Seabourn has signed a Letter of Intent for the construction of two new ultra-luxury expedition ships with a new partnership between shipbuilders T.Mariotti and Damen (MARIOTTI DAMEN Cruise).

Seabourn says the new ships will be a “brand new innovative design”, created specifically for the ultra-luxury expedition cruise sector.

The 170 meter, 23,000 gross ton vessels will add new capacity for Seabourn in Antarctica, the Arctic, and other exotic destinations around the world and will combine many features that have made Seabourn ships so successful as well as a host of unique features designed to enhance the expedition experience.

Seabourn Sojourn is pictured in the Arctic.

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Each will feature 132 luxurious oceanfront veranda suites, which will be home for up to 264 guests. Both ships will also meet PC6 Polar Class standards, which will enable them to cruise through light to medium ice conditions during the summer and autumn months.

The first delivery is expected in June 2021 and the second ship is anticipated in May 2022.

“This is a groundbreaking moment for Seabourn and for luxury travellers, who will now find a new standard of authentic yet luxurious expedition adventures in new and amazing destinations few people will ever see,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn.

“The combination of immersive experience, fine accommodations, and sumptuous amenities offered by these new ships builds on the success of our current product line-up and further demonstrates our leadership as innovators as we continue offering the finest ultra-luxury cruises available,” he added.

Seabourn’s announcement comes just a few months after Celebrity Cruises expedition arm Celebrity Xpeditions confirmed that it had ordered a brand new expedition cruise ship, designed to enhance the standards of luxury in a largely untapped cruise sector.

Seabourn is pulling out all the stops to make these two new expedition cruise ships the most competitive in the luxury expedition cruise market.

Each will carry two submarines on-board, as well as a complement of kayaks and 24 Zodiac inflatable boats, which have operated as a part of the highly successful Ventures by Seabourn program offered in select destinations around the world.

Kayaking during a Seabourn Sojourn cruise in the Arctic (Image courtesy From the Deck Chair).

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“It’s been amazing to watch the growth of our expedition-style experiences since our first sailing to Antarctica in 2013 through today, where we now offer the Ventures by Seabourn program in a number of desirable destinations around the world,” said Robin West, vice president of Expedition Operations and Planning for Seabourn.

“A year ago we started developing the concept for this next chapter of our expedition story with dedicated ships built to take luxury travellers to the most coveted places on the planet and they will be thrilled to see these remote destinations in Seabourn style,” he added.

Seabourn will announce design and service details for the new ships beginning later this year. The first ship is currently planned to sail in the Arctic in late summer 2021, with a full winter season in Antarctica to follow.

Specific details about itineraries and booking availability will be released in early 2019.

Onboard crew will include outstanding and well-traveled expedition teams comprised of experienced wilderness experts, scientists, historians and Zodiac operators.