mark Spurway, MTA; Shannon Barry, Balanced Brands; Denise Gilfeather, Spencer Travel; Thanh Lai, FirstClass Travel; Catherine Rynd, Marketing Lead – Seabourn and Holly Langford, This Is Flow Media Agency.
Front row: Sue Todorovski, itravel Carlingford; Damian Clark, Travel Associates, Burleigh; Jennifer Compton. Key Account Manager – Seabourn; David Brandon, Savenio; Gillian Woodley, Travel Associates Sandy Bay and Chris McIlroy, Travel Inspirations.